As Ash soared through the skies on his majestic wings, the wind rushing against his face, he felt a sense of exhilaration.
It had been two long years since he began his quest for strength, and now, he was finally heading home.
The journey back to his home was not an easy one. With his newfound wings, Ash took to the skies, embarking on a non-stop flight that lasted for seven consecutive days.
He pushed himself to the limits, his endurance and determination unwavering as he traversed vast landscapes and crossed over endless horizons.
During those seven days, Ash encountered various challenges.
He battled against powerful winds that threatened to throw him off course, endured harsh weather conditions that tested his resilience.
But Ash pressed on, his wings carrying him through the skies. He relied on his instincts and honed senses to navigate through treacherous terrain, never losing sight of his ultimate destination.
As he flew, the world unfolded beneath him, a tapestry of beauty and wonder.
He marveled at the sprawling forests, majestic mountains, and shimmering rivers that stretched as far as the eye could see.
The sights and sounds of nature enveloped him, filling him with a renewed sense of awe and appreciation.
Finally, after seven grueling days of continuous flight, Ash's wings carried him back to the familiar grounds of the Zoldyck Manor.
He descended with grace, landing softly on the grounds that held both memories of his new-childhood and the legacy of his family in this world.
As he approached the entrance of the manor, he spotted Milluki, standing near the grand doors. Milluki's gaze met Ash's, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"Milluki." Ash greeted, his voice monotone. "I've returned. Where is Killua? I have something to show him."
Milluki let out a snicker, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "Oh, Ash, you just missed him!" he replied, his tone filled with amusement. "Killua ran away to participate in the Hunter Exam."
Ash's brows furrowed in surprise. The Hunter Exam was a rigorous test that aspiring hunters undertook to prove their worth.
That is for, normal people after all. Killua has been trained by the family and even Ash since childhood.
Killua's decision to participate indicated a new chapter in his brother's journey, one filled with challenges and opportunities for growth.
Ash's mind raced with thoughts of his brother, wondering about the adventures that awaited Killua in the Hunter Exam.
He knew that Killua possessed incredible talent and a determination similar to his own. The thought of their paths crossing again, with newfound strength and experiences, filled him with excitement.
With a nod to Milluki, Ash turned to leave.
The journey home had brought him back to the Zoldyck Manor, but it also revealed a new path for his brother, a path that Ash was eager to explore together.
As he walked away from the grand doors, Ash's thought to himself. He would find Killua, and participate and see how much he has grown, and share with him the fruits of his journey.
As Ash delved into his research, he discovered that the current Hunter Exam was taking place in the vibrant city of Doland.
Without wasting any time, he made his way to the designated location, a seemingly normal island that housed the exam venue.
Disguised through his unique ability of body alteration, Ash transformed his appearance entirely.
His features changed, his height altered, and his hair color shifted, allowing him to blend seamlessly into the crowd.
Later,
Stepping into the elevator, Ash adjusted his disguise, ensuring that he looked like any other participant.
As the elevator descended, anticipation welled up within him. He was about to reunite with Killua and witness firsthand the progress his younger brother had made.
The elevator doors slid open, revealing a bustling scene.
Contestants from various backgrounds and walks of life mingled, exchanging nervous glances and engaging in animated conversations.
Ash's keen eyes scanned the crowd, searching for a familiar face.
And then, he spotted him. Killua, his little brother, engaged in conversation with a green-haired boy. He observed Killua's relaxed posture and confident demeanor.
Making his way through the crowd, Ash approached the pair, his voice rough. "Killua." he called out, "It's good to see you."
Killua's eyes widened in surprise as he turned to face him. "Who are you and how do you know my name."
Whilst saying this, Killua had immediately adopted an offensive posture, ready to kill the man for knowing his identity.
Reverting the body alteration on his face, Ash showed Killua his actual face.
"Ash? What are you doing here?" Killua asked, his voice betraying a hint of curiosity.
Ash's voice remained steady as he replied, "I couldn't stay away, little brother. I wanted to see how much you've grown and share with you the fruits of my journey."
Killua's grin widened, a sense of warmth and familiarity settling between them. "I can't wait to hear all about it. But first, let me introduce you to Gon. We've become good friends during the exam."
Ash observed the green-haired boy, acknowledging his presence with a nod. "Gon." he said in his usual monotone voice, "It's good to meet you, you're Killua's first friend."
Gon, stands at an average height for his age, with a lean and athletic build. His most notable feature is his wild, spiky green hair that sticks out in all directions, giving him a somewhat untamed look.
Gon returned the greeting with an enthusiastic smile. "Likewise, Ash. Killua has told me about you and your strength."
As the trio exchanged introductions and stories.
Just as the conversation was flowing, Gon suddenly exclaimed, "Wait! Did I introduce you two over here?" He turned towards two figures approaching them.
"Leorio, Kurapika, meet Ash, Killua's older brother." Gon said, introducing the two newcomers.
Leorio, appearing to be a tall and muscular young man. Has short, spiked brown hair that gives him a slightly disheveled yet charismatic look.
Most defining feature is his sharp, intelligent eyes, which are framed by a pair of round glasses.
On the other-hand, Kurapika, a medium-blond haired boy. Has shoulder-length hair that contrasts with his fair complexion.
His most striking feature, his intense and piercing gaze, more of a delicate looking boy.
Ash had been analyzing, the three since arriving at the exam.
'Friend, he says.'
Leorio extended a hand in greeting, a curious expression on his face. "Nice to meet you, Ash. Heard you're quite the skilled assassin."
Ash nodded in acknowledgment. "Likewise, Leorio. I appreciate your awareness."
However, Kurapika's reaction was noticeably different.
His eyes narrowed, his gaze fixed on Ash. There was a mix of caution and suspicion in his voice as he spoke.
"You're... a demon, aren't you? How many lives have you taken? What are you?"
Ash's expression remained impassive as he met Kurapika's gaze.
"No, I'm not a demon," he replied calmly. "I am an assassin. As for the number of lives I've taken, I don't have an exact count. I stopped keeping track after the first 3500."
Kurapika's suspicion seemed to deepen, but before he could say anything further, Gon interjected with genuine fascination. "Wow! That's cool, Ash. Your skills must be incredible."
He inclined his head slightly. "Thank you, Gon."
As the group settled into conversation, Ash's presence added a layer of complexity to the dynamics among them.
The Hunter Exam was not only a test of skills but also an opportunity for individuals with diverse backgrounds to interact and learn from one another.
As they prepared to face the challenges ahead, Ash's status as an assassin that was undoubtedly better than Killua would add a unique perspective to their experiences.
He appreciated the bond they shared as brothers, even if he couldn't fully express it.
The Hunter Exam held the promise of adventure, challenges, and the opportunity for growth. Ash knew that their bond would strengthen through the trials they would face together.
Gon, always curious and eager to learn, couldn't resist asking Ash about his family. "So, what's it like in your family? Does your Aunt grill you fish all the time?" he inquired with genuine interest.
Ash's monotone voice remained unchanged as he replied,
"I don't think I have an Aunt, Gon. But I'm not home enough to share meals with them. I'm usually on adventures or engrossed in research."
Gon's brows furrowed slightly, intrigued by Ash's response. "Adventures? What kind of adventures do you go on?" he asked, his eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Ash's gaze turned distant for a moment, a flicker of memory passing through his expressionless face. "The kind where I exterminate families of Nen beasts." he replied, his voice revealing the gravity of his work.
Before any further conversation could take place, a voice boomed through the area, capturing the attention of all the participants.
"Exam START!" the examiner declared, signaling the beginning of the Hunter Exam.
Ash, Killua, Gon, Leorio, and Kurapika turned their attention towards the examiner, their individual stories and backgrounds converging in this moment.
Everyone except for Ash prepared to embark on this new chapter of their lives.
He was here to watch his little brother shine after all.
'This Hunter Exam willbe the crucible where their abilities would be tested, and their destinies would intertwine in ways they cannot not yet fathom.'
[Author Note: This is the last chapter for today, hope you enjoyed the chapters I've released today!]