Whale Island isn't very large, not even as large as the Zoldyck Family's estate, Kukuroo Mountain.
However, compared to the starkness of Kukuroo Mountain, Whale Island has towns and markets. Driven by the annual Hunter Exam, it attracts a large number of candidates. Its tourism industry and bustling nature far surpass that of Kukuroo Mountain.
The street vendors selling their goods, inns and restaurants enticing customers with discounts, street performers showcasing their skills... all contribute to an atmosphere that Kukuroo Mountain lacks.
Following Roy, Wutong even spotted many people in strange attire, carrying all sorts of weapons and equipment, brazenly parading through the streets. They appeared to be candidates who had arrived early.
"Young master, there's a nicely decorated restaurant ahead. Let's dine there," Wutong suggested after they had walked around for a while. It was mealtime, and the restaurant ahead seemed busy, with most of the seats occupied, suggesting that the food wasn't bad.
Roy wandered through the market, feeling as if he had momentarily returned to the past. The street scenes reminded him of his former home, prompting him to bypass the restaurant and ask Wutong, "Does your phone have a camera?"
Wutong was momentarily taken aback. Had he known the young master wanted to take pictures, he would have brought a camera. He nodded and replied, "It does."
"The image quality isn't very good," he added.
In these times, smartphones were unheard of; most phones were basic models with flip phones being considered high-end.
Roy understood the situation and didn't press the matter. He led Wutong through the alleys, away from the bustling city center, and toward a more secluded area.
As they passed by a lush green lawn, they faintly saw a small tavern—a typical Japanese-style house with business downstairs and living quarters upstairs. The sign above the door read "Mite's Tavern."
The young man stopped in his tracks, turned around, and gave Wutong a thumbs-up.
Wutong: "...."
He was silently puzzled as he glanced at the old tavern, from which he couldn't even hear the sound of customer conversations. Wutong couldn't understand why the young master chose to photograph this place instead of the many other scenic spots along the way.
The young butler clearly didn't grasp what the words "beginning of the dream" meant to a reborn individual. It was significant as the starting point of a plot, marking Roy's presence and promising his future existence.
"Click—" Wutong took out his phone and pressed the "shutter," completing the task. Roy didn't even look at it; he simply instructed Wutong to develop the photo back home and then approached the door with his Staff Blade in hand, pushing the wooden door open...
"Creak~"
"Welcome~" A pleasant female voice echoed as a young girl, wearing an apron and headscarf, emerged from behind the counter. With shoulder-length orange hair and beautiful amber eyes, she seemed about sixteen or seventeen years old. Her gaze reminiscent of someone who frequently appears on the show "Dad, Where Are We Going," but lacked his wisdom and ambition, instead showcasing a blend of gentleness and strength.
"Two people," Roy indicated by raising two fingers.
He and Wutong took seats at the bar.
The tavern was quite empty, with only one table occupied. Perhaps Pariston blocked most of the candidates, or the tavern's somewhat isolated location, far from the town, contributed to the tranquility and peace.
"Alright, please have a seat." Two glasses of ice water were placed in front of them, and Mite smiled as she handed them the menu. Roy casually ordered omelet rice with orange juice, and Wutong followed suit: "Same as him."
During the wait for their food, they took the opportunity to observe the tavern's layout, marking the exits and potential escape routes. Wutong's gaze skimmed over the nearby table of customers and settled, as he whispered to Roy, "Young master, the person over there appears to be a Nen user."
'He's no ordinary "Nen user"...'
A white shirt, black pants, brown shoes, a blue cap, and long, straight white hair that nearly touched the floor as the young man sat down. Roy had noticed him the moment he entered—
Ging's disciple in name, Kate!
It had only been about a second since Wutong had looked over when those hawk-like eyes under the cap fixed on him briefly, then shifted to Roy. The young man's gaze hardened, pressing his cap down as he subtly lowered his head...
Danger! The moment he noticed the young man, Kate's instincts screamed, as though he had encountered a fierce beast!
From a young age, he had a natural affinity with animals, making him extremely sensitive to peculiar "auras." It wasn't related to "Nen" but more of an intuition, which led Ging to discover and nurture him as a disciple, imparting the knowledge of "Nen." When they parted, Ging instructed him to pass the Hunter Exam and left him with one final task... "Find Ging"...
Thus, Kate obediently arrived, choosing Whale Island, his master Ging's homeland, as the starting point to participate in the Hunter Exam and embark on his "search for Ging" journey. Little did he know... he would encounter two masters right at the start, especially that young man.
Even without looking directly at him, an overwhelming sense of pressure enveloped him!
It was like the time he had wandered into the jungle as a child, only to run into a ominous bear...
"Guests, your food is here~" At that moment, Mite, who had yet to become an "aunt," brought out the omelet rice and juice, parting the kitchen curtain. Kate knew the girl's identity and lowered his eyes, diverting a sliver of attention to fixate on Roy and Wutong.
The young butler nudged his glasses up from the bridge of his nose and subtly slipped his other hand towards his pocket, silently gripping a coin...
"Eat," Roy instructed.
The clear sound of "ding~" interrupted the tension between the two of them.
Roy picked up a fork and gently tapped it against the plate, halting Wutong's impulsive tendencies. Unfazed, he peeled the egg layer aside, scooped a spoonful of rice mixed with ketchup and the broken egg coating into his mouth, savoring it, and smiled at Mite, saying, "Your chef's skills are remarkable; the food is delicious."
"My mom made it." Mite beamed with pride, oblivious to what had just transpired, puffing out her small chest. "My brother and I have loved our mom's cooking since we were kids...."
"Then you must be very happy."
"Not exactly; it's more average." Mite modestly smiled.
Roy nodded, suddenly asking, "Why don't I see your brother, leaving you alone to manage the front desk...?"
Kate's body tensed up again, causing Wutong to put down his spoon...
Mite's expression darkened slightly as she huffed, "Don't mention him. It's been years since he came home, and who knows what he's busy with out there...."
Busy with what? Busy starting a company, exploring relics, restoring ancient buildings, or... having children....
Roy calculated the time: around the period when Mite's mother, Killua, was pregnant with Killua, Ging had Gon... He glanced at the disgruntled Mite, the poor girl unaware of what she would face in the future.
He simply smiled without saying more, finished his meal, paid, and left the tavern with Wutong.
Behind them,
"Creak~"
The wooden door closed and then reopened as a thin figure with a cap followed them out...