No.089 ◆ 9月3日⑤

Gon and Killua sprint side by side across an open space, motion lines streaking behind them. Gon wears a light jacket and shorts; Killua is in a black tank top. In the background, Leorio raises a fist and shouts, "OK! COUNT ON ME!" The lower half of the page shows a wide outdoor plaza filled with tables, umbrellas, and many seated people. The large header "No.089 ◆ 9月3日⑤" is displayed prominently over the bustling scene of auction observers and marketgoers.

In a bustling restaurant, Killua sits at a table across from a long-haired man with a goatee. Close-up panels show Killua's serious expression and the man's calm face. The man asks, "YOU THINK UBO PASSED OUT?" Killua replies, "I'M AFRAID SO." Nearby, a woman holds a phone while a man with sunglasses watches. In another panel, the long-haired man leans forward and states, "ISN'T ONLY A STUPID MASS OF MUSCLES." A voice adds, "LUBO..." while another says, "WE'RE HERE TO CHECK THAT OUT." The group discusses Uvogin's condition amid the crowded eatery filled with auction observers.

A man with glasses speaks on a phone, saying "DON'T WORRY. FROM WHERE I AM, I CAN SEE YOU." and "YOU'RE LATE!! WHERE ARE YOU?!" In the restaurant, an announcement plays: "HELLO? I'M THE PERSON WHO PUT THE ANNOUNCEMENT ON THE SITE." Observers note Uvogin's brightness and experience. Elsewhere, a suited man with sunglasses tells Gon and Killua he is doing a bank transfer. A girl with short hair yells "WAAAH! THAT'S IT! LOOK!!!" while holding a device. The long-haired man tells Killua, "NO, BUT YOU HEARD HIM AS WELL: HE SAID HE WOULDN'T RETURN UNTIL HE'D FOUND THE CHAIN GUY..." Killua asks if Uvogin has ever been late to a meeting.

A woman with long dark hair sits with her eyes half-closed, fingers scratching at her scalp as she speaks. "Your intuition rarely fails..." A small panel shows her glancing sideways. Nearby, another woman with spiky light hair responds, her expression serious. "Intuition?" "Intuition." The spiky-haired woman continues, "I didn't say I was sure he could have died. That's why I said 'I'm afraid so'..." Close-up panels focus on the long-haired woman's narrowed eyes and the spiky-haired woman's intense gaze. The scene shifts to a vast, crowded hall filled with dozens of people seated at tables across multiple levels. Auction observers fill the space, some standing on balconies. A large speech bubble declares, "We'll find him and eliminate him." Another states, "There's no doubt."

Gon and Leorio stand together, Leorio adjusting his sunglasses while Gon looks worried. Leorio asks, "How will we capture those two?" Gon replies, "It's impossible." Leorio's expression hardens. A wide shot shows a busy terminal with people walking near counters and escalators. Killua appears in close-up, hand on his cheek, stating, "Now the problems begin. We can't do anything if we face them." In a flashback panel, young Killua sits with his father, who tells him a story from three years ago. Killua says, "My father told me a story three years ago, and I thought I could do something, but..." "Yep. They're so strong?" The scene returns to the present where Gon, Killua, and Leorio sit at a table. Leorio leans in aggressively while Killua makes a peace sign and warns, "Hey! Calm down, or we'll be noticed. What do you expect me to do? I understood after seeing them."

Gon, Killua, and Leorio watch the scene below from their vantage point. Leorio speaks first, saying, "Say... We aren't a match for them." Killua stares ahead and replies, "They're in this square? Why do you think..." The group notices a couple seated nearby. Leorio points out, "They noticed the couple behind them." Killua questions, "No. You think so?" Leorio answers confidently, "It's a date, it's obvious, isn't it? Drinking coffee, having something to eat..." Killua continues analyzing the situation, stating, "If we get a little closer, you can be sure they'll notice us, and will keep their eyes on us. Without showing it, they kept control over everything around them. They're watching everything." Leorio reflects, "I realized that they wouldn't come to such an exposed area. At first, I thought that attitude was normal because the mafia was after them, but..."

A spider web stretches across the panel with a butterfly caught in it. Killua thinks, "They're waiting to be found. They look nothing like hunted people. For a moment, I forgot that we're after people from the Ryodan." Below, Killua and Leorio stand together while Killua notes, "They're ready to pounce." In the street scene, a long-haired man and a woman sit at a table. The long-haired man thinks, "He's not a rookie. You feel it too? Someone's watching us." Another voice adds, "The mafia, or someone else... I don't really know, but..." A bystander remarks, "I don't know where he's watching us from, but he's keeping his eyes on us."

In a dimly lit room, the spiky-haired boy reacts sharply with 'WHAT?' as the long-haired man states, 'I THINK THE BOSS WANTS TO MAKE HIM PART OF THE RYODAN.' At the table, the long-haired man continues, 'IF THAT'S THE CASE, WE'LL FOLLOW THE BOSS'S ORDERS, AND DO WHATEVER WE WANT,' while the boy mutters 'HUM...' and questions in close-up, 'THE CHAIN GUY?' The long-haired man's intense close-up face fills the frame as he asks, 'HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN THE BASIC RULES?' and explains, 'ALL THAT HE SAID WAS "FIND HIM, AND BRING HIM TO ME."' The boy retorts, 'YOU'RE THE ONE GIVING YOUR OPINION,' met with 'I DIDN'T ASK YOU ANYTHING.' The long-haired man adds, 'FOR YOU TO INTERPRET THE BOSS'S SPEECHES DOESN'T BOTHER ME, BUT...' and 'DON'T ASK ME TO AGREE WITH YOU.' The final panel shows the long-haired man declaring, 'DEAD OR ALIVE, BY ANY MEANS,' with the boy responding, 'THAT'S TRUE, BUT...' amid background figures outside the building.

Killua and the long-haired man stand facing each other in tense silence, a loud 'CRACK' sound effect erupting between them. Nearby observers react: a man with glasses asks, 'DID THEY MARK LIST?' while a short-haired boy notes, 'THE ATMOSPHERE IS TENSE.' Killua's face shows sweat as he thinks, 'IT SUDDENLY CHANGED,' with 'GLOUPS!' sound effects around him and the short-haired boy. In the background, the long-haired man and another figure sit at a table. The long-haired man speaks from off-panel, 'ESPECIALLY SINCE I DON'T KNOW THE TRICK TO HIDE OUR OWN PRESENCE, ZETSU.' The short-haired boy exclaims, 'HOW CAN YOU TELL?!' and the long-haired man replies, 'NO, THEY HAVEN'T NOTICED US.'

At a café table, Gon smiles nervously while peeking over the edge beside a spiky-haired man in sunglasses. Killua leans in close, speaking calmly. "SORRY I DIDN'T WANT TO SCARE YOU," the spiky-haired man says. "WE'D BETTER TALK NORMALLY," Killua replies. Nearby observers note the group's unsettling expressions and tense posture. "AND THEIR FACES AREN'T REASSURING," one remarks. "THEY'RE TRYING TO FIND AN ATTITUDE IN THIS SQUARE, SOMEONE WITH A GLANCE THAT OPPOSES THEIRS." Another adds, "DON'T DO WHAT THEY EXPECT US TO DO. IT'S NOT THE TIME TO ACT WEIRD." The scene shifts to a close-up of a stern man with long hair and a scar across his face. "WE BRING HIM BACK ALIVE, OR DEAD," he declares. "I SUGGEST WE DECIDE NOW." Killua stands opposite him and flips a coin high into the air. "TAILS," Killua calls as the coin spins. "HEADS," the scarred man answers. The coin lands with a sharp *Slat* sound. "FINE," the scarred man concludes.

Killua's face fills the frame, eyes wide and serious as he stares forward. An abstract panel of swirling lines and impact shapes follows, suggesting sudden motion or tension. The view widens to a spacious room where several people stand around a low table. Gon, Killua, a man with glasses, and a woman in a patterned top face an older man seated with his back to the viewer. A small bald figure in a robe lingers near the doorway. "I SEE," the woman says. The seated man responds, "I UNDERSTAND THE SITUATION BETTER." Killua stands with arms crossed, Gon beside him, while the man with glasses keeps his hands on his hips. Papers and a small box rest on the table between them.

A man in a black suit kneels before a low table in a luxurious room, bowing deeply as he says, 'Thank you.' An unseen speaker replies, 'If you hadn't acted that fast, my daughter could have been mortally wounded.' The speaker continues, 'There's also no doubt that they have access to the professional hunter site.' A stern man with a mustache and slicked-back hair sits with hands clasped, noting, 'One of the members of the community informed me that the Ryodan came to the hotel to kill everyone?' and adds, 'Changing rooms was a brilliant idea.' A close-up shows a short-haired girl with a neutral, slightly downturned expression against a black background. In the next panel the pigtail girl with a striped shirt slumps and mutters, 'I'm disappointed, but oh well...' The mustached man asks, 'Do you agree, Neon?' and states he will begin by sending his daughter home. Neon protests loudly, 'NNGH! I really wanted to go...' while the mustached man concludes, 'All the objects have been stolen, and the auctions canceled. Staying here is meaningless.'

The mustached man leans forward and tells the pigtail girl, 'You'd better ask me if you've ever kept one...' while she exclaims, 'Ah! You've got a point there!' He promises, 'Don't worry! There will be auctions next year, too.' and assures, 'About the objects you wanted, we'll take them back from the thieves.' The girl asks, 'Really?' and he answers, 'Yes, I promise.' Two men stand nearby: a scarred man with an X-shaped scar and a bald man with a forehead mark; the scarred man says 'Yes.' A small round figure reacts with surprise. The mustached man addresses two figures, 'You're... Senritsu... and Bashou?' In a new scene the mustached man orders a black-clad figure, 'Fine, Neon, return to your room to prepare your luggage.' The figure replies, 'Okay, Daddy!' A tall man in a vest says, 'Just in case, take inconspicuous clothing.' The mustached man explains to another man, 'When the huge guy was captured, you were there, and they know your faces, so it's not 100% riskless, but... You're in charge of bringing my daughter back to our residence. It's better than the ones with their pictures on the hunter site.'

A pair of hands opens a cigarette case as a voice declares, "NOW FOR THE SERIOUS THINGS." Another replies "FINE..." while a door shuts with a sharp "clac." In close-up, a stern mustached man with an earring and slicked-back hair lights a cigarette and announces, "THE AUCTION WILL RESTART TONIGHT." A wide cityscape follows, accompanied by the statements "WHATEVER THE ENEMY, THE COMMUNITY DOESN'T WANT TO BE TRICKED TWICE" and "SAME HOUR, SAME PLACE." Inside a room, a blonde figure with back turned says, "THAT WAS THE CASE, BUT..." A second speaker continues, "ACCORDING TO WHAT WE LEARNED FROM THE HUGE GUY YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT A WHILE AGO, IT WOULD BE ONE OF THE INJIYUU WHO HAD OUTRUN THEM, TAKING THE BOOTY." Someone reacts with "ROBBED...?" The mustached man, now seated before a landscape painting, concludes, "THE 10 GODFATHERS CONFIRMED THAT THEY WILL GET THE ROBBED OBJECTS DURING THE TWO DAYS OF THE AUCTION."

Multiple speakers discuss the Ryodan and Injyuu. One notes, "IF ONE OF THE RYODAN MEMBERS HAS THE SKILL OF MAKING PEOPLE CONFESS, IT'S NOT EVEN NECESSARY TO USE TORTURE." Another adds, "THE GODFATHERS KNOW THE FORCE OF THE NEN USERS PERFECTLY WELL." A panel reveals, "THE LAST ONE IS THE ONE WHO HAD ALL OF THE OBJECTS FROM THE AUCTION." "NINE BODIES WERE FOUND." "IT SEEMS ALL THE INJIYUU ARE DEAD." Further details state, "THE OWL HAD BROUGHT THE BOOTY, BUT WE THINK HE CONFESSED TO THE RYODAN." "HE WOULD HAVE ALSO BEEN KILLED BY THE RYODAN." Killua, a white-haired boy, stands with the mustached man and a woman bearing a forehead mark. Killua asks, "PROFESSIONALS ?" The mustached man replies, "SINCE THE INJIYUU WERE KILLED, THE GODFATHERS HAVE DECIDED TO GIVE THE TASK OF ELIMINATING THE RYODAN TO PROFESSIONALS." He then says, "I'M GOING BACK TO THE PREVIOUS TOPIC." The page ends on a tight close-up of intense, glaring eyes.

A towering muscular man with long wild hair and a prominent scar across his face strides forward with heavy steps. His right fist is clenched tightly at his side while his left arm swings back. Dramatic speed lines radiate outward and a massive "TADAN" sound effect explodes in the upper right. Below and to the left, a much shorter man with a thick mustache and goatee stands looking upward, wearing a black vest adorned with circular studs and striped pants. The tall figure dominates the frame, his posture radiating raw power as he advances.

A close-up shows an older man with a mustache speaking intently. Speech bubbles read: "AGAINST SUCH ENEMIES, WE DECIDED TO CONFIDE THEIR ELIMINATION TO SPECIALISTS. IT WILL BE MUCH FASTER." and "FROM THE MAFIA'S POINT OF VIEW, THE MURDER IS ONLY INTIMIDATION. IT'S NOT OUR SPECIALTY." In the next panel, the tall scarred man and a smaller companion walk away down a corridor as bubbles state: "THANKS TO THAT, WE ONLY HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE RYODAN TO BE EXTINGUISHED." and "THE GODFATHERS HAVE ALREADY GATHERED A TEAM OF FIRST CLASS KILLERS." A close-up of intense eyes appears with the line "KURAPIKA, THAT'S WHERE WE COME IN." followed by "WE CAN'T LET KILLERS ACT ALONE." A short-haired figure adds: "BUT ACTING LIKE THAT WILL LOWER THE REPUTATION OF THE COMMUNITY." The final panel reveals a young character with spiky hair looking surprised as a voice says: "WE'D LIKE YOU TO JOIN THE TEAM OF KILLERS."

Leorio stares intently at Killua, who is sipping a drink with a neutral expression. Speech bubbles appear above them: "WHAT ARE WE DOING?" and "THEY MOVED." In the next panel Leorio continues, "NOTHING VENTURED, NOTHING GAINED. WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING." Killua replies from across the table, "I'M REPEATING MYSELF, BUT... WE DON'T HAVE ANY CHANCES OF WINNING AGAINST THEM." Gon leans forward with determination and declares, "WE WON'T GO HOME LIKE THIS." Killua answers simply, "YEAH." A close-up shows Killua's serious face. The scene shifts to a busy indoor hall where Leorio gestures and says, "IN THAT CASE, LISTEN CAREFULLY TO WHAT I'M GOING TO TELL YOU." Killua responds, "OK." Background figures mill about the auction-like space with tables and counters.

Killua suddenly slaps Gon across the face with an open hand. The impact creates a large "PAF" sound effect. Gon’s head snaps back, eyes squeezed shut, mouth open in pain as he cries out "AIE!" with additional Japanese sound effects "すぱ" and "あうっ" floating near his head. A small star-shaped impact mark appears beside Gon’s face. Killua’s hand remains extended after the strike, his expression focused.