Tide's Bait

Sunlight refracted sparkling spots of light across the sea surface, while the waves on the shallow beach rolled up white foam again and again, lashing against scattered shipboards, broken masts, and metal wreckage half-buried in the sand. The air was filled with a damp, salty, and slightly corrosive scent.

"All right, let's split up and search," Kurapika said calmly.

Leorio complained, "Haah... What a pain... Since it's only ten million Jennies, couldn't they change the test?" Despite his complaining, he and Kurapika walked one after the other, looping back near the lower half of the warships' wreckage to search separately for usable supplies.

On the other side, Gon and Killua formed a group, charging straight for the shallow beach area where the waves beat. Gon took off his outer garment and jumped excitedly into the water, "Killua, I'm heading down first!"

"Hey, hey, don't just sink straight to the bottom!" Killua sat lazily on a reef, swinging his legs and keeping watch over the items Gon threw up one by one.

Not far away, Tonpa strolled over leisurely, wearing a benevolent yet hypocritical smile, "Hehe, kids, need any help? Adults have more experience, you know."

Killua tilted his head, his smile carrying a trace of wickedness, "Hm? Or should I beat you up first before we talk?"

Tonpa's smile froze, and he shrank back awkwardly, "Aha... Just kidding..."

Hisoka walked alone on the other side, head lowered, his fingertips toying with a metal fastener buried in the sand, a half-smile hanging at the corner of his mouth. Every few seconds, his gaze would quietly sweep over those busy figures on the main beach, as though screening for some interesting toys.

Further along the reef belt, Gittarackur wandered quietly among the rock crevices, his long fingernails gently lifting the seaweed and