Final Choice

The page is titled N°003 FINAL CHOICE. Gon sits on the ground in the foreground, legs stretched out, holding an open sheet of paper with a puzzled expression and a question mark floating beside him. Behind him towers a massive, long-necked creature with a checkered pattern along its body and a friendly, toothy grin. A wooden signpost nearby points left toward an arrow labeled V-1-0. Two text boxes explain the situation: one states that applicants will only be contacted by written document for the date, hour, and approximate placement of the Hunter Exam, while the other notes that with the little information they have, the participants will have to go to the exam center alone, which is also a way of selecting candidates. Birds fly in the distant sky over rolling hills.

At Dolle's Port, a wide view of the bustling harbor with ships and buildings fills the top panel. Leorio stands tall in a black suit, one arm raised, while Gon looks up at him and Kurapika stands nearby. Speech bubbles read: Leorio says "DO THEY ALL PROBABLY GO TO ZABAN?" and "THERE'RE SO MANY PEOPLE..." In a lower panel, Kurapika, seen from behind, replies "AND THEY'RE ALL PROBABLY HERE FOR THE SAME REASON WE ARE." The three stand together amid a large crowd of people moving through the port area.

The captain shakes hands with Gon on the deck. 'THANKS. AND TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF.' 'CAPTAIN! THANKS FOR EVERYTHING!' The captain steps forward and points sharply. 'TAC. I HAVE ONE LAST BIT OF ADVICE FOR YOU.' In a dramatic wide panel, the captain's gloved hand points toward a distant mountain crowned by a single tall tree, light rays bursting outward. 'JUST HEAD FOR THE TREE ON THAT MOUNTAIN! IT'S A SHORTCUT TO GET TO WHERE THE EXAMS ARE!' Below, the captain strokes his beard while watching Gon run off. 'YOUR SON IS A GOOD KID. NO NEED TO WORRY, SIN!' Gon dashes away waving. 'OKAY! THANKS!'

Gon, Leorio, and Kurapika stand before a large public map of the region. 'WHILE WE COULD TAKE A BUS THAT TAKES US DIRECTLY THERE... IT'S VERY STRANGE TO GO TO THIS MOUNTAIN, IN THE TOTAL OPPOSITE DIRECTION...' 'LOOK! ZABAN, THE PLACE WHERE THE TEST IS, IS CLEARLY INDICATED ON THIS MAP. IT'S A BIG TOWN...' 'THAT'S WEIRD... MAYBE HE ACCIDENTALLY POINTED THIS WAY.' Leorio raises a finger. 'IT'S A SHORTCUT, BUT IF WE MESS UP, WE'LL WALK FOR NOTHING...' Gon grips his fishing rod and stares ahead with determination. 'I'M SURE THERE'S A GOOD REASON FOR THIS. IT DOESN'T MATTER, I'M GOING THAT WAY.' The three begin walking down the long road toward the distant mountain as Leorio continues to voice his doubts.

Kurapika watches Gon walking ahead. 'I THINK I'M GONNA STAY WITH HIM FOR A WHILE. MORE THAN THE CAPTAIN'S WORDS... IT'S WHAT THIS BOY DOES THAT INTERESTS ME.' Leorio reacts with shock. 'EH! KURAPIKA...' Leorio turns and waves goodbye. 'BYE! THAT WAS A SHORT TIME TOGETHER, BUT STILL, GOOD LUCK!' He walks away but soon stops, sweatdropping. 'A TRAP...? RUKKI TOLD ME IT WAS ANOTHER REASON TO ELIMINATE CANDIDATES... HEYA! YOU DON'T KNOW? IT SEEMS THAT THE DIRECT BUS FOR ZABAN DOESN'T GO WHERE EXPECTED!' Leorio spins around and sprints after the others, suitcase in hand. 'YOU TWO, DON'T YOU FEEL LONELY? I MISSED YOU, SAME WITH YOU, RIGHT? IN THAT CASE, TOO BAD FOR THE BUS, I'LL ACCOMPANY YOU! HAHAHA!' 'HEY!! WAIT! WAIT FOR ME!'

The group walks down a deserted, rundown street littered with debris and broken bottles. Large sound-effect lettering fills the air. In the distance, a few shadowy figures stand near buildings. Leorio, adjusting his glasses, remarks, "THERE'S NOBODY OUT HERE..." and adds, "I DON'T REALLY LIKE THIS PLACE..." Kurapika replies, "HOWEVER, THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE HERE..." while Gon looks around alertly. Someone says, "LET'S KEEP OUR GUARD UP." The narrow alley ahead is lined with hanging laundry and wires, leading toward a distant tower-like structure.

Leorio questions, "DON'T YOU HEAR THE SOUND OF BREATHING FROM EVERYWHERE?" and "HOW DO YOU KNOW ALL THESE THINGS?!" Kurapika answers, "YEAH." and notes, "AND THE SOUND OF CLOTH SCRAPING, TOO! THEY'RE TRYING TO HIDE!" Leorio shushes with "SHH!" and admits, "UNFORTUNATELY, I'M A NORMAL GUY." Gon grips a large club as the group advances. Leorio suddenly reacts with shock, arms outstretched, as masked townspeople emerge from the shadows, their faces hidden behind eerie white masks. Onomatopoeia like "CREEP CREEP" and "MPF" punctuate the tense atmosphere.

An elderly man with a headband and beads leans forward, declaring, "VERY INT...ERESTING..." A massive close-up reveals his exaggerated, wide-eyed face as he announces, "THE EXCITING QUIZ OF TWO ANSWERS!" He explains the rules: "FIRST, YOU HAVE TO SUCCEED IN GETTING OUT OF THIS TOWN..." and warns, "THE OTHER PATHS THAT COULD LEAD YOU THERE ARE LIKE LABYRINTHS, IN WHICH REIGN TERRIBLY, BLOODTHIRSTY MONSTERS." He continues, "YOU'RE HEADING FOR THE TREE ON THE MOUNTAIN, AREN'T YOU?" while clapping his hands. Gon, Leorio, and Kurapika stand listening as background figures react with surprise.

The old lady raises a single finger against the dark background and states, 'YOU HAVE ONLY FIVE SECONDS TO CONSIDER YOUR ANSWER.' She adds, 'SO I WILL ASK YOU ONE QUESTION.' In the next tier of panels Leorio says 'ONE MORE TEST...' while Kurapika replies 'I SEE.' Gon stands between them, thinking 'HM...' The old lady continues, 'YOUR MISTAKE WILL DISQUALIFY YOU FROM PARTICIPATING IN THE HUNTER'S TEST THIS YEAR. IF YOU FAIL...' A close-up shows her stern face as she tells the crowd, 'EH! ONE MINUTE! YOU MEAN, ONLY ONE QUESTION FOR THREE PEOPLE?' 'ANY OTHER ANSWER WILL NOT BE VALID!' 'YOU'LL ANSWER WITH 1 OR 2!!' Leorio urges, 'COME ON! HURRY UP!' while the surrounding applicants react with shock. One man mutters, 'THE IDEA OF YOU DISQUALIFYING US IS MUCH MORE REALISTIC. THIS MAKES ME SICK.' Another notes, 'NOT VERY LIKELY...' Leorio adds, 'IF HE ANSWERS AND IS WRONG, THE TWO OTHERS WILL BE ELIMINATED?' Gon and Kurapika exchange glances as the tension rises.

Gon looks surprised and says 'WHAT?' while the tall swordsman applicant remarks, 'HE HE HE... SORRY, BOY.' The man continues, 'WELL, I'LL ANSWER BEFORE YOU.' A flashback panel shows the earlier conversation with the captain. Leorio and Kurapika discuss, 'SO THAT WE'LL SEE THE KIND OF QUESTIONS SHE ASKS...' 'WE ACCEPT...' The swordsman asks, 'WHAT DO YOU DECIDE?' The old lady holds up a small bell and announces, 'HERE IS THE QUESTION.' The swordsman grins and declares, 'FOOLS! I'LL BE THE FIRST TO TAKE THE RIGHT WAY. I WON'T BOTHER PUTTING TRAPS AFTER ME.' The old lady poses the riddle: 'YOUR MOTHER: 1 OR YOUR GIRLFRIEND: 2 ?' She explains further, 'YOUR MOTHER AND YOUR GIRLFRIEND ARE CAPTIVES OF A DEMON. YOU CAN ONLY SAVE ONE.' Leorio reacts with shock, 'NO WAY?! SERIOUSLY?! BUT AN EXACT ANSWER FOR THIS QUESTION DOESN'T EXIST! WE CAN ONLY TRY GUESSING THE ANSWER THE OLD LADY WANTS TO HEAR!'

The swordsman applicant answers firmly, '1!!' thinking, 'SINCERELY, I WOULD CHOOSE MY GIRLFRIEND, BUT... I'M SURE SHE WOULD PREFER THE OTHER CHOICE...' The crowd reacts with confusion; someone shouts 'PASS THIS WAY.' The old lady turns her head and asks 'WHY?' The swordsman smiles and explains, 'A MOTHER IS UNIQUE. BUT NOT A GIRLFRIEND!' The applicants begin to move forward amid the noise. Suddenly Leorio lunges forward in fury, shouting, 'WHAT'S WITH THAT WEIRD QUIZ?! ARE YOU MOCKING US?!' His face is contorted with rage, sweat flying as he points accusingly at the old lady.

Leorio glares furiously at the elderly examiner. "IF YOU ABANDON THIS, YOU'LL BE DISQUALIFIED," he snaps. The old woman retorts with a dismissive wave, "HMM! TOO LATE!" Leorio continues, "YOU DON'T HAVE THE SOUL OF A HUNTER," as the examiner laughs. In the next panel the old lady declares, "THIS GAME, IT'S MESSED UP! WHO CAN SAY WHAT'S THE RIGHT OR WRONG ANSWER WITH THAT KIND OF QUESTION?" Several applicants tumble through the air as one shouts, "I'M LEAVING! I'LL TAKE ANOTHER PATH!" The examiner leans in close with a menacing grin and says, "WAIT!" Leorio yells back, "DON'T TELL ME YOU'RE GONNA ACCEPT THE QUIZ?!" while Kurapika stands silently nearby. The old woman concludes, "IT SEEMS THAT THE CAT-EYED BOY HAS UNDERSTOOD," as Leorio protests, "I DON'T WANT TO HEAR ANYTHING ELSE!"

The old lady examiner stands before the crowd of applicants and announces the rules: "WELL, ANSWER: 1 IF YOU ACCEPT THE QUIZ, 2 IF YOU REFUSE IT. FROM NOW ON, ANY USELESS WORDS WILL BE PUNISHED BY DISQUALIFICATION!!" Kurapika stares intently and thinks, "YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND, LEORIO! THIS IS A VERY SIMPLE TRICK!" as he raises one finger. The examiner points directly at Leorio and poses the question: "WHICH ONE DO YOU CHOOSE: 1 THE DAUGHTER, 2 THE SON? YOUR SON AND YOUR DAUGHTER HAVE BEEN KIDNAPPED, AND YOU CAN ONLY SAVE ONE. HERE'S THE QUESTION." Gon appears in the background, reacting with shock as someone calls out, "GON!! YOU SHOULD HAVE HEARD! IN THAT CASE, YOU KNOW WHAT THE TRAP IS IN THE QUIZ!!"

Leorio counts aloud while swinging his fist, "COME ON, COUNT, GRANDMA!" as the examiner laughs. Gon stands ready with his fishing rod, declaring, "COUNT THE LAST MOMENTS OF YOUR LIFE!" The examiner continues the count with visible numbers: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Leorio shouts, "SHE'S MOCKING US! THAT OLD LADY!" while Kurapika watches silently. The old woman finally yells, "IT'S OVER. THERE IT IS!" as the applicants react to the conclusion of the quiz.

Leorio lunges forward with a wooden staff, swinging it down in a powerful arc toward a spiky-haired boy. The impact cracks loudly as motion lines and impact bursts fill the panel. Below, Leorio snarls with rage while Kurapika glares beside him. An older man with beads watches with a fierce expression. Leorio shouts, "I'LL ALSO KILL HER HAUGHTY FRIENDS! AFTER THIS, I WILL BE THE ONE WHO TELLS THEM THE RULES!" Kurapika declares, "I'M GOING TO BRING A LITTLE PRESENT THAT I'LL BE ABLE TO OFFER IN ZABAN! HER HEAD!!" Leorio is restrained from behind as someone yells, "CALM DOWN, LEORIO!!" Leorio retorts, "WHY DID YOU STOP ME?" The restrainer answers, "YOU'RE KIDDING! I'M WAY TOO MAD!" The older man growls, "BECOMING A HUNTER?! NO, THERE'S A BETTER THING TO BE DONE FOR OUR SOCIETY : TO GET RID OF THESE ENIGMA MAKERS!"

Leorio is sent flying backward by a powerful strike, his body silhouetted against the impact. Kurapika stands with a stern expression, staff raised. A voice declares, "WE WON, AND YOU WANT TO MESS EVERYTHING UP WITH YOUR STAFF?" Leorio protests, "WE GAVE THE RIGHT ANSWER, LEORIO!" The bespectacled man reacts with shock, "WHAT?" Kurapika's eyes widen as he commands, "SILENCE! THAT WAS THE RIGHT ANSWER." The group debates the quiz. Leorio insists, "NOBODY TOLD HIM THAT HE ANSWERED CORRECTLY." The older man adds, "BUT JUST A LITTLE WHILE AGO, THE OTHER GUY, HE..." Kurapika concludes, "SO WE CAN'T ANSWER. SO, THE SOLUTION IS SILENCE." The bespectacled man explains, "YOU EVEN SAID IT : 'WHO CAN SAY WHAT'S RIGHT OR WRONG WITH THAT KIND OF QUESTION?' THIS QUIZ HAS NO RIGHT ANSWER. THE ONLY RULE IS THAT WE HAVE TO ANSWER 1 OR 2."

Kurapika points ahead at a distant pagoda, stating, "IN FACT, THIS ROAD ISN'T THE GOOD ONE." He continues, "I HEARD HIM SHOUTING A WHILE AGO. UNFORTUNATELY, HE MUST HAVE BEEN DEVOURED BY SOME KIND OF MONSTER..." The group reaches a massive gate. A voice from inside says, "THERE'S ONLY ONE ROAD. AFTER A TWO HOUR'S WALK, YOU'LL REACH THE TOP." Another replies, "THE RIGHT WAY IS THERE." The bespectacled man confirms, "EXACTLY." Gon and the others stand before the gate as the older man appears, saying, "HANG ON, AND YOU'LL BECOME A GOOD HUNTER. IT'S BECAUSE I WANTED TO MEET GUYS LIKE YOU THAT I ACCEPTED THIS JOB." Gon asks, "WHY?" The older man answers, "GRANDMA... I OWE YOU AN APOLOGY..."

Gon stands with arms crossed, shouting in frustration amid radiating speed lines. "I REALLY DON'T UNDERSTAND!" A small inset shows him from behind as someone snaps "NO!" and another voice adds "PFF." Leorio laughs heartily in the next panel, "HA HA HA," while telling Gon "THAT'S OKAY! YOU CAN STOP WONDERING!" Kurapika watches nearby. Gon continues seriously, "IF SOMEDAY, REALLY, I COULD ONLY SAVE ONE PERSON OUT OF THOSE WHO ARE CLOSE TO ME..." Leorio leans forward, declaring "'CAUSE THE QUIZ IS OVER..." while Gon finishes "BUT ... I KNOW..." Kurapika and another figure react with surprise: "WHY?" "HUH? WHY?" In the final wide panel, Leorio faces Kurapika against a dark background and asks, "WHAT WOULD I DO?"

Gon stands in profile, continuing his thought. "I DON'T SAY THIS TO HAVE AN ANSWER TO THE QUESTION, BUT... A DAY MAY COME... WHERE I'LL HAVE TO MAKE THAT KIND OF CHOICE." Elsewhere, the group walks away as narration states "BECAUSE REALITY DOESN'T HAVE A PLACE FOR FEELINGS..." Leorio tells Kurapika, "YOU HAVE TO IMAGINE EVERYTHING, EVEN THE WORST..." An old woman with a microphone appears on a screen, confirming "THAT'S THE REAL MEANING OF THE QUIZ. YES..." The final dark panel shows Gon, Kurapika, and Leorio walking down a road toward a bright doorway, with large text overlay: "ON DIFFERENT PATHS. BE PREPARED TO WALK SOME DAY..."