MEMORIES

Explosive chaos erupts as multiple spherical missile creatures with jagged mouths swarm through the air. One large creature shouts "MISSILE MAN!!" while others trail behind. A character with black hair is hurled backward amid the blasts. Smaller panels show close-ups of shocked faces and flying debris. The lower section depicts a massive explosion on the left that sends the black-haired character and another figure tumbling across the floor. Motion lines and impact shapes radiate outward as the two are thrown violently to the right. The room features wooden flooring and a distant door in the background.

A small round creature floats in confusion after an impact, thinking, "OR EVEN GET HURT...? WHAT WAS THAT ATTACK?" and "I... DIDN'T DIE...?" Nearby, a spiky-haired figure laughs "HEHE!" while another voice yells "YOU STUPID BRAT!" and "DAMN IT, THAT REALLY HURTS!" The scene shifts to a large wolf-faced fighter with bared fangs who declares, "MY MISSILE MAN ATTACK IS REACTIONARY, SO IT REQUIRES STRATEGY," followed by "DAMN IT, I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS IS NOBODY FIGURED OUT MY WEAKNESS!!!" In smaller panels the round creature reappears with a missile embedded in it as the wolf-faced fighter sneers, "HEHEHE, I'LL TAKE MY TIME KILLING HIM," and "BUT MY WOUNDS AREN'T SERIOUS...!!!" The bottom of the page shows a massive spherical form covered in writhing centipede-like creatures amid impact marks and motion lines.

The round creature thrashes violently as centipedes swarm across its surface, accompanied by sharp sound effects. A black panel shows a glowing orb with the creature thinking, "SOMETHING ALIVE INSIDE ME...!!?" and "DID HE PLANT...?" The wolf-faced fighter sits calmly and explains, "THEY FEED ON YOUR RESISTANCE," adding "HEHEHE, THOSE ARE BLACK CENTIPEDES, BORN OF MY NEN." In close-up panels the wolf-faced fighter points directly forward and threatens, "THEY'LL GIVE YOU A POUNDING HEADACHE AND EVENTUALLY BURST OUT, KILLING YOU!!" and "IF YOU DISOBEY ME!! IF YOU TRY TO HURT ME!!" A final panel reveals a long segmented tail or appendage extending from the bottom of the frame.

A massive vertical SFX "ミジャキ!!" erupts as a round-headed character with furious eyes aims a long weapon directly forward. Below, two reaction panels flash: a wide-eyed face gasps "WHAT?" while a snarling wolf-like face bares its fangs in the dark. In the large lower panel the round-headed figure stands inside a room gripping the weapon, facing the wolf-like character who looms with back turned. The wolf-like character shouts "WHAT ARE YOU DOING!? DIDN'T YOU HEAR ME?" The round-headed character retorts "HOW CAN YOU DO THAT AFTER WHAT I JUST SAID!?" Motion lines and debris scatter across the floor as tension spikes between them.

Close-ups show the wolf-like character’s furious face and the round-headed character’s shocked expression with sweat flying. A massive impact panel erupts with SFX "ドン" and radiating cracks as the round-headed character is struck. The wolf-like character yells "IF MY LIFE IS ALL IT TAKES…!!!" while the round-headed character replies "THAT'S FINE…!!!" Another panel shows the wolf-like character shouting "IDIOT! QUIT IT!!!" The round-headed character is sent flying. In the final sequence the wolf-like character declares "THAT'S THE HIGHEST FORM OF RESISTANCE." and warns "NO… WAIT. IF HE WISHES ME HARM… THE BLACK CENTIPEDES WILL PROBABLY BURST OUT INSTANTLY, KILLING HIM ON THE SPOT!!!" while the round-headed character reels from another heavy blow marked by explosive SFX.

Massive explosions rip through the air as bullets tear into flesh and debris flies everywhere. A monstrous face contorts in agony with a wide-open mouth screaming OHHHHH! amid heavy impact lines and smoke. In the next instant, a close-up reveals intense eyes glaring forward. The speaker declares, "I'LL JUST MAKE IT SO YOU CAN'T MOVE, THAT'S ALL." Another voice responds calmly, "RELAX... I'M NOT GOING TO KILL YOU..." Below, the spiky-haired fighter grips a handgun tightly, tears and sweat streaming down his face as he roars in fury: "YOU'RE DEAD!! I'M GONNA KILL YOU!! WAHHHHHH!!" and "YOU BASTARD, QUIT FOOLING AROUND!! I'M GONNA KILL YOU!!" Opposite him, the wounded opponent pants, "I STILL HAVE... MORE BULLETS..." while clutching the weapon with shaking hands. Motion lines and bullet holes emphasize the chaotic, life-or-death struggle.

A massive gunshot SFX erupts as the wounded figure is blasted backward with a piercing scream of NAHHHHHHH!! Blood sprays and the body tumbles through the air. In a smaller panel a dog-like creature laughs HAHA HAHA! while another voice weakly utters HA... The fighter's foot steps into frame as he thinks SO EASY...!! IT'S... A close-up shows Knuckle's face drenched in sweat, eyes shadowed, as he grips the gun and reflects: "KNOWING IT WILL MEAN MY DEATH...!" and "IT'S SO EASY TO PULL THE TRIGGER..." Heavy SFX and impact lines surround him, emphasizing the weight of his decision. The gun barrel is aimed forward, finger on the trigger, while droplets of sweat fall around him.

A massive round creature with spikes and an angry glare looms forward, its body trembling as jagged impact lines and SFX burst around its head. Below it, a spiky-furred beast-like fighter thrashes in panic, eyes wide and mouth open in a desperate plea. Speech bubbles erupt: 'I CAN'T MOOOOOOVE!! I GIVE UP!! PLEASE!! DON'T SHOOOOOOOT!!' and 'STOP IT! I GET IT!! I GET IT, ALL RIGHT!?' The round creature's hand is raised threateningly. In the lower panels the beast-like fighter lies sprawled on the floor beside an overturned table, limbs limp, while the round creature has collapsed nearby, its body covered in cracks and debris. Small motion lines and scattered objects emphasize the sudden stillness after the outburst.

The beast-like fighter sits up slightly, muttering in resignation that he knew this would happen. Nearby, Welfin stares blankly, thinking the pain in his head has lessened and wondering if it is because Welfin admitted defeat. A close-up shows Welfin's intense eyes as he reflects that he has never seen someone so willing to give his life yet feels more fragile and scared than ever before. In the next panels the beast-like fighter asks what is going on while Welfin remains silent. At the bottom the beast-like fighter complains he is in too much pain, telling someone to shut up, while Welfin states he wants the bugs removed because the pain has lessened.

The spiky-haired man clutches his head in agony, sweat pouring down his face. "MY VISION'S ..." he mutters, "I'VE GOT TO BUY SOME TIME." His thoughts race: "...BUT I CAN'T JUST TELL HIM THAT... DAMN IT, HOW CAN I GET THROUGH THIS...!?" and "THERE'S NO WAY TO STOP MY MISSILE MAN...!!!" He collapses forward with a sharp "ガク" sound effect, vision fading. "GOING... BLACK ..." he thinks, needing "JUST LONG ENOUGH TO THINK OF A PLAN." A voice urges "A MINUTE ..." and "WAIT ..." The black-haired woman lies motionless on the table, eyes closed. The round spiky creature hovers nearby. Suddenly the woman jolts upright with an "EIIIN" sound, startling the creature which sheds fragments. In the next room the spiky-haired man pleads desperately, "I WAS LYING, OK!? I WON'T DO IT AGAIN!!" while the creature shouts "WAH! WAIT!! ALL RIGHT!!" The man slumps in relief as the creature glares back with narrowed eyes.

The spiky-haired man continues pleading, "WAH!! WAIT A MINUTE!!" while the round spiky creature retorts "ALL RIGHT, FINE!!" and is handed a phone by an unseen figure who says "AH, THE THING IS... UH..." and "THEN HURRY UP AND TAKE THESE OUT!!" The spiky-haired man insists, "BUT IT'S TRUE!! PLEASE BELIEVE ME!! I'M NOT TRYING TO TRICK YOU!!" and explains "I CAN'T CALL IT OFF!! ONCE I SHOOT THEM... THAT'S IT...!! I COULDN'T TELL YOU!" The black-haired woman's eyes widen in realization: "IS HIS HONESTY THE CAUSE...?" and "THERE IT IS AGAIN... THEY'RE IN PAIN..." The round spiky creature looks shocked. Later the spiky-haired man kneels beside the unconscious black-haired woman on the table, arms crossed, thinking "I NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT WHAT MY OPPONENTS MIGHT DO..." while a voice notes "THERE'S NOTHING I CAN DO... I FIGURED THEY'D KILL MY OPPONENTS FOR TRYING TO KILL ME... SO I DIDN'T CARE WHAT HAPPENED THAT..."

Welfin stares intensely, sweat dripping, as he reflects on his own nature. "WELFIN. MY... PERSONALITY ...? HIS... HONESTY..." he mutters while considering how his Nen ability mirrors him. "IT'S PRETTY MUCH A DIRECT REFLECTION OF MY PERSONALITY. NEN POWERS ARE WELL-NAMED." A small round-headed figure with wide eyes questions him directly: "DO YOU REMEMBER WHEN YOU WERE HUMAN?" Welfin snaps back with visible irritation, "I DON'T REMEMBER WHERE'D THAT COME FROM...?" His expression twists in sudden fury. The small figure presses further, provoking an explosive outburst from Welfin who shouts "WAIT, JUST CALM DOWN!! WHOA! WHAT, WHAT!? STOP IT!! YOU'RE LYING." Motion lines and impact effects burst across the panel as Welfin reels. In the final panels the small figure draws a gun, aiming it steadily while declaring "I'LL SHOOT....!!! IF YOU DON'T TELL ME THE TRUTH..." Welfin freezes, eyes wide with shock.

The round-headed interrogator's face fills a dark panel as he recalls fragments: "I STILL REMEMBER" and "DAMN IT." Welfin's silhouette appears against a smoky background, his voice continuing the memory: "...THE FIRST THING I THOUGHT WHEN I WOKE UP WAS 'I STILL REMEMBER'..." A wide flashback panel shows chaotic scenes of people being eaten by the Queen Ant and reborn as chimeric ants, with insects swarming over bodies. Welfin narrates being eaten by the Queen and then killed by the insects. In a close-up he admits "EVERYTHING I WANTED MOST TO FORGET. I CLEARLY REMEMBERED..." The final large panel reveals a towering, grotesque figure with a scarred neck and open mouth; text reads "AND A WOMAN WATCHING BEHIND HIM" and "MY FATHER STRANGLING ME" while a small female silhouette stands in the background with her hand near her mouth.

A massive explosion erupts with debris and shockwaves filling the panel. The wolf-like chimera ant narrates that at first it was just a flashback, but then memories of Gyro started returning more and more. Two small human boys stand together as the narration explains they were not related by blood, yet it was the little brother who saved him. Close-up on the chimera ant's intense eyes as he recalls how Gyro really reminded him of someone. He and Gyro used to brag about their misfortune while calling the king a dummy. The chimera ant's face twists in rage with Gyro's name shouted. He remembers they were both empty, so they did not have to hide anything, and Gyro was the only one he could talk and laugh with. On days he cried, he wonders where Gyro is now.

A small round chimera ant grips a rifle with a determined glare while sweat drops fly. The wolf-like chimera ant declares he wants to see Gyro again. In a later scene the round chimera ant lies injured on rubble as the wolf-like chimera ant stands over him. The wolf-like chimera ant states he does not care about ants, humans, money or kingdoms and only needs to see Gyro. The round chimera ant explains he was watching You and Buroli on the screen, let the small fries in after the treasure, and opened the corridor. The wolf-like chimera ant asks why the corridor was opened and tells the round one he still has things to do now that the bugs are gone.

The spiky-haired fighter leans forward and says one more thing. "YOU CAN GO NOW. I'M TIRED..." He continues, "I THOUGHT IT'D BE EASY TO TAKE YOU DOWN, BUT I WAS WRONG. WHEN I SAW YOU I COULDN'T SHOOT BIROUL..." The round-headed opponent replies, "...I DON'T KNOW. A GIRL?" The fighter presses, "DID YOU SEE A HUMAN GIRL IN THE PALACE?" The opponent chuckles, "THEY CALLED HER NO. 1... HEHEHE." After a sharp "UGH!" the opponent directs, "TAKE THE ELEVATOR UP AND IT'S THE LAST ROOM ON THE RIGHT." He adds, "BUT I SAW SOMEONE GET CAUGHT BY THE GUARDS... AND TURNED INTO A COCOON..." The fighter glares in profile and asks, "...WHAT'S SO FUNNY?" The opponent bursts into laughter, "HAHAHA HAHAHA!" while muttering "...HEHE ..." In a vast dark landscape of jagged rocks and swirling clouds the fighter reflects, "HOW EASY IT IS TO BE HONEST..." The opponent answers, "I WAS JUST THINKING ..."

A bald muscular figure sits atop a tall stone pillar inside a ruined hall, hands clasped before his face. Text states, "IT WAS VERY SLIGHT, BUT THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF BLOWS WERE BEGINNING TO CAUSE THE KING A DULL PAIN INSIDE." Below, a striped-tailed fighter in a dynamic pose extends an arm toward the pillar. A small black panel shows a burst of white particles. The King's face appears in close-up with the word "BUT..." A jagged shard of debris falls through empty white space.

A muscular fighter with a topknot and distinctive shirt leaps dynamically through the air, body twisted in motion as cracks and debris trail behind him. "IS THIS THE END...!?" reads the large vertical text on the left. In the next panels, a cloaked figure stands holding a small object while a speech bubble declares "THEN TELL ME YOUR NAME." Another bubble commands "STOP THE BLEEDING." A close-up shows a face with closed eyes, heavy shading lines across the features, and a hand near the cheek. The bottom spread reveals a vast rocky mountain range under a stormy sky filled with dark, swirling clouds. A speech bubble states "FOR A HUMAN, THAT IS..." while another replies "YOU DID WELL." The footer reads "THE BATTLE BETWEEN THE KING AND NETERO NEARS ITS END!! NEXT CHAPTER: THINGS ARE CHANGING."