Sacred Treasures

A lone figure in a flowing white robe stands on a narrow wooden platform at the base of a vast mechanical shaft, gazing upward. Massive cylindrical pipes and gears dominate the scene, with heavy impact lines and debris flying as the structure groans. A speech bubble trails from off-panel: "IF YOU KEEP CLIMBING, YOU'LL REACH THE TOP OF TIER 2." Further right, three people stand on a higher platform looking at the enormous exposed machinery. A second bubble reads: "THIS IS THE BLACK WHALE'S OUTERMOST LAYER." Onomatopoeia like "ゴォォ" and "ギャギャ" echo throughout the metallic cavern as the group observes the colossal outer hull components.

In a multi-panel sequence, the spiky-haired young man with a mustache explains the ship's lower tiers while standing near a stone wall. He notes that tier 5 is basically the sewers and that the recycling and sewage processing plant lies between tiers 4 and 5. The topknot man with a goatee confirms that controlling waste management is convenient. A flashback panel shows the group descending a long staircase amid swirling stench lines. The spiky-haired man continues, revealing that subcontractors frequently change so higher-ups need not be informed, and that the actual work is left to grunts. Close-ups show wary expressions. Later panels depict a masked long-haired figure and a stern man in uniform discussing how stage interviews lure victims to the plant for disposal, with the masked person noting it makes them feel like model citizens.

From the upper level of the wooden hideout, several figures prepare to move. A short-haired person asks if anything looks out of place at the hideout. Another replies they got it. A voice states the rest is up to the group, while a woman with a bun agrees to head back and gather information on the targets if spotted. Below, a slick-haired man in a jacket glares and demands why they are only now hearing about this ability. The bandaged figure with a circular emblem explains that the guard possesses a counteractive ability that triggers an invincibility switch, forcing them into a robot-style new puppet if activated. The slick-haired man questions how they are supposed to deal with an invincible enemy. The bandaged figure replies that self-defense is no problem and they should simply attack first. The woman notes the door from room A to room B on the provided map leads to the warp point to tier 3.

Multiple rooms inside the facility are shown in sequence. Cabinets and storage units line the walls of an empty room. In another view, tables and equipment stand abandoned. Small devices resembling wrapped objects begin emitting beeps as dark splashes erupt around them, with repeated BEEP sounds. A rectangular black box on the floor also beeps while emitting similar dark energy bursts. The final wide view reveals the large room now completely empty, with all furniture and items undisturbed but the space cleared of any presence.

In a bustling multi-level atrium filled with a large crowd, voices discuss the recent events. "The masses respected him, after all," one person notes. "They're probably here to see Halkenburg off," another adds. "There sure are a lot of people here," observes a third. In a closer panel, a stern man with slicked-back hair instructs, "Be sure to catch them next time and have Lynch get the truth out of them." A woman with voluminous curly hair replies about the Heil-ly escape. Nearby, two women stand together; one with short wavy hair asks, "Where's Lynch?" The other responds, "She said she had something to do back at the office." The curly-haired woman turns sharply as someone shouts "UNDER-BOSS!" A suited man with a fierce expression stands among concerned onlookers. The curly-haired woman, now facing a composed figure with straight hair, declares, "The fastest way to learn about their trap is to ask them directly." The final panel shows the curly-haired woman lunging forward with wide, intense eyes and an open mouth, her hair flowing dramatically as she reacts in alarm.

A man in a cap and uniform states, "It was done skillfully with no hesitation. It's the work of a pro." He continues, "Her cervical vertebrae were completely twisted and destroyed." In another panel he adds, "I knew she was a member of Xi-Yu, that's why I contacted you first." A figure in protective gear explains, "She was discovered during a special patrol for Halkenburg's funeral procession." Workers prepare to handle the body wrapped in black, saying, "We'll handle the body, so there's no need to escalate this." The curly-haired woman thanks them. In a new scene, the curly-haired woman and a woman with glasses discuss the incident. The glasses woman notes both were knocked unconscious. The curly-haired woman replies, "If Hisoka was the real culprit, he would've killed me too." She adds, "You parted ways with Lynch after Hisoka disappeared, right?" The glasses woman confirms, "Yes." Later panels show close-ups of the curly-haired woman reflecting, "Looking back, it's true that she was weirdly calm." She continues, "It was out of character for her to be worried about me after getting knocked out like that." In the final panels, the curly-haired woman walks with the glasses woman, stating, "No, I would've realized that when I came to. Her body language always made her feelings very obvious." The glasses woman responds, "Good point. Could Lynch have followed Hisoka and got killed?" as they move through the corridor.

Someone else... And the one who woke you up was someone else entirely. The real Lynch had already been killed... Huh? Wait, what? Let's say that Lynch was someone else... Huh? Assuming it was Hisoka... It's just a theory. What could his reasons be? Are you saying somebody was impersonating Lynch? True. I've never seen anyone who could alter their height at will. But even if Hisoka were a manipulator... But wouldn't it make more sense to assume she was being controlled by a manipulator? But the height difference would be a dead giveaway... That wasn't Lynch, but actually Hisoka in disguise...? Although, Lynch and I did talk about something like that... Hold on... I'm trying to wrap my head around this... you're saying... True, but what if... They were actually trying to limit the possibilities? Having her disappear without a word would be more advantageous, because it forces us to consider various possibilities. Why have Lynch wake up and say 'I'm going back to the office'?

There may be a hint. Tell me everything Lynch said back then. If they didn't want us to consider all possibilities, they may have tried to limit our thought process. Yes. Limit them? Then she worriedly asked 'Are you okay?', which seemed strange to me even then. Well... I woke up to her saying 'Get up.' Then it would make sense to manipulate Lynch to say those things. ...She clearly said 'That guy was Hisoka'! Oh yeah, that's right! After that... But if it wasn't Hisoka, then who the hell was impersonating Lynch?! Wait a minute... We were assuming Lynch was actually Hisoka... That was the line meant to limit our thought process. I see. And you were spared so that you could relay the lie that 'Hisoka was here'! Lynch was killed because she saw through the fake Hisoka with her ability!

In a dimly lit industrial room, two figures stand facing each other. The person with long curly hair and a large backpack speaks first. "They're searching for Hisoka and don't want any interference from the mafia. Both the culprit and their motive are quite clear... But who on earth would do something so convoluted? The fake Hisoka manipulated Lynch to deceive me..." The light-haired figure in loose clothing listens while holding a staff. Another speaker continues, "The only 'facts' we have are that you and Lynch found Hisoka, then Lynch was killed by someone. But this is all based on a bunch of assumptions and inferences. And that's exactly what's happening... The fake Hisoka assumed that if the mafia found him first, we would hide him, allowing them to carry out their search unhindered." Close-ups show intense eyes and the back of a head with styled hair. "And that's not a fight we should start based on mere speculation... If that 'someone' is the Phantom Troupe, then it would spark a conflict with Cha-R." A determined close-up of an eye appears. "Of course. We'll avenge Lynch, right? But no matter who the culprit is..." The final panel reveals the profile of a spiky-haired young man with earrings, looking serious.

A grand building with a cross emblem stands before a massive crowd gathered for a funeral. Narration states, "As we pray for the prince's soul, we ask that everyone pay their respects quietly and in an orderly fashion. The funeral procession will pass through shortly. Large crowds are expected." In a smaller panel, the spiky-haired young man holds an open book while a phone rings with heart icons. A hand points to a page showing a young girl's photo labeled "ZUKU・EZUNI" alongside handwritten text and numbers. The young man dials the phone. Below, the enormous crowd reacts as multiple signs display "RINGG" from ringing phones. The spiky-haired young man continues examining the book amid the chaotic ringing.

In a crowded hallway, people stand holding phones to their ears as automated messages play. One message states, 'Please try again later or attempt to contact them from a different location. Your remaining number of calls is...' Another reads, 'The person you are trying to reach is currently unavailable.' A figure in a long dark coat walks away from the group. The spiky-haired young man thinks, 'There should be many more Nen users working upstairs. It would be riskier, but I could go to the tier 1 where the Succession War is ongoing...' He continues, 'Come to think of it, it was the same in Heavens Arena. I still can't find them, even in a crowd this big. Should I change locations and try the same number again, or maybe loosen the conditions?' A close-up shows his intense eyes as he recalls, 'The candidates then use those abilities to fight until only one remains. In the Succession War, Nen abilities are granted through a ritual...' The page ends with a dramatic splash panel: 'Those three sacred treasures are what I'm after! And the Succession War involves the Kakin royal family's greatest treasures.'

Three ancient objects are displayed against dramatic backgrounds. The first is a rounded ceramic urn with a wide open mouth and closed eyes, labeled the 'Seed Urn.' Text explains it is the ceremonial urn used by the Succession War's participants. Below it appears a seated figure draped in robes with a tall head covering, identified as the 'Zen Buddha,' described as the co-shintai watching over the Succession War. A footnote notes these are objects of worship believed to be repositories of divine spirits. The final panel shows an ornate sword with intricate carvings resting inside an open wooden case lined with dark fabric. It is labeled the 'Blade of Divine Guidance' and noted as the treasured sword of succession passed down to the next king.

Kurapika stands in profile, eyes narrowed in thought. "HOWEVER, SEEING AS NEITHER THE MAFIA NOR THE MILITARY CHANGED THEIR MOVEMENTS SINCE LEARNING OF OUR PRESENCE, IT SEEMED UNLIKELY THAT THE TREASURES WERE ON TIERS 3 TO 5." He continues, "WE'VE USED OUR HUNT FOR HISOKA AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEARCH THE LOWER TIERS THOROUGHLY." In the bustling lower deck, passengers move about as Kurapika reasons, "EVEN IF WE CLAIM WE ONLY WANT HISOKA, THEY WON'T BELIEVE US, AND THE TRUTH IS WE'RE ALSO AFTER THE TREASURES." "THE MAFIA HAS PROBABLY ALREADY INFORMED THE ROYAL FAMILY OF OUR PRESENCE ON THE SHIP..." A close-up shows his intense gaze. "THE THREE SACRED TREASURES ARE THE SOURCE OF THIS POWERFUL NEN THAT UPHOLDS KAKIN'S PROSPERITY AND THIS SUCCESSION WAR!" "AND LEARNING THAT THE NEN ABILITIES USED IN THE SUCCESSION WAR ARE LINKED TO THE TREASURES MADE ME CERTAIN OF IT." "SEEING AS WE DON'T KNOW IF THEY'VE KEPT THE TREASURES TOGETHER OR DISPERSED THEM TO REDUCE THE CHANCES OF THEM BEING DISCOVERED..." A massive black panel erupts with flame-like borders. "THE TREASURES ARE THE FOUNDATION OF KAKIN'S PROSPERITY, SO THEY'LL BE MORE HEAVILY GUARDED THAN THE KING HIMSELF... IT TRULY IS THE ULTIMATE PRIZE FOR A THIEF, MEANING THAT IT PERFECTLY FULFILLS THE CONDITIONS NEEDED TO EVOLVE 'SKILL HUNTER.'" "THEY MUST HAVE SET UP A RITUAL SITE AS A FOCAL POINT AND ENSHRINED THE TREASURES THERE, WHICH MEANS THEY CAN ONLY BE ON TIER 1." A cloaked figure stands amid roaring white flames and black smoke. "I'M TAKING THE RISK OF ENCOUNTERING HISOKA BEFORE I'M FULLY PREPARED FOR COMBAT, BUT THAT'S NOT A SIGNIFICANT CONCERN FOR ME AT THIS STAGE." "BALANCING THESE TWO OPPOSING GOALS IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT..." "PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE... BUT I CAN'T AFFORD TO WAIT AROUND." "I NEED RARE AND POWERFUL ABILITIES IF I'M GOING TO DEFEAT HISOKA, BUT BEFORE THE USUAL ACTIVATION CONDITIONS, I MUST STEAL A NATIONAL TREASURE."

A dramatic close-up fills the frame with Kurapika's face, hair whipping wildly amid radiating lines. "THE ALTERNATIVE PLAN IS ALREADY IN PLACE." "THE SPIDER WILL SURVIVE..." Below, ink splatters trail across white space. "...I DIE." "EVEN IF..." A boxed panel shows a tiny cloaked figure standing in a ruined, cracked space. "THAT IS THE FEARSOME SPIDER..." "THAT I DESIGNED!"

A grand building marked with a cross stands before a massive crowd. Multiple phones ring loudly with the sound RINGG. Close views show tense faces in the crowd and a dense gathering of people all reacting to the ringing. Inside a corridor, two men stand on either side of an ornate coffin adorned with a large wreath; one glares forward while the other smiles slightly. The scene widens to a long ceremonial path where the decorated coffin is carried forward by pallbearers in dark suits. Armed guards in uniform line both sides of the route, holding back enormous crowds of onlookers behind barriers. The procession moves steadily down the center aisle under the watchful eyes of the security detail.

A young man with dark hair holds a small device shaped like a phone or transmitter marked with a heart and arrow symbol. He thinks to himself, "LIKE I THOUGHT..." and "UP THERE...". From a high vantage, the enormous plaza is visible, packed with dense crowds forming living barriers. Speech bubbles announce that the target has been located but lies outside the Nen signal's reach, and instruct the caller to change location and try again. At the bottom of the frame, narration states: "THE FUNERAL PROCESSION BEGINS! THE SPIDER TURNS ITS EYES UPWARD!". The coffin continues its slow advance through the parted sea of people as the chapter ends.