Hunter × Hunter chapter 294: Break Down — what is in it
Chimera Ant arc · 21 pages · 22 characters
Key facts in this chapter
Chapter number 294 is displayed on the title page Palm is shown using her Black Widow hair armor transformation The page focuses on Palm shifting from defense to full offense
Palm has undergone a dramatic physical transformation Gon reacts with visible shock to the change The transformation produces massive destructive force
Palm was originally a Reinforcement type Her new form grants a perfect guard Gon believes meeting Pitou would be disastrous Gon decides he cannot run away despite the disadvantage
Palm is searching for Gon and refuses to explain her reason Gon reacts with visible anger and desperation A powerful attacker engages in close combat with Gon The fight causes extensive structural damage to the building
Gon recognizes Palm despite her altered appearance Gon previously labeled Palm an enemy in anger Palm stands between Gon and the person who changed him Gon is on the verge of losing control of his emotions
Palm identifies a visible change as fulfilling a specific condition. Novu speaks directly to Gon about prior concern. The scene takes place immediately after an intrusion. Someone is stalling to prevent a meeting.
Killua is shown in visible distress with sweat on his face. Only one individual remains able to perform a specific action. Killua is the viewpoint character in the final panel.
Killua is referenced in narration as having carried something for a long time. A creature expels an object from its mouth during heavy rain. The wide-hatted figure remains standing and observing throughout the sequence.
Palm leaps through the air in her transformed state, arms outstretched and body clad in flowing black hair that has hardened into armor. Her wide-brimmed hat casts a shadow over her intense expression as she descends toward her target. Text explains that Palm's "Black Widow" ability armed her entire body with hair altered according to her emotions, but that duty was solely defensive. What was truly dreadful was her ability to entrust all defense to the strength of the hair armor and completely devote herself to attacking. With a powerful strike, her hair lashes out as "STRIKE!!!" echoes across the page. The sound effect "GUGUGUGU" rumbles as impact shapes burst around the massive hair tendril slamming forward.
Palm
02
A massive impact erupts as Palm's transformed body looms over the scene, her long hair whipping wildly and her face twisted in strain. The enormous SFX ZUDON crashes across the page while FSH marks the sudden motion. Below, Gon stands frozen in shock, his spiky hair standing on end and eyes wide as dust and debris swirl around him. Palm's silhouette appears from behind, her new form towering and menacing. In a distant panel, a figure crashes through the side of a building, shattering glass and concrete. Palm's face fills another close-up, mouth open in a fierce cry as the SFX GIIIHH! bursts outward.
PalmGon
03
Narration boxes detail the shift: "HER ABILITY WENT STRAIGHT FROM BEING JUST WHAT I WANTED IT TO BE TO THIS...!?" and "PALM IS ORIGINALLY A REINFORCEMENT TYPE..." Gon stares in disbelief, sweat on his face, as he processes the new threat. Further narration warns: "IF THIS BECOMES A DRAWN-OUT BATTLE IT'LL BE AT A COMPLETE DISADVANTAGE!" and notes the perfect guard Palm now possesses. Palm lunges forward with the SFX HYUU, her body stretched in attack. Gon clenches his fist, declaring internally that his heart is at its limit and he cannot let Palm meet Pitou. Close-ups show Palm's determined face and Gon's resolve. The final panel explodes with light as Gon shouts: "RIGHT NOW IT'S A BIG MINUS!!"
PalmGon
04
Palm stands with a serious expression, declaring, "ANYHOW, HE'S CLOSE BY, RIGHT? I'LL FIND HIM MYSELF." She continues, "I DON'T HAVE A REASON, I JUST WANT TO SEE HIM." Gon reacts with shock, shouting, "HUH? WHY AFTER ALL THIS?" Palm replies, "DEPENDING ON YOUR ANSWER I MIGHT TELL YOU WHERE HE IS." Gon yells desperately, "PALM!! WHY'RE YOU LOOKING FOR GON!?" A massive explosion erupts as a dark, long-haired figure with clawed limbs lunges forward, striking with tremendous force amid SFX: ZAH ZAH and SHAH. The attacker smashes through the environment with powerful blows, sending debris flying. Gon is hurled backward by the impact, crashing through walls and rubble as SFX: ZA ZA ZA, DOKUH, and ZAZAH mark the violent exchange. The floor collapses in a cloud of dust and broken concrete under the relentless assault, with SFX: DOGYAH echoing through the destruction.
PalmGonunidentified long-haired attacker
05
Gon leans forward with a strained expression, asking, "BUT THOUGH YOUR OUTSIDE'S CHANGED, YOU'RE STILL 'PALM', RIGHT!?" He apologizes, "I'M SORRY! I KNOW I GOT ANGRY AND CALLED YOU AN ENEMY." A close-up shows Gon's profile as narration states someone changed Gon to become cruel and heartless. Palm's face appears with a cold, piercing gaze. The scene shifts to Gon standing in a ruined corridor facing Palm, who wears a hat and dress. Narration explains that the person who took Gon's heart is now confronting him. Palm's silhouette looms as Gon calls out, "GON" with a desperate "......!!!" Palm urges, "SO PLEASE!! FIRST I HAVE TO HEAR YOU SAY HIS NAME." She warns, "GON WILL REALLY LOSE IT." Gon looks up with wide eyes, realizing, "IF YOU SUDDENLY APPEARED THERE AS YOU ARE NOW."
GonPalm
06
Palm's wide eyes fill the top panel as she realizes the truth. "THAT'S... THE CONDITION!" she exclaims. Below, she responds with a quiet "OKAY..." while two close panels show a dark, textured shape. A voice urges, "SAY IT'S..." In the next tier, Novu stands in his tall hat and striped coat, telling the person ahead of him, "COULDN'T STOP WORRYING ABOUT YOU." The back view of Gon in his dark shirt appears beside him as Novu continues, "RIGHT BEFORE WE BROKE IN HERE, GON.." Farther down the page, isolated text boxes and tiny figures convey the hidden thoughts: "PEACE OF MIND," "GIVE GON," "HE HAD NO INTENTION OF LETTING THEM MEET," and "STALLING FOR TIME."
PalmNovuGon
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Killua's face appears in close-up, sweat visible, accompanied by the narration box "OR THAT AT LEAST WAS HIS PLAN." In the following tier, small panels show feet and hands: "THE ONLY ONE LEFT THAT CAN DO THAT NOW," "YOU'RE...," "PUT HIM AT EASE," and "PLEASE, JUST A LITTLE." The next row continues with clenched hands and the lines "ELSE CAN" and "NO ONE..." A lone bubble reads "I..." The final panel shows Killua from behind, head bowed, shoulders tense, and motion lines indicating strain.
Killua
08
Heavy vertical lines of rain slash across the scene. A small figure in a wide hat and dress stands motionless on the left. In the center a massive distorted head rears back, mouth stretched wide as jagged black letters explode outward: A A A A A. The creature howls 'CAN'T DO IT ...!!' A rectangular caption states 'AS IT CAME OUT OF HIS MOUTH'. The next panel is solid black with a small white box reading 'BURST OUT.' Beside it another caption declares 'WHAT KILLUA HAD BEEN CARRYING FOR SO LONG'. At the bottom a narrow panel shows a small, indistinct object tumbling through empty space amid motion lines.
Killuawide-hatted figure
09
A close-up shows Killua's face with wide, intense eyes and a slight smile. A speech bubble reads 'CHANGE OF PLANS' on the left and another states 'HE'S WIDE OPEN.' on the right. The next panel reveals a stern woman in a wide hat with long dark hair and vertical markings on her face; a bubble says 'NUMBER 1.' while another commands 'KILL HIM NOW'. Two small close-up panels at the bottom display her hands: the left fist is tightly wrapped in bandages or cords, the right hand is open with fingers extended in a claw-like posture.
Killuawide-hatted woman
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A lone figure approaches the exit Novu set beside the central staircase as Palm infiltrates the palace. Within the aura so fiendish it made her body feel like it would fall apart from how much it trembled, Pitou's "En" returned. She realized exactly the same outcome Novu had. She disguised herself to appear as a woman in despair, having been raped by Bizef, and killed herself. When she saw Pouf slowly and silently drawing near, she resolved herself. This plan was thwarted, she was revived by Pitou. But...
PalmNovuPitouPoufBizef
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They showed interest in that aura. To obtain forgiveness from the king who was not eating anything, Palm stands protectively with her aura while trembling intensely from the fiendish aura. It was just as impossible to stop trembling as if shivering in intense cold. No one could blame Palm reflexively protecting herself with her aura the moment she was exposed to this fiendish aura. Made her into experimental soldier number 1. Memories of their pasts was closely related to soldiers' development. They brought both good and harm. And above all those who had already learned Nen ability had that tendency remarkably so. Those with stronger forces of will tended to have more memories of their pasts. The two ants reached that conclusion.
PalmPitouPouf
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A massive close-up of a human brain dominates the top of the page. Text explains that using Pitou's Doctor Blythe, the part of Palm's brain that connected emotions and memories was destroyed. Below, two panels show rows of silhouetted figures. One panel states it would be best to let the memories remain while also subjugating them, in order to quickly and quietly take control of mankind. The adjacent panel depicts a creature emerging from a cocoon-like structure, noting that experiments such as those with Zitu and Leol had established that those which retained their memories were reborn from the cocoons quickly. At the bottom, a soldier in a helmet and uniform grips a rifle amid swirling smoke and impact lines. Text boxes declare that as a suitable test subject, Palm had been selected.
Palmhelmeted soldier
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A tall woman in a long dress and wide hat stands with arms outstretched against a smoky background, a small winged creature hovering near her head. Text boxes state that the success of the experiment would signify the destruction of mankind. Below, a dramatic close-up shows a young girl with wide eyes, open mouth, and pigtails, her face filling the panel with radiating speed lines. She shouts aggressively, declaring to beat that brat in front of you to death and ordering Number 1 to act now.
Palmyoung girl with pigtailssmall winged creature
14
A close-up reveals a woman wearing a wide-brimmed hat, her eyes wide and intense as sweat drips down her face. She glares sharply to the side and shouts "SHUT UP...". In the next panel a small, child-like figure with oversized eyes and a wide grin waves one hand cheerfully against a stark black background. Below, a character with messy spiky hair is shown in profile, head tilted downward with a tense, focused expression.
Palm Siberiaunidentified small figureunidentified spiky-haired character
15
Palm Siberia looms large, hat casting dramatic shadows, her face twisted in fury as she yells "NOT NUMBER 1!!" and "I AM PALM SIBERIA!!". The small child-like figure tumbles through the air toward her. Massive impact lines and a huge stylized "X" explode outward from the center, with debris and motion streaks filling the lower half of the page while Palm Siberia's intense eyes remain visible amid the chaos.
Palm Siberiaunidentified small figure
16
Palm stands tall with her long dark hair whipping around her, her right fist clenched and raised as she glares forward with fierce determination. "YOU GUYS CANNOT BECOME THE ANTS' PUPPETS," she declares in a large speech bubble, followed by a second bubble stating "NOR DIE!!" A smoky panel below shows a large stylized SFX reading "ギャママ..." Palm then appears in a calmer stance on the left, her arms marked with scale-like patterns and a dark flower design on her dress, facing Killua who stands amid swirling energy lines around his legs and feet. In the bottom panels, Palm's clawed hand is shown as she says "IT'S THANKS TO YOU." Killua stares back with wide eyes and a slightly open mouth, sweat drops visible on his face.
PalmKillua
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A profile view shows Palm with a circular mark on her forehead, her eyes closed as narration explains the mental boundary that once separated her feelings from her body. In a series of close-up panels, Palm continues speaking while facing slightly away: "BUT DON'T FORGET," "IF THERE'S SOMETHING I CAN DO FOR GON, I'D DO IT GLADLY," and "DON'T EVER THINK YOU'RE POWERLESS." She then tells Killua, "YOU REMOVED THAT BOUNDARY FOR ME." A large close-up of Palm's face reveals her intense eyes as she states "IS YOU." and "THE ONE MOST IMPORTANT TO GON." Killua's face fills the bottom panel, his eyes wide with shock and mouth slightly agape.
PalmKillua
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In a hospital room, a short-haired girl sits beside a bandaged patient lying in bed. Medical monitors and equipment line the walls. A text box states that in clinical pathology concerning the brain, this is a frequently occurring and accepted fact. Another box explains how love from family members and friends and other things that can stimulate a patient's own zeal can very significantly undermine medical physicians' objective diagnoses and promote recovery. The scene abruptly shifts to a dark, cloudy sky where large butterflies flutter. A voice asks "WHAT'S WRONG?" followed by a dismissive "HMPH." Close panels show a figure in profile and a massive butterfly creature. A speech bubble declares "...A FAILURE. THAT'S ALL IT IS." The final panel reveals a close-up of a long-haired character with a stern expression, sweat on the face. Speech bubbles read: "FOR SOLDIERS, THINGS LIKE MEMORIES AND EMOTIONS ARE UNNECESSARY, AREN'T THEY?" and "RUSHING WILL ONLY CAUSE PROBLEMS ........"
short-haired girlbandaged patientlong-haired character
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Palm stands in the foreground with arms crossed, facing the muscular King who stands in a fighting stance inside a ruined building. Narration states Palm has come back and questions whether the Hunters will recover from their disadvantage in numbers. The King declares he can produce soldiers even alone and finish without aid from Pitou's doctor Blythe. Palm replies "CONVENIENT. IT'S RATHER..." The King answers "ALL RIGHT." Palm firmly states "I WILL OPPOSE YOU." Large butterflies carry text about building a kingdom before that and the King's and my opposition. The page ends with the Hunter x Hunter logo and chapter number 294.
Palmthe King
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The page features the large Hunter × Hunter logo at the top center with a red X through the middle. A rectangular box with a red border lists the scan credits in black text: Raw: Obama, Trans: Kewlozio, Cleaning: TheFolenangel, Typesetting: Painiax & Gumjim. Below the box, the words 'Franky House Scans & Sleepyans' appear in bold red lettering. Several characters are illustrated on the right side: Gon with spiky black hair, Killua with spiky white hair, Kurapika with light brown hair, and Leorio wearing glasses and a suit. Small star shapes decorate the background. A thin line of small text at the very bottom notes the image is hosted at mangafox.com and gives credit to the parties involved in creating or editing the image.
GonKilluaKurapikaLeorio
End of chapter21 pages
Discussion
Killua reacts with a change of plans upon seeing an opening. The wide-hatted woman is identified as number one priority. Her hands show a wrapped fist and an open clawed hand in close-up.
Palm infiltrated the palace using the exit set by Novu. Pitou's En returned and created an intensely fiendish aura. Palm disguised herself as a despairing woman raped by Bizef before killing herself. Pouf approached Palm silently. Palm's plan was thwarted and she was revived by Pitou.
Palm reflexively protected herself with her aura when exposed to the fiendish aura. Palm was made into experimental soldier number 1. Memories of pasts were closely related to soldiers' development. Those with stronger will had more memories of their pasts. Pitou and Pouf reached a conclusion about the soldiers.
Pitou's Doctor Blythe was used on Palm's brain. The targeted brain region connected emotions and memories. Experiments with Zitu and Leol are referenced as precedents. Palm was selected as the test subject.
The experiment's success is linked to mankind's destruction. A small winged creature appears near the transformed Palm. The young girl issues a direct attack command to Number 1.
Palm Siberia appears in close-up wearing a wide hat. A small child-like figure waves in a separate panel. A spiky-haired character is shown in profile at the bottom.
Palm Siberia shouts her name and rejects being number one. A small figure is airborne near Palm Siberia. A large impact effect with an X shape fills the lower panel.
Palm has scale-patterned markings on both arms. Killua reacts with visible shock to Palm's statement. The scene involves direct dialogue between Palm and Killua.
Palm describes a past mental boundary affecting her actions. Palm states Killua helped remove that boundary. Palm identifies Killua as the most important person to Gon. Killua shows a strong shocked reaction to Palm's final statement.
hospital scene involves a recovering patient transition occurs via black bar with dialogue butterflies appear as symbolic or literal elements long-haired character discusses soldier mindset
Palm directly confronts the King King references producing soldiers independently chapter 294 ends on this page
What is said, page by page
Text box describes Palm's Black Widow ability that armed her body with emotion-altered hair but notes its defensive nature Text box states the duty was solely defensive Text box reveals what was truly dreadful about the ability Text box explains she could entrust all defense to the hair armor strength Text box concludes she could completely devote herself to attacking Large SFX reads STRIKE!!! during the hair attack
Large stylized impact sound ZUDON SFX FSH indicating sudden movement SFX GIIIHH! from Palm
HER ABILITY WENT STRAIGHT FROM BEING JUST WHAT I WANTED IT TO BE TO THIS...!? PALM IS ORIGINALLY A REINFORCEMENT TYPE... IF THIS BECOMES A DRAWN-OUT BATTLE IT'LL BE AT A COMPLETE DISADVANTAGE! ON TOP OF HAVING A PERFECT GUARD, THE DAMAGE IT DEALS IS... GON'S HEART IS ALREADY AT ITS LIMIT...!! BY WAITING WITH PITOU IT'S FINALLY COMING BACK TOGETHER! EVEN SO, I CAN'T RUN AWAY. EVEN IF THE OLD PALM'S HEART IS STILL THERE... I ABSOLUTELY CAN'T LET HER MEET HIM. RIGHT NOW IT'S A BIG MINUS!!
Palm states she will find the target herself without needing a reason Palm offers to reveal the location depending on Gon's answer Gon demands to know why Palm is searching for him unseen speaker threatens to kill the attacker
Gon questions if Palm is still herself despite her changed appearance Gon apologizes for previously calling her an enemy Narration notes Gon's transformation into a cruel person Palm insists Gon must say the target's name first Palm states that Gon will completely lose control
Palm realizes aloud that the visible effect is the required condition Palm agrees to proceed with a short affirmative Unseen speaker prompts Palm to complete a specific statement Novu admits he kept worrying about the person in front of him Novu references the moment just before they entered the current location with Gon Narration states the intent to keep certain people apart Narration notes the act of deliberately delaying an encounter
Narration clarifies that the previous action was at minimum the intended plan A speaker states only one remaining person can perform the needed task Someone begins to address another character directly A request is made to calm a third party A plea is made for a small amount of time or action A statement completes that no one else is capable Killua begins a sentence with "I..."
Creature screams 'CAN'T DO IT ...!!' in large jagged letters while expelling something from its mouth. Narration box states 'AS IT CAME OUT OF HIS MOUTH' describing the moment of release. Narration box states 'BURST OUT.' in a stark white panel on black. Narration box states 'WHAT KILLUA HAD BEEN CARRYING FOR SO LONG' revealing the emotional weight of the event.
A voice declares 'CHANGE OF PLANS' in a jagged bordered box. Killua states 'HE'S WIDE OPEN.' with a determined expression. A bubble near the woman reads 'NUMBER 1.' The woman orders 'KILL HIM NOW' in a sharp speech bubble.
Narration box explaining Palm's infiltration and Novu's exit setup Narration box describing the fiendish aura and Pitou's En returning Narration box about Palm realizing the same outcome as Novu Narration box detailing Palm's disguise and suicide Narration box about Palm resolving herself upon seeing Pouf Large text stating the plan was thwarted and Palm was revived by Pitou
Narration about showing interest in the aura Narration about obtaining forgiveness from the king Narration explaining Palm's reflexive aura protection Text identifying Pitou and Pouf Narration about experimental soldier number 1 Narration about memories of pasts and Nen ability Narration about the two ants reaching a conclusion
Narration explains the targeted destruction of Palm's emotional and memory brain connections via Pitou's ability. Narration discusses the strategic value of preserving memories while subjugating subjects for mankind's control. Narration references prior experiments with Zitu and Leol confirming quick rebirth for memory-retaining subjects. Narration states Palm was chosen as a suitable test subject.
Narration warns that success of the experiment would mean the destruction of mankind. Young girl shouts 'BEAT THAT BRAT IN FRONT OF YOU TO DEATH!!' Young girl shouts 'NOW, NUMBER 1!!'
Palm Siberia shouts "SHUT UP..." with intense glare and sweat on face.
Palm Siberia declares "NOT NUMBER 1!!" and "I AM PALM SIBERIA!!" with furious expression.
Palm shouts a fierce warning that the group must not become puppets or die, delivered with intense expression. Palm credits Killua directly with the outcome in a calm, sincere tone. Killua is addressed by name in a small bubble near Palm's hand, indicating the recipient of her words.
Palm explains the mental boundary that once prevented her from acting on her feelings. Palm affirms she would do anything for Gon without hesitation. Palm reassures Killua that he is not powerless. Palm reveals that Killua removed the boundary separating her feelings and actions. Palm declares that the one most important to Gon is Killua.
narrator box explains brain pathology fact narrator box explains how love and zeal promote recovery voice asks what's wrong dismissive HMPH sound butterfly-adjacent voice calls something a failure long-haired character states soldiers need no memories or emotions long-haired character warns that rushing causes problems
narration notes Palm's return and Hunters' disadvantage King states he can produce soldiers alone without Pitou's doctor Palm calls it convenient King says all right Palm declares I will oppose you butterfly text mentions building a kingdom and opposition