The time had come. Now, Rocky could begin the search for Ging.
Although finding Ging's whereabouts in this vast world was a daunting task, Rocky wasn't entirely without leads. He had gathered bits of information—Ging's age, birthplace, name, and occupation. While these fragments didn't paint the complete picture, they were enough to start.
Rocky estimated that his chances of locating Ging were roughly 50% with what he currently knew. However, there were ways to increase the odds. If he could obtain items once used by Ging or gain a clear understanding of Ging's physical appearance, his success rate would skyrocket.
Fortunately, those things existed. On Whale Island, where Ging had once lived, there were photographs of him and items he had left behind.
Stretching his arms, Rocky stood and twisted his body slightly to shake off the stiffness. He had been sitting in deep concentration for far too long. If not for his enhanced physique and the resilience granted by Nen, such extended immobility could have taken a toll.
Even so, hunger gnawed at his stomach. No matter how much Nen training strengthened the body, the need for sustenance remained constant.
Rocky stepped toward the cave entrance, perched halfway up a steep cliff. With a sharp intake of air, he launched himself off the rocky edge and plummeted toward the sea below.
As he descended, something unusual occurred.
The four phantom swords hidden around him, existing in their semi-illusory state, became faintly visible. A gentle force pushed against his body, almost like an invisible hand was cradling him.
This buoyant sensation wasn't the result of the sea's natural forces—it came from the four swords.
Rocky's brows furrowed. "What is this?"
Distracted by the new phenomenon, he nearly collided with a large fish darting away from him in fear. Acting on instinct, Rocky waved a hand. The Sword of the Wise King shot forward, piercing the fish cleanly before returning to him with its prey skewered on the blade.
Once onshore, Rocky set to work building a small fire. He skewered the fish on a stick and began roasting it while pondering the strange occurrence.
"That sensation… was it my imagination?"
To confirm his suspicion, Rocky summoned the four phantom swords. In their crystallized forms, the swords floated silently around him.
When Rocky injected his Nen into the weapons, he felt it again—a faint lift that seemed to defy gravity. As he increased the flow of energy, the force grew stronger, raising his body slightly off the ground.
"Interesting…" Rocky murmured, intrigued.
He experimented further, attempting to manipulate the swords and his body simultaneously. With careful adjustments to his Nen output, he soon managed to hover several meters above the ground.
Although the speed of this "flight" was slow, the possibilities it offered were limitless.
Rocky's curiosity deepened. What would happen if he pushed the swords and his body into a fully illusory state? Could this unlock new capabilities?
After several attempts, he found himself unable to completely synchronize with the weapons. Something vital was missing.
"Maybe this will help…" Rocky activated his Scarlet Eyes.
The transformation was instantaneous. His entire figure became a ghostly white shadow, flickering in and out of existence.
**Swish!**
In a flash, Rocky shot into the sky. The force propelled him upward with such speed that he left behind a thin trail of white smoke and light.
Though nowhere near the speed of light, he was certain he had broken the sound barrier.
This mode of flight, while incredibly fast, had its drawbacks. Attacking in this state was impossible, and switching back to his physical form was necessary for combat.
Despite this limitation, Rocky couldn't help but marvel. Humanity had always dreamed of flying, and now, he had achieved it.
He continued testing his newfound ability, switching between physical and phantom states to compare their strengths and weaknesses. The physical state allowed for slow, controlled movement and combat, while the phantom state offered unparalleled speed and agility.
By the time Rocky landed, he was thoroughly exhausted. Flying, especially in the phantom state, consumed vast amounts of Nen. Even so, he estimated that with practice, he could extend his flight time to nearly an hour.
"This ability deserves a name," he mused aloud.
After some thought, he decided to call it **Floating Shadow.**
**Ability: Floating Shadow**
- **Effect**: Grants the ability to fly.
- **Physical Flight**: Slow but stable; allows for combat. Maximum speed: 40 km/h.
- **Phantom Flight**: Incredibly fast, exceeding the speed of sound, but cannot be used for attacks.
- **Limitations**: High energy consumption; requires switching between modes for different functions.
Rocky smiled. "With time, as I gain more phantom swords, this ability will only grow stronger. One day, I might be able to summon a dozen swords to execute devastating attacks from afar."
The thought of unleashing a storm of phantom swords in battle sent a thrill through him.
Once the roasted fish was finished, Rocky felt revitalized. The gnawing hunger had disappeared, and his strength had returned.
Leaping into the air, he activated **Floating Shadow** and transformed into a white blur, disappearing into the horizon.
When he reappeared, Rocky stood in Gon's bedroom, staring at a framed photo of Ging.
The photograph, carefully preserved on the table, was exactly what Rocky needed. He studied it briefly before turning back into a phantom and exiting through the window.
Outside, Gon was perched on a tree branch, fishing pole in hand.
A sudden flash of white light startled him as Rocky materialized, his body shimmering with crystalline fragments.
"You… you…" Gon stammered, his eyes wide with astonishment. "How did you do that?"
Rocky smiled at the boy's innocent curiosity. "You'll understand once you become a Hunter."
"I need your help," he added, pointing to Gon's fishing rod. "Can you give me a piece of the fishing line?"
Gon blinked in surprise. "Just the line?"
"Yes. That fishing rod once belonged to Ging, right? A piece of the line is all I need."
After a moment of hesitation, Gon nodded. "Alright, but you have to answer a question first."
"Go ahead."
"Are you here to find Ging?"
Rocky nodded without hesitation.
Gon handed him a piece of the fishing line with a faint smile. "Good luck, then. I hope you find him."
Rocky accepted the line with a nod of gratitude. "You will, too, someday, Gon."