Amateur Hunters

The Amateur Hunters are a group of aspiring Hunters led and mentored by Kite. The group is hired by the Kakin Empire on the Azian Continent to conduct a biological survey.^[1]

Background[]

Little is known about when Kite met each member of the group, but one said that they have been with the group for three years.^[2] Unsurprisingly, Kite has spent more time with them than Gon. Kite also seems to have the closest connection with Spin and Stick, since he financed the purchase of their home so that they could protect the Small-billed Swan. It can also be deduced that other members of the group were with Spin and Stick since the former mentioned that Kite was the first adult who listened to a "bunch of kids" with nothing to their names.^[3]

Although Kite called the group's members excellent "hunters", it’s unlikely that any of them have passed the Hunter Exam and possess a Hunter License.^[1] Gon also asked Spin why she wants to be a Hunter.^[3] None of the group's members are Nen users.^[1]

Plot[]

Chimera Ant arc[]

After meeting Gon and Killua in a forest in the Kakin Empire, Kite explains to them that he was hired by the country to conduct ecological research of new species. He reveals that he has six others with him, calling them amateurs but excellent hunters. The six individuals arrive right on cue and wonder who the two kids are. Kite explains that they are his friends who stopped by during their travels. One member of the group introduces herself as Spinner Clow, telling them that they can call her Spin. When Gon introduces himself using his full name, Spin is taken aback by his last name, and Kite confirms that he is Ging's son, surprising the others as well.^[1]

Killua then introduces himself, and two members pick up on his last name, asking if he belongs to the family of famous assassins. Killua confirms this but adds that he quit the business. Kite reveals that both boys are professional Hunters and that they can learn a lot from them, leaving Kite's group stunned. The group of nine then sits around a table of food, and the remaining members of Kite's group introduce themselves. A man named Monta Yuras tells them to call him Mon. A boy named Lin Koshi is glad to meet them. A man named Stick Dinner explains that he is in charge of cooking, playfully pointing out the connection to his name. A girl named Banana Kavaro is also glad to meet them. And finally, a girl named Podungo Lapoy introduces herself.^[1]

Kite asks them about the Camp Tigers, and they reply that they were able to capture amazing footage, wondering what they should do now since they finished earlier than planned. Kite replies that they have another month until their contract ends, and Mon suggests that they keep working and focus on small creatures. Stick quickly agrees, and Lin points out that discovering seven more species will double the quota on the contract, with Spin agreeing that it would be a good place to stop. As Gon and Killua look eager to help, Kite asks the two if they want to work with them, and they excitedly ask if they can. Kite explains that they simply need to use the camera to take a digital picture of anything unusual and that it will automatically compare it to the database so that they can know if it's a new species. He reveals that Lin has discovered the most with more than 1,000 in three years, and Lin points out that the exact number is 1,019. Another member playfully adds that Kite is last with only 68. Kite explains that he works with large mammals and isn't good at finding small bugs.^[1]

Banana adds that the Camp Tiger was the biggest discovery of their trip, and Killua wonders what the creature is. Spin reveals that they make use of fire, and Banana adds that it's the first discovery of a non-magical beast that prefers cooked meat to raw. They then show Gon and Killua footage of the tigers roasting prey that they caught with their large horns, with Podungo pointing out that their horns are retractable. Later that night, Spin and Stick are impressed by how many new and rare species Gon and Killua are finding, with Stick praising their intuition, luck, and observational skills. Kite tells himself that while his group relies on experience and knowledge, Gon and Killua use their five senses to notice things that most people would pass over, calling it a method only possible for professionals who know how to use aura.^[1]

The group delivers their findings to Mr. Wong, who excitedly says that it's worth 200 years of their own research. He apologizes for not being able to pay them a bonus, but promises to recommend them to the ministries of other countries. He then tells them about a segment of a strange creature that was acquired by the Southernpiece Auction House, adding that they can't list it since it could be unregistered and cause legal issues. He then reveals that they would prefer to sell it to a licensed Hunter than have it taken by a bureaucrat. The group travels to Yorknew City and makes their way to the auction house, eventually reaching the segment mentioned by Wong. Kite asks Lin what he thinks, and he replies that it's clearly from a previously unregistered species and that while it looks like an insect leg, there has never been any insect with a leg so large. Spin points out that the claws are also different from other insects, and Banana adds that they usually have two while this one has six.^[2]

After the group discusses the specimen further, Podungo suggests taking a sample back to find out more, and Kite asks the auction official if they can have a small piece. The man replies that he cannot refuse someone recommended by Mr. Wong and gives them two samples after asking them to let the auction house know if they ever find an Albino Ponytail Cat. While Podungo and Mon plan to examine the samples and call them when they get the results, Kite and the others leave to interview the man who found the leg. Killua asks Kite where it was found, and he replies that it was south of Yorknew, suggesting that they go by land since the weather has been unstable lately. The group travels by truck and eventually finds the man, who tells them that it was on a nearby beach just floating near the water's edge. As the group searches the shoreline, Killua notes the thick forest behind them, and Banana adds that it will be difficult to find the creature if it hid inside. Spin isn't sure if the creature is still alive, and Stick adds that they don't even know if it washed up on the same island.^[2]

Banana then reveals a small dog in her backpack and lets it smell the sample, with Gon eagerly wanting to smell it as well. Killua wonders if the sample is rotten, but Banana explains that the dog would refuse it if it were. However, the dog is unable to pick up any sort of trail, and Kite guesses that the creature washed up elsewhere, asking how the currents flow. The man who found the leg tells them that they change direction day and night and that it depends on the season and day as well. Spin says that it will be impossible to specify a location, but Gon suggests that they split up. Kite wonders if he can find it, and Killua explains that Gon's nose works just like a dog's. However, they find that the scent is gone and guess that the rain washed it away. Kite's phone suddenly rings, and Podungo reveals that the creature is most likely a Chimera Ant queen, with Kite and the others taken aback by the news.^[2]

Killua wonders what a Chimera Ant is, and Spin explains that it's an insect designated quarantine level one. Killua asks if it's dangerous, and Spin adds that it has a ravenous appetite and uses a strategy known as phagogenesis to reproduce. She finally reveals that the creature can eat many times its own weight in a single day and that it's called the "gourmet ant" for that very reason. Killua asks how large it can get, and Spin replies that queens are around 10 cm. Killua guesses that the one they are looking for is probably two meters tall and that it could eat people. After the group goes silent, they eventually decide to keep looking for the creature.^[2]

Spin explains that a Chimera Ant queen keeps moving until she finds a place she likes and that she will continue to produce soldier Ants until then. She will also produce numerous construction Ants to build a nest and will then remain there until her death. Spin adds that the soldier Ants will catch enough food to satiate her appetite and that a two-meter-tall queen can develop a taste for human flesh, which can cause entire villages and towns to go missing. However, as Spin does a search on her laptop, she is unable to find any mass disappearances in the past six months. Gon asks about individual disappearances, but Spin says that it wouldn't help them since hundreds of thousands of people go missing around the world every year. Killua asks about areas with higher rates of missing reports, but Spin replies that she can't do that either since the data is two years old.^[4]

Others suggest looking up sightings instead since a two-meter-tall insect would make the news, but Spin says that she isn't getting news or even any rumors. Banana wonders if they are worrying for nothing, and Spin guesses that the creature may already be fish food. Kite asks her to show him the data on ocean currents for the day the insect's leg was found. Spin brings up a map of the location, and Kite asks her to show him where the leg could have been ten days ago based on those currents, speculating that the leg may have been severed after the creature washed up elsewhere. Spin tells him that the entire Balsa Islands are a possibility, and Kite replies that the Mitene Union is also possible in that case. Stick wonders what it is, and Banana suddenly realizes that it's where NGL is. Kite points out that it's also the location of East Gorteau, and Killua wonders what NGL is. Kite replies that it stands for "Neo-Green Life" and that the country forbids all modern technology and lives among nature.^[4]

Spin brings up a map of the Mitene Union and clicks on NGL, saying that all their communication is done by mail and all their transportation by horseback. She confirms that it's illegal to bring in modern technology and cites a case in 1987 when three members of a TV crew were caught trying to film a documentary, one of whom was executed and the other two left imprisoned. She adds that it has a population of 2.17 million, one percent of which are volunteers while the rest are "members". Kite wonders what they would do if the Chimera Ant washed up there, and Spin replies that they would likely do nothing, citing the example of an epidemic when they declined international aid because they wanted to let nature take its course. Kite points out that it would be too late anyway even if any information got out, guessing that the Chimera Ant is already building its nest.^[4]

Kite and the others then make their way to the NGL Border Stop, and the driver explains that it acts as both the country's checkpoint and embassy. He wonders why the place is so interesting, revealing that he has already transported ten other groups there. Kite realizes that others must have had the same idea, telling the group to prepare themselves since NGL isn't the eco-friendly group they claim to be. Gon is left confused, and Banana whispers to him that there are many troubling rumors about them.^[4] The two ambassadors ask about the nature of their visit, and Kite explains that a biohazard-class insect may have wandered into their country. The group is led inside and surprised by the multiple computers. The ambassadors explain that they aren't inside the country yet and that the computers are used for diplomacy and information exchange. They stress that all metals, glass, and petroleum products will have to be removed before they are allowed to enter. Lin wonders if that includes his glasses, and the man confirms it, adding that they also need to remove any clothing that has any plastic or metal parts, or that's made from synthetic fibers. Spin worries about having to strip naked, but the ambassador assures them that they will provide clothing with natural fibers. The other ambassador adds that anyone with irremovable implants (e.g., surgical bolts, metal dental fillings, silicone prosthetics) will be refused entry.^[5]

Only Kite, Stick, Podungo, Gon, and Killua continue the entry process. Kite tells the others to wait in town and that they will contact them in two weeks. A woman leads them to the inspection area and explains that they will have to go through a metal detector, x-ray, and ultrasound since people have tried to smuggle gun parts, cameras, or cell phones in their bodies before. The five are eventually granted entry and rent three horses for 12,000 a day. They decide to check out the communities along the coastline first and realize that the translator guides are keeping a close eye on them. Kite tells Gon and Killua that he doesn't expect any help from the people, adding that his instincts are telling him the creature is somewhere inside the country.^[5]

After receiving a bloody note with directions from one of Ponzu's bees, Kite tells Gon and Killua that it will be dangerous and asks if they want to come. The two show no hesitation in agreeing, and Kite tells the translator that the horses will be too slow for them. He then tells Stick and Podungo to go back with the others and inform the Hunter Association that it's a top-level threat.^[6]

After their confrontation with Neferpitou, Killua safely carries Gon back to the NGL Border Stop. He then calls Spin and tells her that they had to leave Kite behind, enraging her as she orders them to explain themselves. Mon takes the phone from her and tells Killua to wait there since they are on their way with reinforcements. In the back of the truck, Mon hangs up as Banana and Podungo are seen with Netero, Morel, and Knov.^[7]

After leaving Knuckle and Shoot at the NGL Border Stop and begging the former to save Kite,^[8] Gon rides back in the truck with Killua and Spin, who is seen reading a book. Gon eventually stops sulking and says that he needs to get stronger so that Kite won't be disappointed after Knuckle rescues him. Spin tells Gon that while he may have met Kite before they did, they have spent more time with him. She adds that she would have kicked him off the truck if he kept sulking since Kite wouldn't want to see him like that. She is also confident that Kite is still alive, telling Gon that he wants to see wits and determination from him, not regret or remorse. She then tells him to train harder if he's weak and that he can do squats or pushups right there in the truck.^[3]

Gon begins doing handstand push-ups and eventually asks Spin why she wants to be a Hunter. Spin replies that she needs money to pay off an immense debt, asking if they have ever heard of the Small-billed Swan. Gon replies that he hasn't, and Spin explains that while they don't know why yet, it only lives near a certain mine. She continues by saying that they bought what was left of the entire mountain and that Kite financed it for them, adding that he was the first adult who would listen to a group of kids with nothing to their names. She then reveals that the mountain is home for her and Stick, who were both born there. She adds that their most lasting memory is seeing thousands of swans take flight as the sun rose behind them, realizing how much the place meant to them once they heard that it was being considered an industrial waste site. She reveals that Kite said he envied them since he doesn't know where he was born and doesn't have a place to call home. With Gon and Killua still listening intently, Spin tells them that she will take them there once the mission is over, calling the place priceless.^[3]

13^th Hunter Chairman Election arc[]

During Kite's discussion with Koala, Spin enters the room and tells him that he has a guest. Kite tells her to let him in, and Gon appears in the doorway. After his talk with Kite, Gon waves goodbye to him and the Amateur Hunters.^[9] After meeting Ging at the top of the World Tree, Gon happily joins Kite and the Amateur Hunters to watch thousands of Small-billed Swans take flight as the sun rises behind them. He then sends a video to all his friends so that they can see the spectacle.^[10]

Members[]

Active Deceased Former Unknown

Kite's Amateur Hunters
Members
Banana Kavaro	Lin Koshi	Monta Yuras	Podungo Lapoy	Spinner Clow
		Stick Dinner

Kakin Exploration Team[]

Spinner Clow[]

A young woman who is always seen chewing gum. She came to survey the country with Kite.^[1] She aspires to be a Hunter so that she can pay back her debt to Kite, who financed her purchase of an entire mountain in her hometown—a mining townhome to the Small-billed Swan.^[3]

Monta Yuras[]

A large man with a koala-like face also surveys Kakin for new species. He seems to be in charge of the luggage.^[1]

Lin Koshi[]

He came to survey Kakin with Kite. He already discovered over a thousand new species even before meeting Gon and Killua. He's a short young man with round glasses and usually appears nervous and stuttering.^[1]

Stick Dinner[]

He came to survey Kakin with Kite. He came from the same town as Spin. He likes saying puns and has an afro. He also said that he handles the cooking because his surname is Dinner.^[1]

Banana Kavaro[]

She came to survey Kakin with Kite. Banana tells Gon about the Camp Tigers, has short hair, and wears baggy clothing.^[1]

Podungo Lapoy[]

She came to survey Kakin with Kite. Podungo has dark skin with hair tied up in a topknot. She is the smallest member of the group.^[1]

References[]