Chapter 002: Uvogin and Machi, Are You Hungry?
As everyone knows, the Hunter x Hunter timeline begins when the protagonist Gon embarks on the Hunter Exam, following in his father Ging Freecss's footsteps.
That year was January 1st, 1999.
And now, 1983—still a full sixteen years before the main plot officially begins.
"That means..."
Kaizen facepalmed repeatedly: "Tonpa the Great is thirty years old now, a certain diamond-loving old woman... well, she probably isn't an old woman yet, she's only forty-one now."
The word "only" was used quite appropriately here.
Meaning the current Meteor City outside should be different from what he remembered.
1500 years ago, Meteor City was already a waste accumulation area.
During this time, Meteor City has always remained in the forgotten corner of the world.
It truly entered the world's sight in 1989, six years from now.
A certain country suspected a homeless person without ID of murder and arrested him.
After verifying identity, the homeless person had no nationality nor any proof of social existence.
He claimed to be a resident of Meteor City, and that country forcibly prosecuted this homeless person who denied the charges.
The court didn't give him a chance to explain before convicting him.
Three years later, a drug-abusing serial killer was captured, with remaining crimes gradually exposed... proving the homeless person's innocence.
Following this incident, the police officer, judge, prosecutor, eyewitnesses, jury members, lawyer... 31 people related to his wrongful conviction were all killed.
Regarding the killing methods, it's said the killers carried switch-activated bombs, dying together with their targets, practically like suicide.
According to eyewitness descriptions, they smiled while shaking hands with the other party, then the bombs exploded.
31 people in different locations were simultaneously blown up.
"We don't refuse anything, but don't think you can take anything from us either."
This phrase became many people's understanding of Meteor City.
As for now...
"Even the most famous Phantom Troupe members are still just little brats."
Kaizen shook his head, deciding not to dwell on these matters. Regardless of when the time came, he needed to focus on himself first.
The immediate priority was to fill his stomach.
"I need to find someone who's equally hungry, someone who can give me a "commission" or "request," so I can obtain inventions related to food..."
Well, such people could be found everywhere in Meteor City.
Most people were constantly struggling for food.
But then again... how many of them could be trusted to give him commissions and requests?
Kaizen felt this might be even more difficult than simply stealing food from them.
"Somewhat troublesome..."
Kaizen furrowed his brows.
And just at that moment...
A commotion suddenly erupted outside his door, interrupting his thoughts.
"What's going on?"
He stood up and went to the door, opening it just a crack.
Before he could see what was happening, he heard an angry shout from outside:
"You bunch of bastards, daring to steal from my territory? You've got some nerve!!"
Atop the hill formed by piled garbage stood a tall, muscular man with an afro, wearing a ragged tank top and shorts.
"You scumbags, I won't let you get away with this! Prepare to die!!"
He crossed his arms, his face twisted into a ferocious snarl: "But if you hand over the goods obediently, I'll make your deaths quick!!"
"If you try to run away..."
He flexed his dark, bulging muscles: "I'll make you wish you were dead, and kill you ten times over!!!"
"..."
Beside the tall, muscular man on the garbage pile, crouched a wild-looking, ape-like child with pink-purple hair, resembling a little girl.
She was also waving a broken stick around, putting on a show.
However, her naturally calm expression—whether innate or deliberately maintained—somewhat diminished her intimidating presence.
Under the intimidation of this man and child, the group being threatened immediately scattered.
"That guy is as stupid as ever!!"
"Whether we go over or not, we're dead anyway! Why would we go?"
"And talking about territory in a place like Meteor City? Is Uvogin really that dumb?"
"If he doesn't die at least once, this stupidity of his probably won't change..."
While scattering, the group didn't forget to sneer and mock the muscular man on the hill.
Of course, while they talked big and mocked him, their bodies were honest as they quickened their escape.
In a dangerous place like Meteor City, getting injured could make survival very difficult.
Going head-to-head with someone like Uvogin, who might not be bright but had formidable physical strength, was clearly not a wise move.
Winning wouldn't bring any benefits, losing would be worse, and getting injured during the fight would be the worst outcome.
"Everyone, stop right there~!!"
Watching so many people flee, Uvogin let out another loud roar. No longer standing still, he immediately rolled up his sleeves and charged toward the crowd below.
"..."
A young girl with pinkish-purple hair hopped along behind Uvogin.
It had to be said that even at just thirteen years old, Uvogin already possessed a physique and stature comparable to an adult's.
Such physical attributes clearly indicated exceptional talent.
However, when faced with those experienced old-timers of Meteor City, he found himself completely outmaneuvered.
Despite exhausting his energy, he couldn't catch more than a few people, forced to watch helplessly as the entire group slipped away right under his nose.
"Those bastards!!"
Uvogin plopped down on a pile of garbage, panting heavily and irritably ruffling his own hair.
"What are you looking at?!"
When he noticed someone watching him from behind, he immediately turned his head and glared at the clueless individual.
Couldn't they see he was in a foul mood? And they had to come bothering him at a time like this...
If not for the fact that the person appeared even younger than him and wasn't holding anything—clearly just some foolish kid—Uvogin would have already started throwing punches.
"Thought it was some idiot who didn't run away, but turns out it's just a dumb kid, tch..."
Feeling thoroughly annoyed, Uvogin spoke impatiently to the person: "Why don't you get lost already? Want me to beat you up?!"
Kaizen looked at the irritable, hyper-masculine Uvogin, then at the young child-form Machi who stood nearby holding a broken wooden stick in front of herself.
After thinking for a moment, he asked:
"Are you two hungry?"