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Zushi hates bullies. He always has, but ever since devoting himself to martial arts and working with Master Wing at the Heaven’s Arena, even more so, especially after being kidnapped to pressure Gon and Killua into bouts. That episode made him even more determined to get stronger, to improve so that not only can he defend himself, but he can stand up for justice and defend others.
So when Master Wing tells him he’s ready to take the Hunter Exam, it’s a joy. Finally he can take it, hopefully pass, and gain his Hunter License which will open more doors for him and let him, legally, tag along with Gon and Killua on jobs. Gon and Killua warn him that no Exam is the same even as they regale him with stories of their own Exam and some that they’ve helped proctor. They tell him to watch out for Tonpa, but Killua adds with a laugh, “Not that you’ll have a problem with him, Zush! He’ll probably avoid you as soon as you walk in the door with how strong you are now.”
Forewarned, and probably overqualified at this point in terms of strength, Zushi passes the pre-Exam easily with time to spare, so he walks around town for a bit before heading to the newspaper office on the last possible day. He sees Tonpa almost immediately and has to turn away from snarling at the man as he dishes out juice cans and candy bars full of laxatives to unsuspecting examinees. He would say something now, but Killua and Gon had warned him not to. “You don’t need that kind of attention that early on,” Gon had said gravely. “Not that you won’t pass with flying colors, but there’s no sense in borrowing trouble.”
So Zushi waits. He waits as he sees Tonpa trip other examinees up on the second and third stages, generally being a nuisance, then drags the other man into the fourth and fifth stages, ensuring that he makes it to the final round, which is, like Killua and Gon’s Exam, a knockout match. Zushi gets paired with the repulsive man for his first two matches, which are two-on-two, and, not for the first time this Exam, nearly gets stabbed in the back for his efforts. When it comes time for the individual matches, Zushi faces Tonpa in the ring and bares his teeth, letting his nen flare out to oppress the other man. Tonpa cowers where he stands, unused to dealing with this level of opponent, and Zushi takes a moment to appreciate how much stronger he’s gotten if this is how others react to his ren at it’s lowest setting. Then he approaches Tonpa slowly, until the other man is backed up against the wall, and grins, teeth bared in a snarl.
“I hate bullies, so consider this your first and last warning. If you ever cross my path again, run. And in the meantime, stop targeting the newcomers. If I hear you’ve been running your tricks again, I’ll hunt you down and when that happens I’ll spare you no mercy.” Then he takes a step back, pulls back his nen, and lets Tonpa fall to the floor shaking. The Examiner waits ten minutes before finally rolling his eyes and declaring Zushi the winner once it’s clear Tonpa’s in no state to actually fight and Zushi has no intention of fighting the man either.
Zushi easily completes the rest of the Exam, officially becoming a licensed Hunter at the age of 21, then contacts Gon and Killua to let them know the good news and making plans to celebrate once they’re all back on the Continent. In the meantime, Zushi has plenty of things to do, starting with taking down the crime ring that’s set up shop near his home town. It’s been ages since I’ve gone home. Boy are they in for a surprise when I return!