Becoming a Gadget Master Starting From Hunter x Hunter

This was a useless item Morin had obtained from an earlier sign-in reward. He had originally planned to just let it gather dust in his Four-Dimensional Pocket.

However, it could be useful if he occasionally took it out to give as a gift?

He just didn't know if Kanzai would like it. He hoped he wasn't screwing himself over.

After all, tigers are felines, and cats are the most curious animals, the ones most likely to get themselves killed~~?

Carried by the targeting function of the Anywhere Cannon, Morin was flying purposefully through the air in the underground tunnel. Along the way, he saw quite a few examinees whose expressions turned astonished upon noticing his presence.

Morin ignored them all.

These people didn't seem like much, and he didn't recognize a single face.

Even if they managed to become Hunters later, they'd probably be the kind Hisoka would rate in the teens or twenties.

There was no need to get to know them.

The underground tunnel wasn't particularly long or short.

However, thanks to the shortest route set by the Anywhere Cannon, Morin flew for less than two hours before gradually slowing down at an ascending wellhead. Then, he slowly ascended.

When he emerged from underground, he saw the sign that read "Welcome to the Albamor Mountains."

And a person standing next to the sign.

"So soon?"

Botobai walked forward with a hint of surprise. "I'm an examiner for the third phase of the test. You can rest here for a bit before the other examinees arrive."

He had thick eyebrows and large eyes, with heavy white and red makeup painted on his face like a Peking Opera mask. Two horns jutted upwards from the sides of his head.

His square face was imposing, and his eyes were sharp and gleaming, as if they could see through all the evils of the world.

He exuded an air of unwavering integrity and righteousness.

He was the future elder of the Zodiac, a man brimming with a sense of justice, whose strength and achievements made him a pillar of the Hunter Association.

"As expected of the one who represents the 'Dragon'."

Morin silently observed Botobai, who was approaching him with an imposing, dragon-like gait.

The Hunter Exam, which usually took seventy-two hours to conclude, typically had examiners arriving only at the last second.

Yet, Botobai was already waiting here, demonstrating his strong sense of responsibility.

Matching his sense of responsibility and justice was the astonishing aura subtly emanating from him.

Having studied under Biscuit for such a long time, Morin's strength, while still lacking compared to the very top echelon, had improved considerably.

His eyesight and experience, in particular, had been gradually honed by Biscuit.

Even though he wasn't at his peak yet, Botobai, already a two-star Hunter and a veteran Nen user?

Without a doubt, he was the strongest person Morin had ever met since his debut!

Biscuit didn't count; when she was teaching Morin, she hadn't yet reverted to her monstrous, muscle-bound appearance.

"No wonder he was later hailed as the person in the Hunter Association whose strength and reputation were closest to Chairman Netero's."

As Morin was appraising Botobai, Botobai seemed to notice something and looked at Morin a couple more times.

"Are you the newcomer Kruke mentioned, the one even she found troublesome?"

Yes, Botobai, being straightforward, spoke even more directly than Kanzai.

"Your aura and your eyes are indeed impressive."

He offered his evaluation, nodding in praise.

There was no condescension or arrogance, no judging from a position of superiority based on his status.

He simply spoke his mind, offering a sincere evaluation.

Morin understood Botobai's personality and knew there was no malice in his words.

He casually took out a bottle of good wine and some chairs and a table:

"Care to chat?"

He even swayed the wine in his hand towards Botobai.

"No, thank you."

While quite surprised by Morin's ability to produce items out of thin air, Botobai still declined his invitation.

"The wine isn't poisoned, drink up."

"I know,"

Botobai said solemnly, "but as an examiner, I must remain clear-headed at all times to prevent any incidents during the test."

"I see?"

Morin nodded, not surprised, or rather, he had expected as much.

He subtly put the wine away and then produced a pot of water and a plate of peanuts.

"If you won't drink the wine, a bit of water should be fine, right?"

Morin placed peanuts on the table, poured water into both their cups, and handed one to Botobai.

"Genuine mountain spring water, very high in nutritional value."

Botobai, maintaining his state of Gyo, didn't notice anything unusual. Since Morin had already handed him the water, he sat down and took a sip.

Hmm, it really was water.

After tasting it, he swallowed.

"Honestly, I've always had a question I wanted to ask you."

Morin asked while drinking his water:

"In your eyes, what is good, and what is evil?"

"Good is good, bad is evil."

Botobai said solemnly.

"Very straightforward, and very fitting."

Morin nodded. "But, if someone is inwardly wicked, yet pretends to be a good person their entire life,"

"How would you know that person's heart is wicked?"

He was genuinely curious about Morin.

"So, is he good or bad?"

Botobai retorted, "If he's been a good person his whole life, and hasn't shown any bad behavior, how would you know their heart is wicked?"

"Yeah, you're right?"

Morin clinked glasses with Botobai. "This is what we call judging by actions, not by intentions."

"But what if there are two other people: one who has done many good deeds their whole life and is called a great person, and another who has done countless evil deeds and is a scoundrel."

"But one day, the good person inadvertently does something bad, and the scoundrel, on a whim, does a trivial good deed."

"The former is then lambasted as hypocritical, while the latter is praised as a prodigal son returning, meaning they've repented and turned over a new leaf."

"What's your take on that?"

Botobai said with a straight face:

"I would stay far away from those who curse people."

"Being with muddled-minded individuals is very dangerous."

"Hahaha, you really are blunt!"

Morin laughed heartily and gave a thumbs-up. "Impressive."

"However, you should also know that most people in this world are the ones doing the cursing; that's human nature."

"If a bandit studies, people will say he's inspiring; if a student steals, they'll say he's fallen. If a monk drinks, people will say he's broken his vows; if a drunkard prays, they'll say he's sincere and seeking goodness."

"A good person has to go through eighty-one tribulations to achieve enlightenment, while a bad person can achieve Buddhahood just by laying down their butcher's knife."

"If it were you, Botobai, and while pursuing a criminal, you accidentally damaged a car or a house, or were framed or wrongly accused, leading to public misunderstanding and curses, what would you think?"

Morin posed the question once more.

Botobai looked up and met his gaze directly:

"That would mean I'm not doing well enough!!"

His face became even redder than the blush he'd applied earlier:

"It was my fault for damaging the public's houses and cars while pursuing criminals."

"And being misunderstood or framed by others means my credibility isn't sufficient for the public to have absolute faith in me."

"If I can't achieve that, what right do I have to be an excellent Hunter?!"

His resounding answer was filled with the firm resolve and will to press forward even against a multitude of opposition.

It was precisely because of this will that he became the most popular person among the Zodiac, and even within the Hunter Association.

"You're holding yourself to the standards of a saint."

Morin remarked with emotion.

"I also intend to use my own insignificant influence to try and change the world."

Botobai said.

"Remarkable."

Morin praised him again, raising his cup. "I toast you with this glass; at least I can't do that."

"Saints live far too tiringly."

"So you want to embrace the darkness?"

Botobai's face grew even more flushed. Hearing Morin bring up this topic, he had already guessed something.

"It's not exactly embracing the darkness, but if the sunlight isn't willing to embrace me, I don't mind hiding in a dark corner."

"Hm?"

Botobai waited for him to continue.

073 The Hunter Exam Ends, Netero's Attention!! It's Time to Start My Own Journey [Seeking Subscriptions!]

"You know, I've lived in a place completely isolated from this world until now. I've only been out for less than a year."

Morin said leisurely, "And even in this past year, I've spent most of my time training."

"But,"

He smiled, "training all over the world has allowed me to see many people and strange sights."

"There are towering trees that pierce the clouds, giant land turtles with strawberries growing on their backs, and earth frogs that are like chameleons."

"Giant waterfalls suspended in mid-air, dragons soaring freely in the sky, and overlords like dinosaurs from the Cretaceous period... and so on. I believe there are still many wonders and strange things I haven't seen."

"The ever-changing climate has nurtured different natural landscapes, and different natural conditions have given rise to different animals and plants."

"Humans living in different environments have formed different cultures and customs, and culture and natural landscapes have in turn created all sorts of interesting people."

Morin swirled the cup in his hand and said softly:

"I've played with grotesque magical beasts in the forest."

"I've also heard the mountain songs of a maiden bidding farewell to her lover in a peaceful little village."

"In the fields, siblings played together, and the adults were busy farming, exuding happiness."

"A simple chef in an unknown country made unique dishes using local specialty ingredients. Once you've tasted it, the flavor is unforgettable."