"Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
The manga had become reality. Leorio adjusted his sunglasses, staring dumbfounded at the hundreds of Seans filling every corner. An absurd feeling of unreality welled up in his heart. He felt that the reality before his eyes was fake.
However, he wasn't the only one who felt this way. In a daze, they asked for autographs, and in a daze, they asked for photos. Hundreds of Seans, hundreds of identical faces, and hundreds of real shadows reflected on the deck. It couldn't be more real!
"Wow! Mister, how did you do that?" With a light snap of his fingers, "Poof! Poof! Poof!" The shadow clones turned into a flow of Nen and returned to Sean's body.
Gon's eyes widened, and he cried out in amazement. Everyone turned in unison to look at Sean, waiting for his answer.
But... "Do you know what a secret is, kid?" Sean gave Gon a mischievous wink, reached out, and pulled a fishing rod from the "Sage" space.
He strode to the ship's rail, ignored everyone else, and sat down cross-legged, leaving a broad back to the crowd.
[Retired Fleet Admiral Sengoku's Fishing Rod.]
[Consumes Reader Feedback Value: 10 points.]
Seeing that Sean clearly didn't want to say more, many people were somewhat disappointed. For these weaklings who hadn't even opened their aura nodes and didn't even know what "Nen" was, expecting them to deduce from the "Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu" that Sean possessed a Nen ability to conjure skills and items from manga at will was simply impossible.
'It makes sense. No one would be stupid enough to tell their secrets to others, especially with the Hunter Exam so close!' Kurapika took a deep look at Sean, then decisively averted his gaze, leaned back against the mast, and closed his eyes to rest.
Just then, the Red-nosed Captain finally recovered from his shock. He also glanced at Sean's back, bent down to pick up his pipe from the deck, and stuck it in his mouth. "A piece of advice for all of you: life on this ship isn't so easy."
"If you have the spare time to worry about others, you'd better worry about yourselves first."
Just then, a large wave struck. The Neptune rocked violently, causing many seasick people to throw up.
Only then did the crowd realize the seriousness of the situation, and they scattered like birds and beasts.
"Gon, let's go, too. Don't bother Teacher Ben An while he's fishing." With the photo of himself and Sean tucked away, Leorio's mouth was grinning from ear to ear. He had heard someone offer a hundred thousand for one earlier. This meant he had made a windfall on the very first day aboard!
"Hey, Leorio, did you notice? It looks like the mister doesn't have a line on his fishing rod." When it came to fishing, Gon was a professional.
Being able to catch the "Master of the Swamp" at the age of twelve... this track record was a complete humiliation compared to certain fishing enthusiasts who often came back empty-handed.
"Eh? You're right, he doesn't." Following Gon's gaze, Leorio rubbed his chin. He noticed Sean just swung the rod. Not only was there no line, but there wasn't even a hook. What kind of fishing was this?
"I'll go see." Gon dashed off. He was so fast that Leorio couldn't even grab him in time.
The spiky-haired kid held onto the ship's rail, tilted his head, and looked at Sean. "Mister, do you need a fishing line? I can lend you one."
Gon patted his bulging waist pack, and the corner of a silvery-white fishing line slipped out.
Sean glanced at it. The line was good, but... "I already have one. It's just that idiots can't see it."
He lifted the rod, and a Nen line pierced a flying fish, which leaped out of the sea. Gon cried out, "There really is a line!"
The flying fish whistled through the air with a "swoosh" and landed on the deck with a "thud," knocked unconscious.
Leorio, carrying his briefcase, walked over for a closer look and said in surprise, "It's a flying fish!"
"This kind of fish is naturally fierce. It's not easy to catch."
"It's the same for any fish. The willing one takes the bait." Sean chuckled and cast his line again. At the same time, the "Sage's" prompt echoed in his mind.
[Capturing ripples, listening to the heart of [Water], feeling the rhythm of [Water]. Characteristic [Water] being explored]
[Admiral "Aokiji" template unlock initiated.]
[Current unlock progress: 60%.]
'There are still a few days before we reach Dolly Island. I can't waste them.'
Two days later.
"Squawk... squawk..." Seagulls circled overhead, crying out from time to time.
The voyage to Dolly Island, just as the Red-nosed Captain had said, was not smooth sailing. When the waves came, the ship would often pitch up and down and roll from side to side.
Some people, whether from seasickness or illness, could no longer endure it and were stuffed into the cabins. As time went on, this situation grew worse.
In the end, the only ones still standing on the deck were Sean, Gon, Kurapika, and Leorio.
"Looks like it might be a good harvest this year." The Red-nosed Captain looked out through the porthole of the captain's quarters. His gaze lingered on Sean for a few extra seconds. The young man was like an old monk in deep meditation; he had been sitting there for two days, catching countless flying fish in that time.
A veritable flying fish killer!
Moreover, Sean had been fishing for flying fish for two or three days straight, not sparing a glance for any other kind of fish.
'As a Nen user, he certainly has a solid foundation.'
'Unfortunately, it seems he won't be able to fish for much longer, even if he wants to.'
The Red-nosed Captain's gaze went past Sean to the sky in the distance. Dark, oppressive clouds had blotted out the sun, causing the entire sky to dim.
"Rumble!" A few bolts of lightning struck down, and a purple glow appeared on the mast.
Gon was right next to Sean, secretly competing with him to see who could catch the most fish. His nose twitched, and he sensed something was wrong.
He looked up and saw the purple fire, radiating terrifying fluctuations that sent a chill down his spine.
"It's St. Elmo's Fire." Just then, the Red-nosed Captain walked out, chewing on his pipe, his expression grave.
"It's a luminous phenomenon caused by static electrons in the air or in electrified rain clouds, which affect the electrons on the main-sail."
Nearby, Kurapika couldn't sit still either. He stood up, joined the group, and explained as he looked at the purple glow on the mast.
He didn't say the second part because he wasn't certain. 'It's a sign that a storm is coming!'
"Your explanation is really detailed. Thanks a lot," Leorio adjusted his sunglasses and made a face at Kurapika.
Kurapika frowned but said nothing.
They then heard the Red-nosed Captain add, his face full of worry, "According to an ancient legend, those who see St. Elmo's Fire will never return."
He paused, and as if afraid they wouldn't understand, he took another drag on his pipe and said in a solemn voice, "A storm is coming!"