"Oh, nice—these rice balls look pretty good."
Leorio spoke as he grabbed one with his mouth while holding one in each hand.
"Mm, thank you."
Kurapika thanked politely, then immediately began devouring them—clearly starving.
"Oh, you eat too."
Gon grabbed a rice ball and handed it to Lu ou.
In just a few minutes, more than a dozen rice balls were gone. The four of them really had impressive appetites.
"Burp."
Leorio had obviously eaten a bit too much. He let out a long belch and lay back on the grass, looking completely relaxed.
"Look—there's a boat over there."
Lu ou pointed toward a patch of reeds not far away, where part of a hull was visible.
"Huh? You're right—there really is a boat!"
Gon dashed over, pushed aside the grass, and saw a small boat quietly moored there.
The boat was dull gray, but it still looked sturdy enough. It should barely fit four people.
"Gon and Kurapika will row. Leorio, keep an eye on our surroundings. I'll provide support."
Lu ou pushed the boat forward a bit and jumped aboard immediately.
"Got it, bro!"
Gon answered and hopped on as well.
Kurapika had no objections. Once on board, he silently picked up an oar and prepared to row.
If this suggestion had come from Leorio, Kurapika would've assumed he was just trying to slack off—after all, "providing support" basically meant doing nothing. But since it came from Lu ou, he had no issue with it.
Leorio looked around and realized that, aside from rowing, there was no other way to cross the lake. Worse, the lake's edge wasn't visible at all. In the dim night light, it was impossible to tell how large it really was.
"So I'm supposed to watch the surroundings, huh?"
Leorio muttered.
Though he sounded dissatisfied, he moved quickly. His long limbs finally proved useful—by the time Gon and Kurapika had taken two strokes, Leorio had already stepped across to the stern.
"It's not difficult. Just stay alert to what's around us."
Lu ou stood at the bow.
"Not using a boat—this must be part of the test too."
Leorio said.
Suddenly, a wooden sign drifted across the lake's surface. The Hunter world had its own written language—much like Tolkien, Togashi had created a unique script.
"That's a sign from a Mind Beast."
Leorio said seriously.
"Yes. Looks like we'll need to be careful."
Lu ou warned.
"A beast?"
Gon had no idea what that was.
Lu ou recalled the original storyline—how Gon learned that magical beasts could communicate with humans, speak human language, and even transform into human form. The way Gon had once forced a vicious foxbear to stop was especially funny.
"I've been thinking since earlier—how do we get the guide's approval? Oh, do you know? I thought about it for a long time and still couldn't figure it out."
Gon said.
"It could—"
Lu ou hadn't finished before Leorio interrupted him.
Great. Leorio's about to court disaster again. When he wants to die, no one can stop him.
"We can use masculine charm! Hahaha! Gon's obviously out, Kurapika's not big enough, and as for you two—nope. That leaves only me to solve the guide problem!"
Leorio laughed loudly, full of confidence.
Leorio, you're really asking for it. Does your medical kit know? Are your supplies ready?
"Thud."
Lu ou felt like an arrow had pierced his heart. He was even shorter than Gon—an absolutely fatal weakness. Without Killua around as a comparison, and with Feitan nowhere to be seen, there was no contrast to soften the blow.
If Killua were here, I'd definitely look taller.
Lu ou firmly convinced himself.
"Really?"
Gon widened his eyes and looked at Luou.
"Absolutely not."
Lu ou replied decisively.
Kurapika nodded in agreement, his expression cold and firm—clearly rejecting Leorio's nonsense.
"What? I think—"
Leorio rolled up his sleeves, ready to show off his muscles.
"What's needed isn't brute strength, but something else. Not special abilities either. Gon, you already have some of those qualities."
Lu ou said pointedly.
"Qualities?"
Gon looked confused.
"You may not realize it, but you have many strengths—definitely more than Leorio."
Lu ou said confidently.
Kurapika agreed; it matched his own thoughts.
"My strength is my nerve!"
Leorio declared proudly.
"No matter what kind of monster shows up, I—"
"Splash!"
A huge splash broke the silence of the night. Even over Leorio's loud boasting, it was impossible not to hear.
"It's here."
Lu ou's expression sharpened.
Staring at the violently disturbed water behind Leorio, Lu ou considered what he'd do if Leorio didn't react quickly like in the original plot—if he failed to row away in time, how could Luou best ensure everyone's safety?
After all, it was a ferocious aquatic monster. The water wasn't their home turf, and since the creature hadn't eaten yet, it wouldn't be satisfied. If Nen had to be used… then Leorio might have to be offered as bait.
That was a disturbingly evil plan.
Lu ou snapped back to reality, remaining on guard while his eyes scanned the surroundings frantically, as if searching for something.
Gon and Kurapika stared wide-eyed behind Leorio.
"Leorio, look behind you."
Lu ou warned.
"Uh…"
Gon also pointed backward, urging him to turn around.
Even Kurapika spoke up, telling Leorio to look.
"Behind me?"
Leorio was mid-boast, animated and smug—but everyone was insisting.
He turned around—
A massive, python-like water beast surfaced. Its entire body was dark green, with huge yellow lantern-like eyes. Its gaping maw opened wide as it roared.
"ROAR!"
Just the portion above the water stretched four to five meters long—who knew how much more lurked beneath.
"AAAAAAAH—!"
Leorio screamed and instinctively snatched the oar from Gon, rowing with all his strength.
Before the serpent-like beast could react, the boat shot forward like an arrow loosed from a bow.
The once-calm lake churned violently, like a sudden waterspout. White foam erupted as waves grew larger and larger. Clearly, Leorio's muscular build was no exaggeration.
After several minutes of frantic rowing, Lu ou finally spotted what he was waiting for.
"Gon—use the fishing rod. Hook the eggs over there."
That's right.
Ever since early on, Luou—with his endless questionable schemes—had been planning this. If the chance arose, he intended to steal the water beast's eggs.
They were valuable ingredients. Nen demanded resources. To survive in the Hunter world—
you had to seize every opportunity.