One of the island's highlights is the famous Red Rock landscape, which, combined with the volcanic scenery, creates a stunning view. The island doesn't have any big cities, instead consisting of small towns scattered around.
Over time, Yoshi has gained a reputation across the six continents as the perfect retirement spot. Its long history and rich fossil beds appeal to many older people who enjoy the peaceful lifestyle here. Residents spend their days soaking in hot springs, playing chess, and soaking up the sun, all in a slow, relaxed rhythm that's the complete opposite of the hustle and bustle of places like the Sky Arena.
Besides retirees, there's also another group of people who tend to stay on the island for extended periods, but that's a story for another time.
Yoshi Island is a hotspot for archaeologists, fossil experts, historians, and even some relic hunters. Despite its small size, it boasts the richest fossil deposits across all six continents, holding nearly a third of the total fossil resources. But in the world of Hunter x Hunter, fossils aren't just ordinary remains of ancient creatures like on Earth.
Since the world is filled with all kinds of creatures, wild beasts, magical beasts, rare beasts, the fossils found here are quite unique and strange. That's why many archaeologists and fossil specialists spend extended periods on Yoshi Island, studying these fascinating finds.
Larry and Pyon are currently in Yoshi City, the island's largest and only city, which feels more like a big town. The city's architecture reflects the tastes of its elderly inhabitants, featuring mostly old-fashioned wooden villas. The buildings are low-rise, usually one or two stories high, with only a few reaching three stories. Most houses are painted bright red or green, colors favored by the older generation.
However, after years of exposure, these vibrant colors are now dulled by a thin layer of gray volcanic ash. Since the island is volcanic, ash from the nearby slopes is often carried by strong winds and settles everywhere, from rooftops to street corners, reminding everyone that Yoshi is, indeed, a volcanic island.
As they take in their surroundings, Larry asks for more details about the recent news regarding the Dark Sonata. He learns that reports of strange music sounds have come from this fossil-rich area.
Since ongoing excavations sometimes cause collapses, occasional deaths don't attract much attention. This makes it easier for something hidden, like the Dark Sonata, to remain undiscovered here. Still, no one can be certain it actually exists.
Pyon reviewed the data she had gathered earlier and shared her own conclusions. However, feeling a bit uncertain about her confidence, she quickly added a disclaimer, reminding that all of this was just her interpretation based on the information available, it didn't guarantee the existence of a dark sonata.
Larry nodded quietly, genuinely appreciative. Though Pyon's insights were somewhat surface-level, it was clear she had put in a lot of effort to help him. Even if they didn't find the dark sonata in the end, he wouldn't hold it against her, after all, she had willingly gone out of her way to assist him.
"It's okay," Pyon said softly, lowering her head, the bunny ears on her head drooping slightly as if she felt a bit shy. The two had just arrived and weren't rushing to their destination; instead, they decided to explore Yoshi City first.
"Don't miss it if you're passing by, the best glass, only 10,000 jenny each," a vendor called out.
"Freshly unearthed tooth fossils, polished to a shine. Perfect for fossil lovers!" another shouted.
"Asparagus grass can only be harvested once every ten years, and now's the time. Selling at a bargain!"
As Larry and Pyon turned a corner, a lively chorus of voices greeted them, carried by the breeze. This was a designated market area in Yoshi City, bustling with countless vendors selling local specialties both big and small.
The vibrant atmosphere immediately reminded Larry of his time in the Gordeau Desert. The market here was just as lively, though the style was quite different. In Gordeau Desert, the scorching heat meant vendors had to hang large white sheets for shade, selling desert specialties like multi-ball cactus and dried sandworms.
In contrast, Yoshi Island, despite its volcanoes, enjoyed a mild climate thanks to the surrounding sea and infrequent eruptions. The temperature stayed comfortable year-round, making it an ideal place for people to live. This pleasant climate was a big reason why many elderly people chose to retire here.
The locals here don't have to worry as much as those living in the harsh Gordeau Desert. There's no need to hang up white sheets to shade their stalls from the sun. Still, the vendors on Yoshi Island have their own unique style.
Looking around, one thing stands out: many stalls are set up on small red rocks scattered across the area. These rocks have a warm reddish-orange hue that feels cozy and inviting. This distinctive feature is part of what makes Yoshi Island special, these are the famous "Red Rocks."
Red Rock is one of the most common types of stone on Yoshi Island; in fact, over half of the island's rocks are made of it. That's why you see it everywhere, even in the towns.
The island's name, Yoshi Island, actually comes from an explorer named Yoshi, who first discovered the land during his travels. He was struck by the island's striking red rock formations that blanketed the landscape, making it appear as if the ground itself was glowing with fire.
In honor of his discovery, and the fiery beauty of the terrain, the island was named after him. Today, many market stalls are set up directly on these vibrant stones, keeping Youshi's legacy alive.
What Larry and the two men saw was a cluster of stalls perched on the Red Rocks. Calling them "stalls" is a bit generous, it's really just a cloth spread over the rock with goods arranged neatly on top.
Most of these Red Rocks aren't very big, usually no taller than half a meter, designed more for display than function. A few are larger and even have carved steps so customers can climb up and browse the items more easily.
Noticing Larry's interest, Pyon smiled and explained, "Those are the local Red Rocks. I heard that the bigger the rock, the harder it is to sell things on it."
"Really? Why's that?" Pyonn asked, piquing Larry's curiosity even more. Despite the plenty of open space in the market, most vendors still prefer setting up their stalls on the Red Rocks, making these stones an integral part of the island's bustling commerce and culture.