Chapter 52: Whale Island
Romand left without even bothering to speak further with the Ten Dons.
Before leaving, he gave only a brief warning V5 would be monitoring this project closely.
He expected Haze and the others to stay cautious and not try to deceive them.
Truly, they came and went like the wind.
"...Hmph, making us do all the dirty work so they can reap the benefits, those bastards."
Only after they had left did one of the Ten Dons dare to exhale a puff of smoke and curse.
"If the potion succeeds, there's no way they'll let one of our subsidiary companies mass-produce it... They'll probably keep it to themselves," another grumbled.
"I've got things to take care of back home I'm leaving."
"Same here, goodbye."
The rest of the group, unwilling to linger, offered quick farewells and departed.
"It doesn't seem like this is the first time V5 has used the mafia for their purposes. Aside from this project, they're probably involved in other secret research... especially weapons."
Haze smiled faintly as he removed his protective suit, studying the faces and reactions of the others while making his own deductions.
He thought of the Poor Man's Rose, the ultimate weapon that had killed both the old Netero and the Chimera Ant King, Meruem.
That implantable technology while capable of being mass-produced was, at best, just another tool in humanity's arsenal... perhaps not even worthy of being included in it.
Humanity faced the unknown Dark Continent, a land overflowing with endless resources and miracles yet far too dangerous.
A past expedition had already shown V5 the price of their ambition a price far too steep, and consequences far too devastating.
Whether it was the Poor Man's Rose or this new biopharmaceutical, Haze suspected these were only minor projects for V5 hardly the grand endeavors Romand had implied.
The man merely wanted to keep the Ten Dons tense and compliant, fearful of losing his favor anything that might affect their performance.
Who knew what kind of preparations V5 had truly made to face the Dark Continent?
The Poor Man's Rose might have seemed immensely powerful... but against the horrors of that land, it was probably meaningless.
For V5, who had witnessed the terrors firsthand, the unknown out there was far more terrifying than even the Chimera Ants.
The Chimera Ants were merely a B-level species hardly the worst of what lurked beyond.
Haze knew he wasn't the only one who saw through Romand's intentions. The others surely understood as well they just didn't dare say it aloud.
After all, the mafia's ability to dominate society and wield such power was directly tied to the quiet approval of V5.
Some of the Ten Mafia Regions even lay within V5 territory.
They could operate freely and make their fortunes as long as they didn't overstep.
To V5, the mafia had its uses.
"I'll tell Davido to reach out to them later," Haze decided.
"Then... if there's nothing else, I'll be off too."
With a casual wave, he turned and left.
Thus ended a brief meeting a single representative of V5 had appeared before the Ten Dons, and within moments, all dispersed.
One of the Ten Dons the woman who had joined Haze in killing Oday, Brown's wife followed closely behind.
As she prepared to leave, she paused and looked back at Haze.
"You still haven't fully settled things, have you? If you need help... I can lend a hand."
"No need. It's almost done," Haze replied with an easy smile as his men opened the car door for him.
O'Day nodded wordlessly.
Yet as Haze watched her go, a sharp intuition struck him.
There was another man in her car besides the driver someone dangerous.
A Nen user, no doubt, acting as her bodyguard.
Their cars departed from the base one after another.
Later, Haze contacted Fieldslily and the housekeeper to explain a few matters then headed to the public space terminal alone.
He preferred traveling by himself. He disliked being followed.
Less than three months remained before the 281st Hunter Exam.
Before that, he planned to explore the world to finally experience the local culture and people firsthand.
Beyond Heaven's Arena, there were countless other famous places he wanted to see.
"How things have changed..."
Soon, Haze arrived alone at the terminal, watching the bustling crowd flow past. A complex mix of emotions welled up in his chest.
Back then, when he traveled from Gram to Heaven's Arena, he'd been nearly broke.
Now, money was nothing more than a number to him.
It felt... good not to worry about it anymore.
His first destination Whale Island, the home of the Golden Fleet.
In the original story, Kite once said that for her, the Golden Fleet represented the ideal Hunter.
Haze understood that sentiment.
However, he hadn't come to Whale Island for Gon he simply found the island beautiful.
Clear waters, a peaceful village, untouched nature a pure and simple paradise.
Before Gon met Kurapika and Leorio, those early anime scenes had left deep impressions in Haze's memory.
A place of exceptional people and breathtaking scenery where dreams were born.
He longed to relax.
Of course, since he was already there... he figured he might as well take a look at Gon and Mito.
"Mito's... what, about two years older than me?" he mused.
The next day, aboard the ship to Whale Island, Haze stood on deck wearing sunglasses, feeling the sea breeze brush his face.
A faint smile curved his lips.
He was... a little excited.
Not because of the characters in the story but because of his own appreciation for living it.
It felt like a devoted fan visiting the shrine of a beloved creator.
Whale Island was relatively remote it took a full day and night by sea before they finally reached their destination.
"We've arrived at Whale Island!"
The captain's voice blared through the loudspeaker as the ship slowed into port. Passengers began to disembark in an orderly manner.
It was a bright, sunny day. The harbor waters gleamed with a vivid blue, the air carrying a gentle trace of salt.
Fishing boats bobbed near the shore, while small bungalows and narrow streets lined the nearby village.
Beyond, lush green mountains stretched toward the horizon.
The locals dressed simply, their lives peaceful few tall buildings, just modest homes and villas.
Maybe it was nostalgia, but the whole scene felt comforting... familiar.
"What a wonderful place," Haze murmured, strolling into town.
"Sir, would you like some fresh fish? Caught just this morning!"
"Fresh fruit, straight from the orchard!"
Smiling vendors lined the streets, their warmth filling the air.
One cheerful woman even handed Haze an apple for free.
There was no noise of a big city here only the comforting rhythm of daily life.
People bustled about, yet the atmosphere remained calm, almost soothing.
"The weather and soil shape the people... but Jin's strange personality, tsk tsk... so different from Gon's. Are they really father and son?"
For a place so small, everything felt novel like Grandma Liu stepping into the Grand View Garden for the first time, marveling at everything around her.
He chewed his apple thoughtfully, chuckling to himself as he wandered the streets.
(End of Chapter)
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