The figure looked similar to the picture I saw back at Gon's house. Flower petals fell down everywhere, making the scenery look more lively. I wondered if we had found the man we were looking for after a long time traveling together.

"G-Ging?" Gon muttered, taking a step forward towards the figure. The crunching noise attracted their attention, and they turned around. They rushed forward and unexpectedly knocked down all of us.

A miniature clown popped up and started talking, much to my surprise.

"There is a roulette in my mouth containing the numbers one through nine. For each number on the wheel, you get a different weapon. I am the great mad clown, Crazy Slots! Hope you get something good!" It opened its mouth and rolled the wheel, landing on the number four. Then it turned into a gun.

"Damn. Bad roll." They grumbled. I could tell he was a guy from his voice.

"Shut up! That's what you get, and you idiot should be grateful!" The clown snapped.

The guy pointed his gun at the boys, and before he opened fire, Killua dived in to push Gon out of the way to avoid getting shot. Then he started firing at me, and I ran away in time and hid behind Lynn.

As soon as he stopped shooting, he stepped up to us. I quivered with fear at his intimidating figure.

"Are you kids okay?" The guy asked, his voice rough.

I peered at him moving toward us, wondering if he really was Ging. He took off his cloak and revealed himself as a man with long white hair wearing a blue peaked cap. We gasped and widened our eyes.

"That's not Ging." Gon spoke up, and the rest of us turned to him.

"Huh? He's not?" I questioned and focused my attention back to the man.

"What the hell was that for? Are you trying to kill us or something?" Lynn yelled at him.

"Yeah! Stop messing around!" Killua snapped.

"Messing around? It's the other way around. If I hadn't opened fire, the four of you would have been attacked." He stated.

"By what? That stupid ant you shot?"

"Huh?" I glanced at the ground to find dozens of dead ants. The head on one of them jumped onto Killua's leg and climbed up on it. I cringed and shuddered with disgust.

"What is this?" The silver-haired boy tried to pick it up.

"You fool!" The man yelled, knocking him down. He took off his cap and smacked it away from his knee. He grabbed his gun and got rid of it by shooting it.

"That was no ordinary ant. It's a Chimera Ant." He stated.

"A Chimera Ant?" Lynn repeated.

"An extremely dangerous insect that's both aggressive and carnivorous and that's been designated quarantine level one. They often attack humans. You kids didn't realize it, but you were standing in front of their nest. If I hadn't intervened, a whole army of Chimera Ants would have consumed all of you by now." He explained, and Gon and I gasped.

"I feel like this has happened before." Gon muttered, and the man sighed. He went over to Killua and bent down to his level.

"Calm down. It's not very serious. Use this antiseptic." He gave him a bottle, and I gasped again.

"Huh? You mean that's it? Come on, toughen up!" The clown commented.

"Just shut up and go away already." He said, and it disappeared. Then he stood up and faced us.

"You four should leave as well. Damn it. Now I have to start all over. Well, at least the nest was destroyed." He turned around and started walking away. "Damn it. Now I've got this pointless kill to my credit."

What he just said made Gon gasp in realization. The rest of us turned to him, including the man. He placed a hand on his cheek and stared at the white-haired man in awe.

"You're...you're the one who saved me when I was younger, right?" Gon asked.

"When?"

"I ran into a foxbear with her cub in a forest on Whale Island."

"Whale Island?"

"Remember? You said you had a pointless kill to your credit because of what I did."

The man seemed lost in thought for a moment. Did he really know him? Was it a coincidence for him to meet him again?

"Oh, yeah. I remember. I never expected you to run into me again. You sure have grown up, Gon." He grinned.

The boy gasped. "How do you know my name?"

"I heard it from Ging."

"What?" Killua spoke up.

"So you do know him, old man."

"Huh?" He sighed. "I do. My name is Kite. Ging was actually my master."

We all gasped.

"He what?!" I exclaimed, shocked from hearing that fact.

After setting up a campfire, we each took a seat around it, and Kite began talking.

"So the four of you are Pro Hunters, isn't that right?" He asked.

"Yeah. And you, sir?" Gon replied.

"Please just call me Kite. There's no need to be so formal."

"Okay. So, are you a Pro Hunter too, Kite?"

"Indeed I am. Your dad made me a first-class Hunter. He was my teacher and benefactor. Had I not met him, I'd be dead now, probably rotting in a back alley of a slum."

Kite explained his backstory of being a thief in a town, stealing a loaf of bread from a market with the help of some animals. He told us that he met Ging in the sewers where his hideout used to be. To be honest, I felt a little bad for him for living that kind of life.

"That's it? That's how you met Ging?" Gon asked.

"Yeah. He told me once that every Hunter is well liked by animals, and he also told me I had potential, so that provoked my interest."

"You were his student?" Killua asked.

"I forced him to train me once. He's not very fond of anything stressful, so I was never his official student. But I can be quite stubborn sometimes, so I kept on bugging him 'til he backed down. I started to develop my Nen a little while after that, and he started teaching me how to hunt." He explained as he gave each of us a fish on a stick.

"Therefore, I passed the Hunter Exam with ease. But Master Ging still wasn't satisfied. There was one more hurdle I had to clear. Can you guess what it was?"

I chewed on my fish and enjoyed the great taste as I listened to the discussion.

"I think I might know." Gon spoke up.

"Yeah?"

"No, I definitely know. Knowing Ging, he probably told you to try and catch him if you can."

Kite smiled and chuckled. "That's exactly right."

"I knew it! I thought that was it."

"As far as I know, Ging was the greatest Hunter in the entire world. The hunt would be long and very difficult for me. There was nothing for me to begin with. Not only that, but there were no rumors of his whereabouts or sightings of him either. It seemed like he completely erased his existence."

"Oh, wow. I guess Ging doesn't like to show up anywhere at all. It's just like I thought. He's really shy." I commented, taking another bite of my fish.

"And then what? What happened next?" Gon asked.

"I was struggling, grasping on to any clue that could help me find him, so I went to his hometown, Whale Island. And that's when we first met each other, Gon." Kite continued explaining, and Gon gasped.

"I had no idea you were Ging's son until I had finally found him. I told him what happened on Whale Island, and he thanked me for clobbering you. It didn't surprise him that I went to Whale Island and found you there. It was almost as if he'd expected it. Looking back at it now, I think everything that's happened has gone according to Ging's plan."

"Wait. Are you saying that he set all this up?" Lynn asked.

"Well, there's no way for me to prove it." Kite replied.

"You may be right." Gon spoke up, and we turned our heads to him.

"Huh?" Killua said.

"Razor was there waiting for me, as well as Dwun and List."

"Razor, Dwun, and List?"

"Yeah. It was in a game called, 'Greed Island,' but it's kind of a long story. My friends and I went inside the game, and Razor was waiting for me. Ging told him to." Gon explained.

I grabbed another fish on a stick and blew on it to cool it down. I took a bite and it tasted so good. Gon continued to talk about the game with Kite.

"Ging created Greed Island with ten of his close friends. Dwun and List were two of 'em. Oh! And Razor was one of Ging's friends. Also, there's this man named Seth Azrelt, who was also one of Ging's friends and Lizzy and Lynn's father. He was killed in a murder two years after the game was released."

"Oh, I heard about that from Ging. I know very little about the Blacklist Hunter. All that your old man told me was that one day, his son will meet both of Seth's children and plan to be engaged with one of them in the future. He didn't show any feelings when one of his closest friends died. I believe they were inseparable back then. And Ging believed that it will be the same with you and the person you choose." Kite explained, making me gasp in realization.

Did my dad really agree to have Ging's son marry me or Lynn someday? Was it for the purpose of improving our lives as Pro Hunters? I can't believe it. Ging did set up all this.

I stared at Gon with the intense feeling I had when I first met him. Kite noticed this and smiled genuinely.

"I see you have found your partner." He said to him, referring to me. Then he laid his eyes on me. "What's your name?"

"Oh, uh—I'm Lizzy. Lizzy Azrelt." I answered, feeling a bit flustered.

"Well, it's very nice to meet you, Lizzy."

"I hope I can find Ging with my sister Lynn and my friend Killua. It's been a long adventure and we still haven't found him yet." I sheepishly rubbed the back of my head, and Kite chuckled.

"Anyway, back to the game. Those three were all there, just waiting for me. When I learned that, I realized something." Gon continued to explain. "If that was Ging's plan for me to go there and meet his friends, then I wonder if meeting people like Bisky and everyone else...Well, that might have been part of his plan, too, right?"

"If that's really the case, then it's also possible that Ging wanted you to meet Kite here, and he helped make it happen." Killua claimed.

"Think so? Oh yeah! You spent some time on Greed Island at some point, haven't you?" Gon asked.

"Me?" Kite said.

"Yeah. Did you use the name Nigg when you went there?"

"Nigg? I don't remember that name. Wait. Now that you mention it, I do remember Ging taking me inside a game a while back."

"I knew it!" Gon exclaimed.

"'Greed Island.' I think that's what it's called. But I can't remember if I used an alias."

"That's gotta be it! Ging must have had you go under the name of Nigg back then! Damn it! He got me good!" He groaned in frustration.

"And you were convinced you'd meet him." Killua replied, laughing.

"That smart-ass. Always being the stubborn one." Lynn rested her face on her palm, her eyes downcast.

"Yeah. No kidding." I pouted, expressing my disappointment.

"I see. So the real reason that 'Greed Island' was created was so that you kids can grow stronger." Kite concluded after we explained to him about the game.

"It's not for all of us. Just Gon." Lynn shook her head.

"We've been tagging along with him ever since the beginning." I added.

"But that might have been part of Ging's plan, too, don't you think?" Gon asked.

"Even the rest of us? Impossible." Killua scoffed.

"But it appears that all of us meeting here was no mere coincidence." Kite stated.

"Yeah. I agree. There's gotta be a deeper meaning to all this."

"Like what?" Gon asked.

"Like when Razor was waiting inside the game so that he can help you get stronger. If that's the case, then it would make sense that Ging has a role for Kite to play."

"A role, huh?" The white-haired man spoke.

"Your final task was to find Ging, right?" Killua asked.

"Yeah."

"That sounds like a daunting task. The best Hunters in the world are masters of hunting, but they're also masters of concealing their presences, yet you still found him."

"I think so, too." Gon replied.

"Once your final test was completed, Ging must have made his choice. You were worthy of handling this."

"'Handling this?' What do you mean?" Gon asked.

"Oh, come on. Do you want me to walk you through it? Basically..."

As Killua explained how it worked, I noticed Kite getting lost in thought for a moment. Then he looked up to face Gon.

"Gon." He spoke up, and the boy hummed in response.

"Want me to tell you where Ging is right now?" He asked, and I widened my eyes. I definitely wanted to know, and this was our one chance to find out the answer.

I turned to Gon, waiting for an answer. He only smiled and shook his head.

"No thanks. I'll find him myself." He replied, and I frowned.

"That's a good answer." Kite remarked.

I knew I couldn't change his answer, but that was how he wanted it to be. I shook my doubts aside and gave him a gentle and innocent smile.

"So anyway, tell me more about Ging. I wanna hear every story you've got about him!" The boy exclaimed, and Kite smiled.

"You're kidding. How to help two-headed wolves with breeding? Ging's really involved in that kind of stuff, too?" Gon asked him after Kite told him one of his stories about Ging.

"Of course he is. Ging is involved with a variety of Hunter activities. He can qualify to become a Triple-Star Hunter, but he doesn't want to spend the time or energy." Kite stated.

"Triple-Star?" I said, confused.

"Stars are given to Hunters who perform extraordinary tasks. Some Hunters are awarded three stars if they are responsible for historical discoveries or global achievements. There are fewer than ten Triple-Star Hunters in the world. The title 'Triple-Star Hunter' is reserved for the very best." He explained.

"Wow. So Ging is as good as the best Hunters in the world? Awesome!" Gon beamed.

"So, what about my dad? How many stars did he get?" I asked.

"Hmm...I believe he was a Single-Star Hunter. I don't know anything else though." Kite replied.

"Do you know anything about my mother, Erina Azrelt?" Lynn asked him.

"No, I'm afraid not." He lowered his head down and closed his eyes.

So Kite has earned Ging's respect, huh? My dad was one of Ging's friends who helped create Greed Island, and they were the best of friends. And also, I still can't believe that he agreed to have Ging set up the relationship between me and Gon. I naturally developed feelings towards him when I first met him. Did Ging really believe that his son and I will feel the same way towards each other?

"What else did Ging do?" Gon asked.

"He discovered the Lurka Ruins as well as the Kongo Gold Vein." Kite stated.

"Oh, I've heard of the Lurka Ruins!" He exclaimed.

Kite told us some more stories about Ging and his life. I eagerly listened to all of them before moving to a tree to sleep.

The next morning, I woke up and drank some tea and ate some more fish. We began to have another conversation with Kite.

"Hey Kite, what do you work on?" Gon asked.

"I do biological surveys. It is my goal to discover and research new species." The man replied. "Have you heard of the Camp Tiger?"

"Camp Tiger?" I tilted my head in confusion.

"I don't think so." Lynn shook her head.

"Can't say that I have." Killua said.

He took out his computer and began typing. "They know how to start fires. They use tree branches that were ignited by lightning as kindling. Other than certain two-legged Magical Beasts, they're the first of their kind, a wild animal that prefers cooked meat over raw meat." He stated.

We watched as the Magical Beasts cooked their food over a fire using their horns. I beamed and chuckled.

"Check it out! They're actually cooking it!" Killua grinned.

"They do know how to use fire!" Gon exclaimed.

"Awesome!" I commented.

"What intelligent creatures." Lynn added.

"So what else is there?" Gon asked.

"Oh, I almost forgot." Killua spoke up, and we turned to him. "That thing that attacked me was a Chimera Ant, right?"

"Yes, the Chimera Ant. It's under a designated quarantine, level one. It's an extremely dangerous insect that no one can get near them." Kite stated.

"Did you discover them, Kite?" Gon asked.

"No. I only specialize in larger species, but I'm currently investigating these insects." He turned to the anthill to his right, his expression looking serious. "There's something bothering me lately. Looking at the setting, I'll have to move to a different location. I need to make a phone call, but there's no signal here."

"A phone call?" Gon asked.

"I'm working with others. There are seven others in my team. I guess I'll just wait for them to get here. They're Amateur Hunters, but they have the potential to be Pro Hunters. I'll introduce you to them." He smiled.

I noticed four people walking toward us, and I leaned to the side to see them.

"Hey there!" The man with a koala-like face called out to him.

"Well, speak of the devil." Kite stood up and turned to them, as well as the rest of us.

"Hey Kite, who are they?" The woman with magenta hair asked, chewing gum.

"They are my new friends. They stopped by for a visit on their travels." He replied.

"How nice of them to come here. My name is Spinner Clow, but you can call me Spin. Pleasure to meet you." The woman introduced herself.

"Hello! I'm Gon Freecss! Nice to meet you Spin." He shook her hand, and the bubble on her mouth popped.

"Wait. Freecss? Does that mean that you're—" She was interrupted by Kite.

"Yep. He's Ging's son." He stated, and they were perplexed.

"Seriously?" The woman with short hair and the man with a koala-like face exclaimed in unison.

"What about you three? Are you Ging's kids, too?" The guy with an afro pointed at Killua, then Lynn and I.

"No. Just Gon. I'm Killua Zoldyck." Killua introduced himself, and they were taken aback.

"Z-Zoldyck?" The guy exclaimed.

"Please don't take this seriously, but aren't you a part of the famous family of assassins?" The woman with short hair asked nervously.

"Yeah, but I quit the business." He casually replied.

"I'm Lizzy Azrelt, and this is my sister Lynn right here!" I introduced myself and my sister, and like I expected, they were greatly surprised.

"Azrelt? You two are the daughters of those famous Hunters who were murdered about eight or nine years ago?" The man with a koala-like face asked.

"Yeah. My sister and I avenged their death, and now we're helping them find Ging." I stated.

"Oh, I see."

"That's not all. They're all Pro Hunters, so that makes them your seniors." Kite added.

"Oh, wow!" They all breathed in wonder.

All of us sat down on the ground and they began talking about Kite's job as a biological surveyor.

"We've spent three years conducting biological surveys with Kite, and this is the most incredible organism we've ever seen!" Spin remarked.

The large man laughed. "You got that right! Anyway, let me introduce myself. I am Monta Yuras, but you can just call me Mon."

"It's nice to meet you, Mon." I smiled.

"And I'm Stick Dinner! I'm in charge of dinner, just like my last name says!" The guy with the afro laughed, and Gon and I followed along.

"Nice to meet you, Stick." Gon said.

"That means I'm last. I'm Banana Kavaro. Nice to meet you." The woman with short hair introduced herself.

A dog jumped out of her backpack and licked Gon's face. I petted its back, smiling innocently.

"Podungo and Lin complete the team. Where are they now?" Kite asked.