CHAPTER 1

[Seeking Flower Evaluation]

[New book release! I appreciate everyone's support with flower evaluation tickets!]

Whale Island

Deep within the lush forests of Whale Island, a young boy in a short-sleeved shirt sprinted across a rugged path. His forehead was slick with sweat, yet his pace remained unwavering.

Tied to his ankles were sandbags weighing twenty-five kilograms each, yet he moved effortlessly, as if they were weightless.

This was Lan Fei's daily training regimen, one he had maintained without fail for three years.

Three years ago, Lan Fei had transmigrated into the world of Hunter x Hunter, becoming an orphan adopted by Mito Freecss, Gon's guardian. He had gradually integrated into life on Whale Island, but unlike Gon, who honed his skills through hunting and fishing, Lan Fei forged his own brutal training path.

Now, at thirteen years old, he stood on the precipice of power.

"Huff!!!"

Lan Fei exhaled sharply. After three grueling years of training, even with fifty kilograms of weight strapped to him, he could still move as fast as an experienced Hunter.

"Even if I never awaken Nen, I can still stand at the pinnacle with pure martial arts!"

Through relentless self-discipline, he had mastered the Eight Gates, an advanced Taijutsu technique that pushed the body beyond its natural limits. At present, he had unlocked the seventh gate, the Gate of Shock, leaving only the final Death Gate to attain full mastery.

"But if I open the Gate of Death… will I burn out like Might Guy?"

As doubt crept into his mind—

Ding!!!

A mechanical voice echoed within his consciousness, resurfacing after three years of silence.

"Host, the three-year training period is complete. Since you have reached the Gate of Shock, the system will now grant you access to the final Gate of Death."

"Moreover, unlocking the Death Gate will no longer cause your body to disintegrate."

"However, the Eight Gates will have a time restriction when fully opened…"

"Damn it! You've been silent for three years, and now you finally speak up?"

Lan Fei cursed but couldn't suppress the excitement surging through his veins.

"So I've finally reached full mastery of the Eight Gates? And I won't suffer any side effects when opening them?"

"Correct. Your Eight Gates are now at full level. However, the restriction is that when fully opened, the technique has a time limit."

Lan Fei's smile stiffened.

"A time limit?"

"How long?"

If the time restriction was too severe, it could mean the difference between victory and death in battle.

"Host, once all Eight Gates are activated, they will last for ten minutes."

"After that, you must wait thirty minutes before reactivating them."

Lan Fei frowned.

"So if I can't finish my opponent in ten minutes, I'll be forced to retreat? And then I have to stall for half an hour before using it again?"

Despite his frustration, he had to admit that it made sense. After all, the full power of the Eight Gates was enough to rival the strongest warriors in this world.

Ding!!!

"Since the host is unable to awaken Nen, the system will provide an additional ultimate reward."

Lan Fei's eyes widened.

"A bonus reward after three years?"

"Would you like to activate it now?"

"The ultimate reward is randomized. It may be a pet—such as a Chimera Ant."

"Alternatively, it could be a rare ability—such as a unique Hatsu, a Specialist Nen ability, or even a genetic enhancement like Zoldyck's inhuman strength."

"Other possibilities include legendary weapons, such as Genthru's 'Little Flower' or Chrollo's 'Bandit's Secret'."

"Or perhaps… a Devil Fruit."

Lan Fei's breath hitched.

"That overpowered?!"

His heart pounded with anticipation.

"Activate it!"

Ding!!!

Ten seconds passed.

"Congratulations! The host has obtained the Pika Pika no Mi (Glint-Glint Fruit)!"

Lan Fei froze.

"Wait… I just got Borsalino's Devil Fruit?!"

The Pika Pika no Mi, one of the strongest Logia-type Devil Fruits, granted the speed of light itself.

It was an ability that combined overwhelming speed with devastating power.

Lan Fei clenched his fists. He had seen how Admiral Kizaru effortlessly dominated battles with blinding speed and unstoppable kicks.

Now, he had inherited that same power.

Weng~~~

A golden radiance flickered before him.

A small, round fruit with swirling golden patterns manifested in mid-air, pulsing with light.

"Host, please claim the Glint-Glint Fruit."

Lan Fei extended his hands, cradling the Devil Fruit with a mixture of awe and exhilaration.

"Screw hesitation—I'm eating this right now!"

Without a second thought, he bit into the fruit.

"Ugh…"

A wave of disgust surged through him.

"Bitter, sour, salty… why does this taste like sewer water?!"

Despite the nausea, Lan Fei forced himself to chew and swallow every bite.

As the last piece slid down his throat—

Weng~~~

A blinding golden light erupted from his body.

For a brief moment, it felt as though he had become one with the sun itself—warm, yet overflowing with unrestrained power.

Lan Fei grinned.

He raised his fingertip and snapped his fingers toward the air.

Zzzt!!!

A thin beam of golden light streaked forward at hypersonic speed, tearing through the air with a piercing shriek.

BOOM!

A boulder several meters away exploded into fragments, obliterated in an instant.

Lan Fei clicked his tongue.

"Tsk, tsk… This power is insane."

Then, a sudden thought struck him.

"Wait, does this mean I'm weak to water now?"

If he became incapacitated in the ocean, it would be a serious disadvantage in this world.

"Host, Devil Fruits in this world do not share the original One Piece weakness. You may traverse water freely."

Lan Fei sighed in relief.

"Perfect. With my current strength, I can dominate the Hunter Exam with ease."

As the golden glow faded, Lan Fei gazed at the horizon.

The time had come.

The Hunter Exam awaited.

Only by reaching the peak could he stand above the world.