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Hunter x Hunter Episode 4: Hope x and x Ambition

Season 1· aired 2011-10-23· canon

During the first test, a number of participants fall out from fatigue after running for at least forty kilometers. Leorio almost gives up until he is encouraged by Gon, who waits for him. Killua, a participant, is introduced and he is curious of Gon's personality when he discovers that the boy is the same age as him. Kurapika and Leorio talk about the reason for being a hunter, with Kurapika wanting to take down the Phantom Troupe as his clan was massacred by them for their precious scarlet eyes, which manifest when the Kurta uses their heightened sense. Leorio aims to be a hunter for money, for purely altruistic reasons, as his childhood friend died of an illness without the funds to save him. He wishes to be a doctor so he can give his patients free treatment. Finally, the participants reach the end of the tunnel they are in and up to the surface to the Numere Wetlands, also known as Swindlers' Swamp. Satotz warns them about the creatures using devious tactics to lure and eat their prey in the wetlands, and falling for their tricks equals death. A man claiming to be their original examiner says Satotz is a man-faced ape masquerading as their examiner to fool them. Hisoka, in the belief that a well-trained Hunter would be able to avoid attacks, throws his playing cards on Satotz and the man. The man is killed while Satotz stops the attack, revealing himself to be the real examiner. Hisoka is warned not to attack Satotz again otherwise he will be disqualified. Satotz tells the participants to follow him into the swamp, and if any of them loses sight of him, they will never reach the second venue.

Full recap

The Hunter Exam's first phase continues with an exhausting two-hour run through a tunnel, where applicants must follow the examiner Satotz with no specified endpoint.

**The Running Challenge**

After traveling over thirty kilometers, many applicants have already dropped out. Leorio becomes frustrated when he spots a white-haired boy using a skateboard to keep pace, viewing it as mockery of the exam. Gon defends the skateboarder, pointing out that the examiner only instructed them to follow him without forbidding other methods of travel. The skateboarder, who introduces himself as **Killua**, learns that Gon is twelve years old—the same age as him. Impressed by Gon, Killua abandons his skateboard and begins running alongside him.

**Motivations Revealed**

As the group continues, Kurapika becomes curious about Leorio's true reasons for becoming a hunter. Kurapika explains his own motivation: his clan, the Kurta clan, was targeted by the Phantom Troupe because of their distinctive eye color. As the only survivor, Kurapika wants to become a **blacklist hunter** to access black market information, track down the Phantom Troupe, and recover the stolen eyes.

Gon shares that he wants to become a hunter because of his father, who left when Gon was young.

**Leorio's Perseverance**

Leorio becomes completely exhausted and nearly gives up, but Gon decides to wait for him. Despite Killua's urging to continue without Leorio, Gon refuses to move. Leorio, motivated by Gon's determination, finds the strength to catch up and continue running.

**The Finish**

Gon and Killua reach the tunnel's end at the same time and agree to buy each other dinner at some point. The first phase of the Hunter Exam concludes, with the next stage beginning immediately.

Who appears

Kurapika

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