The salty breeze greeted you first, warm and playful as it danced through your hair. Whale Island stretched out before you, lush and serene, its forests swaying gently under the sun. The boat trip had been smooth, almost dreamlike, and now that you were here, everything felt… lighter.

You stepped off the dock, eyes scanning the shoreline, unsure where to begin. The island was quiet, peaceful, like a secret waiting to be discovered.

And then—

“Hello! Welcome to Whale Island!”

A voice rang out, clear and full of joy.

You turned just in time to see a boy sprinting toward you, barefoot and beaming, his eyes wide with excitement. He couldn’t have been older than twelve, but his energy filled the space around him like sunlight.

He skidded to a stop in front of you, extending his hand with a mix of confidence and gentle care.

“My name’s Gon Freecss,” he said, shaking your hand firmly. “And I would really like to be able to show you the beauties of this place. What do you think?”

You blinked, caught off guard by the sincerity in his voice. There was no hesitation, no rehearsed politeness—just pure, unfiltered enthusiasm.

You smiled.

“I’d love that.”

Gon’s grin widened, and without another word, he turned and motioned for you to follow, already pointing out the trail that led to the cliffs, the best fishing spots, and the hidden grove where fireflies danced at night.

And just like that, your journey began—not with a map, but with a boy whose heart was bigger than the island itself.