<P> Hunters (ハンター, Hantā) are licensed, elite members of humanity who are capable of tracking down secret treasures, rare beasts, or even other individuals . To obtain a license one must pass the rigorous annual Hunter Examination run by the Hunter Association, which has a success rate of less than one in a hundred - thousand . A Hunter may be awarded up to three stars; a single star for making "remarkable achievements in a particular field"; they may then be upgraded to two stars for "holding an official position" and mentoring another Hunter up to single star level; and finally upgraded to three stars for "remarkable achievements in multiple fields ." </P> <P> Nen (念) is the ability to control one's own life energy or aura, which is constantly emitted from them whether they know it or not . There are four basic Nen techniques; Ten (纏) maintains the aura in the body, strengthening it for defense, Zetsu (絕) shuts the aura flow off, useful for concealing one's presence and relieving fatigue, Ren (練) enables a user to produce more Nen, and Hatsu (發) is a person's specific use of Nen . Nen users are classified into six types based on their Hatsu abilities; Enhancers (強化 系, Kyōkakei) strengthen and reinforce their natural physical abilities, Emitters (放出 系, Hōshutsukei) project aura out of their bodies, Manipulators (操作 系, Sōsakei) control objects or living things, Transmuters (変化 系, Henkakei) change the type or properties of their aura, Conjurers (具現 化 系, Gugenkakei) create objects out of their aura, and Specialists (特質 系, Tokushitsukei) have unique abilities that do not fall into the previous categories . A Nen user can enter into a Contract (誓約, Seiyaku) whereby pledging to follow certain Limitations (制約, Seiyaku), their abilities are strengthened in relation to how strict they are . An example of this is Kurapika who, in order to have an unbreakable chain that will hold members of the Phantom Troupe no matter what, offered his life should he use it on anyone other than its members . </P> <P> The story follows a young boy named Gon Freecss, who was told all his life that both his parents were dead . But when he learns from Kite, an apprentice of his father Ging Freecss, that he is still alive and has since become an accomplished Hunter, Gon leaves his home on Whale Island (くじら 島, Kujira Tō) to take the Hunter Examination (ハンター 試験, Hantā Shiken) in order to become a Hunter like him . During the exam, Gon meets and soon befriends three of the other applicants: Kurapika, the last remaining member of the Kurta clan who wishes to become a Hunter in order to avenge his clan and recover their scarlet - glowing eyes that were plucked from their corpses by a band of thieves known as the Phantom Troupe; Leorio, a prospective physician who, in order to pay for medical school, desires the financial benefits that Hunters receive; and Killua Zoldyck, another twelve - year - old boy who has left his former life as a member of the world's most notorious assassin family . Among many other examinees, Gon continuously encounters Hisoka, a mysterious and deadly transmuter who takes an interest in him . After passing by many trials together, Gon and his friends end up passing the exam except for Killua, who fails after killing another applicant due to being controlled by his brother, Illumi, and runs away to his family's estate in shame . </P> <P> After Gon and the others convince Killua to rejoin their side, Leorio and Kurapika depart temporarily for their own personal reasons, while Gon and Killua set for the Heavens Arena (天空 闘技 場, Tenkū Tōgijō), a skyscraper where thousands of martial artists compete daily in fighting tournaments, seeking to improve themselves, and gain monetary rewards . There they meet a kung fu master named Wing, who trains them in utilizing Nen, a Qi - like life energy used by its practicers to manifest parapsychological abilities, and is also considered to be the final requirement to pass the Hunter Exam . Sometime later, Gon and his friends reunite again in Yorknew City (ヨークシン シティ, Yōkushin Shiti) where they have a clash with the Phantom Troupe . During the occasion, Two from the band of thieves are killed by Kurapika and he is forced to give up the chance of hunting down the rest . In order to rescue Gon and Killua, who were captured by them, but not without succeeding in sealing the powers of their leader Chrollo Lucilfer . </P>

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