Chapter 104: Crossing on a Reed × The Sea God Is Shocked
The massive catfish thrashed its tail with the force of a heavy truck.
Roy recognized it at a glance—the Master of the Swamp that ruled this lake, the very one Gon would one day catch.
It was the fish that convinced Mito to let him take the Hunter Exam.
Unfortunately, there was no time to eat it, and given its size, who knew how much muddy stench it had soaked up. The meat would be coarse and tough, likely not tasty at all. Roy withdrew the Nen line and let it slip back into the lake.
"Young Master, we have to hurry." The official departure time was 3 p.m., and it was already 2:55. It was unclear if they could still make it.
Gotoh stomped out the fire and packed up.
Roy remained calm. A Hunter License mattered, but so did training. To proceed naturally, without arrogance or haste—that was the right way.
He smiled. "No rush. The boat will straighten itself as it reaches the bridge."
With a turn of his wrist, he slung the branch over his shoulder. "Let's go."
"Yes."
Master and servant left the forest, cut through streets and alleys, and ran for Dory Port, where the shuttle ship Sea God was docked.
They were still a step late. Far off, a giant three-masted steamer was pumping smoke and pulling away from port, already three kilometers out. It had been moving for several minutes.
"Wait… I'm not on yet! Please, stop!" A few latecomers, like Roy, waved both arms and shouted at the top of their lungs, hoping to catch the crew's attention and turn the ship back.
But this was a serious examination, not a game. Once the sails were up, there would be no turning back.
"Too late. The ship will not stop. Come again next year." A stout old captain stepped from the cabin. Red nose, full beard, a pipe clamped between his teeth, a sailor's cap on his head. His skin was dark and rough from years at sea. He gave the shore the briefest glance, then drew his gaze back.
"Looks like a few kids who don't take the Hunter's work seriously," he thought. Figures moved on deck. One blond youth with two bodyguards. One freak with big nails stuck all over his face. One boy in a blue cap with a katana at his hip. Almost as if rehearsed in advance…
They leaned on the rail and looked to the opposite shore in unison—and spotted the figure with a cane-sword at his waist and a branch over his shoulder.
Roy Zoldyck.
Big Brother.
It is him…
You finally came…
Pariston's lips tilted upward. He turned to the captain. "Hey, I think we can turn back."
The freak looked too. Then the boy in the cap—Kite—lowered his brim and said nothing.
"Heh, sorry. I am the captain. I decide." Captain Mark Seam undid a button and revealed a proctor's license issued by the Hunter Association. He stared coldly at the three and pointed to the sea. "If you do not like it, jump."
Mark Seam had seen his share of troublemakers. His first mate, Gus, had been one once. Now Gus behaved himself just fine.
"Then there is no helping it." Pariston spread his hands and looked ashore in regret.
He was in a foul mood, but business came first.
As for the freak beside him, at the captain's words, he did not hesitate. He jumped.
Splash. Water flew. Everyone froze for a second. Then they saw the mohawked freak clawing through the waves, racing toward shore. Eyes met and widened.
"What, is he an idiot?"
"Jumping overboard right before the exam?"
"What, are they handing out gold bars on land?"
Noise erupted. Many watched with glee. One less competitor was always good news. Everyone would love a few more idiots like that.
"What should we do, Young Master?"
On shore, Gotoh reached for his phone, already considering the return tickets.
As the captain said, if they missed the chance this year, they could always come back next year. The young master was still young. There was time and opportunity.
But Roy simply watched as the Sea God sailed farther away. He did not move, showing no sign of giving up. A sea breeze swept in a moment later.
"Zip up. Do not drop anything," he said suddenly.
Gotoh stared, startled, as Roy casually hurled the branch into the sea, grabbed the butler by the collar, and leapt, landing steady on the branch.
Strangely, the branch sank only a hair, then bobbed back up. Roy set his will, twisted his stance—whoosh—and the branch shot forward like a loosed arrow, streaking after the Sea God.
Crash. Waves shattered. A visible line of water lanced out from shore, grazing the freak's cheek as it flashed past.
He was almost ashore when his body seized. His limbs almost cramped, and he sank. He flailed back to the surface, kicked hard, and wheeled around to chase.
"Look! What is that?"
The waterline drew near, the two specks on the branch growing larger.
A cry went up on deck. Pariston, Kite, the captain, the bald ninja, the snake handler, the Kurta girl—they all crowded the rail, eyes fixed in unison.
Roy, cane-sword at his hip and hands folded behind his back, hair swept straight back by the sea wind, rode the branch like a skiff. He knifed through the surf with his faithful butler in tow, carving into view.
"Hehehe…"
Pariston's shoulders shook. He could not keep the laughter down.
"Roy Zoldyck, I… really… really love you. You never disappoint."
"That speed, that aura…" "Hey, Little Hill, looks like you cannot match him," Clark blurted, noticing his mood.
The thin bodyguard shot him a look, fingers on his cross, brow knitting. The pressure was palpable.
The boy's calm poise was like the sun overhead—high above, as if nothing on earth could trouble him.
"There is nothing in it to envy."
The sea wind tore, and they were close now. The waterline was only two hundred meters from the Sea God. In under a minute, they were on it.
Kite turned away from the rail and went to sit. He did not need to watch. The result was decided.
Two hundred meters. One hundred. Fifty. Under the shock and shouts from the deck—
The waterline kissed the Sea God's hull.
This time, Roy did not need to help. Gotoh patted the bag at his chest and sprang, landing sure-footed on the deck. The branch Roy had snapped from a tree for a fishing rod answered the boy's crooked finger. He opened his palm and drew it with a pull. It burst from the surf, flew through the air, and slapped into his grip.
He swung it over his shoulder.