On the coast of a bustling merchant island, ships docked and departed in a steady rhythm. Among them, one vessel stood out for its peculiarity: it wasn't a merchant ship but a passenger ferry, at least tasked with boarding them. The ship's captain, a man in his sixties, stood on the starboard side, keenly observing the passengers.
Meanwhile, a young blond boy with brown eyes, dressed in a blue tabard with a red hem over a white jumpsuit, arrived at the port. Carrying only a small canvas sack slung over his left shoulder, he made his way toward the ship. Joining the queue, his turn came to board. On deck, the boy's face radiated an ecstatic glow, like an adventurer embarking on his first quest. Following the crew's instructions, he stowed his bag in his assigned cabin below deck—a room with two bunk beds, meant for four.
As the boy returned to the deck, he was jostled by a tall, muscular young man with large brown eyes, spiky black hair, and a sharp jawline. Dressed in a dark blue suit, black shoes, and sunglasses, the man's attire stood out on the ship. Without turning or acknowledging the bump, he continued toward the cabins. The boy, rather than looking offended, flashed a smile, his eyes sparkling.
Continuing to the deck, he saw the ship had already set sail. His gaze shifted to the port side, where another boy with long, spiky black hair stood calmly watching the sea and surrounding landscape. He wore a green jacket with reddish edges, a short green pair of shorts, and laced green boots.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" the blond boy asked, approaching the spiky-haired one.
"Definitely, it's really stunning," the other replied, unfazed by the interruption.
The spiky-haired boy turned to him. "Hey! I'm Gon. Nice to meet you!" he said abruptly, extending his right hand.
'Even though I approached him first, he's the one introducing himself first,' the blond thought.
"Nice to meet you, Gon. I'm Kurapika," the blond boy replied, shaking Gon's hand.
"You're aiming to be a Hunter too, I bet," Kurapika added.
"Yep, that's right!" Gon's tone was brimming with energy.
Kurapika smiled and leaned on the ship's railing, gazing at the horizon. "Why?" he asked.
"Huh? What?" Gon said, confused.
"Why do you want to become a Hunter?" Kurapika clarified.
Gon paused, then answered without hesitation, "To find my dad and figure out why he gave up everything for this job."
Gon's candid response made Kurapika smile.
"Why're you smiling?" Gon asked.
"I was just thinking you're a bit of an oddball, spilling your goals so openly to a stranger," Kurapika said, still staring at the horizon.
"Well, that's 'cause I can tell you're a good person," Gon said bluntly.
Kurapika turned to him. "I wouldn't say I'm a good person, but you're not wrong to trust me," he said. "Since you shared your reasons, I'll share mine."
He paused, looking up at the clear, sunny sky. "I want to return home, and becoming a Hunter will give me the best shot at that," he continued, his face tinged with nostalgia.
"That's awesome," Gon said. "So being a Hunter can make that happen?"
"Being a Hunter is like becoming a free spirit," Kurapika replied. He pointed to the horizon. "See that horizon? That's what this job's possibilities are like. You said you want to know why your dad gave up everything for it, right? I'm convinced it's because he realized, through this job, that he actually had nothing."
Gon listened intently. "Had nothing?" he echoed, puzzling over it.
"If you become a Hunter, you'll find the answer," Kurapika said with a smile.
Just then, a man's voice boomed across the ship: "Storm's coming!"
It was the captain—a short, stout man in his later years. He wore a captain's hat adorned with a whale emblem, a jacket over a V-neck shirt with a belt, trousers, and black rubber boots.
At the announcement, the crew sprang into action, preparing the ship for the storm. Soon, the sea grew restless, rocking the vessel gently at first. Then, dark clouds rolled in, and the waves intensified.
In the cabins below, passengers took shelter, leaving the crew to handle the storm. But the ship's relentless swaying overwhelmed many, who began succumbing to seasickness and vomiting. Though fierce, the storm passed quickly.
With the sea calm, the captain descended to check on the passengers. He was dismayed to see nearly everyone looking ill. About to dismiss them all as "weak," he noticed three exceptions: the tall man with black hair slept soundly, unbothered; the spiky-haired boy was helping his cabinmates recover; and the blond boy sat reading a book, pinching his nose against the stench of vomit.
The captain approached the spiky-haired boy, finding him the most approachable. "Kid, didn't that storm give you any trouble?" he asked with a teasing grin.
"Gramps, I was on deck earlier. I think another storm's coming, and it looks worse than this one," the boy replied, ignoring the question.
The captain's respect for the boy grew. His crew had already noted the approaching storm, as they'd deliberately sailed into a stormy region. Yet this kid had figured it out on his own. Smiling, the captain summoned two crewmen, ordering them to announce the second storm and prepare lifeboats for those unwilling to continue.
As expected, most passengers opted for the lifeboats—except the three unfazed by the first storm. The captain summoned them to his quarters.
"What's this old geezer want?" grumbled the tall man with black hair.
The three were escorted by a crewman. "We're the only passengers who stayed. Maybe he wants to know why," Kurapika suggested.
"Why's that his business? It's our lives," the tall man griped.
Kurapika smiled at his attitude and turned to Gon. "What do you think he wants?"
"No clue. Why guess when we'll find out soon enough?" Gon said.
"Fair point," Kurapika replied, grinning.
They reached the captain's cabin, where he welcomed them. "Come in, kids. Take a seat," he said.
Gon and Kurapika sat without complaint. The tall man stood, looking bored.
The captain eyed them each in turn. "Why do you want to be Hunters?" he asked.
Gon spoke first. "I want to find out what's so great about this job that my dad forgot everything else."
The captain paused, setting down his pipe. "Looking at you up close, you remind me of a Hunter I know," he said to Gon. "Your dad wouldn't happen to be Ging, would he?"
Gon's eyes lit up. "Yes, yes, yes! Where'd you meet him? What's he doing now? Did he mention me? What's he up to?"
Gon bombarded the captain with questions, thrilled to meet someone who knew his father. The captain resumed smoking his pipe. "Kid, all I'll say is you'll get your answers when you become a Hunter," he said, dodging the barrage.
"And you two?" he asked, turning to the others.
"For me, I'm trying to reach a place. Becoming a Hunter gives me the best chance to get there," Kurapika said promptly.
"A place, huh?" the captain replied. "Being a Hunter does open up a lot of doors in this world. Best of luck, kid."
Kurapika nodded with a smile.
The captain then looked at the tall man, who scowled. "I don't see why I gotta confess to you, old man," he snapped.
The captain took a puff. "Suit yourself. But I'm the pre-exam screener for the Hunter Exam. No answer, no pass."
Veins bulged on the man's temples as he fought his frustration. "Fine. You want my reasons? Here they are." He spread his arms wide. "Money! Money, money, money. Sorry I don't have lofty dreams like these kids. I'm in it for the perks and the cash. That good enough for you, geezer?"
The captain exhaled smoke. "You answered. That's what matters. Your reasons are your own."
He looked at the trio. "Now, survive the next storm. Only those who make it through will move on to the next stage."
With that, he dismissed them.
The three, now the ship's only passengers, silently agreed to stay on deck. Kurapika approached the grumpy man. "I'm Kurapika. You are?"
The man eyed Kurapika's outstretched hand, then shook it with a tongue-click. "Leorio," he muttered.
Kurapika smiled softly and leaned on the railing, scanning the horizon. "This one's gonna be big," he said.
Leorio, confused at first, followed his gaze to the looming dark clouds. He couldn't disagree. "If you're scared, you can still bail," he teased.
"No chance I'm quitting. I've got a goal," Kurapika replied.
"Oh, that place you're after, huh?" Leorio said, recalling Kurapika's earlier words.
Kurapika just smiled.
"What're you two talking about?" a small voice piped up. Gon squeezed between them, part of the trio braving the coming storm.
"Making friends," Kurapika said.
"Really?" Gon exclaimed, buzzing with energy. He turned to Leorio. "I'm Gon. I already made friends with Kurapika earlier."
"First off, I'm nobody's friend," Leorio shot back, glaring at Kurapika. "But fine, I'm Leorio."
"Cool, Leorio, let's be friends!" Gon cheered.
Leorio, trying to play the lone wolf, sighed at Gon's persistence. "Whatever," he muttered, giving in, which made Kurapika chuckle.
"But seriously, aren't you too young for this exam, kid?" Leorio asked Gon.
"They let me join, so I don't see the problem," Gon said, brushing off the question.
Leorio sighed. He had no real stake in Gon's choice, but he noted Gon had handled the first storm well. 'Kid seems capable,' he thought.
Soon, the weather turned wild, the sea churning. "It's starting," Gon said.
The captain emerged, barking orders to the crew. Then the storm hit—far fiercer than the last. Massive waves crashed against the ship, threatening to capsize it. The trio had no choice but to help the crew battle the tempest. Though fearless, they couldn't ignore the storm's force. With waves pummeling them, they worked to keep the ship steady.
Time blurred, but the storm finally subsided, leaving a battered but intact ship. Miraculously, everyone—the trio, the captain, and the crew—survived.
"Hey, old man, there better not be another storm, got it?" Leorio groaned, slumping onto the deck, his soaked suit clinging to him.
"Ha! Don't worry, boys, you passed my test. Go dry off and rest. My crew and I will get you to the next stage," the captain said, proud of his passengers.
As advised, the trio went to dry off. In his underwear, Kurapika lay on a bunk in a cabin, engrossed in a book.
"What're you reading?" Gon's childlike voice broke in. Clad only in boxers, he'd nimbly climbed onto Kurapika's bunk.
"A collection of Hunter adventures," Kurapika said, unbothered by the interruption.
"Sounds cool!" Gon said, intrigued.
"Wanna read?" Kurapika offered.
"Nah, I don't wanna stop you from finishing," Gon declined.
"No worries, I've got another copy," Kurapika said, smiling. He got up, rummaged through his bag, and pulled out a book with a similar cover, tossing it to Gon. "Here."
"Thanks!" Gon caught it easily and dove into it, while Kurapika resumed his own reading.
Time passed.
"Hey, you two, we're here," Leorio announced, joining them.
"Awesome!" Gon shouted, leaping down to join Leorio.
Kurapika closed his book. "Next stage," he murmured, smiling.
Dressed again, the trio returned to the deck, where the crew had docked at the island's port. The weather was clear, the port bustling with ships and crowds.
As they prepared to leave with their bags, the captain stopped them. "Before you go, I've got something to say."
His casual tone commanded their attention. He was an examiner, after all. "You're at Dollé Port, one of many pre-selection points for the Hunter Exam," he continued, ensuring he had their focus. He puffed his pipe. "I like you three, so here's a tip." He pointed to a large tree on the horizon. "Head for that tree if you want to advance."
The trio followed his gesture. "Thanks, Gramps!" Gon said gleefully.
"That's kind of you," Kurapika added.
"I would've figured it out anyway," Leorio grumbled.
With that, the trio parted from the captain and crew, leaving the ship. The first test was over, but their adventure was just beginning.
Schedule: 2 chaps/Monday
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