hunter x hunter: son of time

The sun rose over Whale Island, casting a warm glow on the tranquil waters and the quaint village nestled on its shores. Gon Freecss, a young boy with boundless energy and an unyielding spirit, was preparing for the journey of a lifetime—the Hunter Exam. Little did he know that his path would soon intersect with others destined to become his closest friends and allies.

As Gon bid farewell to his Aunt Mito and set sail on a small boat, he couldn't contain his excitement. The wind ruffled his hair, and he felt a sense of adventure bubbling within him. The world beyond Whale Island awaited, and Gon was ready to embrace it with open arms.

Meanwhile, on a different vessel heading toward the same destination, Kael Zoldyck stood at the bow, the sea breeze tousling his silver hair. Unlike Gon, Kael knew exactly what to expect from the Hunter Exam. Reincarnated with memories of his past life, he had seen every twist and turn of the journey through the eyes of an anime viewer. But experiencing it firsthand was an entirely different sensation.

As the boat docked at the bustling port city, Gon disembarked with a wide grin. He quickly made his way through the crowded streets, his eyes wide with wonder at the sights and sounds of the city. It wasn't long before he bumped into a tall, bespectacled man with a confident stride.

"Watch where you're going, kid!" the man grumbled, adjusting his glasses.

Gon smiled sheepishly. "Sorry about that. I'm Gon. Are you here for the Hunter Exam too?"

The man raised an eyebrow. "Name's Leorio. And yes, I am. Not that it's any of your business."

Gon chuckled. "Nice to meet you, Leorio!"

As they continued through the streets, they encountered a young man with fiery determination in his eyes, carrying a chain wrapped around his wrist. He glanced at Gon and Leorio, sizing them up.

"I'm Kurapika," he introduced himself. "I see you're both heading to the Hunter Exam. We might as well travel together."

Leorio scoffed. "Fine by me, as long as you don't slow us down."

The three of them continued their journey together, unaware that their fates were intertwined. As they reached the exam site, they joined the throng of applicants gathered in a large hall.

Kael arrived shortly after, scanning the room for familiar faces. He spotted Gon, Kurapika, and Leorio and felt a sense of nostalgia. Approaching them, he smiled and introduced himself.

"Hey there, I'm Kael. Mind if I join your group?"

Gon beamed. "Of course! I'm Gon, and these are my friends Kurapika and Leorio."

Kael nodded to each of them, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Pleasure to meet you all."

As they waited for the exam to begin, the group exchanged stories about their backgrounds and motivations. Kael found himself enjoying their company, appreciating the camaraderie and humor that lightened the tension.

The doors to the exam hall opened, and an examiner called for the applicants to gather. Kael, Gon, Kurapika, and Leorio joined the crowd as they filed into the large hall.

The examiner, a tall man with a stern expression, addressed the group. "Welcome to the Hunter Exam. The first phase will test your endurance and determination. Follow me, and try to keep up."

With that, the examiner set off at a brisk pace, leading the applicants through a series of winding tunnels and staircases. Kael, Gon, Kurapika, and Leorio stuck together, encouraging each other as they navigated the labyrinthine path.

Hours passed, and fatigue began to set in. Kael could see the exhaustion on the faces of many applicants, but he pushed on, determined to prove himself. Gon's cheerful demeanor kept their spirits high, and Kael found himself laughing at Gon's jokes and stories.

As they reached the final stretch of the first phase, Kael noticed a figure standing ahead, watching the applicants with a predatory gleam in his eyes. Hisoka, the enigmatic and dangerous magician, stood with an air of casual confidence. Kael's heart skipped a beat, knowing just how unpredictable and deadly Hisoka could be.

Hisoka's eyes met Kael's, and a slow, wicked smile spread across his face. "Oh, what fun," Hisoka murmured, his voice carrying an unsettling mix of amusement and menace.

Kael felt a shiver run down his spine but maintained his composure. He knew better than to show any sign of weakness in front of Hisoka. Instead, he focused on the task at hand, ensuring that he and his friends reached the finish line.

As they crossed the finish line, the examiner nodded in approval. "You've all passed the first phase. Rest up; the next phase begins tomorrow."

Finding a place to rest, Kael reflected on the day's events. He had made new friends, faced challenges, and encountered one of the most dangerous applicants. The road ahead was long, but Kael was ready to face it with determination and humor.

That night, as they settled down to sleep, Gon turned to Kael. "You know, you seem to know a lot about what's going on. Have you taken the exam before?"

Kael chuckled, shaking his head. "No, just did my homework. Let's just say I have a good sense of what to expect."

Gon laughed. "Well, I'm glad to have you on my team, Kael. Let's tackle this exam together."

Kael smiled, feeling a sense of camaraderie and excitement. His knowledge from his past life gave him an edge, but it was the friendships and experiences that truly made the journey worthwhile. As he drifted off to sleep, Kael knew that this was just the beginning of an epic adventure.