Hunter × Hunter Chapter 238: Killua's Lake Encounter
Hunter × Hunter chapter 238: Killua's Lake Encounter — what is in it
Chimera Ant arc · 16 pages · 19 characters
Key facts in this chapter
Page contains underwater scene with fish silhouettes White bat-like creature appears central to the action Killua is referenced in a caption as possibly eaten
Bearded man is identified as Captain Ika-rugo's host White creature is shown consuming the host Multiple voices react to the scent of blood
Ikarugo refers to himself with the honorific '-sama'. Gon is holding a severed tentacle that adheres via suction cups. Gon is descending a tree trunk while carrying a small object.
Ikarugo strongly objects to being called an octopus. A footnote clarifies the creature is an octopus despite having eight legs. Ikarugo is falling through a destroyed wooden structure.
Killua decides to delegate the current threat to the Oroso siblings. The flea clothing requires a new host to produce more bullets. An old acquaintance appears in the water and greets Killua.
Killua is injured and bleeding into the water. Aquatic creatures are drawn to the scent of blood. Killua holds a pole while speaking with the octopus nearby.
Gon and Ikalgo are negotiating while still technically fighting Ikalugo can communicate via electronic waves Satellite dragonflies are used for reconnaissance The cave contains potential enemy dragonflies Gon is suspended by rope inside the cave
Ikalugo has exactly ten seconds to reveal his ability Ikalugo's ideal form is a squid, specifically Chiroteuthis picteti Ikalugo considers squid form divine Three seconds remain on the countdown at page end Ikalugo distinguishes octopuses as ugly and squids as cool
In the dark underwater depths, a massive black silhouette lunges forward with clawed hands amid scattered fish and debris. The scene erupts into chaos as a white bat-like creature bursts from the center of a violent explosion, its body twisted in frenzy. Large circular speech bubbles declare 'IT'S PREY!!!!' and 'BLOOD!!!!' while heavy black impact lines and motion streaks fill the frame. Below, the creature continues its rampage amid shattered rock and swirling water. A small caption wonders, 'Could Killua... have been eaten!?' The page number 'No.238 / 1-4' and Japanese credits appear at the bottom.
large black silhouette creaturewhite bat-like creature
01
Close-up panels show the white bat-like creature's shocked face with wide eyes as it exclaims 'THIS IS...' and 'HUH?'. A bearded man identified as Captain Ika-rugo's host yells 'DAMMIT! STOP EATING!!' while the creature continues devouring. The host's body is shown being consumed in swirling motion lines. In a wider view, the creature's remains scatter as voices declare 'THE BLOOD IS CALLING TO US~~~!!' and 'WE WANT TO BUT... AHHH IT'S IMPOSSIBLE!!!'. The page ends with a dramatic close-up of a wide-eyed face with sweat drops and motion lines expressing intense reaction.
white bat-like creaturebearded man (Captain Ika-rugo's host)
02
High in the trees, the octopus-like creature screams as several of its limbs are severed. "CUT OFF THE IMPORTANT LEGS OF ME, IKARUGO-SAMA — AAAA!!" it wails while tumbling through the air. Below, Gon clings to a branch. The enraged creature swings its cane, shouting "HOW DARE YOU..." and "YOU BAS-TARD~" with furious eyes. In a close-up, Gon examines one of the severed tentacles in his hand. "I WAS SAVED, THANKS TO THESE SUCKER CUPS," he notes as it sticks with a "PITA!!" Gon then leaps from the trunk, explaining, "BECAUSE IT WOULD'VE BEEN A PAIN IN THE ASS IF I FELL INTO THE WATER." In a small panel he stares upward and asks, "YOU'RE AN OCTOPUS, HUH? You have eight legs."
GonIkarugo
03
The octopus-like creature erupts in rage, its body swelling with smoke-like energy. "DON'T CALL ME AN OCTO-PUS—!" it bellows amid heavy SFX "ビロゥゥゥゥ ビリリ". Small inset panels show Gon’s surprised face and motion lines. A footnote reads: "*There are also squids with eight legs. († although this one is an octopus)". Below, the creature plummets through the shattered wooden structure, one tentacle waving as it calls "SEE YA—" while debris and impact marks fill the air.
GonIkarugo
04
A close-up reveals Killua's intense face as he declares he will let the Oroso siblings handle the situation. He adds that he cannot grow new bullets unless he puts the flea clothing on a new host. In the next panel Killua lunges forward with arms outstretched, firing a projectile that trails smoke and lightning-like energy while emitting a sharp "ん!!" sound. Below, the scene shifts to murky water where small aquatic creatures swim near massive pillars. A voice laughs "AH... AHAHA. YOU'RE RIGHT. IT'S BEEN AWHILE~~~ JUST KIDDING. HEHEHE." Another figure calls out "YO, WE MEET AGAIN." On the right a spiky-haired character is struck hard, marked with impact lines and the word "KNOCKED OUT" as debris flies. Ripples spread across the dark surface while the creatures circle below.
Killua stands in shallow water facing an unseen speaker. The voice questions whether Killua cannot swim and notes that underwater he would have the advantage. Killua replies that he realized the others were devouring the severed legs without thinking twice. He warns that going into the lake now would mean being eaten because of the blood scent. A large shark-like creature with open jaws lunges forward while an octopus clings to a pole. Killua continues explaining that the underwater guys are too excited by the smell of blood and will attack anyone injured without discretion. The octopus floats nearby with tentacles extended as the conversation continues.
Killuashark-like creatureoctopus-like creature
06
Gon stares upward in confusion, sweat flying as he blurts out, "WHO ARE YOU TALKING TO?" A small voice answers from below, "WHAT I MEANT TO SAY IS... UM..." followed by "AH... NO... AM I WRONG?" Gon panics, arms flailing, yelling "WHOOO-AAAA~ I MESSED UP~!!!" Ikalgo, the round creature with angry brows, insists from the shadows, "WE'RE STILL FIGHTING!" and "NO." He then demands, "IKARUGO, DID YOU GET RID OF HIM?" Gon replies nervously, "NO NO!! IT'S JUST THAT... UH... ER—" Ikalgo presses, "HE'S THE ONE WHO WAS BUZZING AROUND ABOVE ME, RIGHT? IS IT YOUR BOSS?" Gon confirms, "AH, THAT'S RIGHT. YOU GUYS CAN COMMUNICATE USING ELECTRONIC WAVES." He continues explaining the risk: "THE ENEMY WILL DEFINITELY SUSPECT SOMETHING IF THERE ARE TENS OF DRAGONFLIES FLYING AROUND IN THE CAVE. I WON'T BE ABLE TO SEND IN THE SATELLITE DRAGONFLIES." Ikalgo considers, "I SEE. I'VE BEEN BOTHERING YOU." Gon swings from a rope and proposes, "THEN LET'S MAKE A DEAL." Ikalgo reacts with shock, "IKARUGO!?" and affirms, "YES!! WE'RE STILL FIGHTING!!" while adding, "WELL, YOU'RE NOT ENTIRELY WRONG, BUT NOT ENTIRELY RIGHT EITHER."
GonIkalgo
07
Ikalugo's face fills with tension, sweat pouring as Gon gives an ultimatum: "YOU HAVE 10 SECONDS TO ANSWER." Close-ups show Ikalgo's widening eyes and trembling pupils while Gon counts, "EIGHT SECONDS LEFT." Ikalgo's thoughts appear: "I ESPECIALLY RESPECT THE WHIPLASH SQUID (CHIROTEUTHIS PICTETI)." He admits, "WHAT I WANTED TO BE BORN AS... IS A SQUID..." and declares, "TO ME, THE FORM OF A SQUID IS DIVINE." Gon stares in surprise as Ikalgo continues, "YOU THINK OCTOPUSES AND SQUIDS ARE PRETTY MUCH THE SAME, RIGHT? BIG MISTAKE!! OCTOPUSES ARE UGLY, SQUIDS ARE COOL." A panel notes the precise anatomical difference: "EVEN THE DIFFERENCE OF A MILLIMETER IN THE SHAPE AND POSITION OF THE EYES AND NOSE OF A HUMAN DETERMINES THE BEAUTY, RIGHT?" The final panel shows three seconds remaining on the count.
GonIkalgo
08
The octopus-like creature thrashes and yells in protest as the spiky-haired boy swings his weapon toward it. "I AM NOT SELLING OUT MY COMRADES...!!!" the creature shouts while being struck. In close-up, the long-haired girl stares intensely and states, "YOUR EYES ALREADY TOLD ME." The boy replies, "...YEAH. I LOOK FORWARD TO IT ♪" The creature, now on the ground, laments, "TO BE BORN AS A SQUID~~~ ♪" and adds "NEXT TIME..." before a massive impact erupts with the loud sound effect "ドドドドドド!!!" shaking the scene as the boy is knocked back amid swirling dust and debris.
Gonoctopus-like creaturelong-haired girl
09
The octopus-like creature recoils with wide eyes and sweat drops, its expression shifting to shock. In a small panel the long-haired girl is seen mid-air asking "WHY?" while the creature clings to a pipe. The girl, now in close-up with a gentle smile despite her injuries, says, "HAD WE MET UNDER DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES... I THINK WE COULD HAVE BEEN FRIENDS." The spiky-haired boy answers, "BECAUSE YOU'RE COOL." The creature's enormous eyes fill the final panel, tears welling up as it processes the words.
Gonoctopus-like creaturelong-haired girl
10
A massive burst of light and energy erupts from above as Knuckle is hurled backward, his body twisting violently while his right arm remains chained upward. His spiky hair stands on end and his face twists in pain from the impact. Below, Potclean the small round creature tumbles across the rocky ground near a dark cave entrance, its body bouncing from the force. In quick succession, Potclean's face fills with shock, eyes wide and mouth open as it stares upward. Explosions ripple through the air with jagged impact lines and debris flying. Potclean lands hard on its back, limbs splayed, sweat drops flying as it processes the scene. The creature then sits up in the rubble, its expression shifting to confusion and concern while staring at the empty space where the attack originated.
KnucklePotclean
11
Leol the bat-like creature hovers in the air with wings spread, observing the fight below. Speech bubbles appear around it as it questions the battle. "Is he using any kind of weapon or ability?" "We're still... fighting." "Ye... yes!!" "Ikalgo, respond!!" On the ground, Potclean remains crouched on all fours, its body tense. Leol continues watching intently. "He's only been fighting with his bare hands." "...No." Suddenly a massive impact strikes the ground near Potclean, sending rocks and dust flying with bold black impact shapes and motion lines.
LeolPotclean
12
Gon clings desperately to a jagged stalactite as the massive winged creature looms over him, its body pressing him against the rock. The creature laughs maniacally, its voice booming through the cavern. "HYAHA HAHA HAHA. DID YOU LET YOUR GUARD DOWN!?" it taunts. In another panel it sneers, "YOU DIDN'T THINK A FISH COULD JUMP!? HUH!?" The beast continues its sadistic monologue, shouting "C'MON, C'MON, CRY AND SCREAM FOR ME! I WANNA ENJOY KILLING YOU!!! HUH!?" while threatening to "TEAR YOU APART ALONG WITH THIS STALACTITE!!" It mocks Gon's silence with "IS IT TOO PAINFUL FOR YOU TO MAKE A SOUND!? HUH!? HEY!!" Gon hangs on, battered but still gripping the rock as the creature's massive form fills the frame.
GonBat creature
13
Gon’s face fills the panel with a sudden relieved expression, sweat and tears visible as he exhales "I'M RELIEVED." The bat creature reacts with shock, its eye widening as it gasps "WHAT!?" and "HUH!?" It snarls "HUH!?" while biting down, declaring "I PREFER PIECES OF SHITS LIKE YOU AS ENEMIES." The creature continues, "THEY'RE SO EASY TO JUST KILL. BECAUSE..." In the lower panel Gon is shown leaping away from the crumbling stalactite as the massive creature thrashes, its body breaking apart under the strain.
GonBat creature
14
Gon clashes with a towering gray creature whose massive hand lunges forward. The creature's eye widens in shock as it blurts 'WHAT!?' and 'HUH!?'. It seizes a tiny figure clinging to a tree trunk and growls 'HUH!?' followed by 'I PREFER PIECES OF SHITS LIKE YOU AS ENEMIES.' Narration states they are so easy to just kill because... On the right, Gon appears with spiky hair and a bloodied face, sighing in relief with 'I'M RELIEV-ED.' and 'AH-'. In the bottom splash, the creature's clawed hand slams into Gon, sending him hurtling backward amid red impact bursts and motion lines as he grips an object for balance.
Gongray creature
15
A lizard-like creature stands as narration declares 'THAT'S RIGHT!! HE'S GOOD-FOR-NOTHING SHIT!! THEREFORE, BAIT!!'. Gon crouches and announces 'AMAZINGLY, I, COBAAN...' and 'I DID IT, OROSO-SAMA!!' while the lizard reacts with 'KU KU KU.'. A circular badge labeled 'BAR DOUBLE BULL' is highlighted with the command 'PUT THE BADGE ON HIM!!'. In the lower panel a man with pointed ears and a winged woman appear; the man smirks and says 'HUHU, LET'S HAVE SOME FUN...' and 'GAME START.'. An off-panel voice questions 'What is this game?'.
Gonlizard creatureLeolwinged woman
End of chapter16 pages
Discussion
The octopus-like creature verbally refuses to betray its comrades. The long-haired girl claims she read the creature's eyes. The spiky-haired boy confirms he looks forward to their next encounter. A large impact sound effect fills the final panel.
The octopus-like creature shows visible shock and begins to cry. The long-haired girl expresses a hypothetical friendship wish. The spiky-haired boy compliments the creature by calling it cool.
Knuckle is shown being struck by a powerful unseen force while chained. Potclean demonstrates clear emotional reactions across multiple panels. The setting is a rocky outdoor area with a cave entrance.
Leol is actively observing and commenting on the ongoing fight. Potclean is positioned on the ground directly below Leol. The opponent is confirmed to be fighting bare-handed.
Gon is pinned against a stalactite by the bat creature. The bat creature refers to itself as a fish that can jump. The fight takes place inside a cavern with stalactites.
Gon feels relief upon realizing he survived the initial assault. The bat creature prefers weak or despicable opponents. The stalactite begins to break under the creature's force.
Gon is engaged in direct combat with a large gray creature. The creature grabs a small target on a tree. Gon shows visible injuries on his face. The creature's attack produces red impact effects.
A lizard creature is used as bait. Gon interacts with a figure named Oroso-sama. A badge must be placed on a target. Leol initiates a game.
What is said, page by page
White bat-like creature shouts 'IT'S PREY!!!!' in a circular bubble during the explosion Another circular bubble exclaims 'BLOOD!!!!' near the creature Narration caption asks if Killua could have been eaten
White creature says 'THIS IS...' in shock White creature reacts with 'HUH?' Bearded host shouts 'DAMMIT! STOP EATING!!' Voice identifies 'CAPTAIN IKA-RUGO'S HOST!!!' Voice states 'THE BLOOD IS CALLING TO US~~~!!' Voice says 'WE WANT TO BUT... AHHH IT'S IMPOSSIBLE!!!'
Ikarugo screams in pain after losing limbs (top left balloon) Ikarugo angrily demands how Gon dares attack him (middle balloon) Ikarugo insults Gon as a bastard (right balloon) Gon notes the suction cups saved him (left oval balloon) Gon explains why he avoided falling into water (right balloon) Gon questions whether the creature is an octopus (bottom panel)
Ikarugo furiously rejects being called an octopus (large right balloon) Ikarugo says farewell while falling (bottom right balloon)
Killua states he will let the Oroso siblings handle this and explains he needs a new host for the flea clothing to grow bullets A laughing voice admits the other is right and jokes that it has been a while A voice greets with "YO, WE MEET AGAIN"
Unseen speaker asks if Killua cannot swim and claims the advantage underwater Killua explains he realized the others were devouring the severed legs Killua warns that entering the lake now would result in being eaten due to the blood smell Killua states the underwater guys attack indiscriminately because of blood excitement
Gon asks who Ikalgo is addressing, confused by the one-sided conversation Ikalugo nervously backtracks on his earlier statement Ikalugo demands to know if Gon eliminated the buzzing intruder Gon explains the ants' electronic communication method Gon warns about enemy suspicion from multiple dragonflies Ikalugo realizes he has been causing trouble Gon offers to negotiate a deal instead of fighting
Gon threatens to end Ikalgo's life unless he answers in ten seconds Ikalugo internally respects the whiplash squid species Ikalugo reveals his desire to have been born a squid Ikalugo passionately argues squids are superior to octopuses Ikalugo compares human beauty standards to cephalopod differences
octopus-like creature protests loudly that it is not selling out its comrades long-haired girl tells the creature that its eyes already revealed its intent spiky-haired boy agrees and expresses anticipation with a musical note octopus-like creature laments its squid birth while adding a musical note octopus-like creature mentions 'next time' before the impact
long-haired girl questions the creature with 'WHY?' long-haired girl reflects that they could have been friends under different circumstances spiky-haired boy states the reason is that the creature is cool
Potclean reacts with visible shock and confusion to the sudden attack.
Leol questions whether the opponent is using a weapon or ability. Leol notes that the fight is still ongoing and calls for Ikalgo to respond. Leol observes that the opponent has only been fighting with bare hands.
Bat creature laughs and mocks Gon for dropping his guard Bat creature taunts that a fish can jump Bat creature demands Gon scream while it enjoys killing him Bat creature threatens to tear Gon apart with the stalactite Bat creature mocks Gon's lack of sound from pain
Gon expresses relief after the attack Bat creature reacts with shock to Gon's survival Bat creature states it prefers worthless enemies Bat creature claims easy targets are simple to kill
Gray creature reacts with shock: 'WHAT!?' and 'HUH!?' Gray creature declares preference for weak foes: 'I PREFER PIECES OF SHITS LIKE YOU AS ENEMIES.' Narration explains ease of killing: 'THEY'RE SO EASY TO JUST KILL. BECAUSE...' Gon expresses relief: 'I'M RELIEV-ED.' and 'AH-'
Narration identifies the lizard as bait: 'THAT'S RIGHT!! HE'S GOOD-FOR-NOTHING SHIT!! THEREFORE, BAIT!!' Gon claims success: 'AMAZINGLY, I, COBAAN...' and 'I DID IT, OROSO-SAMA!!' Lizard chuckles: 'KU KU KU.' Command given: 'PUT THE BADGE ON HIM!!' Leol suggests amusement: 'HUHU, LET'S HAVE SOME FUN...' Leol announces: 'GAME START.' Unseen speaker asks: 'What is this game?'