Disparate Choice (
Synopsis[]
With Leorio still angrily holding his collar, Tonpa says that he has no interest in passing the Hunter Exam since he only does it for the thrills. He explains that he watches the dangerous examinees carefully to avoid being taken out, revealing that he finds it entertaining to see people's dreams fall to pieces and that he deliberately trips up rookies to watch them suffer. He reiterates that becoming a Hunter would be pointless and explains that he usually quits the exam at this point since he doesn't want to press his luck when things become more dangerous. With Leorio in disbelief at his explanation, Tonpa adds that he can't quit yet since he's involved in the path of majority rules, asking which of the group wants to fight next.
Lippo watching all the examinees
On the other side of the arena inside Trick Tower, the prisoners chuckle at the examinees quarreling with each other and hope that they continue to waste time, revealing that it will shorten their prison terms even more. As one of the Third Phase examiners, Lippo the Blacklist Hunter and prison warden, sits in front of several monitors and eagerly watches all the examinees throughout the tower, it's revealed that the five prisoners are each serving consecutive sentences that total over 100 years and that he has promised to shorten their sentences by one year for every hour that they can delay an examinee.
Putting his handcuffs back on, Bendot wishes he could have toyed with Tonpa for longer, and it's revealed that he has a total sentence of 199 years for robbery and murder. Two other prisoners comment on how pitiful Tonpa was, but one of them stresses that they only need two more wins to ensure that the examinees will be stranded there for the rest of the phase, allowing them to remove 72 years from their sentences. Bendot is also confident since two of the examinees are children. The next prisoner asks Lippo to remove his handcuffs before taking off the shroud from his head.
Gon volunteering to fight next
After overhearing part of the prisoners' conversation, Kurapika tells the others about the situation and guesses that the reduction of their sentences is based on how long they can delay them, adding that their in-fighting is only helping the prisoners. Killua tells Tonpa that surrendering was actually the smart move since Bendot, who he guesses is ex-military and a mercenary, would have crushed his windpipe and then tortured him for as long as he wanted without killing him. Tonpa chuckles nervously and says that he was aware of that, but Leorio points out that he looks like he's going to be sick. Killua asks which of them wants to go next, and Gon happily volunteers, with the others left surprised by how carefree he is. Killua asks Gon if he's sure and wonders if anything ever fazes him, but Gon points out that the next prisoner doesn't look too tough. Killua gazes at the other side and agrees that he isn't as intimidating as Bendot.
After the two make their way to the stone platform, it's revealed that the prisoner's name is Sedokan and that he has a total sentence of 149 years for serial bombing. He comments on his own unassuming appearance and assures Gon that strength and speed are not his forte. Gon replies that he likes them and prefers action over thinking. Sedokan then proposes a simple game and holds out two candles in his hands, explaining that they will each take one, light it, and that the first one to lose their flame will lose the match. Gon likes the game's simplicity and agrees to the challenge. However, Sedokan suddenly reveals that one candle is longer than the other and asks them to vote on which one Gon will use. The group worries that it's a trap since the long candle is the obvious choice, and Kurapika points out that they may have a "disparate choice" on their hands. It's explained that an obvious choice causes people to be suspicious and slows down their decision-making, also affecting them psychologically and making them even more worried about choosing the wrong option.
Gon and Sedokan beginning the game
Sedokan calmly sits on the ground and happily tells the examinees to take as much time as they want to discuss their choice. Leorio realizes how well the plan works for the prisoners, but Kurapika gets Gon's attention and tells him to decide, explaining that second-guessing is pointless and that they will follow his instincts. Gon quickly chooses the long candle and happily explains that it will burn longer because of its length. After all five examinees vote for the long candle, Sedokan tosses it to Gon and keeps the short one for himself. The two then use the nearby torches to light their candles at the same time, and the simple game begins.
The drafts inside the large room cause Gon's flame to move, and he realizes how close it was to going out, breathing a sigh of relief as he holds his hand near it. With 68 hours and 55 minutes left to reach the bottom of the tower alive, Killua wonders how long the candles will burn, and Kurapika guesses five to six hours. Another draft blows through the room, and Leorio says that the two will need to move as little as possible and watch their flames constantly. Gon's flame suddenly flares up and begins to burn down the candle more quickly. Leorio realizes that an accelerant must have been used and sees that Gon's candle is already down to a stub, guessing that it will only last a few more minutes.
Gon blowing out Sedokan's candle
Although Leorio believes that Gon made the wrong choice, Sedokan chuckles and says to himself that he actually had four candles, having used the disparate choice to conceal his real trap. He continues to happily detail his plan by saying that he had an oil-soaked version of each length so that it didn't matter which one Gon chose. However, Gon puts on a big smile and sets his candle down on the ground, saying that his flame is so strong that it would take a hurricane to extinguish it. With Sedokan now nervous, Gon suddenly dashes toward him and appears right in front of him. Sedokan is caught completely off guard and left unable to believe how fast he is. Gon then simply blows out Sedokan's candle and happily says that he has won. Kurapika and Killua are left smiling at Gon's quick thinking, and Lippo is impressed by his victory.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
- Tonpa
- Leorio Paradinight
- Nicholas (Flashback)
- Killua Zoldyck
- Gon Freecss
- Kurapika
- Bendot
- Sedokan
- Leroute (Unrevealed)
- Lippo
- Hisoka Morow (Image)
- Majtani (Unrevealed)
- Johness (Unrevealed)
Translations around the World[]
| Language | Name | |
|---|---|---|
 Brazilian Portuguese
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Duas Escolhas Idênticas | |
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