The salty breeze of the sea brushed against Noah's face as he stood at the edge of Whale Island's small dock.
The morning sun glittered off the water, and a worn but sturdy ship bobbed gently in the harbor, waiting for its passengers.
Beside him, Gon was practically vibrating with excitement.
"This is it!" Gon shouted, fists clenched. "The first step to becoming a Hunter!"
Noah said nothing, just stared out over the endless blue.
In his old life, he had never cared about journeys or dreams.
Now...
maybe this world was giving him a second chance.
He pulled his cloak tighter around himself as he stepped onto the ship.
---
Aboard the Ship
The deck creaked underfoot as the ship pulled away from the island.
Gon leaned on the railings, waving until Whale Island was just a speck on the horizon.
Noah leaned in the shadow of the mast, arms crossed.
He sensed it instantly:
The captain, an old man with a grizzled beard, had a strong aura — not Nen, but the heavy weight of experience.
The crew too — seasoned, not easily shaken.
Good.
It meant this trip wouldn't be boring.
Soon, Gon wasn't the only one on board.
Two other figures appeared — both young men like Noah.
The first had blonde hair and sharp, serious eyes.
He wore formal clothes, like a noble.
The second was taller, with messy brown hair, a casual suit, and a cocky smile.
A cigarette dangled from his lips.
Noah narrowed his eyes slightly.
Kurapika and Leorio.
He remembered them from the story.
Both important — both strong in their own ways.
The two newcomers eyed Noah curiously but said nothing yet.
Gon, being Gon, ran up immediately.
"Hi! I'm Gon! What's your name?"
The blonde one nodded politely.
"Kurapika."
The tall one waved lazily.
"Leorio."
Gon beamed. "This is Noah!" he added, dragging Noah into the conversation.
Noah gave a small nod, his face calm and unreadable.
Kurapika's sharp eyes lingered on him for a second longer than normal —
He feels dangerous.
But he said nothing.
---
The Storm
That night, a storm hit.
Waves crashed against the ship.
The winds howled like beasts.
Most of the passengers were sick, clinging to anything they could grab.
Even Leorio looked green.
But three figures stood tall on the deck.
Gon, laughing against the wind.
Kurapika, calm and steady.
And Noah — unmoving, his cloak whipping around him like a flag.
The captain watched them, stroking his beard.
These three... maybe four, he thought, glancing at Noah,
they're different. They've got the spirit of real Hunters.
Suddenly, a shout cut through the storm.
"Man overboard!"
A crewman had been tossed into the raging sea.
Without hesitation, Gon and Noah moved.
Gon leapt onto the railings, preparing to dive in.
Noah reached him in a flash, grabbing the back of his shirt.
Gon twisted, confused — but Noah just pointed.
"No need," he said calmly.
A flash of lightning lit up the sky.
And there, standing calmly on top of the waves,
was Noah.
His chakra subtly flowed under his feet — a trick borrowed from another world — letting him walk across the stormy sea.
The crew gasped.
Noah bent down, grabbed the drowning man effortlessly,
and with a simple leap —
landed back on deck, barely making a sound.
The crew surrounded him, shouting thanks.
The captain simply nodded, a knowing gleam in his eye.
Gon's eyes sparkled with admiration.
"You're amazing, Noah!"
Noah shrugged slightly, hiding the faint flicker of pride in his chest.
Maybe... this world won't be so lonely after all.