Roy didn't bother exchanging any more words with Kite. With his usual casual grace, he brushed past the tense Hunter and walked away as if nothing had happened.
Kite stood still, watching Roy's back as it faded into the distance. He rubbed his face wearily.
"…Did I overreact? No. I had to come."
His eyes narrowed.
"That person… is truly too dangerous."
Step… step… step…
Roy's steady footsteps eventually disappeared down the path. Kite finally relaxed—just for a second—when suddenly…
"Hey, Kite! Hahaha! I caught a kingfish!"
A familiar, high-pitched voice rang out.
A small figure came running toward Kite with childlike glee, a fishing rod in hand.
"You can take me to the Hunter Exam now, right?!"
The boy was Gon Freecss, smiling brightly as he sprinted toward Kite—and directly into Roy, who had yet to leave the vicinity.
Gon blinked.
"Uncle, how are you?"
Roy's expression instantly darkened.
"…Who are you calling uncle?"
"This kid… Don't talk nonsense. Bite your tongue saying weird stuff like that," he thought to himself.
But he smiled gently and gestured at the rod Gon carried.
"Nice fishing rod."
Gon hugged the rod to his chest proudly.
"Of course! My dad left this for me! It's my treasure."
Hmph. With your 'dad complex,' even if your old man left you a piece of dried-up tree bark, you'd treat it like a sacred relic.
Still… that rod truly was special. Nearly indestructible, perfectly balanced—it reeked of Ging Freecss's craftsmanship. A weapon disguised as a toy. Roy could tell.
"Keep it safe. If you ever find your father, hand it to him. I think he'd like that."
Roy smiled faintly and waved.
"See you around, kid."
In the next moment—he vanished.
No footsteps. No sound. No aura. Just—gone.
"Eh?!"
Gon looked around frantically.
There was no trace of the blind man in black.
"He… disappeared?"
Kite walked over, placing a hand on Gon's head.
"Don't bother. He's already long gone."
Gon pouted.
"Can he fly?"
Kite shook his head solemnly.
"He doesn't fly… but he moves faster than flight."
He said it without a hint of exaggeration.
"Stay away from him, Gon," Kite added seriously.
"Why? I didn't feel anything bad from him."
Kite looked into Gon's bright, naïve eyes.
"Just because someone feels harmless doesn't mean they are. You know how even the kindest fox will still eat a rabbit when it's hungry?"
"Being strong is dangerous. Especially when you're not."
Gon frowned, half-understanding the point, and turned his gaze toward the direction Roy had vanished.
⚓ Whale Island Port – A Few Hours Later
"WOOOOO~!"
The Poseidon, the Hunter Association's designated transport vessel, let out a booming whistle. The ship was set to depart.
Roy—leaning on his black cane and katana—"stumbled" aboard with theatrical sluggishness. But every step was precise, deliberate.
He looked around the deck.
No Killua yet?
Tsk. That brat moves fast when he owes someone something.
Still, it was fine. They'd all meet again in the exam hall.
He tapped his cane rhythmically against the deck as he walked.
da~ da~ da~
The noise attracted the attention of several passengers.
"Yo, is that guy… blind?"
"Blind people take the Hunter Exam now? Hahaha!"
"Hey, gramps! You sure you didn't get on the wrong ship?"
"Don't waste your time, guys. Maybe he's got Nen radar or something, ahahaha!"
The deck roared with laughter.
Roy ignored them.
He walked over and gently tapped his cane beside a young man with golden hair and a calm expression.
"This seat taken?"
Kurapika glanced up. The boy's clear amber eyes met Roy's clouded ones.
"No. Go ahead."
"Thank you. Your heart is as beautiful as your eyes."
Kurapika's breath hitched.
He turned sharply to look at Roy, his expression unreadable.