Chapter 10: The Journey Begins
Two years had passed since Reinhart first arrived on Whale Island. Life on the peaceful island had changed him more than he could have imagined. He had fallen into a routine—training, playing with Gon, helping Mito—but it was all leading up to this moment. Now, standing at the edge of a cliff overlooking the sea, Reinhart couldn't help but feel a swell of anticipation.
The Hunter Exam was finally here.
Gon stood beside him, his grin wide and full of excitement. "We're finally leaving, Reinhart! To become Hunters!" he shouted, practically vibrating with energy.
Reinhart smiled at his friend, sharing in his enthusiasm, but inside, his mind was more focused. The exam wasn't just an adventure—it was the gateway to unlocking more of his abilities, to becoming stronger. He had prepared for this for two long years, honing his body and mind, pushing himself to his limits in secret, all in preparation for the challenges ahead.
He glanced at the system window in his mind, which had been a constant presence for those first 20 days after his arrival on Whale Island. During that time, the system had given him daily quests—100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, and a 10-kilometer run—just like Saitama's famous workout. But after 20 days, the system stopped issuing quests. By then, his strength, agility, and endurance had already increased to a respectable level. He had even unlocked a new skill: Empowered Strike, an ability that allowed him to focus his energy into a single, devastating blow. He hadn't fully mastered it yet, but he could feel its potential growing with each use.
His current stats, after the daily quests and two years of training, looked like this:
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Name: Reinhart
Age: 12
Level: 5
HP: 250/250
Strength: 28
Agility: 26
Intelligence: 18
Endurance: 29
Nen: (Locked)
Skills:
Basic Survival (Passive)
Fishing (Basic)
Stealth (Intermediate)
Endurance Training (Advanced)
Empowered Strike (Level 1)
---
Reinhart had grown in strength, agility, and endurance. He wasn't the strongest person on Whale Island, but he had grown sharper, faster, and more attuned to his environment. The secret nighttime training, as grueling as it was, had paid off. And now, it was time to put that training to the test.
"I know," Reinhart said, giving Gon a grin. "We've been waiting for this."
The two boys made their way back to the house where Mito stood, waiting for them with a mix of pride and concern in her eyes. Reinhart felt a pang in his chest—over the years, she had become like a second mother to him, someone he hadn't realized he needed. He wasn't sure how to thank her for everything she had done.
"Are you sure about this, Gon?" Mito asked, though her tone was softer than usual. She knew there was no stopping Gon once his mind was set.
Gon nodded confidently. "I have to, Aunt Mito. I need to find out more about my dad. And I want to see the world."
Mito's gaze shifted to Reinhart. "And you? Are you ready for this?"
Reinhart nodded. "Yes. I want to protect Gon. And I want to become stronger."
Mito sighed, her expression softening. "You boys have grown so much. Just… be careful out there. The world isn't as kind as this island."
"We will!" Gon assured her with a smile.
After a few more parting words, the boys set out, boarding a ship that would take them to the starting point of the Hunter Exam. As the ship gently rocked beneath them, Reinhart couldn't help but feel a knot of excitement and nervousness building in his stomach.
Gon leaned against the railing, staring at the open sea with wonder. Reinhart leaned beside him, trying to distract himself from the tension. His mind wandered to the Hunter Exam and, more specifically, to the people he knew they would soon meet.
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Flashback: Two Years of Training
Reinhart's thoughts turned to his time on Whale Island and the training he had undergone. The system's daily quests had stopped after 20 days, but those 20 days had been crucial. The Saitama workout had built a strong foundation, and after the quests ended, Reinhart focused on refining his abilities. His stealth training had become more advanced, and his endurance had improved drastically. But the most exciting development had been the unlocking of his first active skill: Empowered Strike.
It wasn't a complicated ability—just a focused burst of energy that enhanced his next physical attack. But Reinhart quickly realized its potential. In a world where Hunters could tap into immense power, having an ability like this could make the difference in battle. He hadn't had many opportunities to practice it, but each time he used it, he felt it getting stronger.
---
Present Day: On the Ship
The wind picked up as the ship sailed further from Whale Island. Reinhart closed his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath, calming his nerves. He was ready for this. He'd spent two years training for this moment, for the day when he would finally begin his journey toward becoming a Hunter.
As he opened his eyes, he noticed two figures on the deck of the ship—a tall young man in a suit with glasses and a serious expression, and a shorter boy with light hair and eyes filled with determination. Reinhart's heart skipped a beat.
Kurapika and Leorio.
He recognized them immediately from his memories of watching Hunter x Hunter before his reincarnation. These two would become Gon's closest allies, and by extension, his as well. Kurapika's cold yet measured demeanor, and Leorio's brash but well-meaning attitude, were exactly as he remembered.
He glanced at Gon, who hadn't noticed them yet, too busy looking out at the sea. Reinhart smiled to himself. He had to be careful about how much he revealed. He couldn't exactly tell them he knew everything about their future, about the horrors they would face. He would have to let things unfold naturally.
"Gon," Reinhart said, nodding toward the two figures. "Let's go say hello."
Gon turned and followed his gaze, his eyes lighting up with curiosity. Together, they walked over to the duo.
"Hi! I'm Gon!" he said with his usual exuberance. "This is my friend Reinhart. Are you both taking the Hunter Exam too?"
Kurapika looked at Gon, his face softening just a little. "Yes. My name is Kurapika."
Leorio adjusted his glasses and gave a grin that seemed more forced than natural. "And I'm Leorio! Future doctor and Hunter, at your service!"
Reinhart smiled at their introduction, doing his best to act as though he didn't already know them inside out. "Nice to meet you both. Are you guys ready for the exam?"
Leorio snorted. "Ready? I've been preparing for years. No way am I failing this thing!"
Kurapika, however, was quieter, his gaze sharpening as he regarded them. "It's not something to take lightly. The exam is dangerous."
Reinhart nodded. "I know. But that's why we're doing it, right? To test ourselves."
Kurapika gave him a small nod of approval, recognizing the seriousness in his tone.
As they stood together on the deck, Reinhart could feel the weight of the journey ahead. He was ready to face the challenges, ready to meet the people he had once only watched on a screen. But more than anything, he was ready to forge his own path, to become strong enough to protect Gon and his new friends.
This was just the beginning.