Chapter 16: Argument

Leorio: "Stupid brat! Apologize!"

Esther: "Not unless you do first."

Leorio is drying off his wet clothes while Gon and Kurapika peddle. I don't know how Gon convinced Kurapika not to try to help but the entire time, we've been yelling the whole way. As we sail, I notice a sign floating in the water. I point to it.

Esther: "What's that?"

Leorio looks at it.

Leorio: "Isn't that a warning for magical animals?"

Kurapika: "Yeah, so it seems."

Gon: "Magical animals?"

Peddling for a while longer, Gon speaks up.

Gon: "Say, I've been thinking. How do we impress the navigator? I have no idea."

Kurapika: "Well, we can-"

Leorio: "I guess it's appearance. I'm sorry to say this but Gon, you stand no chance. As for Kurapika, you're not tall enough. And Esther. I'm afraid they will have to be blind to accept you. Taking that into account, I'm the only one among us who can impress the navigator."

Esther: "Don't fool yourself, there's no way you can impress anyone with your looks. You look like an old man."

Leorio: "You little!"

Kurapika: "And it takes more than just physical looks. Something else… like intelligence and shrewdness. As for you, Gon, think of something you excel in."

Gon: "Something I excel in?"

Kurapika: "You don't notice it yourself, but you excel in many things. At least more than Leorio."

Leorio: "For me, it's my courage. I wouldn't get scared no matter what monsters I encounter."

Esther: "Because you're too stupid to notice danger."

Leorio: "Stupid little!"

The movement of water catches my attention. Turning around, I see something coming out of the water. It slowly rises.

Kurapika: "Leorio…behind you."

Leorio: "Behind me?"

Gon: "Look."

Leorio turns around, he screams. Grabbing the paddles from both Gon and Kurapika, he begins to paddle fast. He paddles strong enough that it's literally picking up the boat. We hit a rock, it sends us flying. We crash on sand while Leorio continues to paddle. I get off the boat and vomit. Gon rubs my back.

Kurapika: "Leorio."

Leorio: "Huh?"

Kurapika: "You can stop paddling, we're on land and far away from the monster."

Leorio looks around. He seems embarrassed. He grabs his suit case and gets off the boat. He looks out to the lake.

Leorio: "Even this lake that's as big as the ocean can be crossed quickly if I row the boat."

Esther: "Forget about what I said about you being too stupid to notice danger. Turns out, you're too stupid in how you notice."

Leorio: "You little!"

Gon: "Is this a ruin?"

Hearing Gon's voice, I turn to look and see a huge statue.

Kurapika: "It seems like a relic of the ancient Sumi Tribe."

Gon: "Can you read it?"

Kurapika stares at it for a short while.

Kurapika: "Many parts are missing, so I can't say for sure… It seems like this is a warning for those who trespass this ruin."

Leorio: "Hey, forget about it. Where is the way to the cabin?"

Gon: "I think it's right there."

Gon points to a crossroad along the shoreline.

Leorio: "It looks like a long, winding road to me. You sure it's that way?"

Esther: "Only one way to find out."

I start walking along the shoreline. Hopefully we'll get there soon. And why do I have this strange feeling that something is watching us?