The sun was beginning to set when Gon finally dragged the giant fish back to the village.
The villagers swarmed him, amazed and overjoyed.
Mito, his aunt, rushed over, both proud and exasperated.
"No more reckless fishing!" she scolded — but the smile on her face said she wasn't really angry.
From the treeline, Noah watched silently.
His sharp eyes scanned the crowd, senses on high alert.
They're normal, he thought.
No Nen users here. No threats.
He relaxed slightly, stepping back into the shadows.
Until—
"You there!"
Noah froze.
Mito's voice cut through the crowd. She was pointing directly at him.
The villagers turned, murmuring.
A stranger, half-hidden among the trees.
Tension rose instantly.
Noah considered leaving. Blend into the forest. Vanish.
But something in Mito's gaze stopped him.
There was no fear — only kindness.
The same kindness Gon had shown the world, dragging that monstrous fish back with a grin.
Slowly, Noah stepped forward.
The villagers watched cautiously.
Noah's black cloak fluttered slightly in the evening breeze, and his mismatched eyes — black rimmed with faint crimson light — gleamed softly.
"I saw you earlier," Mito said calmly. "Were you watching Gon?"
Noah hesitated. Then nodded.
"He saved our village's food supply for the season," she said.
"And you didn't interfere."
Her eyes softened.
"You're welcome to eat with us tonight."
Gon bounced up beside her, grinning ear to ear.
"Come on! You must be hungry! You can tell me your name too!"
Noah blinked, a little stunned by the boy's openness.
After a moment, he gave a small smile.
"...Noah."
---
That Night
They feasted in the main hall — grilled swamp fish, vegetables, fresh bread.
The villagers laughed and drank, celebrating Gon's success.
Noah sat quietly at the edge of the crowd, barely eating.
He wasn't used to warmth. To noise.
In his old life, celebrations like this had felt like cruel jokes.
Now... he wasn't sure what to feel.
Gon plopped down next to him, a wide grin on his face.
"You're strong, right?" Gon asked suddenly, mouth half-full of food.
Noah raised an eyebrow.
"I could tell!" Gon said excitedly. "You move like... like a wolf! I wanna be like that too! I'm gonna be a Hunter, just like my dad!"
Noah's fingers tightened around his cup slightly.
Ging Freecss.
Even in this life, the name carried weight.
"You're leaving soon, right?" Gon asked, a little more serious.
"To take the Hunter Exam?"
Noah glanced at the boy.
So that's where the story truly begins... he thought.
"Yes," Noah said simply.
Gon's eyes lit up with determination.
"Then I'll see you there!"
Noah's lips curled into the smallest of smirks.
Maybe, kid. Maybe.
---
Meanwhile — Far Away...
High on a distant mountain, unseen by the people of Whale Island, a figure sat cross-legged, eyes closed.
Hisoka Morow.
He smiled, sensing a faint shiver in the threads of fate.
"A new player...?" he whispered, his voice silky with amusement.
"How delicious."