BATTLE IN THE MIST

Gon sits atop a large reptilian creature perched on a rocky outcrop. The boy has spiky black hair and wears a dark outfit with shorts and boots. He smiles slightly while looking forward, one hand resting on the creature's head. The massive creature has dark scaly skin, a long snout with visible teeth, clawed limbs, and a segmented tail. It grips the rock firmly with its front claws. At the bottom of the page, a banner reads N°009 BATTLE IN THE MIST with an arrow pointing right and the page number 7 in the corner.

A large white page features a detailed black-and-white portrait of Satotsu in the lower right. He has wild, flowing hair, a thin mustache, and a slight smile, looking toward the viewer with a calm, knowing expression. The name "SATOTSU" is printed below the portrait with an arrow pointing to it.

From above, the exam site is in chaos. Numerous applicants lie sprawled across the sandy ground, some tumbling through the air, others crawling or collapsed near sparse bushes. One figure screams "AAAAAGH" while another lies motionless. In the lower panels, close-ups show a stern man with sunglasses and number 403 on his chest standing with arms crossed. Next to him, a spiky-haired young man smiles confidently. A person lies on the grass with a playing card stuck to their forehead. Below, a short-haired blonde holds two swords in a ready stance, while a figure with a large weapon labeled "SHAAAA" looms over a fallen opponent.

Hisoka stands tall on the right, holding a large weapon, smiling as he speaks: "SO I DECIDED TO GIVE THE JURY A HELPING HAND!" and "THIS FIRST ROUND IS A BIT TOO EASY FOR ME..." He continues, "I TOLD MYSELF TO STAY CALM DURING THE FIRST ROUND, BUT... IT'S MY TURN TO JUDGE YOU..." Smaller panels show other applicants reacting in confusion and fear. In the lower section, Hisoka faces an angry man with a star on his cheek who yells, "YOUR SUPERIOR WAYS WON'T CHANGE A THING! YOU'RE ELIMINATED JUST LIKE US!" and "WITH THIS MIST, IF WE LOSE TRACK OF THE JUDGE, IT'S OVER! JUDGE US? YOU'RE KIDDING, RIGHT? AND IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND THE LEADING SQUAD AGAIN!" Hisoka replies calmly, "BEHAVE, PLEASE... DO NOT COMPARE ME TO THE LIKES OF YOU."

Hisoka appears in close profile against a dark background, a black star marking his cheek, as he speaks with a calm, menacing tone: "DON'T FORGET ONCE YOU'RE IN THE AFTERLIFE ..." and "NOTHING'S IMPOSSIBLE FOR A MAGICIAN..." To the left, three men in hats and headbands stare in alarm while clac sounds and motion lines indicate sudden movement below them. A larger panel shows a chaotic melee where examinees clash with poles and blades amid repeated TAC TAC TAC sounds. In the bottom row, Hisoka smirks while holding a card and replies "IS THAT SO...?" A bandaged man and a headband-wearing man confront him directly, one declaring "WE'LL MAKE SURE YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO REPRESENT YOURSELF.....!!" while the other shouts "THERE'S NO WAY A MURDERER LIKE YOU CAN HAVE THE TITLE OF HUNTER!"

Hisoka holds up the seven of hearts card with a slight smile, declaring "THIS ONE CARD WILL BE ENOUGH TO TAKE ON ALL OF YOU!" Nearby, several enraged examinees, including a tattooed man labeled *MAN and another with a club, yell "OH YEAH??!!" In the lower panel, Hisoka darts through the crowd with fluid motion as blades swing wildly around him. Impact sounds FLIT, SLAT, and KAA! mark the strikes while examinees are sent flying and one figure is knocked down amid the frenzy.

Three quick panels capture the escalating violence: a furious man lunges with "FLIT", Hisoka takes a direct hit marked "SLAT", and another examinee screams "AAAAH!!" as he is struck. In the wide central panel, Hisoka crouches low with a predatory grin, dodging and countering amid flying debris and motion lines while a heart symbol floats near him; one attacker is sent sprawling with a "TAC" sound. Below, Kurapika watches with wide eyes as a small panel shows a shocked face and another depicts Hisoka continuing his assault with "FLIT" and "SLAT" effects, an examinee crying "OUTCH!" as the fight rages on.

In a grassy clearing, Hisoka stands with his back partially turned, a sly grin on his face as he murmurs "HE HE HE...". A furious applicant with spiky hair lunges forward, sword raised high, while other examinees scramble in the background. Suddenly the scene erupts into chaos. Hisoka's arm blurs forward. Screams fill the air as the spiky-haired man is hurled backward with a massive "WOAAAAA !!!". Another applicant tumbles across the ground yelling "AAAAAA AAAAA AH !" while blood sprays. Sharp sound effects "SHLIT" and "SHLAT" mark the rapid slashes. Close-ups show terrified faces and the brutal impact of the assault.

A massive sound effect "TADAN" explodes across the page as Hisoka stands triumphant amid a field of fallen bodies. He smiles calmly, one hand on his hip. In the foreground a close-up of his face shows a drop of sweat or blood. Smaller panels reveal other examinees watching in shock: a short-haired figure with a star mark, a man with glasses, and a blonde youth. Hisoka's voice rings out from a speech bubble: "YOU'VE ALL FAILED!" At the bottom, a hand points toward three remaining figures walking away, accompanied by the text "THERE ARE ONLY THREE OF YOU LEFT...".

Kurapika grips a sheathed sword while standing with Leorio and two other applicants. They watch the distant figure of the powerful opponent. Speech bubbles convey their tense discussion: "EVEN BY ATTACKING ALL AT ONCE, IT'S OBVIOUS HE'LL HAVE THE UPPER HAND. WE HAVE NO CHANCE OF WINNING...", "THAT'S BECAUSE HE APPARENTLY DOESN'T HESITATE AT ALL WHEN IT COMES TO KILLING SOMEONE!", "HE'S REALLY STRONG...", and "AT MY SIGNAL, WE ALL GO IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS... LISTEN...". One applicant notes the vast distance separating the enemy's techniques from their own, comparing it to the gap between heaven and earth. "TAG" and "TAC" sound effects punctuate the scene as they prepare to move.

Leorio shouts with fierce determination, "NOW!!!" Kurapika ducks low while Hisoka watches with a calm, star-marked smile, the sounds "TAC TAC" marking his steps. In a wide grassy field dotted with sparse trees, several examinees sprint desperately as "TAP TAP!!" echoes. Hisoka stands relaxed in the center, back to the runners. In the bottom panels the countdown begins: "NINE... TEN..." Leorio clenches his fist asking "SO? WHO'S GOING TO BE MY FIRST PLAYMATE?" while Hisoka smirks and declares, "OH! I LIKE THIS! I'LL GIVE YOU A 10 SECOND HEAD START..." as the numbers continue "ONE... TWO..."

Hisoka's face twists with barely contained bloodlust as he mutters, "NO... I CAN'T RESIST... RESIST THE URGE OF BEATING THE CRAP OUTTA YOU." He stands shirtless with number 403, weapon in hand, while a distant figure and a woman with a ponytail watch. Unable to hold back, Hisoka swings wildly, yelling "THAT'S IT!!! I'VE LOST MY TEMPER!!" as "TAP TAP!!" and impact lines fill the panel. Leorio charges in with a club, shouting "WAAAAH" and "THAT'S A FACIAL EXPRESSION I LIKE!" while Kurapika reacts in shock. Someone cries "OH!" and "IDIOT..." as Leorio's name is shouted: "LEORIO!!"

Hisoka's eyes widen in surprise as a powerful strike lands with "PANG" and "DONG," sending him reeling. In a chaotic sequence of motion lines and impact effects, Hisoka is struck hard from behind while swinging his weapon, the force knocking him off balance. Kurapika watches with a tense expression as the violent clash erupts in the middle of the exam grounds.

Gon grips his fishing rod tightly, eyes wide with focus as he braces against the pull. In the distance, Hisoka stands with an intrigued expression while another examinee watches nearby. A small question mark floats above the scene. Gon suddenly yanks the rod with force, the line whipping through the air. From off to the side, someone shouts in alarm, "GON !?"

Hisoka's face fills the panel with a sly smile as the sound effect "TADAN くるん" rings out. Gon stands ready with his fishing rod, sweat drops visible. Hisoka turns and speaks, "WITH A FISHING POLE? WHAT A PECULIAR WEAPON! SHOW IT TO ME ♣" Gon adjusts his stance as the rod moves with "SLAT" and "ZAT" effects. In the background, the other examinee watches. Hisoka comments, "PRETTY GOOD, KID!" Suddenly, examinee #44 lunges forward with a powerful punch, the impact marked by "VLAM" and motion lines, yelling, "HEY! YOU'RE FIGHTING AGAINST ME !!"

Examinee #44 is sent flying backward from a devastating kick, his body twisting in midair with motion lines and impact effects. Hisoka's muscular leg extends powerfully. Gon looks up in shock, eyes wide and mouth open, with three exclamation marks in a speech bubble. The force of the blow creates dust and debris on the ground below as Gon is knocked aside, still clutching his fishing rod.

Gon is sent flying by a powerful strike, the impact marked by a sharp SLAT as he tumbles through the air. He flips midair with a FLIP, landing in a daze. Hisoka's hand reaches out as Gon stares in shock and blurts, "HUH?" The two stand face to face, Gon wide-eyed and sweating while Hisoka, blood trickling from his forehead, leans in close with a sly smile. Hisoka asks, "COME TO HELP YOUR FRIEND?"

Hisoka wipes a tear from his eye with a faint "HM..." and reassures Gon, "DON'T WORRY, I WON'T KILL HIM... BECAUSE YOUR COMPANION QUALIFIED!" The fallen companion lies motionless on the grass with a ZZZZ sound effect overhead. Hisoka continues with a star-shaped glint in his eye, "YOU WILL BECOME A GOOD HUNTER... AS A MATTER OF FACT, YOU AS WELL..." He checks a device and declares, "ALRIGHT, I'M HEADING YOUR WAY..." while urging, "HISOKA HURRY BACK!" Both companions are waiting, and the group prepares to move before the second test center is reached.

Hisoka tells Gon, "WHAT A GOOD BOY!" and adds, "YOU'LL FIND YOUR WAY BACK ON YOUR OWN?" Gon watches as the qualified companion walks away with a TAC TAC TAC sound. Suddenly Gon shouts, "GON !?" in surprise. A large narration box reads: "NEVER IN HIS LIFE HAD GON SEEN SUCH A THING, NEVER HAD HE SUSPECTED THE EXISTENCE OF SUCH A FACET AMONG THE 'LIVING BEINGS.'" The final panel identifies the figure as "HISOKA, THE MAGICIAN." with dramatic DOM DOM sound effects.