Ep 4. Decision x Shortcut x Long Way

Gon and the other examinees have successfully made it to the fourth phase of the Hunter exam, but they've faced intense physical and mental challenges along the way. As they prepare to continue the journey, they are given three options: to take the long way to the next destination, to take a shortcut through a dangerous forest, or to simply quit the exam altogether.

Gon, Kurapika, and Leorio decide to take the shortcut, but they quickly discover that it is riddled with deadly traps and obstacles. Despite their best efforts, they are eventually cornered by a group of vicious monsters known as Swamp Tigers.

Meanwhile, the other examinees who chose to take the long way find themselves facing a different set of challenges. They must cross a treacherous mountain range, which includes a perilous rope bridge suspended over a massive chasm. One member of their group, named Tonpa, attempts to sabotage their progress by feeding them laxative-laced candies.

As Gon and his friends struggle to survive in the forest, they encounter a mysterious young woman named Buhara who has been living there for years. Buhara offers to guide them through the forest, but it soon becomes apparent that she has her own agenda. She leads them straight into a trap, leaving them at the mercy of the Swamp Tigers.

Back on the mountain path, Tonpa's plot is exposed and the group manages to make it across the bridge unscathed. However, they soon realize that they are being stalked by an unknown assailant who is picking them off one by one. It becomes a race against time for them to discover the identity of their attacker and stop them before it's too late.

As Gon and his friends fight for their lives in the forest, they must also grapple with the question of what it means to be a true Hunter. Is it about sheer determination and physical prowess, or does it require a deeper sense of compassion and wisdom? The decisions they make in this episode will ultimately determine their fate in the Hunter exam.