Three years ago, Lan Fei and Gon made an agreement with Aunt Mito. If they wanted to leave Whale Island to participate in the Hunter Exam, they had to catch a kingfish.
Of course, how they caught it was up to them—fishing, diving into the sea, or using traps. As long as they caught it, they would be allowed to go.
For the residents of Whale Island, the kingfish was akin to a sea monster. Its enormous size and incredible power made it nearly impossible for an ordinary person to capture. That was precisely why Aunt Mito had set this requirement for Gon and Lan Fei.
After all, only one person had ever caught a kingfish—Gon's father, Ging Freecss. Moreover, Ging had accomplished this feat when he was only twelve years old, proving his extraordinary talent and strength.
Today, Ging Freecss was renowned as one of the top five Nen users in the world, standing among the strongest Hunters (excluding those from the Dark Continent).
For Gon, Ging had always been an idol. He wished to follow in his father's footsteps, challenge the Hunter Exam, and become a great Hunter himself.
At this moment, the coast of Whale Island was bustling with activity.
A fully loaded fishing boat had just docked, and fishermen were unloading crates of freshly caught seafood. Large fish were packed into wooden boxes filled with crushed ice, while workers moved in a practiced rhythm, sorting their catch.
Nearby, a group of villagers was chatting as they worked.
"Gon went fishing for the kingfish again today," an elderly woman said as she packed a wooden crate. She glanced at Aunt Mito, who was busy sorting fish, and smiled wryly.
"This little guy just won't give up," Aunt Mito sighed, shaking her head.
"You're the one who made that promise," a bearded fisherman chuckled. "Even five of us grown men couldn't catch a kingfish. How could a kid like Gon manage it?"
"Speaking of which, where's that other rascal, Lan Fei?"
"In the past three years, he's been training like a madman—he's just as determined as Gon."
"More determined, if you ask me! Every day, rain or shine, that kid runs five kilometers with sandbags tied to his legs. Now he's thirteen and already stronger than most adults."
"Hmph, blame Mito for making that crazy agreement with them," another villager teased. "One's fishing every day, the other's training nonstop. Their perseverance is truly something else."
"Only Ging Freecss ever caught a kingfish, and that was twenty years ago. Is Gon really trying to match his father?"
"Well, Gon might have a chance, but what about Lan Fei? I have no idea how he plans to do it."
"Yeah, all he's done is train his body. How is he going to catch a kingfish with that alone?"
The villagers continued their discussion, casting curious glances at Aunt Mito. It was clear that both Gon and Lan Fei were deeply loved by the people of Whale Island.
Suddenly, someone pointed toward the road.
"Look, here comes Lan Fei!"
Under the blazing afternoon sun, a figure was running toward them. The thirteen-year-old boy's silhouette stretched long against the ground, giving him an almost surreal presence.
"Aunt Mito!!!"
Lan Fei spotted Mito in the crowd and waved excitedly as he sprinted toward her.
"You're still running under this heat? Do you want to collapse?" Mito scolded, her tone full of concern.
Lan Fei skidded to a stop in front of her, panting but grinning. "I'm fine, Aunt Mito! I'm strong!"
To prove it, he pulled up his short sleeves and flexed his biceps. His tanned skin gleamed with sweat, highlighting his toned muscles.
Mito sighed and took out a handkerchief, gently wiping the sweat from his forehead.
Though she never openly said it, she cared for Lan Fei deeply—perhaps even more than Gon. Unlike Gon, who at least had a father, Lan Fei was an orphan.
"By the way, Aunt Mito," Lan Fei said with a mischievous grin, "does our agreement still stand?"
Mito raised an eyebrow. "Of course. If you and Gon can catch a kingfish, you're both free to take the Hunter Exam."
She patted his head before adding, "Gon's been fishing for a week now and hasn't even seen a kingfish. What's your plan, Lan Fei? Gon is using a fishing rod—how do you intend to catch one?"
The bearded fisherman laughed. "Yeah, Lan Fei, this is a kingfish we're talking about. It's the size of a monster! Gon might have a chance, but what are you gonna do?"
"In the past twenty years, only Ging Freecss has caught one. If you and Gon manage it, I'd say you stand a good chance of passing at least a few rounds of the Hunter Exam."
Lan Fei smirked. "Hehe, Aunt Mito, I'm going to catch the kingfish with my bare hands."
Silence.
The villagers blinked, staring at him as if he had gone insane.
Mito's expression darkened. "Lan Fei, are you crazy?"
"That's way too dangerous! I forbid it!"
Everyone on Whale Island knew how terrifying the kingfish was. Even Gon's father, Ging, had used a fishing rod to catch it. No one had ever tried to take one down with just their hands.
If the kingfish dragged Lan Fei into the deep sea, he'd be dead.
Gon's fishing plan might work, but Lan Fei's idea? Absolutely impossible.
"Aunt Mito, I already caught the kingfish," Lan Fei said casually, flashing a confident grin.
Mito's eyes widened. "What?"
The villagers froze.
Lan Fei bent down and began untying the sandbags strapped to his feet.
Thud!
The moment the sandbags hit the ground, a deafening crack echoed along the shore. The sheer weight split the wooden planks beneath them.
Mito and the others gasped.
This… this was the weight Lan Fei had been carrying every day?
What kind of strength did this kid have now?