Whale Island X Kite's Search for Ging

Whale Island is not large; it's not even as big as Kukuroo Mountain, the Zoldyck Family's stronghold.

However, compared to the Kukuroo Mountain., Whale Island has towns and markets, attracting a large number of candidates every year for the Hunter Exam. Its tourism industry and prosperity far surpass those of Kukuroo Mountain.

The street vendors hawking their wares, the hotels and restaurants offering discounts and promotions to attract customers, the street performers entertaining the crowds... all these are the Kukuroo Mountain has never had before.

Following Roy Gotoh even saw many strangely dressed people, carrying, slinging, or holding all sorts of weapons and equipment, blatantly parading through the streets. They were probably early arrivals for the exams.

"Young Master, there's a nicely decorated restaurant up ahead. Let's eat there." After strolling around for a bit, it was lunchtime. Gotoh noticed a restaurant ahead that seemed to be doing well, with the main hall mostly full. He figured the food must be pretty good.

Roy strolled through the market, feeling as if he had been transported back in time to his old home, where similar street scenes once existed. Lost in thought, he stepped directly past the restaurant and asked Gotoh, "Can I take pictures with my phone?"

Gotoh was taken aback. If he had known the Young Master wanted to take pictures, he would have brought the camera. He nodded and said, "Yes."

"The image quality isn't very good."

These days, smartphones don't exist yet; most phones are keypad phones, and having a flip phone is considered a high-end item.

Knowing this, Roy didn't Compulsion. He led Gotoh through the streets and alleys, away from the bustling city center, gradually heading towards a quieter place.

Passing by a lush green meadow, you can vaguely see a small tavern, a typical Japanese detached house, with the business downstairs and the living quarters upstairs, and the words "Mito's Tavern" written on the door.

The Sun-Earring Boy stopped in his tracks, turned around, and gave the Gotoh a peace sign.

Gotoh:

Silent and speechless, he glanced at the somewhat old tavern, not even hearing the sound of customers talking. He couldn't understand why Young Master young master would choose this place for a photo instead of taking pictures of the many beautiful sights along the way. The young butler clearly didn't know the special significance of the words "The Place Where Dreams Begin" for a reborn person... because this was where the story began, and checking in was to prove that Roy had been here, existed, and would continue to exist in the future...

"Click—" Gotoh took out his phone and pressed the shutter button. The photo check-in was over. Roy didn't even look at it, telling him to go home and wash up. Then, leaning on his Cane Sword, he stood in front of the door, reached out, and pushed open the wooden door...

"Squeak~"

Welcome!

A beautiful female voice rang out, and a young girl carrying a tray and wearing a headscarf walked out from behind the counter. She had short, orange hair and beautiful amber eyes. She looked about sixteen or seventeen years old. Her eyes were similar to those of a guy who liked to participate in the "Where Are We Going, Dad?" show, but she didn't have his wisdom and ambition. Instead, she had a gentle strength.

"Two of you." Roy held up two fingers.

Carrying the Gotoh, I walked to the bar and sat down.

The shop was very quiet, with only one table of customers. Perhaps Pariston had kept most of the test-takers away, or perhaps it was because the area was far from town and only a few neighborhoods away, making it less lively and more peaceful. "Okay, please have a seat." Two glasses of iced water were pushed in front of him, Mito smiled as he handed over the menu. Roy casually ordered an omelet rice with orange juice, Gotoh followed suit, saying, "The same as him."

While waiting for his meal, he took the opportunity to survey the tavern's layout, identifying the entrances and exits, as well as any possible escape routes. His gaze swept over the customers at the next table, paused, and then he whispered to Roy, "Young Master, that person over there seems to be a Nen user."

He's no ordinary Nen user.

A white shirt, black trousers, brown shoes, a blue baseball cap, and long, straight white hair that almost reached the floor as the Sun-Earring Boy sat down... Roy spotted him the moment he entered.

Kite, Kim's nominal protégé!

Only a second had passed since Gotoh's gaze fell upon him when the hawk-like eyes beneath the baseball cap snapped over. They lingered on Gotoh for a moment, then looked at Roy... The Sun-Earring Boy's gaze sharpened, he adjusted his baseball cap, and silently lowered his head...

Danger! The instant Kite noticed the Sun-Earring Boy, alarm bells rang in her mind; it was as if she had seen a ferocious beast!

As a child, he was naturally drawn to animals, giving him an exceptional sensitivity to "aura"—not Nen, but more of an intuition. This led to his discovery by Ging, who took him on as a nominal disciple and taught him Nen. Before parting, Ging instructed him to pass the Hunter Exam and left him with a final test, "Find Ging..."

So Kite obediently came, choosing Whale Island, her master King's former residence, as her starting point to participate in the Hunter Exam and begin her "gold hunt." However, she never expected that she would encounter two formidable opponents right from the start, especially that Sun-Earring Boy.

Even without visiting him, she unconsciously exerted a strong sense of pressure on him!

It's like when you were a child, you wandered into the jungle while playing and encountered a fox-bear...

"Guests, your meal is here~" At this moment, Mito, who was not yet "Auntie," carried an omelet rice and juice, lifted the kitchen curtain and came out... Kite knew the girl's identity, lowered her eyelids, and locked a sliver of light on Roy and Gotoh.

The young butler adjusted his glasses, freeing his other hand to discreetly slip into his pocket and quietly pocket a coin...

"Have a meal."

A crisp "ding" broke the tension between the two. Roy picked up a fork and tapped the plate lightly, then held down the restless Gotoh. Oblivious to everyone else, he peeled the egg, scooped up a spoonful of fried rice mixed with tomato sauce and bits of egg, tasted it carefully, and smiled at Mito, saying, "Your chef's skills are truly excellent; the rice is very fragrant."

"My mom made it." Mito beamed, still unaware of what had just happened, and proudly puffed out his little chest, saying, "My brother and I have always loved my mom's cooking since we were little..."

"Then you must be very happy."

"Not really, just average," Mito said with a modest smile.

Roy nodded, then suddenly asked, "Where's your brother? You're the only one busy at the front desk."

Kite tensed up suddenly, and Gotoh followed suit, putting down her spoon.

Mito looked somewhat dejected and snorted coldly, "Don't mention him. I haven't seen him come home in years. What's he busy with? Busy starting a company, exploring ruins, restoring ancient buildings, or... having children..."

Roy calculated the time; it was the time his mother, Kikyo, was pregnant with Kikyo, and that was when Jin had Gon... He glanced up at Mito, who was full of resentment. The poor girl didn't know what she would face in the future. He smiled and didn't say anything more. After finishing his meal and paying, he left the tavern with Gotoh.

Behind me, "creak~"

The wooden door closed and then opened again, and a thin figure wearing a baseball cap quietly followed out.