Chapter 120: Tonpa the Legend x The Quiz Town
Dolle Island, after disembarking...
Roy's group of three walked under the sun. The boy's gaze lifted to the mountain in the distance, finding the tall cypress tree. His nose twitched. He could faintly hear the sounds of magical beasts. Should be the Kiriko.
Gotoh followed behind Roy, scanning their surroundings, constantly protecting his Young Master. Kurapika was clearly less professional, her pretty eyes darting around curiously. Seeing Roy walk right past the bus stop and head into the adjacent forest, she quickly called out, "Young Master, I think you're going the wrong way!"
"The path to Zaban City is that way!" she said, pointing to the bus stop where the man in bandages, the snake charmer, and the boy with the bow were waiting quietly. Nearby, a man dressed as a tour guide, holding a small flag, was enthusiastically explaining the route.
Roy glanced at him, a flicker of recognition in his eyes, and a small smile touched his lips. Without turning his head, he said, "If you want to take it, go ahead."
"Gotoh, let's go."
Kurapika: "..." She was left standing there, embarrassed and unsure.
Just then, the "tour guide" spotted them and jogged over to block Roy's path. "She's right," he said. "The bus to Zaban City is about to leave. The express bus stop is right over there~"
"Who are you?" Gotoh stopped, pushing up his glasses and eyeing the man coldly.
The man put on a warm, friendly smile. "My name is Tonpa! I'm a candidate for the Hunter Exam, just like you all. Please, let's get along." He held out a "friendly" hand.
Roy looked at him with amusement. The legendary "Tonpa the Crusher." Including Gon and Killua's future exam, he had participated 35 consecutive times, specializing in misleading rookies for fun. Who knows how many candidates he'd sabotaged. The fact that he was still alive was a miracle.
Roy activated Gyo. He saw at a glance that Tonpa was just an ordinary person. For some reason, Tonpa suddenly shivered. He looked up.
The boy had ignored him completely, brushing past his shoulder as he walked away.
Tonpa: "..." A vein bulged on his forehead. He narrowed his eyes, watching Roy and Gotoh leave. Kurapika gritted her teeth, gave Tonpa a nod, and hurried after them.
"Forget them! I'll take the bus with you!" The bald ninja Yusuke threw an arm around Tonpa's shoulder, thinking he was a good guy. In a competitive environment like this, he was still willing to help others. A truly kind soul.
'Idiot. Who the hell wants to take the bus with you? After I'm done with all of you, I'll deal with that kid.' Tonpa watched Roy's group disappear into the forest, took a deep breath, and put his smile back on, slinging an arm over Yusuke's shoulder as they walked to the bus stop.
Creak... creak... The strange man with the pins in his face walked past, followed by Kite, who adjusted his cap. After noticing Roy's movement, Kite didn't hesitate, gripping his katana and following him into the forest.
"Hey! The forest is full of dangerous beasts! You'll be in trouble if you're not careful! Why take the long way around? Just take the bus!" Tonpa called after them.
The strange man and Kite ignored him as if he were just farting in the wind, and vanished.
One after another... none of them are taking me seriously... And that guy who misuses idioms... just you wait until I get my chance! Tonpa watched Illumi and Kite leave, marking them down in his little black book.
Thump... thump... thump...
The sky was blue, the clouds were white, the trees were green. Kurapika followed Roy through the forest and saw a small town emerge. As they got closer, standing at the entrance, she looked up and was struck by a strange, unsettling sight: the entire town was deserted.
"Young Master, there's something strange about this town."
In the dilapidated town, there wasn't a soul in sight. All she could see were crumbling walls, stone paths overgrown with weeds, and broken windows that creaked in the wind, looking like they might fall off at any moment. It was eerily unsettling.
Kurapika felt a chill run from the soles of her feet to the top of her head. Ignoring Gotoh's glare, she subtly moved closer to Roy.
Veins visibly bulged on Gotoh's forehead. He nudged her away and whispered to Roy, "Young Master, someone is here."
Roy leaned on his cane sword, his face impassive, and casually glanced at a dark corner.
On the Hunter Association airship, Netero was being served chocolate cake by Bean. He watched the monitor, saw a gaze flick towards the camera, chuckled, and turned to Zeno, who was standing at the window. "Your eldest grandson has arrived. Aren't you going to watch?"
Zeno remained unmoved, his eyes seemingly fixed on the scenery.
Netero scooped up some chocolate. "He seems to have brought a little girlfriend, too."
Swish—
A breeze blew past. Zeno instantly appeared in front of the monitor, his eyes scanning Kurapika from top to bottom. Netero scoffed. "So young and already in a relationship. Zeno... your eldest grandson's self-control needs work."
Zeno opened his mouth and said only one name: "Bey..."
Before the "ond" could come out, Netero's face soured, and he shut his mouth. The Strongest Human in the World, acting like a child, turned back to the monitor, sulking.
In the deserted town...
Whisper... whisper... Suddenly, from all directions, strange, mumbling voices were heard.
"Tage... tage..."
"Which is heavier, a ton of iron or a ton of cotton?"
"Iron."
"Wrong. They are the same, both one ton."
"Which is older, the big brother or the little brother?"
"The correct answer is, we don't know. Because they are twins."
Whoosh!
A ghostly wind swept through. Kurapika jumped, startled by the sudden voices. Ignoring Gotoh's murderous glare, she grabbed Roy's arm, seemingly having forgotten she'd been pushed away earlier.
"You are overstepping!" The young butler looked ready to explode.
Suddenly, Roy tapped his cane sword on the ground. "Come out."
In the shadows, an old woman with only two teeth left in her head met the boy's gaze. Her brow furrowed. She hadn't expected to be spotted so easily while using Zetsu. Her cloudy, yellowed eyes lingered on the cane sword in the boy's hand, recalling the warning that kid Mark Seam had given her... Let him pass.
She tapped her own cane and emerged with her "children."
"Tage... tage..." The sound of dense footsteps filled the street. From chaotic and few, they became numerous and orderly. Kurapika's eyes widened.
Fifty or sixty children, all wearing white robes and masks, their hair dyed various colors, emerged and formed a line, blocking their path.
They didn't look human! They looked just like the "Nen Beasts" the detestable butler had been teaching her about!
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