The Red-Nose Captain was clearly pleased by their thanks, and said with a smile, "Even though you've already arrived at Dolle Island, the road ahead is still long."
After seeing them nod, the Captain continued, "In that case, I'll tell you one more thing. Think of it as a special service."
"See that giant cedar tree over there? Head toward that cedar tree, and it'll be the shortcut to the exam site. If you understand, then get moving. The test has already begun." The Captain pointed at the enormous cedar tree standing out prominently on the mountaintop.
"Thank you, Captain." The group thanked him together, then waved goodbye to the Captain and the various crew members on the ship.
"The direction of the cedar tree is exactly the opposite of the road to Zaban City. What are we supposed to do?" Leorio said anxiously.
The group stood in front of the city map, studying the route. On the surface, it really was just as Leorio said: if they wanted to go to the cedar tree the Captain had mentioned, they would definitely have to take a detour.
"Roy, what do you think?" Gon had fully stepped into the role of the one asking Roy for the answer.
Kurapika and Leorio also turned to look at him.
Over the past few days aboard the Sea God, Roy had completely won everyone over with his vast knowledge. His image as the group's academic genius had already been firmly established.
Combined with the favor he had done them by teaching them Nen, the others had all begun to unconsciously treat Roy as their pillar.
Because of that, whenever they ran into a problem that required thought, everyone instinctively asked Roy first.
Roy smiled at this and said, "First of all, after sailing together for so many days, you should all know what kind of person the Captain is. He's definitely not a bad person."
The others gave slight nods at that.
"And he has no reason to deceive us. Besides, he's also an employee of the Hunter Association. If he tricked us, then once we became Hunters, we'd definitely settle the score with him. He probably wouldn't do something so unrewarding. And he's experienced a lot. Seeing how outstanding the few of us are, it would make sense for him to build a good relationship with us by telling us the correct path. So I think he's telling the truth."
Roy praised their side without the slightest humility, and everyone accepted it just as shamelessly.
"But if he told us the direction to Zaban City, wouldn't that count as breaking the rules?" Gon asked.
"Of course not. He only told us which direction to head in. It's the same as a Hunter Association staff member telling you where the Hunter Exam is being held. The location itself isn't the key. What matters is whether or not you can actually find it."
Kurapika also came to an understanding. "Roy's right. Even if the Captain pointed us in the right direction, he didn't tell us what tests would be waiting on the way or how to deal with them. So what the Captain said is very likely true."
"But then what's with this sign?" Although Leorio had already accepted Roy's reasoning, he still hesitated a little.
Roy looked at the sign and smiled faintly. "Leorio, do you think what's written on this sign is necessarily true?"
"Huh?!"
"What if the Hunter Association deliberately placed this sign here to mislead other examinees into heading in the wrong direction, just to test their judgment?"
Leorio: "..."
"Then let's do what the Captain said and head for that cedar tree!" Gon declared, settling it with one sentence.
Leorio thought it over and felt that Roy's analysis made a lot of sense. And at that moment, Roy once again activated the so-called "Gold Finger" Nen ability he talked about.
"If we go toward the cedar tree, there'll be a small town ahead. In that town, there's an old obaa-san. If we answer her question correctly, we'll find the Hunter Association staff. After they test us, they'll take us to the exam site."
"Yoshi, it's decided then. We're going toward the cedar tree!" Leorio instantly became full of energy.
Gon and Kurapika also nodded. After witnessing the existence of Nen, they trusted Roy's words deeply.
"I didn't think Nen could even uncover information like this." Tiny stars practically sparkled in Gon's eyes.
"Let's go!" Leorio strode ahead to lead the way, and Gon and Kurapika quickly followed.
As for Android 18, after casually dealing with a guy carrying twin swords who had clearly been following them with bad intentions for a while now and looked like nothing more than cannon fodder, she also followed along.
...
Before long, after some time had passed, the four of them arrived at a small town that looked rather desolate and completely devoid of people.
The streets were empty, not a single person in sight, and even the houses looked abandoned.
Tap, tap, tap.
Because the place was large and empty, the crisp sound of Roy's group's footsteps echoed through the silent streets.
Gon, on the other hand, seemed quite interested and began looking around curiously.
Kurapika and Leorio, because they already knew in advance that there would be such a small town, had become even more convinced of Roy's Nen ability, and started searching for the so-called old obaa-san.
"There are lots of people here," Gon said.
"A lot of breathing," Kurapika added after Gon.
"The sound of their clothes rubbing together is really obvious. Looks like they're hiding," Leorio added as well.
After awakening Nen, their powers of perception had improved a great deal.
"Found her."
Leorio was a Nen user, and he quickly noticed a change in the sound carried by the wind. He dragged out the old obaa-san with the two large buck teeth showing.
(End of Chapter)
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