Gourmet Hunter (HxH Fanfic)

The twilight of the setting sun stained the horizon a deep red.

In a luxurious hotel, Machi wakes up in a suite and she is alone in the room.

Muffled sounds can be heard from outside the door which was slightly open.

"Law..."

Machi was stunned for a moment, got out of bed, opened the door, and walked out of the suite.

Outside the door was a large living room with luxurious decoration. Uvogin and the others were sitting around a table with a wide variety of food on it.

"You're awake. Come join us." Uvogin said incoherently with his mouth full of meat and his cheeks puffed up.

Machi glanced at the people in the living room. Uvogin, Nobunaga, Pakunoda, Feitan, Franklin, and Chrollo were all there... but Law and Sanbica were not there.

Biting her lip, her gaze lingered on Uvogin.

His right eye was swollen shut, reduced to a narrow slit. His face was bruised and swollen in several places. Even his afro could not hide the large lumps on his head.

This was Uvogin's current state. He looked like he was beaten up severely, but this guy, despite the injury on his face, ate more voraciously than anyone else present, alternating bites of food with gulps of beer, completely unbothered.

"Where's Law?" Machi asked.

"Nobunaga, you tell her." Uvogin said, too busy stuffing his face to explain.

The others continued eating as well, showing no intention of stepping in.

Nobunaga tossed the half-eaten chicken leg in his hand onto the table, looked at Machi, and said, "That bastard Law left two hours ago."

His sword was broken by Law, so he was full of resentment when he mentioned it now.

Upon hearing this, Machi's expression darkened. She pressed her hand against the doorframe, and with a slight squeeze, the wood splintered under her grip.

Nobunaga glanced at the crushed doorframe and calmly added: "Have something to eat first, calm down a bit. Afterward, I'll tell you how Uvogin ended up looking like a fool after Law beat him senseless."

Before he could finish, a chicken bone flew through the air and hit Nobunaga squarely on the head, almost knocking him off his chair.

"As$hole!"

Without even turning, Nobunaga knew exactly who had thrown the bone.

He picked up the chicken leg he'd discarded earlier, and just before throwing it away, he hesitated, ate up all the chicken meat in a few big bites, and then threw the chicken bone at Uvogin's face.

For a moment, the two nearly got into a fight again.

Watching the scene, Machi sighed softly and sat down beside Pakunoda.

Seeing her take a seat, Pakunoda took out a new set of bowls and chopsticks and handed them to her.

Machi took the bowl and chopsticks. But although she was very hungry, she had no appetite at all when she saw the feast before her.

Noticing Machi's low spirits, Pakunoda spoke gently, "Law left a contact number before he left."

"Did he say anything else?" Machi asked.

"The condition stands indefinitely." Pakunoda picked out the most important part of his message.

Machi was stunned, pursed her lips and said nothing. She could almost picture Law's casual expression as he said those words, 'It had to have been delivered with a smirk.'

"You should eat first. I'll tell you in detail later." Pakunoda said.

Machi nodded slightly. Now that she had Law's number, she wouldn't have to worry about not being able to find him.

After everyone had eaten their fill, Pakunoda recounted the events that had unfolded.

After she was knocked unconscious by Law, Uvogin had taken on Law. He was very arrogant at first, shouting that he would fight with Law for at least ten rounds. Later, he even shouted that he would make Law the exclusive chef of the Troupe.

However, the fight lasted only three rounds before Uvogin was thoroughly beaten, leaving him in the sorry state he was in now.

After Uvogin left the stage, Nobunaga stepped in. While his fight ended slightly better than Feitan's, his insistence on a rematch led to Law cutting his cherished sword in half.

Though Nobunaga called it his cherished sword, it was actually just an ordinary katana.

In the end, their attempt to recruit Law into the Troupe ended in failure. Afterward, the group had traveled to the nearest city.

Law booked the presidential suite in a high-end hotel, left a sum of money behind for them, and departed.

Before leaving, he left his contact information and reiterated to Uvogin and Nobunaga that the condition of beating him to make him join the Troupe would remain valid indefinitely. After exchanging a few casual words, he took his leave.

"That guy Law said that we're welcome to visit him anytime when we're free." Uvogin said.

"And you just let him go?" Machi asked, fixing her gaze on him.

"What was I supposed to do? I can't beat him." Uvogin said helplessly.

Nobunaga curled his lips and said, "It really doesn't matter. Now that we've got his contact information, we can find him anytime we want."

From the very start, the Troupe had only established two rules, granting its members significant freedom. Unless something important came up, each member could attend to their own affairs.

Though Law wasn't physically with them, transportation was convenient, and with his contact details, finding him would be a simple matter.

Machi knew why Law specifically stated that the condition would be kept indefinitely. It was simply to make them temporarily give up the idea of ​​ forcing him into the Troupe.

If they want to reach Law's level, it is impossible to do it without several years of rigorous training. Besides, their knowledge of Nen techniques was still rudimentary.

The conversation about Law ended and the topic turned to the main business, which was the Troupe's future itinerary.

"The first step is training, then we find a 'qualified' Nen User." Chrollo said this to everyone while sitting on the couch.

No one had any objection to this matter.

Although they are not familiar with Nen, they can find a 'qualified' Nen User and then obtain relevant information from them. In the meantime, strengthening themselves remained the top priority.

In the final analysis, the strength that Law showed today had set a clear benchmark in front of the Troupe, telling them the gap in strength between the two sides.

Even Chrollo had to admit that, as he was now, he couldn't compare to Law. But that didn't bother him. Chasing itself was an enjoyable endeavor. Moreover, Chrollo and the rest of the Troupe understood a fundamental truth:

Living as one pleases requires power.

If they want to get something, they have to have the corresponding ability. Those from Meteor City knew this better than anyone else.

'Blacklist Hunter, huh...'

Chrollo lowered his eyes slightly, recalling an odd statement Law had made before leaving.

The sentence was said in an uncertain tone and very casually.

'I might become a Gourmet Hunter in the future, or maybe a Blacklist Hunter. Oh, you probably don't know what a Blacklist Hunter is, right? They're Hunters who specialize in capturing fugitives. It seems like a fast way to make money.'

After saying that, Law had shifted the conversation to food, which led to his comment about Uvogin and the others being free to visit him anytime.

Among the group, Chrollo was probably the only one who cared the most about this sentence, because, in his opinion, the second half of Law's explanation about the Blacklist Hunter was a bit redundant, as if there was an underlying implication.

However, he was only a little concerned. And for now, he focused on the present.

After finalizing their plans, the Troupe decided not to rush. Having just left Meteor City and with the money Law had given them, they had the luxury of relaxing and enjoying themselves for a while.

Machi, however, had a different agenda. With Law's contact information in hand, she left the hotel and headed for a public phone booth on the street.

Dialing his number, she listened as the rhythmic ringing tone echoed.

After a few rings, the call connected.

"Hello?"

Law's voice could be heard clearly on the other end of the line.