A "Hunter." It's the most prestigious title this world has to offer.
It's more than a job; it's a status symbol, a whole different social class.
Becoming a Hunter means raking in cash that makes other high-paying jobs look like minimum wage. It means access to perks in almost every country, free use of public facilities, and entry into restricted areas forbidden to the general public. It means access to information that doesn't exist on the open market.
Hell, just pawning a Hunter License could set a normal person up with generational wealth—enough money to last eight lifetimes.
With bait like that, it's no wonder so many delusional people flock to the exam every year, unaware they're walking into a meat grinder.
Looking at Yuu—this kid who was arguably too young and definitely too pretty for this work—the old Captain felt a pang of conscience. He didn't want to see the boy throw his life away without knowing what he was getting into.
As a veteran examiner, the Captain knew exactly how brutal the Hunter Exam really was.
---
The Captain's question actually served as a wake-up call for Yuu.
Yuu lowered his head, watching the cigarette smoke curl into the air, and fell into deep thought.
Honestly, he hadn't seriously asked himself that question since arriving in this world.
Do I actually want to be a Hunter?
Yuu asked himself again. Without overthinking it, the answer was a solid "Yes."
The perks were insane. The status was elite. Even if he just got the license and lazily lay in bed all day, money would practically fall through the roof. He could live a life of luxury that most people couldn't even dream of.
If given the choice, who would turn down a golden ticket like that?
But if you asked why... beyond the money?
Yuu had never really thought about it.
Gourmet food? Rare treasures? Exploring ancient ruins?
Every Hunter usually had a specific "hunt" or passion driving them. Even Gon, who seemed happy-go-lucky in the original story, was laser-focused on being a "Dad Hunter."
As a transmigrator, did Yuu have a specific longing for this world? Any regrets he wanted to fix?
Well... now that he thought about it, there was one thing.
Any fan of Hunter x Hunter shared the same tragic grief:
The fear that they would die of old age before Togashi ever finished the Dark Continent Arc.
---
Yuu's eyes cleared, the confusion fading. He looked up at the Captain.
"What year is it?"
"Huh?" The Captain blinked, confused by the sudden pivot. "Why are you asking that?"
He thought for a moment before answering. "It's 1995."
"..."
Yuu went silent.
He quickly checked the timeline in his head. Gon and Killua would take the exam in 1999. That meant the main plot wouldn't start for another four years.
"So, the Chimera Ant crisis in the NGL is only five years away. And right after that, humanity officially starts the expedition to the Dark Continent."
That means the Dark Continent Arc is finally opening up.
The thought depressed him a little.
His ideals were grand, but reality was harsh. If he wanted to step foot on the Dark Continent, his current strength was nowhere near enough.
Yuu was painfully aware of his limits.
Right now, I can keep the Limitless active for about twelve hours a day at minimum output. But that's just walking around. In a high-stress combat situation involving complex attacks, that time drops drastically.
If he pushed past his limit, the consequence was simple: his brain would fry.
Yuu estimated that if he faced a top-tier monster like Chairman Netero or Meruem right now—and if they went all out—he wouldn't last ten minutes.
As for someone like Hisoka?
Yuu was confident he wouldn't lose quickly, thanks to the cheat-code defense of the Infinity barrier. But he didn't have the firepower to take Hisoka down, either.
Until he learned the Reverse Cursed Technique to heal his brain and body, his only real attacks were his Cursed Energy-reinforced punches and Blue (Attraction)—which could tear through walls but had a slow travel speed.
To put it in gaming terms: He was a tank with maxed-out defense but garbage attack power.
If a powerhouse like Uvogin, who could nuke a crater with a single punch, was considered a top-tier fighter...
Then Yuu figured he was currently sitting at the bottom of the barrel, maybe somewhere around Killua's level at the start of the series.
Going to the Dark Continent with that level of strength was suicide.
Plus, just relying on my Cursed Technique isn't enough. There are Nen abilities that mess with the laws of physics and could potentially bypass my Infinity barrier.
He thought of Knov from the Chimera Ant arc. His ability, "Hide and Seek," involved cutting through dimensions. That was a direct counter to space manipulation.
He couldn't slack off on his Nen training.
He had five years.
He needed to master Reverse Cursed Technique, develop more lethal applications of the Limitless, and learn to master Nen.
The road ahead was covered in thorns. Yuu let out a long, heavy sigh.
"Ahhh..."
"So? You giving up, kid?"
The Captain, having watched the boy frown and sigh for the last minute, assumed the reality check had worked.
When Yuu didn't answer immediately, the Captain stepped closer, looking sympathetic. He patted Yuu on the shoulder.
"Don't beat yourself up, kid."
"We just met, but I can tell by looking at you—you've got a will stronger than most. If you keep that fire burning, give it a few years to grow... I bet you could become a Hunter eventually."
Yuu sensed the old man's genuine kindness. He wiped the gloom off his face and smiled.
"You're right, Captain. I'm not the type to let a few setbacks crush me."
"Good." The Captain nodded, pleased that his pep talk had worked. "So, you'll come back and try again next year?"
"No."
Yuu shook his head, his smile turning confident. "This year."
"I'm going to become a Hunter this year."
"???"
The Captain froze, unsure how to respond. He just stood there as Yuu continued.
"And I'm not just going to be a Hunter. I'm going to be the strongest Hunter. I'm going to walk every inch of this world that no one has ever seen."
"Getting the license? That's just step one."
"But thanks for the advice, Captain!"
The Captain stared at him, his expression heavy. "Are you sure... you've thought this through?"
"Yeah."
Seeing the steel in the boy's eyes, the Captain didn't argue further. He didn't find the boy's words arrogant or laughable.
Because that look... it reminded him of another kid he had met years ago. A boy named Ging Freecss.
He had been the same age. He had the same clear eyes and the same overflow of confidence.
Years later, that kid named Ging had grown up to be one of the most powerful and famous Hunters in the world.
Meanwhile, the Captain was still just a nameless examiner. Aside from his body aching more and his temper getting shorter, he hadn't changed a bit.
Compared to them, he was painfully ordinary.
But... thinking about how this job allowed him to meet such interesting monsters, the Captain couldn't help but laugh out loud.
"Bwahahaha!"
"That's a hell of a goal, kid!"
The Captain looked at Yuu with renewed interest.
"What was your name again?"
"I just told you..."
"I'm old! I forgot!" the Captain cut him off.
Yuu sighed and introduced himself again. "Yuu. Yuu Gojo."
"Weird name," the Captain muttered again. "But I think I'll remember it this time."
"I look forward to the day you become a Hunter, Yuu."
"Thanks." Yuu nodded politely.
He's a good kid, the Captain thought warmly.
Now that his evaluation was complete, the Captain gave his order.
"Your test is over. You can rest anywhere you want until we dock, just don't wander off."
"I've got one more candidate to check on—the only other one who passed."
The Captain turned and started walking toward the main cabin.
But after a few steps, he stopped. Something tugged at his memory.
"Hey!"
Yuu watched nervously as the Captain walked back toward him with a serious expression.
The Captain stood right in front of him, staring intently at his face.
"You asking me the year... it reminded me of something."
"About a few months ago, the news of the Kurta Clan massacre hit the papers. Rumor has it they were wiped out by some sick collectors who wanted their eyes—eyes that glowed like scarlet rubies."
Yuu frowned. He realized where this was going.
"Your eyes are beautiful, Yuu."
"I never saw the Kurta's 'Scarlet Eyes' in person, but in all my years at sea, yours are the most stunning pair I've ever seen."
The words were a compliment, but the Captain's face was etched with worry.
"But..."
"Because they're beautiful, you need to be careful. You should hide them."
"Take that as a personal piece of advice from an old man."
The Captain gave the boy one last grave look, then turned and walked away.