Hunter x Hunter : Germain Joins The Hunt

October 5th.

The sky over "Greed Island" was gray and misty. Under the manipulation of the "Game Master," it had just been cleansed by a rainstorm, leaving the visible vegetation glowing a vibrant green.

The rhythmic whir of helicopter blades grew louder, approaching from a distance.

A bullet-shaped airship descended from the clouds. Lacking any advertisements or organizational insignias, it was encased in a plain white shell, looking utterly unremarkable.

However, this airship carried a highly esteemed elder from the "Hunter Association," which made it extraordinary.

Almost all of the current "Greed Island Game Masters" gathered on a vast, endless grassland to welcome its arrival.

Even Dwun and List, who had been overwhelmed with work due to the recent "Greed Island version update," were present.

The airship grew larger in everyone's view, and the breeze stirred by the propellers carried the fresh scent of grass to their noses.

It landed steadily, without a single hitch.

The propellers slowly came to a stop.

After a moment, with a soft hissing sound, the airship's cabin door opened. A metal gangway was lowered, creating a path for disembarkation.

Germain and his team stepped forward, waiting silently.

For a long five minutes, no one emerged from the airship until the sound of cautious, protective voices broke the silence.

"Please be careful, there's a raised edge here."

"Mind your head, watch your head."

"The stairs ahead slope downward—take it slow. There's no rush."

Germain and his team could see that, surrounded and supported by Bisky, Menchi, Buhara, and a group of strangers, a hunched old lady finally appeared at the cabin door.

The elderly woman had silver hair, sparse strands, and always squinted her eyes, giving her a half-asleep, half-awake appearance. Her face was covered in wrinkles.

She was Linne Horsdoeuvre, a "Two-Star Hunter" and "The Greatest Gourmet Hunter in History" within the Hunter Association, second only to Chairman Isaac Netero in seniority.

Additionally, a little-known fact is that Linne once accompanied Chairman Netero to the Dark Continent.

The other companion on that journey was Zigg Zoldyck — the father of Zeno and the grandfather of Silva.

This alone speaks to her legendary status, which should not be underestimated.

Even without this part of her history, Linne's other great achievements and undeniable experience have firmly established her revered position within the Hunter Association.

Some may secretly look down on her, seeing her as just a useless, quiet old woman. But on the surface, no one would dare to disrespect her.

With the support of Bisky and Menchi, Linne slowly descended the gangplank step by step. No one minded her pace.

Except for Germain, every other "Professional Hunter" present had at least met the esteemed elderly lady once and knew her standing.

She squinted her eyes as if she were asleep, gently being assisted by Bisky and Menchi down the gangplank.

Behind them was Buhara, whose large body filled the entire gangplank. He looked like an inflated cushion.

In fact, he was ready to act as one.

If he noticed any signs that Linne might fall or face any other mishap, he would immediately throw himself to catch her, using his body to cushion her fall.

As long as Linne was unharmed, Buhara didn't mind looking a little messy.

Following behind Buhara were four strangers dressed in white lab coats, carrying briefcases, exuding a professional aura.

They were Linne's personal medical staff.

Chairman Netero's "small condition" was that Linne and the four medical staff members would represent him and move into the "Greed Island."

Bisky and Menchi helped Linne to walk in front of everyone. The crowd collectively greeted her as "Grandma Linne" or "Ms. Linne."

Linne stood still like a statue, without even lifting her eyelids. Her wrinkled mouth was turned down, and she didn't move an inch.

She didn't respond to anyone or speak, just letting Bisky and Menchi support her as she stood there.

The group stood quietly for several more minutes.

Shizuku couldn't help but lean closer to Germain and whispered, covering her mouth with her hand, "Why isn't she speaking? She... she's not dead, is she?"

She thought the worst, or rather, she didn't consider it the worst case.

"She's not dead." Germain had already looked beyond the outward appearance and had "seen" the essence. The suppressed Nen was still circulating.

"Is she asleep, then?"

"Maybe... It's said that Grandma Linne hasn't spoken for years. She probably has 'narcolepsy.'"

At that moment, Grandma Linne suddenly spoke.

"Who is Germain?"

Everyone was momentarily stunned, then turned to look at Germain, who had been whispering with Shizuku.

Bisky waved at Germain. "Come over here! What are you doing standing on the edge of the crowd? Grandma Linne wants to see you."

Germain walked forward, and the crowd made way for him.

He stood in front of the hunched and elderly Grandma Linne, slightly bowing his head, realizing just how small she seemed.

Grandma Linne shakily raised her hand and grabbed Germain's arm, gently stroking it.

She released her grip and then gently touched Germain's wrist, finally moving to his palm and fingers.

Throughout the process, her eyes remained closed, as if she were blind.

"Your battle-hardened composure is undeniable," Grandma Linne withdrew her hand. "Among your peers, you are undoubtedly at the top. However, how far you can go is uncertain."

Her voice was hoarse and deep, carrying a persuasive tone.

Germain blinked but remained unmoved.

Linne slowly raised her hand again, pointing to the three layers of wrinkles on her face.

"Germain, do you know what these wrinkles on my face represent?"

"I don't know."

Grandma Linne smiled lightly.

"They represent the countless lives I've personally buried, the ones I deemed worth recording. None of them reached where I am now. They were all strong opponents from my time."

"Many of them had better talent and strength than I did, but in the end, they all died, and only I survived, still alive."

"Everyone has their own strengths, but they all died at my hands in different ways. I never confined myself to defeating them through direct confrontation..."

"If you don't want to become the next one, you need to listen to me carefully. This is my advice to you. Can you promise me that?"

Germain remained unmoved.

However, as soon as Grandma Linne's threatening words were spoken, the atmosphere in the room became tense.

At this moment, Menchi suddenly interjected:

"Grandma Linne, here you go again. You're not that ruthless of a person!"

She supported Grandma Linne, then turned to explain to the others:

"Grandma Linne achieved the dominant title of consecutive champions in the 'World Culinary Competition.' Before she retired, no one could defeat her."

Menchi was a 'Gourmet Hunter.' It could be said that Grandma Linne was the person she admired when she entered this field, and she was naturally very aware of this.

Everyone was stunned upon hearing this.

"Poof." Grandma Linne suddenly let out a laugh and covered her mouth. "Oh ho ho, did I scare you all? Did I scare you?"

"Don't worry... I'm over a hundred years old, how could I do something like that... Hehehe, I'm just an old useless lady who retired from the 'Hunter Association' and was re-hired here."

"Hehehe, I was just joking earlier. From now on, everything will be up to you. I'm just a 'consultant' in name, really just holding a title and getting some salary..."

Grandma Linne smiled sweetly, showing her kind and approachable side.

Everyone could only awkwardly laugh along.

Amidst the laughter, Grandma Linne slightly opened her eyelids and glanced at Germain, then closed them again.

This Germain...

So calm, like a machine, showing no reaction to anything I said. However, as soon as I gathered my Nen, he mirrored the action, concentrating his Nen as well...

A brat with no sense of respect for the elderly? 

His posture suggested that he truly didn't care whether I was an old lady or not. If he made a move, he would go all out...

Netero, Bisky, you two really gave me a big headache with this student of yours. Hehehe...

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