[It's still based on the old version of the anime. Of course, the new version will definitely be considered.]
Captain Big Red Nose held his pipe in his cabin, looking out the window at Roy and Eighteenth, not knowing what he was thinking.
"It seems this year won't end quietly."
Where people gather, rivers and lakes will naturally form.
When a large group gathers, troublemakers are inevitable—especially this group of restless individuals participating in the Hunter x Hunter test, each thinking they're far stronger than they really are.
However, after sailing away from Kaifuku, Captain Red Nose had forcefully suppressed conflicts, keeping everything relatively calm—at least on the surface.
But now, with Roy's earlier punch, the small spark that had been simmering on the ship was instantly extinguished.
The first mate, sailors, and staff were all shocked by Roy's strength, and no one dared to stir up trouble.
For a while, the Poseidon fell into a strange, heavy silence as it slowly continued toward the final pier, Whale Island.
A few days later—Whale Island Pier.
All the Whale Island candidates who had signed up for the Hunter Test waited quietly at the dock.
Among them stood a young candidate with dazzling blond hair, turquoise eyes, wearing a distinctive national costume, with sharp and delicate features.
"Here it comes!"
Someone in the crowd shouted. The blond young man and the rest all looked toward the sea.
A steamer gradually emerged on the horizon, coming into full view as it approached.
All the candidates straightened up and prepared to board.
But the moment the Poseidon docked and opened its door, the Whale Island candidates froze.
Instead of calm examinees stepping off with confidence, countless candidates ran down in a panic, staggering and dazed.
Their faces were pale, several bruised, and some still had patches of dark blue swelling.
What happened?!
The Whale Island candidates stared in confusion.
Among the crowd, a bald man looked particularly miserable. His mouth was full of broken, bloody stubble, and his face was swollen like he had been attacked by a hive of hornets.
"Hey, isn't that Billy, the famous boxer from Peanutton? How did he end up like that?!"
Someone recognized him immediately.
This made the Whale Island candidates even more shocked.
Just what had happened on the Poseidon ship?
The blond young man frowned as he stared at the ship.
"Could something unexpected have happened on board? Or… did the Hunter test start the moment they boarded? Were these people eliminated?"
He thought for a moment, then shook his head, looking at the ship with resolve.
"No matter what happens, I must pass the Hunter test and become a Hunter."
In the small port town, a man with upside-down hair, wearing round glasses and carrying a briefcase, watched the panicked, bruised candidates run past, question marks filling his head.
Behind him, a twelve or thirteen-year-old boy dressed in green, holding a fishing rod, with hedgehog-like hair and big bright eyes, also stared curiously.
…
At this time, on the upper deck of the Poseidon, Roy lay with his head resting on Eighteenth's leg, enjoying the warm sunlight.
"The people on the ship are gone. Only the two of us are left among the candidates."
"There will be candidates from Whale Island coming up soon. Do you want to… Forget it. As the saying goes, leave a line so we can meet again later. Let them go."
Besides, the previous candidates had very few valuables. There wasn't much to rob.
And since Whale Island was the last stop, picking a fight again would be pointless.
The Whale Island examinees boarded with extreme caution, only to find the deck calm—except for a boy and girl sunbathing like a small couple, seemingly harmless and gentle.
Seeing that they looked thin, they relaxed and instead focused their attention on the sailors and first mate.
Only the blond young man kept watching Roy and Eighteenth carefully before choosing to sit a short distance away.
"Kurapika? His intuition and vigilance really are sharp."
Even with his eyes closed, Roy could sense every movement on the ship.
The perception and application of Ki were endless.
After a short while, the Poseidon let out a long whistle and slowly sailed away from Whale Island Pier.
"It's moving? That means the hedgehog-head kid, Xiaojie, and that young uncle Leoli are about to—"
Bang.
Gon (Xiaojie) landed safely from the sky. Leorio, however, fell face-first onto the deck.
"Yay! Safe landing!"
Good. The trio of the Hunter world had finally gathered.
The plot was officially back on track.