Chapter 54: Morning Picnic
Mitt's cooking was truly exceptional especially the omelet rice and mushroom soup, which Haze devoured eagerly.
Before long, he was the only one left in the restaurant.
It was getting late…
Yet he continued chatting with Mitt. When she saw Haze finish eating, Gon began joining the conversation now and then, asking about the outside world.
Mitt explained that Whale Island wasn't very big and didn't have many attractions, but compared to the large cities nearby, it was a peaceful place to relax. Tactfully, Mitt didn't ask about Haze's identity or occupation.
Finally, realizing how late it had gotten, Haze paid his bill and waved goodbye.
Mitt wanted to take him to a nearby guesthouse, but Haze refused.
"Then tonight, where will you…" Mitt hesitated. As an outsider without a place to stay, she felt a bit sorry for him. After a brief pause, she decided Haze could share a room with Gon for the night.
"Thank you, really… but it's fine," Haze declined politely.
Under Mitt's gaze, he disappeared into the night.
"What a strange person…" Mitt murmured.
Gon peeked out from behind the store door, watching the direction Haze had gone, and smiled. "I think he's a good guy… we get along well."
"Hurry up, take a shower and go to bed," Mitt urged with a look.
"Okay," Gon replied obediently, dashing upstairs.
Although Haze had spoken of the prosperity of the great cities, Gon didn't yearn for them. He still thought Whale Island was better… it was his home.
Meanwhile, Haze had already left and ventured into the forest, planning to camp outdoors.
After years of cultivation in the mountains, this lifestyle felt natural to him.
He found a cliffside, lit a campfire, and lay down on the ground, gazing at the twinkling stars in the night sky. Since arriving in this world, he had devoted himself to cultivation.
It was good to quiet his mind from time to time and enjoy the peace of this world.
Haste wastes effort, and constant tension brings no benefit.
"At first glance, he seems pure free of impurities, perfectly in tune with the essence of nature yet deep within him lies an innate instinct and aggressiveness…" Haze's thoughts drifted back to his recent encounter with Gon, especially those eyes of his, and he couldn't help but chuckle softly.
"He's still too young. His body and blood haven't yet manifested their extraordinary qualities, but the faint aura around him hints at a vibrant potential… the invisible energy he emits is warm, powerful, and positive…"
No wonder… Hisoka liked him.
Anyone with sharp eyes could tell that someone like Gon, if he didn't die young, would have an immense future ahead.
In his pursuit of understanding life energy, Haze had immersed himself in nature a method of refined cultivation. In Biscuit's terms, it was like a gem that became dazzling through deliberate polishing… yet some innate imperfection always remained.
People like Ging Freecss and Gon, however, were naturally gifted.
Years ago, Haze might not have been able to explain it… but now he understood it was their hearts.
Their hearts were purer. Someone like him could only struggle to feel and experience. Perhaps he might surpass them one day, but it would take far greater effort, and his pace of growth would always differ.
Innate talent is indestructible…
Thus, upon reaching a certain level, Haze could easily perceive Gon's uniqueness.
Such people, once they become Nen users, advance with incredible speed.
Recalling the original story, Gon and Killua's talents as protagonists were indescribable. How long had it been from when they became Hunters to the end of the Chimera Ant arc?
Their strength by then was immeasurable…
And how long had it taken someone like him or Hisoka to reach a similar level?
At least several years had passed since Haze came to this world…
He had always said Hisoka's talent was abnormal but only within a certain range, depending on who he was compared to.
Compared to Haze, Hisoka was superior.
But compared to someone like Moritonio, not even Hisoka nor Haze himself could measure up.
"Their essence and character forge an extraordinary will. These people are undoubtedly blessed by God… rarely distracted by external things. Once they set a goal, they persist," Haze murmured to himself, resting his head on his arm.
How enviable…
Yet Haze actually preferred Killua over Gon.
Gon's personality undoubtedly aligned more with the "spirit" of Nen, but his strong convictions could lead to reckless behavior, endangering both himself and others. Killua, by contrast, was more cautious a diplomat by nature.
The Zoldyck family's principles, and Illumi's mental needle, had taught Killua to prioritize self-preservation. He weighed every risk carefully. Only after meeting Gon did he begin to change.
Haze clicked his tongue.
Perhaps… that was the difference between geniuses and the rest of humanity. Their minds were purer, unburdened by distractions and that made them…
Powerful.
For generations, the Zoldyck family had inherited immense resources and training… whereas Gon had none of that. From this point of view, Haze felt that in raw potential Gon might surpass Killua by a small margin.
After all, when they first met, Killua had already undergone years of brutal training since childhood, while Gon was still a complete novice.
Even so, the gap between them wasn't large they were on the same level.
Haze also noticed Mitt's protective feelings toward Gon.
She was a conflicted woman torn between wanting to fill the void of love Gon lacked, and fearing he might become another Ging.
Gon still didn't know that his father was a Hunter and wasn't dead. A few years later, Kite's arrival would reveal everything to him.
Haze had no desire to interfere.
He had only come to take a look nothing more. His interest in Gon wasn't strong; most of his thoughts were focused inward.
He had said it himself he was just passing through.
The next morning, when Haze awoke, his clothes were damp and covered in dew.
He took them off, hung them on a tree branch to dry, and walked to the riverbank, ready to fish and have a barbecue.
However, instead of entering the water, he sat cross-legged on the shore, sifting pebbles through his hands as his eyes scanned the clear water. Before long, some forest birds landed nearby to eat and rest. The boldest even perched right on his head.
Splash!
A moment later, he tossed a stone, splashing the river. The startled birds scattered.
Soon, a large fish floated belly-up, carried by the current.
Haze stepped forward to retrieve it, then sat back down.
The morning forest was alive with small animals. As Haze withdrew his aura, squirrels, foxes, and other creatures gradually approached, sensing no danger. The flock of birds returned to the nearby branches, chirping softly.
Pah, pah, pah…
In less than a few minutes, seven or eight fish were piled up by the shore.
Haze clapped his hands, stood up slowly, and tossed two fish to a fox that had been circling him as a reward.
Then he skewered the rest on sticks, found an open space, and began roasting them.
The fire crackled, driving away the morning chill…
Haze placed the fish skewers beside the flame, glanced at the grass beneath the nearby tree's shade, and said calmly,
"Want to eat together?"
The grass rustled and a head popped out.
It was Gon.
His eyes gleamed at the sight of Haze, though his expression was slightly awkward. In his hands, he held a lunchbox wrapped in cloth.
He had been crouching nearby for a long time, watching the scene unfold.
Gon knew well that the forest animals here were wary of humans. He'd gone through much effort to travel through this area, and it was his first time seeing a human so at ease among the animals.
Aunt Mitt had been worried because Haze left at night with nowhere to stay, so she asked Gon to look for him hoping he hadn't gone far.
After a quick run, Gon was certain Haze had entered the mountains. His sharp sense of smell picked up the old man's faint scent.
When he told Mitt, her worry deepened. She prepared breakfast and sent Gon off to deliver it, just in case.
Gon soon found the cliff where Haze had camped, but only ashes remained. The old man's scent had faded mysteriously.
Following a trail of footprints, he finally spotted Haze fishing with stones.
"Well… we were all worried about you, so Aunt Mitt asked me to bring you something to eat…" Gon said shyly.
Haze smiled and waved.
Gon's eyes lit up at the gesture as if he'd just received a kind response.
He ran over excitedly.
"You haven't eaten yet either, right? Let's eat together." Haze took the lunchbox, opened it, and handed half to Gon.
"Thank you," Gon said, taking it with both hands.
"Sir, you're amazing… it's the first time I've seen them unafraid of people!" Gon said earnestly, glancing at the nearby creatures as if they were his friends.
Sir…
Haze's hand, holding the chopsticks, trembled slightly. He forced a smile. "From what you said… you can do it too?"
"Yes!" Gon nodded vigorously. "But it took me a long time to gain their trust."
"Then you're amazing too," Haze replied with a kind smile.
"Sir…"
"My name's Haze you can call me Mr. Haze."
Gon's carefree nature shone through. He was just a child simple-hearted, unaware of Haze's slightly stiff smile that betrayed both the joy of meeting a new friend and the warmth of finding a kindred spirit.
"Mr. Haze… how did you hit the fish underwater with a stone? Ordinary people couldn't do that… I can see them and track how they swim, but catching them is hard let alone hitting them just with stones…"
"There's no trick," Haze said as he ate. "If you throw with enough force and speed to surpass their reflexes that's all it takes."
Gon looked at him with admiration.
For a kid that was seriously impressive!
"Can I do it too?"
"Well… with enough practice. You're still a bit young."
"I'll do my best!" Gon declared, clenching his fists.
"All right…" Haze smiled faintly.
(End of Chapter)
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