This boat go loco (open)(Brave The Waves)

Xero was super excited to try out for the Hunter Exam this year. This process has eluded him for years, but last year he had been able to finally find the correct location, although he was too late, progress was progress in his mind, and that meant he would only get further this time. He heard rumors about a Boat that was to bring others to Dolle Harbor, where the Hunter Exam was said to be close by, and Xero jumped at the chance to get on the boat. This would help him out a lot in the end, as he now would be right on track, in order to find the Exam location. He headed to an old Boat Yard, that he heard was part of the Hunter Pre-Exam, but wasn’t entirely sure on whether to trust that or not.

Xero got to the boat, and made his way on board, with his Skateboard in hand and his bag on his back, he was ready to take this Boat Journey and head for the exam. Xero looked around, when he got onboard and saw there was a good amount of other boat riders here as well. Were they also looking to take on the Hunter Exam, or were these just normal passengers for this kinda boat, Xero was unsure, but he was gonna keep his ears open and his eyes on guard.

Xero wandered the deck of the ship, as more and more people boarded the boat, it was at this time, Xero was pretty sure, these were no ordinary passengers, but other Hunter Examinees, looking to find their ways to the Exam location as well. It seemed as if the rumors he heard were true, and this was the true beginning of the Exam, but Xero was ready for anything this boat could throw at him, or at least he believed he was.

Soon after the last few passengers made it onto the ship, the crews undocked the boat and we started to set sail for Dolle Harbor. The crew informed all the passengers about the choppy waters ahead, and Xero gripped his board a bit tighter. He continued to walk around the deck of the ship, looking around at all the passengers, and saw not all of them seemed to be as friendly as others. A Bald man, seemed to be trying to pick fights with other Passengers, with his two lackeys, so Xero would attempt to steer clear of that guy, he doesnt wanna embarrass him too soon. He thought to himself with a slight smirk .

Soon, Xero could feel the boat start to get wilder and wilder with its ups and downs as the ship sailed the open ocean. We were definitely starting to enter the choppy water, sooner than he had thought. Xero quickly turned and leaned his back up against the ship wall, as a way to keep his balance and to maintain his sea legs. He didn't want to lose his balance, nor did he want to fall overboard. He watched as some of the other passengers started to get seasick, while others seemed to be doing just fine. “This is crazy.” He said out loud as the ship started rocking up and down harder with each wave.

The smell of the sea always brought out his passion for adventure, too bad it was clouded by the occasional sound of vomiting. The ride was choppier than Acha anticipated, the random lurches of the vehicle proved how bad the waters were to affect a vessel of this size. Acha was used to the fickleness of the sea, maybe this test wouldn’t be as bad as he thought. First things first, he needed to find out who would help, he couldn’t have been the only one to realize the test was starting now. Or had possibly started on his way to the boat, if there were so many people around him there would have been no way of knowing. He thought of doing some kind of acrobatic stunt to get everyone’s attention, but it might draw the wrong crowd as well. So he went with a close idea, he’d talk to people while flaring his Ren with his ambition and drive. If they noticed they’d be a potential ally.

He had already talked to a couple of novices or really good actors when he heard Xero. Looking over at the man Acha was surprised to see someone around his age, he had a skateboard on his back. Still flaring his Ren trying to channel all of his determination into his aura, Acha would walk over casually.

”Hey, names Acha friend, you here to find the exam as well? Its my first try, got a tip, but now I’m thinking this might be the start of the test right now. What do you think?”

After he spoke, he’d watch Xero closely to see if he reacted or responded to his Nen. It wouldn’t do for him to make allies with weaker contestants, that was unless they had some kind of knowledge. Even though that was dangerous, no one knew if they changed the exam every year. Or at least anyone that he managed to talk to on the internet didn’t seem to know, information around the exam was scarce. He imagined that hunters had their own internet or maybe there was some code, and the information was in plain sight. How else would he be able to catalogue all the plants and animals he’d find, possibly a grand library at HQ.

In the background Acha could hear the bald man laughing loudly while demeaning another group of passengers. The crew seemed to be avoiding him at this point to deter from more conflict. Like a moth to flames he had picked up a couple more losers, they totaled 4 now. Acha wasn’t the only one trying to form a team, hopefully he wouldn’t have to deal with him during the exam. Typical pack behavior, humans were just another animal after all.



190/200 Nen

Xero kept his eyes on the other Passengers, as he braced his feet the best he could into the deck of the ship and planted his back up against the wall. He wasn’t used to being on a boat, especially not in water that was going crazy like this. Made him think how those could do this for a living dealing with waves that were rocky like this on a constant basis. Hero clutched his board in his hands as he continued to keep his guard up, not going to let anything catch him by surprise, if he could help it.

Soon, Xero could feel something, no it was someone that was coming in his direction, and he could feel they were another Hunter Applicant too, or at least that's what he thought. He saw a white-haired man making his way towards him, and as he did so, Xero was able to see a slight aura coming off of his body, his Ren. Xero was able to practice his Ren back at Heaven’s Arena a bit before he started his journey to become a Hunter.

Xero looked at the man as he spoke, but kept his ears on alert, in case anything or anyone nearby happened or tried to do something. When he spoke about this boat ride, being a part of the test as well, he nodded his head in agreement. “Yea, probably a way to filter out those who can't handle a little rocky water.” He said with a smirk. He looked around once more before bringing his eyes back to the man. “I don’t think this is the test itself, but more of a way to only let the best of the best reach the actual Exam.” He added.

Soon Xero gave the man a smirk and closed his eyes a moment before reopening and allowing his own Nen to appear from an aurora around himself. “Don’t think many of these other passengers will make it off this boat.” He said as a couple guys ran past him and the Silver haired man, to the side of the ship and proceeded to puke over the edge of it. He looked back at the man and extended a hand for a shake to him. “Names Xero. Xero Kimura.” He said to the man, in order to introduce himself to him.

Soon after, he turned to see the bald man from before, increasing the number of lackeys since the last time he saw him. “That guy is def, going to cause some trouble soon.” He said to the man. The man looked tough, but also looked dumb as bolts. Xero could tell he only had lackeys because he looked a lot more intimidating than he actually was. “How long do you think, till he tries to pick a fight with the wrong person?” He asked his new friend.




Nen 90/100

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Xero would introduce himself, while agreeing with Acha. The most interesting part was the pause where he activated his Ren as well. So, he had a potential ally/rival on boat, he had started to get discouraged. If everyone on the boat was weak that meant he was probably on the wrong path, but reassured he’d smile and shake Xero’s hand. It was one of the few civilized gestures Acha enjoyed, his dad had taught him the trick to the perfect handshake. Firm, and if you ran into an older gentleman sometimes, they would squeeze hard and you squeezed back. Such an odd tradition it’s almost like a show of strength adopted for the modern age.

“Oh yeah, I saw him harassing crew earlier. It’s one thing to mess with competition, but the crew? I think the most important judge of character is how someone treats strangers, especially service workers. If he didn’t shirk away, I would have shown him there. I won’t lie if I see any reason, I’ll be the first to take him out. Unless you want first dibs?”

His bloodlust would start to tinge his Ren as he stared down the bald man from across the ship. While it didn’t seem like he could see Acha’s ren he could feel the hatred, they’re eyes met. Acha was sure the man would break first, but they wouldn’t get to find out. The boat would almost be hurled into the air, the sinking feeling of free falling caused a couple yelps. He’d turn back to Xero and on the way spy a most peculiar man. It almost looked like he was eating, Acha was very comfortable at sea, but even he couldn’t pull off a stunt like that. He couldn’t make out much about the man with him leaning over the railing. But the unmistakable motion of eating chicken baffled him.

“So, do you know the guy over there…”

Acha would gesture with his head trying to seem nonchalant as to not alert Sakura. Acha, however, wasn’t the most subtle. So, his head gesture was very dramatic, even raising his eyebrows as he gestured holding the angle just a little too long. Either way after he’d look back at Xero like he was as smooth as a spy.

“I think he’s eating chicken or maybe turkey? Pretty impressive I don’t have a stomach that strong. I’ll have to keep an eye on him, what do you think that flower stands for?”



180/200 Nen

Xero nodded his head in agreement as Acha spoke when the two of them had shaken hands with one another. He looked over at the bald-headed man and the goons that seemed to have been surrounding him. Every time Xero looked over at him, he felt like there were more and more lackeys sitting/standing with him, and he was sure it was based on how intimidated he looked. Xero was sure the bald-headed man was all bark and no bite. Xero couldn’t help but let out a slight chuckle when Acha said about taking out the man, “He’s all yours. I’m fine with the henchmen.” He said in a joking manner, unsure if that situation would happen, but not ruling it out as a possibility.



The boat rocked up and down a couple more times, as more and more of the other Passengers seemed to have been sinking, so to speak. The edges of the ship seemed to have been filling up with more and more people who were getting seasick and throwing up overboard. Xero looked around, and noticed there weren't a lot of passengers still upright and standing, there were a good amount still, but a lot seemed to have gotten queasy easily. He turned his head when Acha asked about a man-eating chicken. “No, I haven’t seen him before.” He said looking at the man just waving food around all willy nilly.



Xero looked over at the cherry blossom emblem placed on the back of the cloak, the man eating food all nonchalantly, was wearing. It was hard to try and determine what it could have stood for, there were so many possibilities, and it didn't seem familiar to him, at least not at first glance at least. “Not quite sure what it could mean.” He said to Acha. “Maybe its a family crest of some sorts, or possibly a gang sign of some sort?” He said, trying to think of other possibilities it could mean. “So many options, too hard to pinpoint for me.” He added.



Xero turned his Ren off, to save it, just in case he needed to use it more later. Although he could turn it on and off at will, he still was relatively new to the concept of Nen and just a novice when it came to using it. Xero knew it was something he needed to train, and knew that becoming a hunter would help him, in that case.

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Xero hadn’t seen the crest either, but mentioned it might be for a family or possibly a crime organization. Acha didn’t know any of the notable families or gangs. If all these groups were sending people to be hunters that showed the value of its membership. He wondered if the hunter association considered morals as part of the exam. He didn’t read anything about that mostly about the physical skill needed to remain.

He wondered if there were any intellectual or ethical standards that one had to participate with hunters. Or was it as simple as no hunter could attack another hunter. He wondered if that rule was broken often. Better to worry about actually getting in first. That’s when he noticed that the man he had been observing was choking on a piece of chicken. He would quickly look up at Xero and speak gravely.

“Do you have any experience in first aid?”

If he answer affirmatively then Acha would let Xero handle it. All of Acha’s experience with first aid was with animals. He rarely hurt himself, and that was a lot different than treating someone for choking. Still, he knew the maneuver to unobstruct airways, so if Xero had no experience he would rush over deactivating his Ren on the way. Acha would get behind the man’s right shoulder blade and put his right arm to offer the man chest support for what came next. He would strike between his shoulder blade, giving it a couple attempts checking each time to see if the bone came out.

Xero continued to watch the man as he casually ate his food, as the boat rocked up and down from the waves, questioning if it was a good idea or not, but shrugged it off before bringing his eyes back to Acha. “What type of Hunter do you plan on becoming? Heard there were so many different kinds one could become.” He asked his new acquaintance. “What motivates you to become one? Like why do you want to become one?” He added.



Xero knew he wanted to become a Hunter and wanted to specialize in fighting. Maybe a Hunter that tracks down criminals and turns them in, or perhaps become a Treasure Hunter and search the world for exotic treasures and artifacts to turn them in for money and gold. Xero was still unsure of what exactly he wanted to become but knew he wanted to become a Hunter and use it to hone and advance his fighting capabilities.



Xero was about to say something else, when he heard someone choking around them. He quickly looked around and noticed it was the man who had been eating food, Xero knew that was a bad idea for him to be doing. Xero quickly rushed over to the choking man with Acha right beside him. “Uhm, I know the basics. I’ve given the Heimlich maneuver a few times before.” He told Acha.



When Xero had reached the choking man he grabbed him and stood him up. He started to get into the position to perform the maneuver, but it was going to be hard with the choppiness of these waves and the rocking of the boat. “I’m going to give you the Heimlich, just hold on.” He said, trying to reassure the man. Xero waited a couple moments and took a deep breath. "1, 2.....3!" he shouted before he started to deliver the maneuver to the choking man, in hopes of it working and releasing the food that was lodged inside of the man's throat.

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As he was talking to Xero what kind of hunters they aspired to be came up. It was no surprise, Acha was a little curious himself to see what kind of people would go for the different types of hunters. His path had been clear since he was a child, when he was first adopted there was only one thing he could connect with. Animals, and as he developed, he took interest in the whole natural world, how earth could create such complicated ecosystems with and without outside interference. The adaptability of fauna was the most interesting part, and he hoped one day to be strong enough to go out to the Mobius Sea and sail to new land.

“I’m going to be a Beast Hunter, I want to study it all plants, animals traveling around the world discovering new species, protecting endangered ones. We only have one planet best to take care of it you know?”

Xero had experience with humans, so Acha would let him perform the Heimlich. The man would be saved from his choking, and start to profusely thank Xero, possibly another ally? Acha would have to see if he had anything of value to add, he didn’t have much time to think. One of the men of the tall bald man was now choking on the food. Acha wasn’t surprised when he started to aggressively walk towards them with a crowd of his thugs following behind. When he got close Acha would wait to see what he said, maybe he had judged him to harshly.

“Hey my friend’s dying over there because of you, but I’ll tell you what if one of you submits as my personal slave, I won’t take it out on any of you.”

Acha would look at Xero with a smile, this man didn’t even seem to exude any Nen. So, this would be one of the fun fights, where he could just let loose, he had to make sure not to get hit to many times. Acha enjoyed bar brawls, even though his real fighting style was more about being agile. When he bar brawled he just liked to punch and get punched, so after smiling at Xero, Acha would step up.

“Fuck you loser, go save your friend.”