Hunter x Hunter (HUNTER×HUNTER)

Strange beasts

and monsters.

Vast riches.

Hidden treasures.

Evil haunts.

Uncharted frontiers.

The mysterious unknown.

The people who are captivated by the magic in those words...

are called...

Hunters.

DEPARTURE x AND x FRIENDS

WHALE ISLAND

Is Gon still angling for the Master of the Swamp?

Uh, yes.

He's been at it non-stop for a whole week now.

So I gotta know...

Did you really promise he could take the Hunter Exam if he caught the thing?

He's a fool.

Five adults working together couldn't real that monster in.

So what chance does a little kid have, huh?

Sounds to me like Mito doesn't really want him to take the Hunter Exam at all.

Maybe so, but wasn't Gon's old man his age

when he caught the Master of the Swamp?

He doesn't stand a chance.

Yeah!

Ah, yes! Here he comes.

Look at the size of it!

That's the Master of the Swamp?

Wow, it's been 20 years.

Yeah, it was Gon's dad who caught him last time, right?

Like father, like son.

Gon really did it. He actually caught the Master.

Mito, over here!

Aunt Mito, look! I caught him just like I said I would.

That means I can finally take the Hunter Exam.

Right?

I'll do my best.

I'm going to be a Hunter, just you wait and see.

It must be in his blood.

Ging was only 12 years old when he caught the Master

and no one has been able to land him since.

And now his son has accomplished the very same feat at the same age.

I don't have to tell you that his eyes sparkle the same way as his father's.

It won't be long now before we have to let him go.

- Are you sure about this? - Yeah.

When you were just a baby your father abandoned you to be a Hunter.

You know that, don't you?

I do.

He chose being a Hunter over his own son.

- Yeah, isn't that amazing? - Huh?

It must be an awesome job if it was worth leaving his kid.

Don't you think?

But being a Hunter is a dangerous job.

You could die at any time for any number of ridiculous reasons.

- Don't you understand? -

No, I don't.

But I want to understand.

I want to find out why it was so important to my dad.

That's why I've got to do it.

Just as I thought. You're just like Ging.

I promise you. I'll pass the exam.

The next time you see me I will be a Hunter.

Instead, promise you'll come home safe.

Think you can do that for me?

Yep, I sure can.

Pinky swear, so if I lie

stick a thousand needles in my eye.

And seal it with a...

- kiss. - kiss...

Huh?

Gon.

Aunt Mito, thank you.

Goodbye!

Good luck, Gon!

Get out there and knock 'em dead, do you hear me?

We believe in you, buddy.

Thanks, everybody. I'm going to be the best Hunter in the world.

And as soon as I make that happen, I'll be back.

I'll see you all again!

The best Hunter in the world, huh?

The kid thinks this will be easy.

Every single year,

millions of the world's most skilled applicants

apply for the Hunter Exam.

But only a handful make the cut.

Be careful about saying stuff you can't back up, kid.

What are you doing, Katzo?

With the way things are going for you,

you're never going to make it as a sailor.

- -

What's wrong? Why are you bent over like that?

Hey, slackers.

Get back to work!

Aye, aye, sir.

You!

Got wax in your ears? Get moving!

Aye, aye, sir. Right away

Wait!

Thanks a lot.

There's a storm coming.

Huh?

And how exactly do you know that?

Sea cranes. That's what all of them are saying.

What?

Also...

There's a really big one heading right for us.

- - It's true.

I can tell by the way it smells.

This boy...

Those eyes.

Could he be...

Captain!

The mast won't hold out for much longer.

We should lower the sails.

Don't be stupid.

We can't quit when the fun is just about to start.

Here we go!

Now, take her hard to port.

Let's fly!

HUNTER GLOSSARY

GON

Ahh! I've faced bigger waves than that and lived.

Hey, take over the helm.

Aye, aye, sir.

Damned if this ain't the most worthless crew I've seen in years.

Not a one of them has got his sea legs. Pathetic.

And they think they can pass the Hunter Exam?

They're good for a laugh, that's for sure.

- Here, try these herbs. -Hm?

Chew them up real good and you'll feel better.

Water...

Sit tight, it's on its way.

Huh, that boy again.

Hm.

That's what I call a sour apple.

Huh, I see.

Seems there's a few with some iron in them, after all.

-Coming through. -

Here, I got you water.

Thank you.

There, drink up.

Hm.

Hm?

You're the best. Thanks for your help, Mr. Katzo.

Right, then. Go down the line and tell me all your names.

My name's Gon.

I am called Kurapika.

The name is Leorio.

Good, good. Now why do you boys want to become Hunters?

Whoa! You're not an examiner, so what's with the third degree?

Just answer the question, dummy.

I will. Because my dad is a Hunter.

Hm?

Being a hunter was the most important thing in the world to my dad.

And I want to know why.

That's why I left Whale Island.

Whale Island?

So it is him. This is Ging's son.

It looks like the day has come at last.

Hey, kid.

You don't have to tell that old guy nothin'.