It didn't take long for Lan Fei and Gon to board a sailboat bound for the port where the Hunter Exam would begin.
On the shore where the ship was moored, many residents of Whale Island gathered. Among them were children, the elderly, and strong fishermen—faces that were all too familiar to Lan Fei. They had come to see him and Gon off.
Ever since Ging Freecss left Whale Island to become a legendary Hunter and one of the world's strongest Nen users, no one from the island had followed in his footsteps. Now, twenty years later, Lan Fei and Gon were setting out on the same journey, reigniting the islanders' hope. Watching them leave reminded everyone of the young Ging, and they couldn't help but send their blessings.
"Lan Fei, do your best!!!"
"Be sure to become a great Hunter!"
"Take care of Gon out there!!"
"Gon, make sure you surpass your father and become an outstanding Hunter!"
"If you find Ging out there, tell him we still remember him…"
The residents of Whale Island waved and shouted their goodbyes as the ship set sail.
"Thank you! I will definitely become the world's strongest Hunter!!!" Lan Fei declared confidently from the deck.
"I'll surpass my dad for sure! And when I become a Hunter, I'll return to visit!" Gon added, beaming with excitement.
"Hah! The world's strongest Hunter? Just a kid like you?"
A mocking voice interrupted them. On the deck, a dozen Hunter Exam applicants sat cross-legged, exchanging glances filled with disdain.
Among them were warriors wielding massive swords, men with scarred faces, and those with deceptively gentle exteriors but sinister auras.
"You brats are underestimating the Hunter Exam! Millions of people from all over the world apply every year, yet only a handful pass. You two have no chance. Just do yourselves a favor and get off the ship now!"
"Hah! The exam isn't just some game, you know. If you're not careful, you could die!"
A burly man with a scar over his left eye laughed, his voice dripping with condescension.
"Gon, ignore them. They're just a bunch of small-time thugs," Lan Fei said dismissively, his gaze scanning the ship until it landed on two individuals—Kurapika and Leorio.
Unlike the others, these two stood out. Kurapika's intense, calculating eyes reflected his deep determination, while Leorio's broad frame exuded confidence, though he lacked polish. They were destined to be Gon's future comrades, but Lan Fei had no interest in forming close ties. Having Gon as a younger brother was already enough of a headache—he preferred moving solo.
"Hey, kid!"
The scarred man cracked his neck, stepping forward. "Don't get cocky with me."
"Scar, there's no need to waste your time on these kids," a middle-aged man with a large sword muttered.
"Tch, I hate dealing with brats… but if you don't want to jump overboard yourself, I'll help you!" The scarred man sneered.
Lan Fei's expression darkened. He wasn't one to pick fights, but allowing himself to be humiliated in front of everyone? That was unacceptable.
"Lan Fei, let's not start anything," Gon urged, gripping his friend's sleeve.
"Gon, the moment we left Whale Island, strength became our voice," Lan Fei replied calmly. "If we don't show it, people will take advantage of us."
"Hah! You think you can teach me a lesson, brat? That's hilarious!"
The scarred man flexed, the sound of his muscles and bones popping echoing across the deck.
Lan Fei smirked. "Uncle, don't think that just because you have a scar, you're some big shot. That doesn't impress me."
In an instant, his body blurred into golden light.
Boom!!!
Before anyone could react, Lan Fei appeared in front of the scarred man.
Boom!!!
With a kick at the speed of light, he sent the man flying off the deck. His body soared over the railing before plummeting into the vast ocean, vanishing beneath the waves.
"Ugh…!"
A stunned silence fell over the deck.
Lan Fei dusted off his clothes, looking completely unbothered. "What a waste of time."
These so-called 'tough guys' were nothing more than bullies, relying on intimidation rather than true ability. Real masters of Nen wouldn't bother with such petty threats.
"Scar…"
The middle-aged swordsman swallowed hard, eyes locked onto Lan Fei in disbelief.
Gon sighed, pressing a hand to his forehead. "Lan Fei, you didn't have to go that far…"
Ignoring the stares from the other passengers, Lan Fei casually walked toward the empty seats near Kurapika.
Kurapika's face remained calm, but internally, he was shaken.
What terrifying speed…!
That movement was more than just agility—it was like teleportation. The only ones capable of such speeds were those who had trained in Nen.
Leorio, adjusting his glasses, gawked. "Good grief… is he really just a kid?"
Just as Lan Fei sat down, a strong gust of sea wind howled through the ship.
The vessel trembled violently.
"Huh?"
Gon, his senses attuned to the sea, immediately recognized the change in the air.
"A storm is coming!"
Without hesitation, he climbed up the mast, preparing for what lay ahead.