Gon, Killua, and Leorio try different methods to make enough money to buy "Greed Island", an extremely rare and expensive video game with Nen-like properties that may help Gon locate his father. The next story arc reunites the main characters for the world's largest auction in the sprawling metropolis Yorknew City. There they meet a kung fu master named Wing, who trains them in utilizing "Nen", a chi-like life energy that can be used to manifest superhuman powers. Gon and Killua decide to gain both combat experience and money at the "Heavens Arena", a skyscraper where thousands of martial artists compete daily in fighting tournaments. Kurapika departs to find work and Leorio leaves to attend medical school. After the exam and a brief excursion to Killua's home estate, the four protagonists split up, promising to meet up in a place called Yorknew City months later. Among many other examinees, Gon continuously encounters Hisoka, a deadly and sadistic magician. Prior to and during the exam, Gon meets and 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 slain people Leorio, a prospective physician who claims to desire to become rich and Killua Zoldyck, who fled his life as a member of a notorious assassin family.
Gon leaves his home to follow in his father's footsteps as a Hunter by taking the "Hunter Examination", a series of brutal tests involving skill, survival, and teamwork. Hunters are licensed, elite members of humanity who are capable of tracking down secret treasure, rare beasts, or even other individuals. Gon, raised believing both his parents were dead, finds out from Ging's apprentice, Kite, that his father is still alive and has since become an accomplished "Hunter". Twelve years prior to the start of the story, Ging Freecss left his infant son, Gon, with Gon's aunt Mito on Whale Island.