Surprise X Leaving

'Wait... that looks familiar... seriously?! Is this lucky or unlucky? Whale Island, eh? This is a good opportunity to prevent Gon from meeting Killua, thus completing my vow. However, I don't know if there is such a thing as plot armor in this world. Hmm... if so, it shouldn't be to the point of it being world-bending. With the difference in our strengths, I should be able to do as I wish, assuming such a thing does exist. The best way to avoid future trouble and ensure my vow be kept is to execute Gon. Now, how should I make it look like an accident so that I'm not suspected? After all, it would be rather suspicious for someone to be murdered right after I arrive on the island. I would be a prime suspect. I got it! I remember that Gon had made a bet with Mito, such that if he caught the Master of the Swamp, he would be able to take the Hunter Exam. Perhaps I can use [Uncle Sam] to control Gon to make a 'mistake' and get eaten by it...'

As Veld neared the island, nearby people were alerted by the large disturbance in the water, exclaiming "What is that! A huge fish? It's coming right to the port!" More and more onlookers gathered, interested in this occurrence. After all, their lives were usually monotonous, bar the occasional incident like this. As Veld arrived, he was ever so slightly surprised by the amount of people gathered around. He stood up on the plank that was still moving due to inertia and launched himself up and onto the ground.

"Hello! My name is Veld. My boat got destroyed, so I was forced to swim all the way here. Might I take a rest?" Veld said innocently. 'Best make a good impression.'

"Ah... yes..." someone responded, still dazed from Veld's performance. He was a little slow to respond, answering only a few seconds later.

"Young man, you can come stay with me," an old lady said, "There happens to be an impressive young boy about your age in Mito-san's house, which is rather close to mine. Perhaps the two of you may become acquainted." The old lady smiled kindly at Veld.

"Thank you very much. I'm much obliged."

"Ohoh, what an intelligent young man!"

...

A day passed by, and Veld woke up in the early morning. Eager to meet this "impressive young boy" whom he suspects to be Gon, he asked the Old lady, whose name was Felva, and she directed him to Mito's house, giving him a gift as "it would be impolite not to."

*Knock Knock*

"Hello?" An orange-haired woman opened the door, not knowing who would be coming to her house at this time as, typically, if someone wanted to visit her, it would be midday. "Oh, well who might you be, young man?"

"My name is Veld, nice to meet you, Mito-san! Felva-san directed me here, saying that I should pay a visit. Ah, here. Cookies, as a courtesy."

"Ah, thank you! And Gon is out by the swamp trying to catch the Master of the Swamp. He'll only be back later today. Perhaps you can pay a visit then."

"Okay, thank you, Mito-san. I'll be off to the swamp then!"

"Ah, wait!.. too late. I hope he'll be okay."

After asking for directions from a few passersby, Veld reached the swamp and searched for Gon. As for how he would use the [Parasitic Senbon,] he could directly pierce Gon's neck, which could be passed off as an insect bite. He is not nearly strong enough to resist a Nen attack. Veld had considered using the nasal pathway, but that would require a better angle and create a larger possibility of detection. He wanted to be undetected so that Gon wouldn't detect the attack and simply pass it off as an insect. Veld had acquired a neurotoxin, however it took about a tenth of a second to work, so the initial pain would still be felt. This way, Gon wouldn't feel the [Parasitic Senbon] crawling up to his brain.

Veld, who found Gon's position moved to an inconspicuous location not far away and took out a piece of wood that he had salvaged from the ship. He carved some characters on the piece of wood, which were:

|=> "Uncle Sam Says"

[Senbon #1]

Conditions for activation:

- Gon must encounter the Master of the Swamp and begin reeling it in.

Orders:

- Seek death in a way that seems accidental, such as accidentally slipping off of a branch and falling right into the jaws of the Master of the Swamp. <=|

'It's best to have a witness later so that the accidental death can be confirmed. Considering how athletic Gon is, there is a tiny possibility that I may be suspected. Although it would only be a doubt, I will take no risks. What is one tiny 24 hour cooldown? Such a small sacrifice for ensuring no suspicion.'

Veld hopped up into a tree at an angle in which Gon could not see him, but he could see his neck. Veld conjured [senbon 1] and threw it with his full strength. Gon was unaware of the attack until it was right upon him. Sensing danger, he quickly attempted to dodge, to no avail. Gon felt a prick at his neck, causing him to naturally raise his arm to feel the area. "Ouch!" Gon brought his hand back down, seeing a small amount of blood. "An insect bite?.. hmm I guess it left." 'That's it. Gon's death is almost 100%.'

Veld left the area, coming back a few hours later. Gon was about to leave as he had been unable to find the Master of the Swamp for the day, but he heard the crack of a twig on the ground. His head snapped towards the sound's location, finding Veld's figure. "Ah, woops. Sorry to disturb you. I heard from Mito-san that you would be here. I thought it would be nice to meet a boy my age, so I came to find you. My name is Veld by the way." For some odd reason, Gon felt wary, but he brushed it off. "My name is Gon! Nice to meet you!"

...

A few days later.

Veld had found a good target just a few hours after he had used [senbon 1] on Gon and had used [senbon 2] on him, so that he could witness Gon's death, after writing:

|=> "Uncle Sam Says"

[Senbon #2]

Conditions for Activation: None

Orders:

- At 10 am, find Gon in the swamp and watch. Do this until he dies.

- After he dies, rush back to the village and report his accidental death.

- Write down the events of the day in your journal. <=|

Although Veld did not know whether or not the [soldiers] would retain memories of the time that they were manipulated, it mattered not. After all, they would not know that someone had been controlling them, just that they had come under a spell. That way, they would brush it off.

Today, Gon was lucky! Or... unlucky. The Master of the Swamp had taken the bait. As he was about to begin reeling it in, he suddenly paused for a split second, as if to flex his muscles to prepare. His demeanor underwent a very slight change. If one were to see this (which someone did), it wouldn't appear suspicious, as anyone would undergo similar actions to prepare themselves.

At this time, Gon was being manipulated by [Uncle Sam,] trying to find the best way to "accidentally" die. The best moment came when he was swinging around the tree to pull the Master of the Swamp out of the water and he was moving in the direction of the large fish's mouth. If he had held on, he would be able to narrowly dodge the jaws of death. However, Gon "accidentally" messed up and hit his hand against a branch, causing him to release the fishing pole in shock. "Aaaaah!" Gon screamed, falling down into the Master of the Swamp's mouth, which closed with as much force as possible, snapping his neck. The shine in Gon's eyes slowly lost its luster, his life slipping away.

At this time, the [soldier] who was watching this event unfold, followed his orders and scrambled back to the village, panting as he stopped to take a rest. The old lady Felva had seen this and had a bad feeling in her heart. "Katel, what happened? Why are you in such a hurry?"

"Felva-san, Gon has encountered an accident! The Master of the Swamp ate Gon!"

"Ah! Katel, hurry! Go get Mito-san! Hurry!"

Veld had also been watching to make sure that his plan went without a hitch. Initially, he had been intending to order [senbon 1] to kill Gon so that he would not lose two [senbons]. However, he reconsidered. Once the news of Gon's death reaches the ears of Ging, he is sure to come to Whale Island. If he notices that Gon's brain has been badly damaged from the inside, he would notice that this was the doing of a Nen user. At that time, Ging would surely use all of the methods that he had access to to find out who had caused his son's death and take revenge. He has plenty of connections, so even if he can't find out what happened himself, someone he knows very possibly has such capabilities.

However, his Nen trace would fade by the time the news had gotten out, and as there are no signs left of tampering, Ging shouldn't grow suspicious. The only price is having two [senbon] on a 24 hour cooldown. 'Speaking of which, since his task is done, I should forcibly deactivate [senbon 2].' After Veld did so, Katel stumbled a bit, and then became confused. "What just happened?" His memories were a little foggy. "Ah, I remember! Gon died! I have to hurry to Mito-san!"

Veld, who was observing this, noted it for future reference. 'It seems that [soldiers] do indeed keep their memories. This can be a double-edged sword, but as long as I keep it in mind, it shouldn't pose any problems. After I'm done with someone that I don't want to kill, their memories shouldn't have any discrepancies.'

...

Veld didn't want to be involved, and the villagers also didn't want an outsider to be involved, so he heard nothing more about Gon's death except for the muttering and gossip of others. The village had a dark atmosphere, and there was no joy or happiness to be seen. However, the time to leave soon came, as a ship approached on the horizon. It was the ship that Gon had taken to arrive near the Hunter's Exam.

As a courtesy, Veld said goodbye to old lady Felva and Mito. The two were down because of Gon's death, and were saddened some more at the news of Veld's departure. On the ship, Veld said "Goodbye, Mito-san, Felva-san!" in a similar manner to what Gon had done in the anime. For a brief moment, Gon's image overlapped with Veld's in the eyes of the villagers. It seemed to have brought some peace and acceptance to their hearts.