Hunter × Hunter Chapter 232: Owl's Hearing and Bat's Assault
Hunter × Hunter chapter 232: Owl's Hearing and Bat's Assault — what is in it
Chimera Ant arc · 16 pages · 10 characters
Key facts in this chapter
Page shows chapter number No.232◆9-③ Bat wears a revealing outfit with striped stockings and carries a long weapon Owl wears a shirt labeled 3329 Scene takes place at night outdoors on grass
Gon reacts to incoming attackers Bat launches a direct assault from the left Action emphasizes speed and sudden movement
Owl uses asymmetric ears for three-dimensional sound detection. Owl can hunt accurately in complete darkness using hearing alone. Gon is currently distracted by bat wing sounds.
Owl and bat employ a coordinated distraction and strike tactic. Bat possesses both long-range and short-range attack options. Gon identifies the pattern mid-battle.
Owl is labeled 3329 on its chest. Training occurs in complete darkness. Gon and Killua are practicing evasion using sound cues.
Bats hunt using echolocation in complete darkness. Bulldog bats are believed capable of hearing reflected sound waves at 1/1000000 the size of the emitted wave. The information references the Encyclopedia of Animal Hunting.
Gon is actively engaged in combat against multiple bat-like opponents. The opponents rely on echolocation for sensing attacks. Gon's aura is increasing according to the bats' observations. Gon begins a technique starting with 'Rock'. The fight takes place in a dark environment with debris.
Killua is observing Gon's fight and planning with bats. The bats are allied with Killua and using echolocation. Gon's aura continues to increase during the battle. Gon is tracking a fading sound in a nighttime rocky area. Killua's group is attempting to counter the opponents' strategy.
Under a starry night sky, Gon stands alone on a grassy rise, his small silhouette tense against the darkness. From the shadows two figures descend into view: a winged girl with bat ears, fangs, and a skeletal outfit on the left, and a large owl-like man wearing a shirt marked 3329 on the right. Gon stares upward in shock. "AND A BAT...!!" "AN OWL..." he realizes. "NOCTURNAL HUNTERS!!" A caption explains, "BOTH USE THE DARKNESS AS THEIR HUNTING GROUNDS." Motion lines and impact symbols fill the air around the three figures.
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Gon’s eyes widen as he senses movement. "THEY’RE COMING!!" he shouts. In the next instant he yells "LEFT!!" and leaps aside. Close-ups show his intense eyes and a diamond-shaped symbol. The bat girl dives in from the left with wings spread and weapon extended, motion lines streaking across the panel. Gon is shown in the background dodging the attack amid heavy speed lines and impact bursts.
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Gon strains to locate his opponent amid the chaos. "Damn... because of the sound of the bat's flapping, I can't hear the owl at all," he mutters as an owl feather drifts past his face. The panel explodes with impact lines as Gon braces himself. A detailed diagram illustrates the owl perched on a branch, clutching a small creature. Text explains how an owl's asymmetrically placed ears allow it to pinpoint sound sources in three dimensions, enabling silent hunting even in total darkness. Gon crouches low, sweat on his brow. The massive owl looms forward, wings spread, declaring, "Hohoho, my ears can hear sounds of higher frequencies that other animals cannot!! The sound of you stepping on leaves!! The rubbing of your clothes!! They all tell me your location!!" Gon spins around in alarm, shouting, "Right side this time!!"
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Gon launches a fierce punch that connects with a burst of impact. "Gah!" the owl cries as feathers scatter. In a dark panel, Gon stands ready while bats flutter overhead. The owl and bat coordinate: the owl distracts with feathers while the bat prepares a long- and short-range combination attack. Gon realizes, "...Right before the bat attacks, the owl distracts me with its feathers." A close-up shows the bat girl with cross-marked eyes grinning, "What incredible aura... But it's no use!!" Gon braces himself amid large impact symbols as the bat lunges forward.
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In the pitch-black training space, the massive owl numbered 3329 lunges forward with a sharp s...!! sound. Gon leaps high into the air as a voice declares, "THE DARKNESS IS OUR PLAYING FIELD!!" Below him, Killua twists away from the bat's slashing claws while thinking, "IF THE OWL IS ATTACKING TO SUPPORT... THINK BACKWARDS!!" Gon focuses intensely, his face tense as he commands himself, "CONCENTRATE ONLY ON THE SOUND OF THE BAT'S WING..." The bat's wings create sharp motion lines and impact shapes around Killua. Gon turns his head sharply, eyes wide, realizing, "THE BAT WILL ATTACK...!! NOW!!" In the final panel, Gon dodges right after the owl's strike, his body low and ready as the bat's wing passes close by.
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Gon and Killua continue their high-speed evasion. Gon sprints forward with motion lines trailing behind him while Killua points ahead, shouting, "RIGHT ON THE MONEY!!" A close-up shows Gon's surprised face as he reacts, "WHA..." In the next panel, Killua stands with his back to the viewer as ultrasonic waves are detected, exclaiming, "ULTRA-SONIC WAVES!?" He then thinks, "I MISSED!? BUT IT WAS PERFECT..." The bottom half of the page is dominated by a large explanatory panel detailing how bats use echolocation to hunt in darkness by emitting ultrasonic waves and interpreting their reflections, noting that bulldog bats can distinguish prey from pebbles and accurately locate objects. A small reference note credits the "Encyclopedia of Animal Hunting" by IMAIZUMI Tadaaki.
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Gon swings wildly with a powerful punch, but the strike cuts only empty air as motion lines streak across the panel. "DAMMIT, MISSED AGAIN," he mutters in frustration, his spiky-haired silhouette visible against the dark background. A distant, winged figure dodges effortlessly in the next panel. In close-up, Gon realizes the danger: "IF I DON'T DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT, THERE WILL BE NO END!" Nearby, the bat-like opponent thinks, "HE'S READING THE TIMING OF MY ATTACKS WITH ECHOLOCATION...!!" The creature notes its aura growing stronger and stronger while its feathers remain undamaged. Another bat remarks, "HE'S JUST A HUMAN BUT HE HAS GOOD HEARING," while a third observes, "HMPH... HE'S COMPLETELY FIGURING OUT THE DIRECTION OF MY ATTACKS." Gon braces himself amid swirling debris and impact lines, declaring, "FIRST IS... ROCK-!" as he prepares his next move.
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Killua watches intently from the side, thinking, "THAT'S PROBABLY HIS SPECIAL TECHNIQUE." He adds, "THIS IS OUR CHANCE!!" A small bat comments, "THIS IS TROUBLESOME..." while another notes, "HIS AURA HAS INCREASED EVEN MORE!?" Killua declares, "WE WILL WIN!!" and considers, "IF WE CAN FIGURE IT OUT..." A bat responds with "...NO." In the larger panel, Killua's bats discuss helping: "WITH MY ECHOLOCATION... I AM GOING TO APPROACH AS QUIETLY AS I CAN," one says, while another asks, "SHALL I HELP?" Killua replies, "WAIT," and then shouts, "I'LL SEE THROUGH IT!!" Below, Gon stands in a rocky, grassy area at night, noting, "THE SOUND IS GROWING FAINTER," as he listens carefully with a focused expression.
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High in the night sky, the bat-winged creature glides silently without flapping its large wings, declaring, "WITH-OUT FLAP-PING MY WINGS." Below, the spiky-haired boy reacts sharply as the sound disappears, noting, "THE SOUND HAS VANISHED." A tiny silhouette of the creature hangs against the stars. Suddenly the attacker launches a powerful nose-dive, the panel exploding with speed lines and the bold cry "NOSE-DIVE!!!" The creature closes in, taunting the boy to reveal his technique: "IT'S COMING!" "YOUR SPECIAL TECH-NIQUE!!" "NOW SHOW ME!!" It mocks, "UNLIKE THE OWL, YOUR WINGS... MAKE A SOUND WHEN YOU'RE GLIDING THROUGH THE AIR!!" and concludes, "IT'S NO USE!!"
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The bat creature dives straight down, vowing, "I WILL CUT YOUR ARTERY!!" and "THEN I WILL JUST ATTACK!!" It laughs, "KUKUKU YOUR HEARING IS SIMPLY NOT HUMAN AFTER ALL," while the boy remains motionless. The creature notes the boy's movement has been reduced "TO A MINIMUM." In a sudden reversal the boy thinks, "UNTIL I CAN DRAW HIM IN... TO A MAXIMUM," realizing, "HE LURED ME IN!!" The bat creature panics, exclaiming, "THIS IS DANGEROUS...!!"
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A bat-like creature with wide eyes and an open mouth lets out a loud cry as motion lines streak across the panel. Nearby, a voice declares, "PLENTY OF TIME FOR ME TO ESCAPE INTO THE AIR!!" In the next panel, another winged creature hovers in darkness, shouting, "HOWEVER!! HE'S NOT READY YET!! IT'LL BE LESS THAN A SECOND FROM NOW UNTIL HE PUNCHES." Gon, wearing his torn outfit marked with the number 1, launches forward with a powerful punch, his body surrounded by intense speed lines and impact bursts as he strikes a large winged creature. The creature recoils violently. At the bottom of the page, swirling patterns fill the background while Gon strains and thinks, "I CAN'T... HEAR!!?" A battered creature nearby groans, "UGH," with sharp sound-effect symbols flashing beside it.
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A voice asserts, "YOU'RE NOT THE ONLY ONE... WHO CAN LOCATE WITH SOUND!!" Gon appears with a determined expression, shouting "KEN!!!" and "JAN!!" as jagged sound symbols burst around him. Another panel shows a creature declaring, "I WON'T LET YOU GET AWAY!!" while Gon thinks, "I HAVE TO ESCAPE FIRST!!" A massive impact erupts as Gon strikes a glowing winged creature with a bright flash and the word "PAPER- !" A close-up shows Gon extending his hand with the exclamation "GOT IT!!" The creature is sent flying backward with torn wings visible.
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A massive explosion erupts in the sky with radiating impact lines and debris as a bat-like creature is hurled backward. Gon peeks out from cover below with wide eyes and a startled expression, a speech bubble showing "!?". The scene shifts to a dark forest clearing where a massive gorilla-like fighter stands in a powerful stance, wearing a tank top marked 3329. Gon stands nearby, sweat flying as he reacts in shock. The gorilla declares "GOHO HOHO I WAS JUST IN TIME." Gon exclaims "CHANGED THE DIRECTION WITH A ROCK...!?" while the gorilla continues "DAMN...! I EVEN USED MY TECHNIQUE BUT I COULDN'T END IT!" and adds "GOHO HOHO ALTHOUGH I CAN'T FLY IN THIS FORM." Large text proclaims "GORILLA MODE!!" as the gorilla looms over the scene.
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Explosive energy bursts outward with a bat-like creature and an owl-like figure caught in the blast radius amid heavy motion lines. Gon appears in close-up with a swirling aura around his head and a shocked "!?" expression. The gorilla's clawed hand reaches forward. Gon covers his ears as a bright flash erupts near him with the word "Look." In the next moment Gon is sent flying backward from another impact, arms outstretched. The gorilla's back and the bat creature are shown amid continuing shockwaves and debris. SFX "UHO" appears near the bat during the chaos.
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Gon stands alone in darkness, surrounded by strange sound waves and motion lines. He wonders aloud, "IS THIS ALSO... ULTRA-SONIC WAVES!?" In the next panels Gon clutches his head in pain as intense sound effects blast around him, making him dizzy. Killua appears with a fierce expression, declaring, "BUT I'M MUCH BETTER THAN YOU IN ATTACKING WITH SOUND!!" and mocking the enemy with "WHAT A STUPIDLY LOUD VOICE YOU SCREAMED WITH, YOU LITTLE SHIT." Two large narration bubbles emphasize the tactic: "DISRUPTING WITH SOUND AND KILLING WITH STRENGTH!!" and "THIS IS THEIR TRUE COMBINATION...!!" At the bottom of the page a massive winged creature with a furry body lunges forward, its wings spread wide, while Gon stands ready in the background. The creature roars, "WHAT WILL YOU DO?" accompanied by the sound effect "KLUKLUKLUKU".
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The page is mostly blank white space. At the top left the text "NEXGEAR PRESENTS" appears above the large stylized logo "HUNTER×HUNTER" with the Japanese title below it. Website addresses "www.nexgear.com" and "irc.irchighway.net #nexgear" are printed beneath the logo. In the lower right corner a black-and-white illustration shows Gon crouching forward with a surprised or pained expression, his body angled sharply and small wing-like shapes visible behind him.
Gon
End of chapter16 pages
Discussion
The bat creature can glide silently without wing flaps. Gon detects the sudden disappearance of sound. The attacker performs a high-speed nose-dive maneuver. The creature references an earlier fight with an owl.
The bat creature intends to sever an artery with its dive. Gon keeps his movement to a minimum to lure the attacker. The creature acknowledges Gon's superhuman hearing. Gon successfully reverses the situation by remaining still.
Gon is mid-punch against a large winged creature. The creatures have bat-like wings and clawed limbs. Sound-related dialogue and hearing difficulty are emphasized.
Gon uses sound to locate and attack. The attack produces a bright flash and the word PAPER-. Gon successfully grabs or strikes the target.
Gorilla fighter wears tank top with number 3329. Gorilla declares he used a technique but could not end the battle. Gon used a rock to change the direction of an incoming attack. The gorilla form prevents flight according to the fighter.
Gon covers his ears in response to a bright flash. Gon is knocked backward by an unseen force. Bat and owl figures are caught in the same explosion. Multiple impact and motion effects dominate the page.
Gon is being attacked by ultra-sonic waves. Killua claims superiority in sound attacks over the enemy. The enemy uses a loud voice as part of its assault. Gon and Killua are coordinating a sound-and-strength combination attack. A large winged creature appears on the page.
What is said, page by page
Gon identifies the bat-like figure with surprise Gon identifies the owl-like figure with surprise Gon declares both are nocturnal hunters Narration notes both creatures use darkness for hunting
Gon warns that they are coming Gon shouts to go left
Gon complains that bat flapping drowns out the owl's sound. Owl explains its superior hearing of high frequencies and clothing rustle. Gon reacts to the owl pinpointing his location from the right.
Owl cries out in pain from Gon's direct hit. Gon deduces the owl's role in distracting for the bat's attack. Bat comments on Gon's aura while dismissing its usefulness.
Narration declares the darkness is their playing field Killua internally reasons to think backwards about the owl's support attack Gon focuses on listening only to the bat's wing sound Gon anticipates the bat's follow-up attack timing
Killua announces a successful hit Gon reacts with surprise to the situation Killua detects ultra-sonic waves Killua realizes his attack missed despite perfect timing
Gon exclaims frustration after missing his attack. Gon resolves to change tactics to avoid endless misses. Bat creature realizes Gon is using echolocation to read attacks. Bat notes its aura is strengthening while feathers stay intact. Bat comments on the human's sharp hearing despite being ordinary. Bat observes that Gon has fully mapped their attack directions. Gon announces the start of his 'Rock' technique.
Killua identifies Gon's action as a special technique. Killua sees an opening for victory. Bat finds the situation troublesome. Bat notes the further increase in aura. Killua affirms they will win. Killua considers analyzing the technique. Bat rejects the idea with a simple negative. Bat offers to use echolocation quietly to approach. Bat asks if it should help. Killua tells the bats to wait. Killua states he will see through the technique. Gon observes that the sound is growing fainter.
Bat states it is gliding without flapping its wings Gon observes that the sound has vanished Bat urges the boy to demonstrate his special technique Bat notes that unlike the owl the boy's wings make sound while gliding Bat declares the boy's effort is useless
Bat threatens to cut the boy's artery Bat laughs that the boy's hearing is not human Bat observes the boy's movement has been minimized Gon plans to draw the enemy in to maximum effect Bat realizes it has been lured into danger
A voice claims plenty of time remains to escape into the air A winged creature warns that the opponent is not ready yet and the punch is coming in less than a second Gon internally states he cannot hear A creature reacts with a pained UGH
A voice states that Gon is not the only one who can locate with sound Gon shouts KEN!!! and JAN!! A creature vows not to let Gon get away Gon resolves to escape first Gon exclaims GOT IT!! after the strike
Gorilla boasts he arrived just in time with a hearty laugh. Gon reacts in surprise that a rock altered the attack's direction. Gorilla expresses frustration that his technique failed to finish the fight. Gorilla notes he cannot fly while in his current powerful form.
UHO sound effect emitted during the chaotic explosion. Gon reacts with surprise at the sudden bright flash.
Gon questions whether the attack is ultra-sonic waves. Killua boasts he is superior at sound-based attacks. Killua insults the enemy for screaming loudly. The creature challenges Gon with "WHAT WILL YOU DO?"