(For flowers, evaluation)
Day Two.
Li Mu accompanied Gon to the swamp lake to catch the Big Fish King. Although he could challenge Master Morad of Yixin Gym at any time, he knew Gon might not be able to catch the fish on his own. So Li Mu decided to wait—help Gon first, then challenge Morad.
Unfortunately, no luck that day.
Day Three.
Li Mu cheered Gon on and returned with him to fish once again. Still, they caught nothing.
Day Four.
The same result. The legendary Big Fish King continued to elude them.
Day Five.
The morning before the ship arrived to take potential Hunter candidates to the trial. Gon woke up quietly at three in the morning and went to the swamp lake alone. His anxiety was showing.
"Gon, let's fish together again after breakfast."
Li Mu arrived with Aunt Mito's carefully prepared meal in hand. He handed it to Gon and said with a smile:
"You'll have more energy to fish once you're full."
Gon nodded, chewing quickly.
"Li Mu, today's the last day. I have to catch the Big Fish King today."
"I know. I believe in you."
Li Mu answered calmly.
He was certain that if he hadn't altered events by crossing into this world, Gon would catch the Big Fish King just like in the original timeline. His presence, however, could change the outcome. Still, he held onto hope.
Just then, the float in the middle of the water vanished beneath the surface!
Gon's eyes widened.
"It's on the line, Li Mu! It's the Big Fish King—it's really taken the bait!"
he exclaimed.
"Stay sharp! Don't let it escape again!"
Li Mu warned.
If it broke the line now, there might not be another chance.
"Got it! I'm being careful this time!"
Gon leapt into action. He ran circles around a massive tree at the edge of the lake—its sprawling shape almost like a blooming flower. He wrapped the line around it, leveraging tension and angle. Then he jumped—letting gravity assist—pulling the fishing rod down with maximum force to counter the pull of the giant fish.
"Li Mu, I did it! I caught it—I caught the Big Fish King!"
Gon shouted joyfully, soaked in sweat and lake mist.
"Yeah. You really did it."
Li Mu nodded with a satisfied smile.
He could've helped with his powers—froze the lake, manipulated weight—but he knew Gon would never accept a victory that wasn't earned. Letting Gon succeed through his own effort was the best outcome.
"Gon, take the Big Fish King to Aunt Mito. I won't be coming with you—now it's my turn."
He turned toward Yixin Gym, voice firm:
"Time to challenge and defeat Master Morad."
He jumped down from the tree and walked away.
"Good luck, Li Mu!"
Gon dragged the massive fish toward the village. Looking back, he saw Li Mu's silhouette disappearing into the distance and raised a thumbs-up.
---
Early Morning Fishing
Aunt Mito was hard at work cleaning.
A group of men stood nearby, watching the swamp lake.
"Mito, it's been five days. Your boy Gon's still trying to catch that fish?"
chuckled a stubbled, pot-bellied middle-aged man.
"Four or five of us strong men couldn't haul that fish in. Letting Gon try—maybe you don't want him to take the Hunter Exam?"
he teased.
Mito gave a small, uneasy smile, brushing her hair back.
"And I heard you also asked Li Mu to defeat Morad?"
added a bald man with a scar by his eye.
"That's even worse! Morad's way stronger than that fish. It's like you're stacking impossible challenges so they don't leave Whale Island."
Mito's eyes grew cold.
"The Hunter Exam is dangerous. The death rate is high. Keeping them here is keeping them safe."
A man with thick eyebrows and large eyes chimed in:
"You forget that Gon's father, Ging, caught the Big Fish King when he was Gon's age. He had no backup. If anyone can do it, it's his son."
Another nodded:
"I believe Gon might pull it off. But Li Mu defeating Master Morad? That's another story. That kid would need a miracle."
Suddenly someone shouted—
"Look! Gon's coming back!"
"That thing behind him… is that the Big Fish King?!"
"No way… he actually caught it! Alone!"
"As expected of Ging's son… none of us could catch it, but Gon did!"
"Looks like your plan failed, Mito. He's going to the Hunter Exam after all!"
Mito stared silently at Gon and the enormous fish. Her lips parted as if to speak… but no words came. She simply sighed, eyes glinting with both pride and sadness.
"He caught it. He really did."
Then a small voice spoke up—a girl from the village, bright eyes filled with admiration.
"If Gon can catch the Big Fish King… then maybe Li Mu really can beat Master Morad too."
In her heart, Li Mu could do anything.
"Little one," an older woman chuckled,
"If Li Mu beats Morad, he'll leave Whale Island for the Hunter Exam. He might be gone for years—just like Ging. You really want that?"
The girl blushed but stayed quiet, heart still full of belief.