Gon walked up to Roy on his short legs, hands clasped behind his back like a miniature fishing expert.
He leaned forward, curiosity written all over his face, and peeked at what Roy was doing.
Roy glanced at him and said casually,
"No need. I'm already wired."
With a slight swing of the staff-blade in his hand, a thread of Armament Haki, sharpened and invisible, flew into the depths of the sea—guided entirely by Roy's will.
The stronger the "intent," the deeper the thread pierced. The purer the "quality," the more stable it became.
Roy took out a gourd from his waist, unscrewed the top, and took a sip of fruit wine. He clicked his tongue and muttered,
"Damn tourist traps. A thousand Jenny for this tiny bottle."
The alcohol wasn't strong, but it was refreshing enough. Still, he couldn't help cursing the greedy merchants.
"Eh? Uncle, are you sure it's wired?"
Gon tilted his head, staring. He could clearly see the tip of the staff-blade was empty. No thread, no hook… Was Uncle drunk?
He scratched his head in confusion.
His innocent expression was so sincere that it almost made people laugh.
"Hey kid, don't pay attention to that guy. He's just nuts."
One of the passengers tapped his own head and gave Gon a dramatic gesture.
"There's no line. That blind man's brain is busted."
"Yeah! Believe his nonsense and you'll end up a fool too."
"Hey, blind guy! Show us your thread! What, hiding it in your pants?"
"Hahahaha! This guy's crazy… but honestly, I like that kind of crazy."
Roy ignored them all, taking another relaxed sip of wine.
Finally, Leorio stumbled over, having recovered from his earlier fall. He grabbed Gon by the arm and pulled him back.
"Don't get too close to him, Gon. He might really be unhinged."
"Oh…"
Gon looked back over his shoulder, still intrigued.
Suddenly, Kite's warning flashed through his mind:
"That person is too dangerous. Don't get close to him."
A strange idea popped into Gon's head, and before he could stop himself, he cupped his hands and shouted:
"Hey, Uncle! Are you sure there's a cable?"
Roy chuckled, the wine bubbling in his throat as he hiccupped.
"I'm blind, didn't you hear them? They said I've got problems in the head."
Then he smirked.
"The line is always there… it's just that idiots can't see it."
"Yeah! I believe you, Uncle!"
Gon nodded seriously, his big black-and-white eyes full of sincerity.
Smack!
Leorio smacked him on the forehead.
"You idiot! He just called you stupid and you still trust him?!"
Leorio sighed and rubbed his temple.
"This kid is hopeless…"
Should he back off now? Or keep the kid from ending up as collateral damage?
Just then—
"Oi! Blind bastard! Who the hell are you calling stupid?!"
Thunk!
A dagger flew past and embedded itself right next to Roy's head on the deck.
A group of hostile candidates approached, all radiating arrogance and bloodlust. The leader, wearing nose rings and earrings, strutted forward with the confidence of a man used to bullying others.
He yanked out the dagger and pressed it to Roy's neck.
One boot planted on the rail, he looked down at Roy condescendingly.
"Answer me. Who's the idiot?!"
"You said you had a thread, right? Well, where is it?"
He spat in Roy's direction and raised a hand to slap away the staff-blade—
Only to scream a moment later.
Shnick!
His hand made contact with something that wasn't there… and then half of it was gone.
Splash!
The severed palm hit the deck, then rolled off the edge and into the sea.
"AAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!"
Blood sprayed across the planks.
Everyone froze—
Kurapika, watching from the side…
Leorio, trying to restrain Gon…
Gon, mid-rub on his sore forehead…
Even Goz, the first mate, and all the Hunter Exam candidates stood in stunned silence.
The man with the nose ring was on the floor, screaming in agony, cradling the stump of his hand as blood gushed.
He wasn't lying… the thread was real…
Their faces turned pale.
An invisible line, so thin and so sharp… no one had even seen it.
That thing sliced through flesh like paper…
"Hiss—"
The crowd collectively inhaled.
More than a few instinctively covered their right hands, as if afraid they might be next.
Dozens of eyes turned toward Roy.
He sat still, like nothing had happened. Then, with a small grin, he slowly stood.
Without looking down, he stepped directly on the severed hand.
"Got a bite."
With a flick of his wrist—
FWOOSH!
A huge sea fish erupted from the ocean, tail flapping wildly as it soared into the air.
Water droplets sparkled around it like crystals as it arced above the ship.