Gourmet Hunter (HxH Fanfic)

Meteor City wasn't a city in the conventional sense, and its so-called 'exit' was more of a gap. As long as one stepped outside the cluster of buildings, that means they have left Meteor City. But then, they still have to walk one kilometer to reach the landfill.

Uvogin spotted Machi and Law from a distance. Standing several hundred meters away, he shouted at the top of his lungs: "Machi, you are late!"

"Your voice is too loud!" Nobunaga, who is leaning against the wall of a nearby building, expressed his annoyance.

"Oh." Uvogin crossed his arms as he looked at Machi and Law who were walking towards them, not giving Nobunaga's remark much attention.

"Isn't your reaction too bland? At least pretend a little and say you'll be more mindful next time." Nobunaga glared.

Uvogin curled his lips and said, "That's just how I am, and I'm not changing. If you don't like it, then go ahead and destroy my vocal cords."

"Hmm?" Nobunaga's eyes suddenly turned sharp as blades. His right hand directly reached the handle of the wooden sword leaning against the wall and he said seriously: "You said it, so don't blame me for taking your suggestion."

Uvogin didn't reply. Instead, he tilted his head and flashed a wide grin at Nobunaga, his sharp teeth radiating a chilling aura.

On the street several hundred meters away, Machi had not yet realized that Uvogin and Nobunaga were about to start a quarrel as usual.

"Uvogin hates it when people are late. This could be troublesome." Hearing Uvogin's loud voice, Machi's eyes immediately turned dull. She had accidentally forgot about this matter, otherwise, she would never waste too much time on Marza.

"What will happen then?" Law, who was staring at Uvogin's afro hairstyle in the distance, asked curiously.

"The punishment is to arm wrestle with him." Machi sighed softly.

"Huh?" Law was stunned and asked, "Have you ever been punished?"

Machi replied with resignation: "Once. My right arm hurt for an entire week afterward."

"No way! How could that brute go all out against someone like you?" Law exclaimed in shock. He felt that there was a huge gap between Machi and Uvogin in terms of age, appearance, and figure. Especially Machi's petite, delicate frame, Law didn't know how Uvogin could do such thing.

"Wait a minute…" Law suddenly thought of the key point and asked, "You didn't seriously try to win against him, did you?"

Even though it is a punishment, things like arm wrestling are usually a contest between men. Because of the pride involved, the desire to win is very strong, so they basically use all their strength.

However, there would be no sense of accomplishment if Uvogin defeated the petite Machi, and there seemed no need for Machi to fight Uvogin head-on. She could just pretend to be defeated instantly, so there was no need to suffer arm pain for a week.

Law had conveniently ignored the fact that he had lost to Machi in a strength test not long ago.

Machi nodded in response to Law's question, confirming his suspicion.

Seeing this, Law immediately smiled bitterly and said, "You're too stubborn! Why would a little girl go head-to-head with a brute like that?"

Machi glared at him and said, "I hate losing. Besides, if I don't give it my all, Uvogin would be even less satisfied."

Law was speechless and rubbed his forehead with his index and middle fingers. He was starting to understand Machi's personality. Although she is delicate and cute on the outside, she was actually incredibly tough and unyielding on the inside.

The two quickened their pace, and as they closed the distance, Law began to make out Uvogin and Nobunaga's appearances. The difference between the current them and the one is his memory was quite large. After all, that was their appearance more than ten years later.

Uvogin had dark skin, a conspicuous black afro, and a tall, muscular frame, though not as massive as it would be a decade later.

Nobunaga, on the other hand, had a sleek ponytail, fair skin, and delicate features that contrasted sharply with Uvogin. The current him resembled a refined young man.

God knows how he ended up looking like a decadent uncle a decade later.

This was the first impression that Uvogin and Nobunaga gave to Law.

He could only sigh again, marveling at the passage of time. It was hard to reconcile these youthful faces with the hardened killers they would become.

'Speaking of which, there was someone even more dangerous who was also in Meteor City, wasn't there?'

Law suddenly thought of Hisoka, a man who could wantonly kill candidates in the original work's Hunter Exam.

'Huh… Are these two about to fight?'

Nobunaga held the wooden sword in his hand and stared at Uvogin with a frown.

Crack, crack!

Uvogin's knuckles popped audibly as he clasped his hands and flexed them, releasing crisp and sharp sound.

The tension in the air grew palpable, and it seemed that a fight might break out at any second.

"Here we go again… You two." Machi put one hand on her waist, looking helpless.

Law quietly observed Uvogin and Nobunaga from up close.

All the members of the Phantom Troupe were masters of Nen, but it was clear Machi hadn't yet been exposed to Nen. Right now, Uvogin and Nobunaga, who were in a battle state that could break out at any time, gave him a very dangerous feeling.

However... precisely because of this that Law is very sure that Uvogin and Nobunaga have not yet been exposed to Nen.

If these two people had not entered a near-combat state, it would have been difficult for Law to judge. The reason for his certainty was that although Uvogin and Nobunaga entered a near-combat state, they did not use Ten.

"Nobunaga, if you two start fighting, I'll use my threads to restrain your wooden sword." Seeing that the two men ignored her, Machi's face suddenly turned cold.

"Why me?"

Nobunaga's previously intimidating presence deflated instantly, and he looked at Machi in confusion.

"Haha!" Uvogin burst out in boisterous laughter, showing no intention of suppressing his mirth.

The tension in the air slowly dissipated, and the tense atmosphere that was on the verge of a breakdown disappeared without a trace.

'Even without learning Nen, they're already unconsciously exuding Aura? I guess it's only a matter of time before these two cross the threshold.' Law thought silently as he stood to the side, observing the interaction like an outsider.

Technically, this was his first meeting with Uvogin and Nobunaga, but in fact, it was their second meeting.

When they met for the first time, both Uvogin and Nobunaga were wearing gas masks, and they hadn't exactly welcomed him warmly. They disagreed with Machi's decision to bring him back and showed their displeasure. After returning to Meteor City, the two parted ways, and Law hadn't seen them around Machi's house afterwards.

"Taking away your wooden sword will let the battle end as quickly as possible without everyone's time." In response to Nobunaga's question, Machi gave a serious reply.

"…"

Nobunaga put away his wooden sword, and smacked his forehead with his hand in resignation, as if saying, 'Fine, you win'.

Hearing this, Uvogin laughed even more wildly. He reached out his hand and patted Nobunaga on the shoulder, laughing heartily: "A man's greatest weapon is his fists! Got it?"

"Get lost!" Nobunaga angrily slapped Uvogin's hand away.

Uvogin didn't take offense to this. He suddenly turned to look at Machi and said casually, "Machi, you are two minutes late. According to the rules, you owe me an arm-wrestling match. Whoever loses will give up 50% of today's haul."

Machi smiled wryly, 'Two minutes? If I remember correctly, I was only ten seconds late before.'

"It's only two minutes. Is it necessary for a grown man to be so fussy?" After hearing Uvogin's declaration, Law protested immediately, 'Arm wrestling was one thing, but she also has to give up 50% of the gains? Machi would obviously lose, so he might as well just rob her.'

Law stepped forward without hesitation, positioning himself between Machi and Uvogin.

"Oh, it's you." Uvogin said as if he only noticed Law now. He looked at him indifferently, with sharp and dismissive gaze.

Nobunaga glanced at Law and said, "Boy, even one second counts as late. This is not a matter of being petty, but a rule. Do you understand?"

Seeing the reactions of the two men, Law chuckled and was no longer annoyed. Then, he said calmly, "Fine, then let me arm wrestle you instead."

No matter how much he says, it would not be as effective as slamming Uvogin's arm down on the table.

Hearing what Law said, Nobunaga immediately perked up with interest, while Uvogin looked utterly unimpressed. It's because he knew that Law's strength was not even as good as Machi's.

"Law, stop it." Machi interjected, pulling Law back. Then, she saw the slightly strange reactions of the three people and became confused.

'Stop it? That kind of words didn't seem like something that should come from Machi.'

Law, Nobunaga, and Uvogin all stared at Machi as if they had gotten to know her all over again.