Chapter 101: Whale Island × Kite's Gold-Seeking Journey
Whale Island was not large, not even as large as Kukuroo Mountain, where the Zoldyck family resided.
But compared to the quiet austerity of Kukuroo Mountain, Whale Island had towns and markets. Every year, the Hunter Exam drew large numbers of candidates here, and the tourism scene and bustle far surpassed Kukuroo Mountain.
Street vendors hawked their wares. Restaurants and inns lured customers with discounts and promotions. Street performers juggled and did tricks. These were the very flavors of everyday life Kukuroo Mountain did not have.
Walking with Roy, Gotoh even saw many oddly dressed folks swaggering down the streets with weapons and gear slung on their backs, at their hips, or in their hands. They were clearly early-arriving exam candidates.
"Young Master, there's a nicely done restaurant ahead. Let's eat there." After a short stroll, it was mealtime. Gotoh eyed a busy restaurant whose main hall was buzzing and half full. The food was probably good.
Roy wandered the market, feeling for an instant as if he had returned to the past. His old home had streets like this. Then he stepped past the restaurant without stopping and asked Gotoh, "Can your phone take pictures?"
Gotoh blinked. If he had known the young master wanted photos, he would have brought a camera. He nodded. "It can."
"The image quality just isn't very good."
Smartphones did not exist yet. Most phones were keypad models, and a flip phone counted as high-end.
Roy knew the situation and did not press it. He led Gotoh through narrow lanes away from the bustle and toward a quieter area.
They passed a green lawn. In the distance stood a small tavern, a typical Japanese single-family building with the shop downstairs and residence upstairs. The signboard read "Mito O Tavern."
The boy stopped and flashed Gotoh a peace sign.
Gotoh said nothing. He glanced at the old tavern. He could not even hear customers chatting inside. He had no idea why the young master ignored all the scenic spots along the way and chose this place for a commemorative photo.
The young butler clearly did not understand what a "place where the dream begins" meant to someone reborn. This was where the story began. Taking a picture here was proof that Roy had come, that he existed, and would continue to exist in the future.
Click.
Gotoh pulled out his phone and pressed the shutter. With the photo taken, Roy did not even check it. He told Gotoh to have it developed at home, then walked to the door on his cane-sword and pushed the wooden door open.
Creak.
"Welcome."
A bright female voice rang out. From behind the counter came a teenage girl with a tray and a headscarf. She had orange shoulder-length hair, pretty amber eyes, and looked about sixteen or seventeen. Her gaze resembled a certain someone who liked to star in "Where Are We Going, Dad," but she lacked his sharpness and ambition. Instead, she carried a gentle strength.
"Two," Roy said, holding up two fingers.
He and Gotoh sat at the bar.
The shop was very quiet, with only one table occupied. Perhaps Pariston had blocked most candidates elsewhere, or perhaps this place was simply far from town, with only a few neighbors. It lacked bustle and gained a measure of calm.
"Alright, please have a seat." She slid two glasses of iced water over and handed them menus with a smile. Roy casually ordered an omelet rice with orange juice. Gotoh said, "The same."
While waiting, they took the chance to study the tavern's layout, noting the entrances and exits and potential escape routes. Roy's gaze slid past the only other table, then settled. Gotoh leaned in and whispered, "Young Master, that man looks like a Nen user."
"He is not just any Nen user."
White shirt, black slacks, brown shoes, blue cap. His long, straight white hair nearly brushed the floor as he sat. Roy had noticed him the instant he entered. It was Ging's nominal disciple, Kite.
One second after Gotoh's glance, a hawk-like gaze under the cap looked back.
It paused on Gotoh for a moment, then shifted to Roy. The boy's eyes hardened. He pressed the brim down and lowered his head.
Danger. The instant he noticed that boy, Kite's inner alarm blared. It was like seeing a wild beast.
Even as a child, he had been naturally attuned to animals and exceptionally sensitive to "presence." This was not about Nen so much as intuition. Ging had discovered him for that very reason, trained him as a nominal disciple, and taught him Nen. When they parted, Ging told him to pass the Hunter Exam and left him with a final trial: "Find Ging."
So Kite obeyed. He chose Whale Island, Ging's old home, as the starting point. He would take the Hunter Exam and begin his "Find Ging" journey. He never expected to run into two experts right away, especially that boy.
Even without looking directly at him, the boy radiated an oppressive pressure.
It was like when a young Kite trespassed into the forest and ran into a foxbear.
"Your meals are here." The not-yet-an-"Aunt" Mito lifted the kitchen curtain and brought out the omelet rice and juice. Kite knew who the girl was. He lowered his eyes and kept a sliver of attention on Roy and Gotoh.
The young butler pushed his glasses up and slipped his other hand into his pocket, quietly pinching a coin.
"Eat."
Ping.
A crisp tone broke the taut nerves of the two men.
Roy tapped the plate with his fork.
He stilled the ready-to-move Gotoh and, as if no one else were there, cracked the omelet open. He scooped up fried rice mixed with ketchup and bits of egg, tasted it carefully, then smiled at Mito. "Your cook is really good. The rice is fragrant."
"My mom made it." Mito beamed, oblivious to what had just happened in that instant. She lifted her chest proudly. "My brother and I have loved Mom's cooking since we were little."
"Then you two must be very happy."
"Not really. It's pretty ordinary." Mito smiled modestly.
Roy nodded, then asked, "I do not see your brother. Are you the only one working the front today?"
Kite tensed again. Gotoh set his spoon down as well.
A shadow of sadness crossed Mito's face. She snorted. "Do not bring him up. We do not see him for years at a time. Who knows what he is busy with out there?"
Busy with what? Running a company, exploring ruins, restoring ancient buildings, or… having children.
Roy did a quick mental count. This was about when Kikyo, Killua's mother, was pregnant. Ging already had Gon. He glanced at Mito, full of resentment and none the wiser about what lay ahead.
He smiled and said nothing more.
He finished eating, paid the bill, and left the tavern with Gotoh.
Behind them,
Creak.
The wooden door shut, then opened again. A lean figure in a cap slipped out, following quietly.