The Trial Begins

Gon leaps dynamically through the air with an enormous excited grin, one arm outstretched toward a blazing sun-shaped creature wearing sunglasses that radiates light. A small propeller plane flies in the upper left. Bold text at the bottom reads N°005 and 1ST ROUND : THE TRIAL BEGINS!!!

Wide establishing shot of the bustling city of Zaban under a cloudy sky. In a lower panel, Kurapika points and says, "THIS BUILDING, ACROSS HERE." Beside him, Leorio asks, "THEN THAT'S IT?" Gon exclaims, "YOW!" A tall figure labeled DISGUISED RAT-FOX states, "TSUBASHI QUARTER, SECOND DISTRICT, 5TH BLOCK, 10TH BUILDING ..." The group stands together in the street with the city skyline behind them.

Gon, Kurapika, and Leorio stand before a massive, ornate tower-like structure. Gon stares upward with wide eyes, thinking, "MY FATHER ALSO PASSED THROUGH HERE..." and declares, "THE TESTS ARE GOING TO BEGIN!!" Kurapika looks on and says, "COURAGEOUS MEN, DREAMING OF BECOMING HUNTERS, FIND THEMSELVES HERE." Leorio adds, "THEY'VE COME FROM THE FOUR CORNERS OF THE WORLD." In the lower panels, the Little Guide points ahead and states, "HERE." Leorio, Kurapika, and Gon follow as the guide corrects, "NO, NOT THERE..."

Leorio stares at the unassuming restaurant facade labeled "PAROXYSME" and mutters, "I ONLY A BORING RESTAURANT." The Little Guide replies, "YOU WANT US TO BELIEVE THAT THOUSANDS OF CANDIDATES ARE WAITING INSIDE?" A close-up shows the guide smiling as he says, "NO ONE COULD IMAGINE THAT THE PLACE WHERE THOUSANDS OF HUNTER CANDIDATES ARE ASSEMBLED IS HERE." Leorio answers, "PRECISELY." Inside the bustling eatery, customers shout orders like "A STEAK!" and "HOW WOULD YOU LIKE THAT COOKED?" while the guide leads Gon, Kurapika, and Leorio forward amid the noise of "SHIII SHIII" and "HELLO!!"

A waitress points to the back and calls, "AT THE ROOM IN THE BACK, SIRS AND MISS." The Little Guide answers, "OK." He then tells the group, "SLOWLY, RARE." They enter a quiet room containing only a single table. The Little Guide remarks, "I OUT OF 10,000." As they prepare to sit, he continues, "I WOULD BE PLEASED TO BE YOUR NAVIGATOR NEXT YEAR AS WELL. LEAVE COURAGE, MY LITTLE FRIENDS. IT'S THE PROPORTION OF CANDIDATES WHO GET THIS FAR. YOU DONE QUITE WELL FOR NEW CANDIDATES."

On the elevator ascending the tower, Gon, Kurapika, and Leorio react to the Captain's earlier words. "HUH?" Gon exclaims. Leorio adds, "ONE EVERY THREE YEARS. AS IF HE WERE SURE WE WON'T PASS THIS YEAR! HE'S MAKING FUN OF US." Kurapika turns to Gon and asks, "YOU UNDERSTAND NOW?" A large vertical panel shows the elevator rising with a bold "ZOOM" effect. Narration explains that the number of candidates who pass this test on their first try is extremely low. It continues: "AND THERE ARE STILL OTHERS WHO ARE TORN TO PIECES BY THE VETERANS OF THE TEST AND THEY WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO PASS THE TEST AS LONG AS THEY ARE IN A POOR CONDITION. THERE ARE THOSE WHO MENTALLY CRACK UNDER THE STRESS OF THE TEST." At the bottom, Gon looks up and says, "BUT..."

Gon stares at the countless fish swimming past the window and wonders aloud, "TO BECOME HUNTERS? WHY ARE SO MANY PEOPLE READY TO DO ANYTHING..." Leorio snaps, "BUT?! YOU UNDERSTAND NOTHING! ARE YOU DOING IT ON PURPOSE?" while Kurapika looks on silently. Leorio continues his rant with an intense expression. Kurapika replies calmly, "TO BE A HUNTER, IT'S... THE THING THAT BRINGS THE MOST... THE MOST NOBLE THING! IN THE WORLD!!!" Leorio reacts with shock, shouting "SUCK UP! GREEDY!" as Gon watches with wide eyes.

Kurapika explains the true role of a Hunter: "THE TRUE ROLL OF A HUNTER IS TO PROTECT PEOPLE AND MAINTAIN THE BALANCE OF NATURE! TO HUNT ANIMALS OR SEARCH FOR TREASURES ARE JUST THE ROLES OF AMATEURS!!" The page shows a detailed drawing of a "HUNTER'S LICENSE" with the text noting that only out of the hundred richest people in the world, 60 are Hunters, making the license a symbol of glory and wealth. It adds that with the license one can freely travel in all countries and have free access to public services. Gon smiles brightly in the center while Leorio and Kurapika listen on either side.

Inside the exam building, Leorio stands at the counter marked B 100 and speaks with the clerk. Gon, Kurapika, and Leorio discuss their goals. Leorio says, "WELL-IN FACT- UH..." Gon asks, "WHAT KIND OF HUNTER DO YOU WISH TO BECOME, GON?!" Leorio replies, "WE WILL FINISH OUR DISCUSSION LATER." A voice notes, "SEEMS WE'VE ARRIVED." The group then walks down the long corridor toward the open doorway labeled B 100, with Gon in the lead holding a small bag, Kurapika beside him, and Leorio following.

Leorio pushes forward through the dense crowd of examinees inside the massive underground hall. His face is tense and focused as he scans the room. Behind him, hundreds of applicants fill the space, including a bald man with a scar and number 187 on his chest, a small boy in a bow tie, and many others standing in the dim, industrial corridor.

The vast exam hall is packed with applicants. In the foreground, a stern-faced man with earrings looks ahead while holding a staff. Nearby, a man in a black shirt with a large white skull and crossbones design carries a spear. A large bearded man wearing number 123 stands among the crowd. Leorio is visible further back in the throng. The ceiling pipes and dim lighting emphasize the crowded, tense atmosphere as the examinees wait.

In the dimly lit underground tunnel, a large crowd of examinees stands clustered together. Gon, Kurapika, and Leorio observe the group from the side. Several faces in the crowd glare suspiciously toward them. Leorio adjusts his glasses with a sharp glance. Someone mutters "AROHL". Below, narration reads: "THEY HAVE NOTHING IN COMMON WITH THE HUNTERS WE RAN INTO IN THE TOWN AND AT THE PORTS." Another voice continues: "IT'S NOT AT ALL LIKE I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE..." The tension among the applicants is palpable as they size each other up.

A massive speech bubble explodes across the top of the page: "THERE ARE ONLY EXPERTS HERE!" Silhouettes of the crowd stand beneath it. Gon looks back over his shoulder and thinks, "I WONDER HOW MANY PEOPLE THERE ARE HERE..." The group walks deeper into the long, dark tunnel. A panel shows the empty passage ahead with the caption "IT'S DARK HERE..." Someone wonders, "WE COULD WONDER IF WE WERE IN AN UNDERGROUND PASSAGE." Leorio, Gon, and Kurapika stand together as Leorio says, "WITH YOU, THERE ARE 40S."

A short bald man hands Leorio a numbered tag, saying "HERE'S YOUR NUMBER." Gon, Kurapika, and Leorio greet a large, muscular man wearing a #16 jersey who grins widely and waves. "NICE TO MEET YOU!" "I'M TOMPA." "HI!" Tompa asks, "HOW CAN YOU TELL?" Gon replies, "YOU'RE NEW, AREN'T YOU?" Tompa laughs, "HEHEH! I'M WHAT YOU'D CALL A VETERAN!" He explains, "I WENT TO THE TEST FOR THE FIRST TIME WHEN I WAS 10. THIS IS MY 35TH TIME." Gon exclaims, "35TH?!" Tompa continues, "IF I WERE HIM, I WOULDN'T BE SO PROUD..." Leorio agrees, "YEAH." Tompa then declares, "WELL, I'M GOING TO MAKE INTRODUCTIONS!" Gon asks, "SO, YOU KNOW EVERYONE HERE, DON'T YOU?" Tompa answers, "YUP!"

A large man with a ponytail sits cross-legged, eating from a box while holding a pen. Nearby text describes the applicants: "#225, THE WRESTLER NECK WRINGER. HE IS NOT ONLY STRONG, BUT IS ALSO VERY MALICIOUS." Another panel shows a bandaged man: "#103: BARBON, THE SNAKE CHARMER. HE'S MORE STUBBORN THAN ANYONE ELSE, SO YOU DON'T WANT HIM AS AN ENEMY." A stern man in uniform appears: "#76: CHERRY, THE SOLDIER. THERE ARE NO SECRETS IN MARTIAL ARTS, TO HIM." A group labeled "#197, #198, AND #199: THE AMORI BROTHERS" stands together. Text notes "A TALENTED TRIO THAT ALWAYS GIVE GOOD RESULTS." In the lower section, Gon stares upward in surprise as a man with glasses and #16 on his shirt reacts with shock. Someone screams "AA AAAH!" A large applicant with curly hair and a patterned hat is described: "#304: GERETA, THE HUNTER. HE'S A MASTER OF KILLING WITH A BLOWGUN AND NIGHT-STICK." Leorio adds, "THEY'RE REALLY STRONG, BUT NONE OF THEM HAVE EVER MADE IT TO THE END. THOSE ARE THE ONES WHO USUALLY SHOW UP."

A muscular man with #58 on his shirt screams in terror, mouth wide open and arm raised. Hisoka stands with his back to the viewer, wearing a sleeveless outfit with heart and diamond symbols, his curly hair visible. He remarks, "OH, HOW STRANGE." In a flashback panel, the #58 man kneels on the ground clutching his arm and crying "MY... MY..." while a crowd watches. Hisoka continues, "HE DOESN'T HAVE ANY ARMS. JUST MAGIC, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN." Close-up on Hisoka's face with a sweat drop, he says, "YOU HAVE TO BE MORE CAREFUL... AND DON'T FORGET TO APOLOGIZE WHEN YOU HIT SOMEONE."

Hisoka stands in profile with a sweat drop, a musical note floating nearby. Text reads "#44: HISOKA, THE MAGICIAN. LAST YEAR, EVERYONE SAID HE WOULD HAVE WON, BUT HE ALMOST KILLED A JUDGE BECAUSE HE DIDN'T LIKE HIM. HE WAS DISQUALIFIED." Leorio, standing with Gon, warns, "THERE ARE ALWAYS GUYS YOU SHOULDN'T TRUST." A judge in a suit appears as Leorio explains, "THE JUDGES ARE THE ONES THAT CHOOSE THE CONTENTS OF THE TESTS. SURE! JUDGES CHANGE EVERY YEAR. AND... AND THIS YEAR, HE'S BEING ALLOWED TO RETAKE THE TEST...?" Hisoka walks away through the crowd as someone advises, "TRY TO AVOID HIM AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE... LAST YEAR, HE MUTILATED NOT ONLY THE JUDGE, BUT 20 PARTICIPANTS THAT YOU WON'T SEE THIS YEAR. NO MATTER IF THE WINNER IS A DEMON, OR ANYTHING ELSE... THEY HOLD ALL THE POWER. IF A JUDGE SAYS 'IT'S OKAY'..."

Tonpa, the breaker of the 'new', grins widely while addressing the group. 'WHEREAS YOU SHOULD BE THE ONE HE SHOULD MISTRUST THE MOST...' A voice answers 'THAT'S RIGHT ... PFF!' Another says 'THANKS!' Tonpa continues reassuringly, 'BUT DON'T WORRY. I'LL BE HERE TO EXPLAIN ANYTHING NECESSARY!' and adds 'HE'S NOT THE ONLY ONE YOU SHOULD MISTRUST.' He then pops open two cans with a loud CLING CLONG followed by TADAN and a sharp CLINK!! Leorio raises his cup and says 'THANK YOU!' Gon smiles brightly beside him. Tonpa lifts his own can and declares 'LET'S DRINK TO WISH OURSELVES GOOD LUCK IN THE TESTS!' and 'SHALL WE DRINK TO CELEBRATE OUR MEETING?' Kurapika stands nearby watching the toast.

Tonpa leans in with a sinister grin. 'HEHEHE! I PUT A VERY STRONG LAXATIVE IN THEIR JUICE !!! FOR ME, YOU'RE ALREADY OUT OF THE COMPETITION! JUST ONE GULP, AND THAT'S THREE DAYS ON THE TOILETS, GUARANTEED!' Gon drinks deeply from the can. His face twists as he lets out a loud AAARGH and BURP. Tonpa's expression shifts to shock. Gon holds up the can and complains 'TOMPA, YOUR JUICE HAS A VERY BAD TASTE! I THINK THE DATE'S EXPIRED!' Tonpa sweats, muttering 'YOU THINK THAT...? I'M ASTONISHED... HOW?' Gon looks puzzled. In the background Leorio drinks while Kurapika watches. Tonpa thinks desperately 'HOW WAS HE ABLE TO DETECT A TASTE IN THIS?! THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE, THIS LAXATIVE HAS ALMOST NO TASTE, AND NO SMELL!'