Hunter x Hunter: New Friends New Joys (ver 2011)

Fearsome monsters.... Exotic creatures....

Vast riches.... Hidden treasures....

Evil enclaves.... Unexplored lands....

The word "unknown" holds magic. And some incredible people are drawn to that magic. They are known as...

Hunters....

People devoted to tracking down rare and priceless items--be they treasures, or monsters, or wonders unknown.

Such pursuits require a license obtained only after passing a rigorous qualification exam.The pass rate is said to be less than one in a hundred thousand.

—

"I'm going to become the best Hunter in the world!" said a boy just got on the ship named Kaijinmaru.

"Once I'm the best Hunter in the world, I'll come back!"

He had strange spiky dark green hair along with a green outfit and boots. It seemed like this kid was either a brave person or maybe a fool to say these words in front of everyone else. His words not only attracted attention but also aroused sarcasm and mocking from the passengers who were also on the same boat.

"The best Hunter in the world." said by a passenger sitting near him.

"Kid doesn't respect us."

"Every year, there are milions of skilled applicants for the Hunter Exam. But only a handful are selected." The other passengers, who are also going to the Hunter Exam site spoke with excited and self-satisfied looks on their faces as they looked at the boy. "Heh, don't say stuff that you can't back up, boy."

The boy ignored the negative comments mocking him and went to observes the applicants on board, then he heards like someone just fell with a loud thud and voices mocking that person. "What are you doing Katsuo?"

"At this rate, you'll never make a decent sailor." A small and scrawny sailor was being bullied by his fellow sailors on a voyage. They laughed and mocked him, and as he slowly stood up to pick up the apples in his basket, he was kicked in the buttocks by one of the other two and fell forward with a loud thud.

"Why you bent over?" said the sailor. He laughed at the sailor lying face down on the ground.

"Hey, losers! Don't slack off!" A loud door opening sound was heard as the captain of the ship held a jug of wine in his hand, he scolded the sailors causing them to turn their butts and run away to continue their work.

"Aye, sir!"

"Hey! Didn't you hear me? Move that box!" The captain looked around for a while and then took a few steps towards the sailor who was picking up the apples. He was no exception to the captain's rule as he scolded the sailor for being slow.

"Hold on." The boy with dark green spiky hair picked up a ball of seaweed and rolled it towards him and threw it back into the apple barrel for the sailor. The sailor gratefully thanked the boy for helping him and quickly left. The captain stood next to the boy watching the sailor leave then he raised his wine bottle and took another few gulps.

"A big storm is coming...."

The boy with dark green spiky hair notice there was a person standing nearby muttering under their breath about the weather of today, he curiously approached to take a peek about them.

That person, they were wearing a strange style of clothes mainly white and brown tones with a magician's hat but with glass eyes on it decorating with active bronze gears.

They were wearing a white plain dress, a brown leather corset, a jacket whass the same tone color over it that had working copper gears decorated on it, they were wearing glass glasses like a mechanic's. And the most special thing was that they had two sophisticatedly styled prosthetic arms with gauges and a small chimney on it that was emitting steam, a pair of prosthetic legs as well as machinery and feet that somewhat resembled a pair of high heels.

They were around the same age as the boy making him curious to get to know this unique and special person. "Hey, hello?"

"...Are you talking to me?"The other person was a little surprised when they were no longer lost in their own thoughts when they looked up to see the person who started talking to them.

"My name is Gon Freecss, and you?" Gon smiled brightly and introduced the other person, he extended his hand with the intention of shaking hands with them. After all, we need reliable companions in this to the Hunter exam journey, no matter how short or long.

"Misha." The other person looked Gon up and down, examined him, then just replied a brief word with an impassive face but the sparkles in their eyes tell otherwise, they reached out to shake hands with Gon in return. Then they looked up at the sky and saw many seagulls flying overhead, signaling a big storm was coming.

"A storm's coming"

Gon replied quickly as he looked up at the sky with Misha, even the captain who looked up at the sky with them was surprised and turned to ask the other boy. "How can you tell, boy?"

"That's what the seasgulls are saying." said Gon, e pointed up into the sky where the seagulls were flying.

"What?"

"Plus....." Gon spoke vaguely as he raised his hand to lightly pinch the bridge of his nose and took a deep breath to determine the scent of something. Like a jungle man, he skillfully climbed up the mast without any difficulty or hindrance, all the way to the top of the mast.

"There are many ways to know if it is raining or a big storm is coming when we are at sea." Misha pointed to the watch on her prosthetic right arm, a watch that was tilted quite a bit to the right. "Humidity, seagulls and finally.... Sense of smell"

She pointed up towards Gon, who stood on top of the mast and took a deep breath. Then he spoke loudly and clearly down to the captain. "It's a huge storm that's coming! It's true! I can tell by the smell!"

"That boy...." The captain was a little surprised and taken aback by Gon's insistence. He observed the boy a little more and saw the determination in his eyes that reminded him of someone from the past. "Those eyes.... Could he be...."

"Darn it, this is one lousy crew." After the storm rages, everything has been quieter and more peaceful eventhough the storm still continued, the captain sighs and goes down to the passenger cabin to see if every exam applicant is okay. He took a peek inside and saw most of them are seasick, failing everywhere.

"Not a one of them can stand. Pathetic. And they're supposed to be taking the Hunter Examination. Hah! What a laugh!" The captain clicked his tongue and laughed at the sight of those who said they would pass the Hunter Exam now lying around with pale faces looking like they were about to vomit.

"Woah! You have knowledge of all kinds of herbs, Misha?" Gon sat down next to Misha and excitedly exclaimed as he watched Misha use a mortar and pestle to crush herbs together to create medicine.

"Mmhm…" Misha hummed in response to Gon's question, their hands crushing the herbs and some other ingredients that smelled pleasant and they put them in a small box, giving it to a passenger who was feeling quite seasick. "Swallowing this powder will make you feel a little better. It's a little sweet so it's not hard to swallow."

"Water..." The man spoke weakly, his face pale with seasickness, his hands shaking as he held the box.

"It's coming, so hold on."

"Those kids...." The captain looked at them with a bit of surprise and admiration, he muttered a few words and then looked in the direction of the creaking sound of something tied to the pole. It was a boy with blond hair and gray eyes lying leisurely reading a book on a hammock.

Someone took a bite of an apple and groaned because it was so sour, making the captain look over at him, who looked like a middle-aged man wearing a green suit and holding a green apple in his hand. He put his feet up on the table and grimaced. "This is one sour apple."

"I see. There are a few tough nuts on board." The captain revealed an interested look and smirked like he had just found treasure in the middle of a swamp.

There was a sailor running fast and holding a glass of water in his hand, almost hitting the Captain but luckily he dodged even though he still didn't understand what happened. It was the sailor who was bullied by his companion earlier, he enthusiastically held the glass of water and gave it to Gon. "Here is your water!"

"Thanks!" Gon gratefully thanked the sailor and took the glass of water from his hand to give to the seasick man to drink. "Now drink your fill"

Even though the sailor ran fast and almost made the Captain fall, he was not angry, on the contrary, he was impressed. Unexpectedly, there was one person in the crew who did not get seasick or anything after that big storm raged. That made him look at the skinny sailor in a different light than he had at first.

"Thanks! I really appreciate it, Katsuo-san." Gon cheers and thanks the sailor again as he returns the glass to him.

"Hey Gon, I have something to tell you." After a long moment of hesitation in her mind, Misha finally decided to tell Gon a secret.

"Sure! What is it?"

...

"First, tell me your names." After quite an interesting turn of events, the Captain of the ship himself invited the four people who had not had the slightest bit of seasickness after the raging storm to the wheelhouse.

"I'm Gon!" The boy with spiky dark blue hair excitedly raised his hand to answer the captain's question first.

"I'm Kurapika." The person standing next to Gon with blond hair and wearing a strange cloak answered the question after Gon.

"It's Leorio." said the person wearing a dark blue suit with black hair, he looked more gruff and cool than when he was eating the apple on the guest deck. Finally it was Misha's turn, who always had an expressionless face and his eyes were almost always dull and unfocused, like they had vision problems even though they didn't.

"Misha" Misha says their names quickly, briefly but to the point.

"Why do you want to become Hunters?"The Captain asked but Leorio quickly interrupted him.

"Hey! If you're not an examiner, you can't boss us around!"

"Jusst answer the question!" The Captain spoke loudly back to Leorio, the situation was tense so Gon once again spoke up to answer the captain first.

"My dad is a Hunter. I left Whale Island because I want to know why my dad desired so much to be a Hunter." said Gon.

"Whale Island...."From surprise to doubt when Gon mentioned Whale Island, when he was sure he had seen Gon's eyes somewhere before. It turned out he was the son of a legend. "So this is Ging's son. The day has finally come."

"Hey, kid!" The candidate in the suit standing next to Gon called out to him. "You're not supposed to answer hisquesstion!"

"Why can't I tell him why I'm here?"

"Not a team player, huh? I don't wish to reveal why I'm here." Leorio responded, he used his index finger to point at Gon's forehead and pushed his head up.

"I agree with Leorio." Kurapika closed his eyes and crossed his arms, he spoke slowly.

"What? Aren't you younger than I am. Show some respect!"

"It's quite simple to avoid pesky questions." said Kurapika, "by offering a plausible lie."

"Hey! Are you listening to me?"

"To put that simple, you guys just some foolish amateurs."

Misha tilted their heads and replied with sarcasm made Leorio stutter for words to reply to the insult and Kurapika frowned in annoyed. They stepped closer to the Captain and looked him up and down like they were sizing up a prey which made the Captain break out in a cold sweat. The corners of Misha's mouth curled up slightly as they saw the Captain's slightly wary expression. They backed away to continue keeping their distance and voiced their opinions.

"Let me guess.... A Captain with a generous and kind heart, but with the sharp and wise eyes of a professional... Perhaps you were hired to trim down the number of Hunter Exam participants before they reach the exam site...."

"The eyes of someone with bloody hands, a wise mind that knows how to play dumb when needed, and a sly personality despite being just a little girl. This kid...." The Captain's stern expression returned Misha's predatory gaze, showing that he was serious about this. Even so, he still didn't think that there would be someone so young yet so delicate and good at acting, this little kid was more terrifying than he thought.

"So they've been watching me since she got on the ship?"

"The captain can pass or fail us depending on our response. Is that enough reason for you to answer, Leorio and Kurapika?" Misha paused and turned back to face the Captain. They were now back to their dull eyes and tired expressions as they returned to the line, next to Leorio. But also did not forget to let out a mocking sentence for Leorio.

"I wanted to become a Hunter for the money. I come from a village that is located between two warring countries, so food and herbs are scarce."

Misha replied with an emotionless face but their eyes were filled with sadness as they looked down at the ground, remembering the scenes of war that their village was caught up in. Then they looked up and saw with determined looks on their faces. "I don't have a family anymore so money is what I need the most, it can buy almost everything. To hunt bad guys and have a better life."

"A kid whose hands were covered in blood because of war and had a more mature personality than normal people. They want to be a Blacklist Hunter...?" The Captain thought for a moment before he decide his decision.

" Alright.... In other words, the other two except Gon and Misha refused to answer my question." said the Captain, he let out a little sigh. "Hey, Katsuo."

"Aye, Captain."

"The examination board that we have two more dropouts." The Captain's words left Kurapika and Leorio both surprised and confused because they didn't understand anything.

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Didn't that kid just explain? The Hunter Examination has already begun."said the Captain.

"What?"

"There are as many Hunter wannabes as there are stars in the sky. The examiners don't have the time or resources to review them all. So they hire people like us, to trim the fat." said Captain.

"I've already notified the board that everyone else on this ship had to withdraw." He continued explaining to the two disgruntled people while Misha just kept looking outside at the dark sky that was still stormy. "If they couldn't handle a little storm, they'd stand no chance in the Hunter Exaxamination's later stages."

"In other words, you only procced to the main exam if I pass you. So think carefully before you answer my question."

Gon turned to look at Misha when their eyes met, Misha winked at Gon as if to say "I told you". Since boarding the ship, Misha had noticed only the Captain, he always observed every passenger on the ship carefully like a chef selecting ingredients. As well as his disappointed expression when seeing others suffering from severe seasickness.

"I am the last survivor of the Kurta Clan." Kurapika began to tell his story, successfully attracting the attention of the others as he mentioned the Kurta Clan. A clan that lived in the forest with the fearsome Scarlet Eyes that had fallen from grace four years ago, the rumors had indeed spread far and wide.

"Four years ago, my clan was annihilated by a band of criminals. I wish to become a Hunter and hunt down that band, the Phantom Troupe."

"So you want to become a Bounty Hunter?" The Captain said with a hint of surprise in his voice but then he also sighed as he was satisfied with Kurapika's answer. "The Phantom Troupe is a Class-A bounty."

"Not even the most grizzled Hunters can touch them." The captain spoke with the profound and wise look of an elder when he heard Kurapika wanted to avenge his family. Children these days are really... pitiful. "You'd be throwing away your life."

"I do not fear death. I fear only that my rage will fade over time." Kurapika said with determination as he looked up at the Captain, his eyes turning red as he decided that was his final choice.

"So, in other words, you want revenge. Does that require that you become a Hunter?" Leorio said with a smug look on his face as he acted all high and mighty despite his lack of knowledge of the Hunter Association's rules causing Misha rolled their eyes in annoying.

"That may be the stupidest question I've ever heard, Leorio." said Kurapika.

"That's Leorio-san to you!"

"Places accessible only to Hunters... Information otherwise unobtainable... Actions otherwise impossible... These are more reasons than your brain possibly handle." Kurapika explained in the shortest way possible to Leorio by using subtle and polite words to mock and insult him (in a gentlemanly way)

"Hey! Why do you want to become a Hunter, Leorio-san?" Before Leorio got angry and was about to rush into a life and death fight with Kurapika, Gon stopped him, asking Leorio a simple question with a curious and innocent expression.

"Me? I'll make it short. I want money." Leorio replied to Gon then he continued yap yap about things he could buy with money making the others listen to it to the point of getting a headache. "Money can get you everything! A big house! A nice car! Good liquor!"

"You can't buy class with money, Leorio."

"Teehee...." Misha chuckled quietly as she also didn't expect Kurapika to have such a sharp tongue.

"That's three times now. Step outside. I'll end the filthy Kurta bloodline, here and now." Leorio was a bit mad and annoyed so he insulted Kurapika which made Misha's eyes widen in surprise because they didn't think he had such a shitty-mouth. This sparks animosity between the two and they go out to the deck to duel.

"Take that back, Leorio!" Kurapika was also annoyed at Leorio's insult to his family. He told Leorio to stop with an angry and slightly apologetic face as he had gone too far with his joke. "Take that back!"

"That's Leorio-san to you." Leorio paused for a moment to look at Kurapika before he walked away from the wheelhouse.

"Hey, boys! I'm not finished yet." The captain was also helpless to stop the two of them as he only watched Leorio and Kurapika's backs leave one by one, leaving them to stare blankly at the remaining two.

"Just let them go." said Gon.

"Huh?"

"Mito-san once told me..."

"If you want to get to know someone, you need to make an effort to learn why they're angry."

"It's important for them to understand why they're mad." Gon responded cheerfully as he remembered his aunt's words when he was on Whale Island. "So we should let them settle it themselves."

"Captain! Look...." The sailor who was steering in place of the Captain suddenly shouted, breaking the stifling atmosphere as he pointed ahead. Where their ship was heading, a large waterspout was approaching.

"If we get caught by that waterspout, the ship will sink."

"Lower the sails now." said the Captain.

"Aye!"

"I'll help!" said Gon.

"Uh-huh, come with me." Gon pulled Misha to run after the skinny sailor even though Misha still didn't understand what was happening.

"The waterspout is gonna catch us!"The entire crew tried to pull the sails down against the force and gusts of the storm as they try to stabilize the ship. Meanwhile in a wide angle on the deck where Kurapika and Leorio are facing each other.

"Take back what you said! Take back your words, and I'll forgive you, Leorio." said Kurapika.

"How many times must I repeat myself? You should show me some respect." Leorio continued to be stubborn and refused to back down from Kurapika's words. Both of them had too much ego and pride to admit that they were both at fault. Leorio pulled out a folding knife from his pocket and got into a fighting stance. "I won't back down."

"Then I have no choice." Kurapika sighed and pulled out a pair of wooden swords with bandaged hilts from under his cloak, preparing to attack.

The gusts of wind from the storm combined with the slippery rainwater on the deck caused everyone in the crew to slip due to inertia and lose the rope towing the sail. The skinny sailor was the only one who was pulled by the rope and flew with it, clinging to the rope like a lifeline.

"Katsuo-san!" Gon screamed as he was dragged away, his hand slipped and he was thrown far away and almost flew off the boat, startling Kurapika and Leorio, both of them acting on instinct. Running out and desperately trying to reach out and grab the skinny sailor's hand.

But unfortunately, they were unable to catch the sailor, at the end Gon jumped off the boat just to grab Katsuo, at the same time Misha was also dragged along because the rope was wrapped around their legs and Gon's legs somehow. Kurapika and Leorio also grabbed Misha's two hands tightly to keep them from drifting away.

"This is the worst day of my life." Misha grumbled as they could feel their prosthetic arms almost breaking from being pulled too hard and somehow the rope wrapped tightly around their legs and Gon, saving Misha, Gon and the other sailor by a miracle.

"Pull 'em out! Now..."

Kurapika and Leorio tried to use their strength to pull Misha up and let them hold onto the edge of the ship, while Gon held onto the sailor tightly so as not to fall him. The ship had now successfully turned to another direction to avoid the waterspout coming towards them.

"You idiot! If we hadn't grabbed Misha's arms, you guys would be shark bait now." The storm also started to clear up to reveal a clear blue sky with clouds and moon drifting lazily in the sky, now Gon and Misha became the victims of scolding, even though they were the one unlucky enough to be caught up in the accident. Misha grumbled using a towel to wipe their body and head as they could feel the seawater corroding the iron parts on their limbs.

"Honestly.... How reckless can you be?"

"But you guys did catch us."

"Well, I guess so." said dumbfouded Leorio.

"Gon! Misha!" The skinny sailor ran over to where they were talking with a better complexion than when they pulled him out of the sea, thanks to some herbs from Misha he regained consciousness faster.

"Katsuo-san!"

"Thank you! You guys saved my life." said Katsuo.

"I couldn't have done it alone. These three helped save you."

"Thank you very much!" Katsuo bowed his head in sincere thanks to the other three.

"Hmph! Just an accident..." Kurapika and Leorio were surprised while Misha was still hesitating between accepting the thanks or ignoring it, they replied and turned their faces away to continue wiping the parts on their limbs. They were confused and didn't know how to respond more so they kept quiet and distanced themselves from everyone.

"No, you don't need to thank me." said Kurapika.

"Well... Yeah, I'm glad you're okay." Leorio when being thanked by others is like a child being given candy with flowers floating around him.

"Yeah! So I'lle be returning to my station!"

"What?" The skinny sailor quickly returned to his work on the boat. Kurapika and Leorio's eyes met, Kurapika just chuckled at Leorio's childish expression when he was thanked.

"I apologize for my rude behavior. Sorry, Leorio-san." Kurapika did not hesitate to apologize to Leorio first with sincerity.

"What's with the sudden change? We sound like strangers." Leorio was surprised that Kurapika decided to apologize to him first, making Leorio embarrassed and flustered. He turned his head away to avoid the sincere gaze that softened him and made him no longer angry. He waved his hand and replied. "Just call me Leorio.... Leorio works."

"I'm also sorry. I take back everything I said. I was wrong" said Leorio.

"No, it's okay."

"Hey, I'm... sorry. I'm usually straightforward so don't take those sarcasm too seriously, I'm just telling the truth...." Misha hesitated for a long moment as they decided to extend their hands to shake hands with Kurapika and Leorio. Their cheeks turned a little red as they frowned making Leorio laugh and Kurapika sigh at Misha's embarrassment. "The truth is hard to accept.... So I'm really, really sorry again...."

"Hah, so you feel guilty too! But it's okay being honest is a good thing." Leorio laughed and then shook Misha's hand in a friendly manner.

"Ghahahahaha" The Captain, having witnessed the whole touching scene, burst out laughing heartily. "I like you guys! Okay! I'll take responsibility for bringing you guys three to the port closest to the exam site."

"Really? What about your test?"

"Like I said.... It's my decision to make. And all four of you pass!" said the Captain, his decision made everyone in the group happy that they have passed it.

And so began Misha's journey.... With help from their new friends that shine their dark life and become a Hunter.