Chapter 22: Are You a Conjurer or Just Crazy?
Haru patted Toru's head, gave him a quick hug, and resumed wandering around, recovering his aura after marking over a dozen birds with Star Marks.
Once he felt refreshed, he returned to his routine from the days he had spent training as a "wild man," following the basics diligently:
Ten, Zetsu, Ren, Hatsu...
Gyo, Shu, Ryu, Ko...
This time, Haru didn't skip practicing manipulation techniques.
While he had become adept at using the Star Mark ability, he realized there was still untapped potential for development and plenty of room for improvement.
For emission training, Haru remembered Biscuit teaching Gon a Level 5 method in the manga: using aura to push oneself into the air while performing a one-handed handstand.
So, Haru attempted a one-handed handstand.
Concentrating, he directed aura through his palm. Soon, there was a jolt beneath his hand. A burst of invisible force propelled him off the ground, his hand hovering shakily about five centimeters above the earth.
"I can fly!" Haru exclaimed excitedly.
His excitement nearly caused him to crash headfirst into the ground, but he managed to stabilize himself at the last moment. His palm continued emitting bursts of aura, pushing against the ground and keeping him aloft.
"This is way more exhausting than maintaining Ko…"
After less than a minute, Haru collapsed.
But he was hooked. He switched between different training techniques, continuously honing his basics. Standing firm, he let out a soft shout, released Ren throughout his body, and transitioned seamlessly into Ten, forming a stable Ko.
Time slipped away as Haru trained.
Starting early in the morning, the sun now hung directly above him, signaling it was past 10 a.m. Life in the nearby coastal East Town grew livelier, and the distant hustle and bustle reached his ears.
When Haru tired of training, he played with Toru, grabbed a quick snack, and fed a few birds.
This area, located at the southernmost edge of the East Coast, was close to the peninsula's exit leading inland. Yet, Haru found it odd that no proper roads connected East Town to the mainland. Were all those tourists arriving by boat?
Following a "salty creek" Toru had discovered, Haru wandered south. At the creek's end, where seawater no longer flowed, he came upon a rocky, uneven terrain perfect for resting. However, something felt off.
This area marked the boundary between Ghost Island and the mainland. But looking ahead and back, the geological differences were striking. The land he had just traversed resembled ordinary forest soil, while the rocky boundary ahead looked like coastal reef abruptly displaced here.
"Was this island stitched together from two separate ones?" Haru joked aloud.
"Close, but not quite," a voice replied. Haru turned to see a burly man with a wild afro tied back by a headband. His bushy mustache and rugged beard circled his thick lips, and his muscular yet rotund physique gave him an imposing yet approachable demeanor. Beside him stood the green-haired, mischievous grin of Menchi.
Haru ignored Menchi's attempt at being cute and asked the burly man, "What's right and what's not?"
The man looked down at the rocky boundary. "This Ghost Island wasn't originally here. Why it appeared in this location remains unanswered."
Menchi folded her arms and nodded. "Exactly! When I was searching online yesterday, I was baffled. Why is there no record of this island suddenly showing up 24 years ago?"
"Ghost Island appeared 24 years ago…" Haru suddenly connected the dots.
Babimyna and Sloane's cryptic conversation earlier made sense now. This island likely used to be within Kukan'yu Kingdom's territory. No wonder Kukan'yu and Ochima had been at odds over its legal ownership ever since.
Haru frowned. "So the name 'Ghost Island' refers to its sudden, ghost-like appearance, not actual ghosts or spirits on the island?"
Menchi blinked, thoughtful. "Hmm… when you put it like that, maybe?"
The burly man said little, standing there like a gatekeeper.
Haru recognized him immediately. That face and stature could only belong to Ginta, the "Sheep" of the Hunter Association's Twelve Zodiacs.
What's going on? First, I run into Kanzai, and now a wild Ginta appears? Are the Zodiacs running amok?
Ginta suddenly spoke. "Seems like you recognize me."
"I looked you up on the Hunter Association's website. Did it with this green-haired lady too," Haru replied nonchalantly.
Menchi sniffed herself for some reason.
Ginta stared at Haru. "Doesn't seem like you're actually 20."
"You're saying that because I had to look you up?" Haru dismissed. "That's a pretty weak argument. Haven't there been veteran hunters who are clueless about the Association's inner workings?"
Ginta nodded. He'd met someone like that just this morning.
Haru raised an eyebrow. "So, why do you two keep bothering me?"
Ginta silently pointed at Toru, who stood nearby, observing.
Menchi chimed in, "He's my teacher for learning Nen! He's also a Poacher Hunter—specializing in hunting poachers!"
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Haru grumbled, eyeing Menchi. "He's a Poacher Hunter, he's your teacher—does that make you a Poacher Hunter too?"
Menchi puffed up her chest. "I'm a Gourmet Hunter!"
Haru knew this but used the moment to probe deeper. "Ginta, Twelve Zodiacs and all, why are you teaching someone in a completely unrelated field?"
"I was nearby and available when Menchi needed a teacher," Ginta replied simply.
Haru sighed. "I thought a senior Gourmet Hunter like Linne might teach her."
"Linne's Nen skills are leagues beyond Menchi's," Ginta admitted.
"Hey!" Menchi protested. "Am I really that weak?"
"Know your limits," Haru retorted. "I could beat you with one hand tied behind my back, let alone someone like Linne."
Ginta continued, "However, Menchi's culinary talent is exceptional. She won first place in the World Chef Championship at age 12. Her confidence and talent in the culinary arts are unmatched."
"Hah!" Menchi smirked. "Even if I tied both hands, my dishes would still outshine yours by a thousand times!"
"Better tie your feet too," Haru teased.
Ginta added, "I was only tasked with introducing her to Nen. Any capable hunter could've done it. It just happened to fall to me."
Haru frowned. "So why are you here? What do you want?"
"To confirm you're not a poacher," Ginta stated flatly.
"And am I?" Haru challenged.
"Your character seems fine. Legally speaking… I'm unsure," Ginta replied, glancing at Toru. "By the way, one of the poachers you defeated was a former floor master of Heavens Arena, Galro."
"The floor masters are this weak?" Haru scoffed.
"He was only a floor master for one match."
"Ah, that explains it."
"Galro is a Reinforcement user who trained in Conjuration but applies Manipulation and Emission techniques," Ginta explained.
"…Are you kidding me?" Haru groaned. What is this Hisoka wannabe?
Ginta warned, "You won by sheer luck. I thought it necessary to remind you so you don't misjudge your capabilities."
"Thanks," Haru said earnestly, then pointed at Menchi. "But why is she staring at Toru like he's dinner?"
Menchi's eyes gleamed as she stared at Toru, who had backed away nervously.
"What's wrong with that?" Menchi huffed. "I'm a Gourmet Hunter! Seeing such a rare animal, it's only natural to think of hundreds of cooking methods. What's the problem?"
"Are you Crazy? Or Are you a from Conjurer department?" Haru deadpanned.
Menchi gasped. "How did you know?!"
"Wait… now you seem more like a Reinforcement user…" Haru muttered, bewildered.
Ginta quietly noted Haru's talent for guessing others' Nen types based on their personalities.
(End of Chapter)