I'm Really Not A Nen Exorcist (HxH Fanfic)

With the locator's precise enemy-tracking feature, Moses and his shadow clones stationed across the island became targets of attacks from various examinees.

While the real Moses easily repelled Pokkle's team, things weren't so simple for his shadow clones.

Due to the considerable distance between Moses and his shadow clones, the clone's strength and control precision were significantly reduced.

And in order to avoid accidentally injuring the examinees, Moses had to carefully control the power behind every counterattack.

The real difficulty lay in-

The fact that the physical abilities of the examinees varied widely, requiring Moses to tailor his response for each case, which undoubtedly raised the challenge to a whole new level.

Just like now...

The shadow clone had just kicked Hanzo away. Despite the loud commotion, the well-controlled force did not cause Hanzo any substantial damage.

Yet if that same kick had landed on Pokkle, it could have left him gravely injured, if not killed.

At that moment-

Hanzo finally realized the implications of the sixth rule after hearing Kurapika's explanation.

'The examiner counterattacked, but I hadn't been hurt...'

"He is indeed a monster among monsters."

Hanzo quickly put away his little thoughts and his expression gradually became serious.

In the previous battle between Moses and Illumi, Hanzo had witnessed Moses using the legendary Shadow Clone Technique with his own eyes.

That's why he wouldn't believe the so-called decoy that Beans spoke of.

The examiner before him was, without a doubt, one of Moses's shadow clones.

Although Hanzo himself couldn't perform the Shadow Clone Technique, he knew that the strength of a shadow clone was generally weaker than that of the main body.

But after the exchange, Hanzo realized he'd been overly optimistic.

The shadow clone might indeed be weaker than the main body...

But that all depended on the strength of the main body.

In this round of attack and defense, Hanzo had witnessed the shadow clone's incredibly precise control, making him fear what the original's power might be like.

If it weren't for the rules of the third phase working in the examinees' favor, Hanzo would likely have given up on the spot.

Yet the advantage these rules provided also made Hanzo feel there was hardly any challenge at all.

This contradictory feeling began to slowly form within him.

"He won't attack us actively, and even if he counterattacks, he will control his strength so as not to harm us."

Hanzo quickly returned to his teammates' side, staring intently at the shadow clone standing still, and sighed softly:

"This rule is so simple that it makes me feel like I'm cheating."

If there is a way to pass the test in the most convenient way, Hanzo will never miss it.

But if he was asked to pass the test by cheating, he would never accept it.

Though the rule didn't technically amount to cheating, it did drastically lower the difficulty of the test.

"Sigh-"

Without paying attention to his teammates' reactions, Hanzo continued, "Even if we succeed in snatching the number plate, I probably wouldn't be happy about it."

Kurapika glanced at Hanzo, somewhat surprised.

He hadn't had much interaction with Hanzo, but it was enough to see that Hanzo was someone who liked to simplify things.

Now that he knew the sixth rule gave them an overwhelming advantage, Kurapika believed he would have been delighted.

Yet here he was-

This same ninja who had just considered using 'examiner violation' as a quick way out apparently still had some sort of bottom line.

"I feel the same about the test's low difficulty…"

Kurapika held his twin wooden swords aloft, withdrawing his gaze from Hanzo and fixing it squarely on the shadow clone as he shifted his tone:

"But no matter what, I have to pass this test!"

"Instead of using your time to chat over there, why not launch another round of attacks?"

Raizo, who had been standing a little farther, said flatly before charging at Moses alone.

With the guarantee of no actual harm, attackers were essentially free to do as they pleased.

Raizo stepped into striking range without even a thought for defense, and his long blade was thrusted straight toward the shadow clone's heart.

This strike was filled with killing intent.

The shadow clone sidestepped, allowing Raizo's straight thrust to graze by harmlessly.

Then, without giving Raizo any chance to chain a second attack, the shadow clone's hand was already in motion. As it completed the dodge, the shadow clone's left hand formed a blade-like strike, shooting upwards and hitting Raizo's extended wrist.

A soft thud echoed.

Raizo's right hand was slightly lifted up by the shadow clone's palm knife, leaving him exposed.

At this moment, the shadow clone's peripheral vision caught the subtle shift in Raizo's expression. Following its gaze was a close-range elbow strike, transitioning seamlessly from the blade strike.

With a sharp thump-

Taking advantage of the momentum of his move, he pushed his elbow forward and hit Raizo's ribs. The resulting impact force instantly caused Raizo to fall backwards.

This flawless combination of counterattacks and precise control of strength-

Together, they allowed the clone to send opponents flying without actually injuring them.

If used properly, it can also make the opponent lose consciousness.

Only by employing this technique could Moses slow down the frequency of incoming attacks.

After all, Moses has to consider the consumption of the shadow clone's Nen...

By sending opponents flying and waiting for them to get back up and regroup, Moses could buy himself some time.

Raizo went hurtling back, and Hanzo and Kurapika merely glanced at him before redirecting their focus to the shadow clone.

With no worry about suffering any substantial damage, there is naturally no need to worry about what will happen to Raizo.

Hanzo and Kurapika brushed past Raizo, charging directly toward the shadow clone.

Hanzo, quicker than Kurapika, reached the shadow clone's side first.

"If you're only going to counter, then..."

Hanzo's mind moved slightly, and he swung his palm towards the shadow clone's neck.

The shadow clone reacted quickly, raising his arm horizontally, trying to block Hanzo's palm strike.

However, Hanzo abruptly withdrew his hand and his body dropped low.

The palm knife just now was actually a feint!

Hanzo's leg swept toward the shadow clone's legs with a quick, sweeping kick.

If this kick could throw the clone off balance, it would give Kurapika the perfect opening to snatch the number plate!

Bang!

Hanzo's powerful kick smashed against the shadow clone's leg, instantly creating a visible shockwave.

However-

Despite the fierce momentum behind the sweeping kick, it failed to shake the shadow clone at all.

The shadow clone remained rooted to the spot, as steady as a mountain.

Hanzo, on the other hand, sucked in a sharp breath.

That kick felt like it had struck iron of incredible hardness.

Not only had he failed to make the clone budge an inch, but his own foot was now throbbing in agony.

As a descendant of 'ninja', Hanzo had endured grueling training since birth, so his tolerance for pain was far from ordinary.

But this unexpected, searing pain was enough to make him falter.

The shadow clone glanced sidelong at Hanzo, who was still frozen mid-kick.

Hanzo's expression changed. He no longer had time to ponder the abnormal resilience of the shadow clone. He quickly got up and retreated, leaving no opening for the clone to counter with a kick of its own.

'Probably fractured...'

As he retreated, Hanzo quickly glanced at the sole of his right foot.

Based on the pain emanating from the injured area, Hanzo could roughly estimate the severity of the injury.

He could hardly believe it.

In his opinion, the shadow clone shouldn't be this solid.

Though his bone was fractured, Hanzo held back from immediately claiming the examiner had broken the rules.

Because judging from the process, he could only blame himself for the fracture.