Within a month, the boys were able to strengthen their Nen abilities, and now felt that they were ready to become real Hunters.
Now, after a week at home, they were on their way to find the Hunter Agency.
"So, I want to be a Treasure Hunter, and I know Pirro wants to be a Blacklist Hunter, so Pietro, Illuko, what do you wanna be?" Kuondo asked as they approached a worn-down, empty city.
"I want to be a Beast Hunter!" Pietro replied. "I've heard it's really fun! I might be able to use some of the medical stuff Dad taught me to help wild animals that are injured."
Pirro grinned. "Wow, Pietro, I didn't know you had such a soft spot for animals."
Pietro glared back at him. "Hey, don't say it like that, it's embarrassing! And what about Illuko? He likes animals, too!"
Illuko shrugged. "Sure I do, but I don't think I wanna spend the rest of my life chasing after them."
"Well, what do you want to do?" Pirro asked, curious. "You really like sweets, so do you want to be a Gourmet Hunter?"
"No way! You think I wanna end up like Piggy?" He paused, seeing his friends with confused expressions. "I'm sorry, I meant Uncle Milluki."
"Oh, that makes sense." Pietro said, nodding.
"Pietro, Illuko, cut that out, that's not very nice!" Pirro protested.
Pietro smirked at him. "Goody-Two-Shoes."
"Arrogant punk!"
"Guys!" Illuko snapped. "Quit arguing, it's wasting time. Anyway, I want to be a Blacklist Hunter. That's my idea of fun."
"Ooh, just like me!" Pirro exclaimed. "That's so cool! We can take down bad guys together!"
"Pirro, your eyes." Illuko muttered.
"Sorry!"
"Hey!" Kuondo objected. "That's my line!"
Soon, they came to an old building with many broken windows. Next to the loose door, there was a faded symbol.
The same as the one on their Hunter Licenses.
But that wasn't the only thing that caught their attention. Leaning against the far wall was a boy not much older than they were. The boy hadn't noticed them, though. He was too busy staring at something in his hand.
As soon as Kuondo saw what it was, his eyes widened in shock. "Those playing cards in his hand… they're sort of familiar…"
Pietro raised an eyebrow. "Is he seriously playing cards with himself?"
Pirro also stared. The boy had looked up from his cards and stared back at them.
"That menacing gaze… and is that a star and teardrop painted on each side of his face…?"
Pietro and Illuko, began to realize who this boy was. "Th-That means…!" they stammered in unison.
"He's Hisoka's kid?!"
"Oh…" the boy said, dropping his cards. Within a heartbeat, he was right in front of Pirro.
"Eep!"
"Hellooo~!" The boy said with a wide smile. "I'm so glad there's more kids around! Adults can be so dull sometimes!"
When Pirro didn't respond, the boy continued. "Aww, don't look so shy! Do I look like a bad guy to you~?" Kuondo wasn't sure how to answer that.
Without warning, the boy pinched each of Pirro's cheeks, kind of like what Aunt Mito would do to Kuondo every time he came to visit. "Here. smile~!"
Poor Pirro looked scared stiff. Kuondo had to find a way to distract this weirdo!
"U-um… so, what's your name?"
Genius, Kuondo. Genius.
Luckily, the boy let go of Pirro, who stumbled backwards, still wide-eyed.
"Oh, how rude of me! My name is Hoshiko, and I'm 14 years old!"
Great. He's older than us, too. "Are you getting your job as a Hunter, too?' Kuondo asked.
"Yep, in fact I did that already. Luckily, most clients are okay with greenhorns."
That's a relief. "Well, we still need to get our jobs, so we're just gonna… go…"
"Sure thing! I'll be waiting out here! So long~!"
Kuondo wasn't so sure he was happy about that.
(Woo-hoo, it's finished! Do you like Hoshiko? I finally sketched up a design for him, and I was like, "I must do this!" Haha, is it weird I think he's almost as adorable as Pirro? XD I mean, his name roughly translates to 'little star', so yeah… Anyway, after this chapter, Kuondo and the others will separate for a little while, but only for a while, and then we can get to the whole 'search-and-rescue' thing. Until then, guys, peace out! :D)