Chapter 4: Advice
The so-called Hunter - is the most advanced profession in this world.
It's not only a status symbol but also a symbol of class.
Becoming a Hunter not only allows you to easily earn rewards far beyond any other profession in the world, but also enjoy the welfare benefits of most regions and countries in the world, and use almost all public facilities for free.
You can also enter areas restricted to ordinary people, gather hard-to-find information on the market...
And even just pawning the Hunter License can bring wealth that ordinary people couldn't spend in eight lifetimes.
Under the influence of many temptations, every year inevitably attracts too many people who overestimate their abilities to participate in the exam.
Now, the boy named Saruto in front of him, perhaps because of his young age, or maybe because of his good looks.
To be honest, the old captain didn't want to see him perish without being prepared.
Because of the brutality of the Hunter Exam, as the judge, he understood it best.
...
And the old captain's words to some extent awakened Saruto.
Saruto slightly lowered his head, looking at the swirling smoke in front of him, lost in thought...
To be honest, the captain's question... was the first serious question he had thought about since crossing into this world.
"Do you want to become a Hunter..."
Saruto repeated this question in his mind, without much thought, gave a positive answer.
The treatment of professional Hunters is generous, and their status is superior.
Even if you only hold the license, you can have plenty of money delivered to your door even if you lie at home, living a luxurious life that ordinary people can't imagine.
If given the choice, probably no one would refuse such an extremely superior job.
But...
Why do you want to become a Hunter?
This question, Saruto had never thought about.
Delicacies? Treasures?
Or maybe wanting to explore some ancient mysteries.
Every Hunter should have their own goals or pursuits.
Even the carefree and naive Gon from the original work was a "Finding Dad Hunter" with a firm goal.
As a transmigrator, thinking about what specific aspirations or strong regrets he had for the world of Hunters... upon careful consideration, it wasn't nonexistent.
I believe that everyone immersed in this work of Hunter x Hunter, perhaps... would often lament.
Lamenting that they may not live to see Togashi complete the Dark Continent arc.
...
Thinking about this, Saruto's eyes cleared a bit, and he looked up, asking the captain:
"What year is it this year?"
"Huh? Why do you suddenly ask this?" The captain was puzzled, but after thinking seriously, he gave an answer:
"1995."
"..."
Getting the answer, Saruto fell into silence.
He carefully recalled the memories in his mind, judging the time from when Gon, Killua, and others signed up for the Hunter Exam, which was...
Still four years away.
"So, it's only five years until the Chimera Ant crisis erupts in NGL. And after that crisis, humanity will immediately put the exploration of the Dark Continent on the agenda."
"At that time... the Dark Continent arc will officially begin."
Thinking of this, Saruto couldn't help but feel a bit depressed.
Although his ideals were full, the reality was somewhat cruel.
If he wanted to participate in the investigation of the Dark Continent, then with his current strength, it was far from enough.
This, Saruto had a clear understanding of.
"At present, I can sustain the 'limitless technique' at the lowest level for twelve hours continuously in daily life.
And... when dealing with complex attacks... that is, in high-pressure combat environments, this time will be further shortened..."
If he forcefully sustained it beyond a certain critical point, the consequence would be—
His brain would be scrapped.
Saruto speculated that with his current abilities, if he were to face top-tier opponents like Neferpitou or Meruem, even in a situation where the opponent's firepower was fully unleashed, without holding back.
Perhaps he wouldn't even last ten minutes maintaining the technique.
As for opponents like Hisoka...
Although Saruto was confident that he could stand invincible in a short time with the "Limitless cursed technique" a rogue-like technique, against opponents of that level.
But to defeat the opponent, it seemed lacking in meaning.
Before mastering the "Reversal Technique," Saruto's most effective attack—
Was "Attracting Force" - 「blue」, which could easily tear through walls but had a slow flying speed.
And his fists, enhanced by magic.
In terms of imagery,
Saruto felt that he was like a type with full defense but weak attack.
...
If in the world of Hunters, someone like Uvogin who could punch out a hundred-meter deep pit might at most be placed in the second tier, ranking in the upper-middle tier of the second tier.
Then Saruto felt that his current combat ability might squeeze into the tail end of the third tier.
Probably at the level where he was comparable to the green and inexperienced Killua.
With such strength, going to explore the Dark Continent, which harbored various terrifying species, was tantamount to suicide.
"And... just studying techniques is not enough, there are also abilities in Nen that involve understanding rules, which may penetrate my ' infinity'."
Saruto couldn't help but think of the Chimera Ant arc, where there was a guy named Knov who had a Nen ability called "Dimensional Apartment" that could cut through space.
It was quite a bug-like Nen ability.
So, in order to deal with such abilities, Saruto believed that his own training in "Nen" was also indispensable.
Five years.
He had to learn the "Reversal Technique," develop more attack methods inherent to the technique itself.
And as much as possible, practice Nen and develop Nen...
With his thoughts diverging, Saruto felt that the road ahead was full of thorns, and couldn't help but sigh:
"Ah—"
"How about it, kid. Are you ready to give up?"
The old captain, who had been waiting for a long time, saw the young man pondering for a long time with a distressed expression on his face, naturally thinking that the other party had given up the assessment, and asked casually.
Seeing the young man not speaking.
The captain thought that the other party had been hit and hadn't recovered.
He couldn't help but take a few steps forward with a look of understanding, then reached out and patted Saruto's shoulder, comforting him:
"Kid, don't be discouraged."
"Although it's the first time I've met you, I can feel from your eyes a stronger will than ordinary people."
"Believe in maintaining this strong belief, when your wings are fully grown in a few years, it's also very possible to become a Hunter."
Sarutofelt the captain's well-intentioned words and put away the despair on his face, smiling:
"You're right, Captain. I'm not someone who is easily discouraged."
"Yeah." The captain nodded, feeling that his preaching seemed to have inspired the other party a lot, feeling somewhat gratified.
"So, are you planning to try again next year?"
"No."
Saruto shook his head, smiling confidently, "This year!"
"This year, I will definitely become a Hunter!"
"What?"
"One?"
The captain was instantly stunned in place,
not knowing what to say.
He just stood there dumbfounded, silently listening to Saruto finish his words:
"And not only do I want to become a Hunter."
"I also want to strive to become the strongest Hunter, traveling to all the places in the world where no one has set foot..."
"Getting the Hunter License is just the first step I want to take!"
"So, thank you for enlightening me!"
Hearing this, the captain asked with deep concern:
"Are you sure... have you thought it through?"
"Yeah."
Seeing the firm gaze of the young man, the captain didn't say anything more.
He didn't think that the young man's words were too arrogant and looked down upon.
Because of the firm gaze of the other party, it was very similar to a certain child named "Ging Freecss" he had seen many years ago.
At the same age.
Both had a pair of clear eyes, full of confidence.
Now, many years later...
That child named Ging had grown into one of the strongest and most well-known Hunters in the world.
And he, on the other hand, was still a nameless Hunter judge.
For many years, apart from his body and temper getting worse, there was basically no progress.
Compared to that, he seemed mediocre.
However...
Thinking that it was because of this job that he could always see some special and interesting fellows, the old captain couldn't help but laugh out loud.
"Hahaha..."
"The goal is really not small, kid!"
The old captain thoughtfully looked at Saruto again and spoke:
"What's your name?"
"This question, I just..."
"Old age, forgot!"
Before Saruto could finish his sentence, the captain interrupted.
In response to this, Saruto could only answer again:
"Saruto Gojo."
"Strange name." The old captain commented casually.
"But, I think I'll remember it well."
"Looking forward to the day you become a Hunter, Saruto!"
"Thank you." Saruto nodded politely.
Seeing this, the old captain also felt relieved and thought to himself, "He's really a good kid."
Now that the review's purpose had been achieved.
The captain told Saruto: "Your assessment is over."
"Before we reach our destination, you can find a place to rest, but don't run around."
"I have to go and review the remaining one who performed well."
After saying that, the old captain turned around and walked towards the passenger cabin.
But he had just taken a few steps, ready to enter the cabin, but seemed to remember something and suddenly stopped, turned around, and shouted:
"Oh right!"
Seeing the serious expression on the captain's face as he returned, Saruto didn't understand what had happened for a moment and couldn't help but feel a little nervous.
The old captain returned to Saruto's side, stared into his eyes, and slowly spoke:
"When you asked me about the year just now, it reminded me of something."
"A few months ago, the news of the Kuluuta tribe being exterminated by someone appeared in the newspaper."
"It is rumored that they were targeted and exterminated by some malicious individuals because their eyes were as beautiful as rubies..."
As the captain said this, Saruto furrowed his brows, already faintly guessing the captain's intention in saying this.
"Your eyes are very beautiful, Saruto."
"Although I have never seen the 'fire red eyes' of the Kuluuta tribe with my own eyes, I have lived for so many years, and these are definitely the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen..."
The captain said this with a tone that seemed like praise, but his face was full of sorrow.
"But..."
"Just because they are beautiful, I feel that you should pay more attention to hiding them. This, even if it's just my personal advice to you."
After saying that, the old captain looked solemnly at the young man in front of him for the last time, and then finally turned around and left.
...