Chapter 62
Identity Exposed, The Blind Brother Is Actually Tianwei?!
"You were the one in Davia's library?"
Kurapika's expression stiffened instantly.
No one in the world cared more about the Phantom Troupe than him.
The incident at cartoonist Tianwei-sensei's autograph session had made headlines—and rumors were already flying. If it weren't for the upcoming Hunter Exam, Kurapika would've rushed to Davia for a field investigation himself.
But to meet the "main culprit" here?
"The three who attacked… Uvogin, Nobunaga, Shizuku…"
"No wonder there were zero casualties. You were there!"
Kurapika muttered, his sharp mind piecing together everything from just one sentence Roy said. As expected of the intellectual backbone of the protagonist group.
"Ah~ now that you mention it…"
"Damn! Blind bro… you're Mr. Tianwei, right?!"
A sudden shout came from the crowd of candidates.
"I knew you looked familiar! I can't believe you came to take the exam too!"
"Who's that?"
"Tian-something sensei?"
"Is he famous?"
The commotion built rapidly.
"Famous? He's legendary!"
"That's THE Mr. Tianwei who created one piece ! The one whose signing event got attacked!"
"Wori—seriously? No wonder…"
"No wonder the Phantom Troupe looked so lame raiding a signing and not killing anyone. Totally unlike them!"
"So it was because Blind Bro was there…"
"Three Troupe members got clobbered and couldn't even fight back? Sheesh, terrifying!"
—
The growing noise and confusion made Gon's head spin.
What "one piece "?
What Phantom Troupe?
The poor child, who had been lovingly sheltered by Mito since birth, blinked in confusion at the adult chaos swirling around him. He tugged on Leorio's sleeve.
"Leorio~ what's one piece?"
"It's the newest, hottest manga right now. Crazy popular!" Leorio explained while still staring at Roy with astonishment.
To think… Mr. Tianwei is blind in real life?
Even Leorio was rattled.
Big time.
Gon's eyes sparkled. "Four mouths… one!"
(He tried to say "awesome" but was still figuring it out.)
"…This guy's seriously incredible," Leorio muttered, pushing up his sunglasses, his mood spiraling.
Strong? Okay.
Handsome? Fine.
Talented and draws hit manga?
Compared to that…
I might as well reincarnate.
(Pitou: "Okay, come. I'll help you die properly.")
The sense of inferiority washed over Leorio like a tsunami.
And it didn't stop there.
More and more fans among the candidates swarmed forward, now recognizing Roy.
Even those who hadn't read the manga had heard of "Pirate King." Word spread like wildfire.
Roy was instantly surrounded.
Three layers deep.
"…Happy now?" Roy turned toward Kurapika, his tone dry. So much for fishing quietly.
With a flick of his cane, he dropped all pretenses. The disguise was off.
"Alright, new rules," he announced. "Since we're all Hunter Exam buddies, I'll give you a discount."
"Signatures: 100,000 Jenny."
"Photos: 300,000 Jenny. No expiration."
"Waaaaaahhh—Tianwei-sensei, you're too kind! I'm crying! Don't push, I want to get your blood sample!"
The fan who first recognized him was so excited she could hardly breathe.
Roy raised an eyebrow. "…You want my blood?"
He turned cold.
"Congratulations. You've been kicked out from the fan club."
Next!
"I… I'll go!"
"Me too!"
A few candidates who had previously blocked his path stepped up, bowing deeply.
"We're willing to offer 10 million Jenny as an apology for bumping into you earlier."
Roy squinted. "I was going to take a hand from each of you."
"We'll pay 20 million!"
"…A finger then."
"Thirty million!"
Roy smiled warmly, personally helping them up.
"Aiya~ what are classmates for? We're all friends here."
"Thank you, Tianwei-sensei!"
"All good~" Roy said cheerfully, pocketing the money and moving on to the next fan.
—
At the edge of the crowd…
Gon stood on tiptoe, trying and failing to reach Roy.
"Leorio~ why aren't you going? Aren't you his fan too?"
Leorio froze.
A bead of sweat rolled down his temple.
This damn kid picks the worst time to talk…
He had been reading Roy's manga for free this whole time. If Roy found out, wouldn't he chop Leorio into manga panels?
"…Talk less. No one thinks you're mute," Leorio snapped, turning away.
Gon pouted. "Tch… you didn't even catch the kingfish…"
BOP!
"Oww! Why'd you hit me again?!"
"You want another?!"
The two chased each other like idiots around the ship's mast.
—
Meanwhile, in the corner…
Kurapika stood alone, having been shoved out of the crowd.
He hugged himself.
A quiet, bitter frustration boiled inside him.
The enemy I chase so desperately… to others, they're nothing more than 'trash.'
Trash.
The word pierced like a needle.
But…
People grow. Pain doesn't vanish, but it heals.
Roy noticed his mood shift from afar. But after a brief glance, he looked away again.
He had no obligation to help Kurapika. Why should he?
He, too, had tasted this bitterness.
His so-called big brother "Illumi" had treated him with nothing but contempt. They were both monsters, but Roy had suffered in silence for years.
Luckily…
Both Killua and Illumi would be attending the Hunter Exam.
One was a debt collector.
The other?
Also a debt collector.