Hunter X Hunter, Reborn as a Kuruta Tribesmen

In the forest, Kite sat by a crackling fire, listening to the gentle rustle of the leaves. He cast a glance at the fox-bear cub snoozing nearby.

"That little one has some real potential," he thought to himself.

As Kite mused, a sudden presence pricked his senses. He stood up in an instant, his hand gripping the knife at his waist. His eyes scanned the shadows, searching for the source of the strange aura.

The fox-bear cub stirred briefly, blinking at Kite in confusion before curling up again, unfazed.

Kite moved cautiously, his instincts on high alert. Was he mistaken? Or was someone truly there?

Suddenly, by the fire, a small hand reached out to stroke the fox-bear cub's fur. The creature didn't resist; instead, it nuzzled closer.

A soft voice broke the silence. "Were you looking for me?"

Kite spun around, his blade flashing in the firelight. His gaze landed on a child cradling the fox-bear cub.

"A kid?" he muttered, his grip on the knife tightening.

The boy seemed calm, holding the cub as if they were old friends. The creature showed no fear, resting comfortably in his arms.

"Who are you?" Kite asked sharply.

Placing the cub down gently, Rocky let it scurry back to the fire. He then turned to Kite, his tone steady. "I'm looking for Ging."

The name immediately deepened Kite's suspicions. Many sought Ging, but few had noble intentions.

"I'm not Ging," Kite replied cautiously.

"I know," Rocky said, meeting his gaze. "You're Kite, Ging's apprentice."

Hearing this, Kite's wariness only grew. Few people knew his connection to Ging.

Rocky raised his hands slightly, signaling peace. "Relax. If I were your enemy, you wouldn't be standing here right now."

Before Kite could react, a shimmering blade materialized beside him—a weapon seemingly forged of pure light.

"What the…?" he whispered, his eyes widening.

The sword hovered, its presence imposing yet controlled. Kite instinctively stepped back, realizing how easily it had appeared without his noticing.

"Conjurer?" he guessed, eyeing the blade.

Rocky smirked and, with a snap of his fingers, the sword shattered into glowing fragments before vanishing.

"See?" he said casually. "I'm not here to fight."

Kite's shock turned to curiosity. This child was no ordinary boy. His Nen abilities were advanced, far beyond what Kite expected from someone his age.

"Who are you?" Kite demanded. "And why are you looking for Ging?"

Rocky took a seat by the fire, motioning for Kite to do the same. "It's a long story," he said.

After a moment's hesitation, Kite sat across from him. "Start talking."

Rocky began his tale, recounting his journey, the destruction of the Kuruta clan, and his relentless search for Ging. He shared details about Greed Island and the mysteries he'd uncovered so far.

Throughout his story, Kite listened intently. His words carried conviction, and he didn't seem to be hiding anything.

"So," Kite summarized, "you want to find Ging to help you locate your people?"

"That's right," Rocky confirmed.

Kite leaned back, crossing his arms. "And you sought me out because you think I might have clues about him?"

Rocky nodded. "Exactly."

A bitter smile spread across Kite's face. "If only it were that simple. I've been searching for Ging for years and have barely found a trail to follow."

Rocky seemed unfazed. "I had to try. Even if it didn't work out, I'd find another way."

Kite studied him closely, impressed by his determination. "So, what's your next move?"

Rocky shrugged. "That depends. You mentioned you might have a lead. Care to share?"

Kite hesitated, unsure whether to reveal his suspicions. He didn't have concrete evidence, only a gut feeling about a potential clue.

Rocky noticed his hesitation and stood up. "It's fine if you don't want to tell me. I'll figure it out on my own."

He turned to leave, but Kite called out to him. "Wait!"

Rocky paused, glancing over his shoulder.

"What's your name?" Kite asked.

"Rocky."

"You're really not interested in my lead?" he pressed.

Rocky smiled faintly. "I've got my own methods. If yours works out, great. If not, I'll still find him."

His confidence left Kite momentarily speechless. He watched him walk away, pondering his words.

"Rocky!" he called again.

Rocky stopped but didn't turn around.

"You've got the instincts of a Hunter," Kite said. "Ever thought about taking the exam?"

The question caught him off guard. He turned to face Kite. "The Hunter exam?"

Kite nodded. "Finding Ging is no small task. Becoming a Hunter could open doors for you—resources, connections, and information. Someone like you could pass the exam easily."

Rocky considered his suggestion, intrigued by the possibilities.

"I'll think about it," he said finally. "Thanks for the advice."

As he disappeared into the forest, Kite remained by the fire, lost in thought.

"That kid…" he murmured. "He's got what it takes to be a Hunter. Maybe even one as great as Ging."

###

That night, Rocky set up his own camp on Whale Island. As he stared into the flames, Kite's words echoed in his mind.

The Hunter exam.

It wasn't something he'd considered before, but Kite had a point. Becoming a Hunter could bring him closer to Ging.

Still, he preferred a more direct approach. He wasn't one to rely on conventional methods.

"I'll find him," Rocky muttered to himself. "One way or another."

As the fire crackled, his resolve only grew stronger.