Weakness (1)

Gon is hurled backward through the air by a massive explosion of force, limbs flailing as the bright impact erupts between him and Knuckle Bine’s snarling face. Motion lines radiate outward from the collision. In the lower tier, a long shot shows the distant figures still locked in combat. Killua appears in close-up with wide eyes and clenched fists, sweat visible on his face, while another character on the right reacts with an open-mouthed shout.

Gon leans forward with intense focus, sweat on his face as he thinks, 'But Knuckle... could it be that he's...? This is a warm up...!? Dammit... He's strong!!' In the next panels Gon watches warily from the side while Knuckle raises a clenched fist and taunts, 'Hey... aren't you gonna use that? That "First is Rock" thingy?' Knuckle smirks and admits, 'After all, it's defective. Heh, I guess you really can't.' Far away on the dark treeline a small figure stands watching. Gon crouches low in the foreground and declares, 'And don't think you can use it in a one-on-one battle either, punk. I'll save you the trouble, don't try using that technique, I'll break it immediately.'

A brilliant white aura explodes outward as a masked figure in a Chinese-style outfit stands with one hand extended. Text declares, 'In that technique!!! I've found two huge weaknesses.' Below, Gon runs toward the glowing figure from behind, his small form silhouetted against the intense light. Knuckle appears in profile and says, 'By the way, Gon...' In the final panels Gon looks up with wide eyes and sweat drops, thinking, 'I don't think I've decided on a name for it yet. Damn...!' while the masked figure asks, 'What do you call that technique?'

Gon stares to the side with wide, sparkling eyes, mouth open in excitement as he shouts "JANKEN...!!!" and "JA...". Beside him, Killua reacts with "Wow... That's exactly what it is." The instructor, hand resting on his chin, nods and says "I SEE." followed by "JAJANKEN, HUH...?" Gon looks down sheepishly and admits "I DIDN'T MEAN TO STUTTER OUT THE FIRST 'JA'..." while the instructor explains the origin: "AND COMBINED IT WITH THE SOUND EFFECT 'JAJAN' AS IF YOU WERE SAYING 'JAJAN!' HERE'S MY SPECIAL TECHNIQUE!" Killua chimes in with "YEAH." and "I guess it's okay with that?" as Gon glances back. The instructor breaks into a grin and declares "HEY, THAT'S A PRETTY COOL NAME, PUNK!!" In a dramatic full-width panel, a hand thrusts forward making a peace sign while the instructor announces "YOUR 'JAJANKEN' HAS TWO HUGE WEAKNESSES!!" and calls out "GON!!"

The instructor leans forward with an intense glare, hair flaring wildly, and shouts "IT TAKES TOO LONG TO CHARGE!! FIRST!!" while thrusting his index finger toward the viewer. Gon, looking serious, replies "I KNOW THAT." The instructor continues "DON'T THINK YOU CAN USE IT THAT EASILY, PUNK!" and warns "IN THE MIDDLE OF A FIGHT, TAKING A FEW SECONDS TO EXECUTE A TECHNIQUE IS JUST WAY TOO LONG." He then raises two fingers and yells "IT'S WAY TOO RISKY!! SECOND!!" Gon answers calmly "THAT'S WHY I'VE BEEN TRAINING THIS ENTIRE MONTH..." and "I'M AWARE OF THE RISKS." The instructor presses on "JUST ONE BLOW WILL KNOCK YOU OUT, PUNK!!" and explains "THE MORE AURA YOU CONCENTRATE ON YOUR FIST, THE LESS AURA YOU HAVE TO PROTECT THE REST OF YOUR BODY."

Gon charges forward with intense determination, his body low and fist clenched as powerful aura bursts around him. Multiple bold "GO" sound effects punctuate his explosive movement while he declares his resolve: "TO COMPENSATE FOR THEM!!" A close-up reveals a sharp, focused eye. Narration notes that the sheer size of the aura is comparable to that of a middle-class pro, and the more one sees it, the more amazed they become at its scale. From behind, Gon stands watching a distant small figure radiating an enormous, bright aura. In a vast, ruined hall, Gon assumes a ready stance as a massive, shadowy figure looms over him. A voice states, "YOU'RE STILL IN NEED OF..." while another remarks, "HOW UNFORTUNATE..."

The opponent in traditional Chinese attire launches a fierce attack, delivering a powerful strike with "W" and "GAT" impact effects while shouting "MORE EXPERIENCE!" Gon dashes across the floor in a low stance, then is sent flying by a rapid series of blows marked with "H H H H" and "W" sound effects. The opponent continues the assault, declaring "TRUE-BATTLE EXPERIENCE!!" and "YOU SEVERELY LACK..." as Gon is struck again with "SHWAT" and "SD" effects, his body twisting from the force.

Gon stares intensely, sweat on his face. 'IT'S AWKWARD. STILL...' he thinks. A voice explains that Gon's awkwardness likely comes from life-or-death battles combined with natural talent, and that his ability to improvise is not bad at all. Knuckle's legs move swiftly across the ground as the same voice notes 'YOUR FLOW OF AURA...' Gon lunges forward with a determined expression, the motion lines emphasizing his awkward stance. 'IS AWKWARD.' In the lower panels Gon darts in with rapid strikes, declaring that all he needs to do is throw in a few fakes and alter his target slightly. He reads Knuckle's next move, seeing exactly which part of the body will be defended. 'JUST BY READING THE MOVEMENT OF YOUR AURA. I CAN SEE IT ALL...'

Gon crouches low in a powerful stance against a black background, aura flaring around him. 'AND THIS IS THE RESULT...!!' he shouts. Close-up of Knuckle's surprised face with sweat, realizing 'KNUCKLE IS... I WAS RIGHT...' and that the flow of his aura is being completely read. Knuckle grimaces and says 'DAMN...' In another panel Knuckle's face shows intense focus as he growls 'I'M JUST ABOUT WARMED UP NOW, PUNK. TIME FOR ME TO KICK YOUR ASS.' Gon stands ready in the distance while Knuckle asks 'YOU READY...?'

The man in the high-collared uniform stands tall amid swirling speed lines, his right fist clenched and raised while his left arm crosses his chest. His spiky hair flares wildly as he glares forward with intense eyes. A large speech bubble declares, "DON'T HAVE ANY HARD FEELINGS EVEN IF I KILL YOU, PUNK." Large text beside him reads "JUST TOO..." and below "GENEROUS...!!" In the lower tier of panels, the same man appears in close-up, mouth open, saying "BUT HE'S BEEN TEACHING ME. NOT ONLY THAT..." A small inset shows Gon watching from behind a counter with two other figures. The man continues, "I COULD HAVE BEEN DEAD IN AN INSTANT," while pointing forward with his right hand. Another bubble adds, "BEHIND YOU, PUNK. IF HE HADN'T TOLD ME..."

A close-up shows a bruised hand with the caption "SO THAT I CAN BECOME... EVEN STRONGER..." followed by the onomatopoeia "GU!!" as the fist clenches tightly. Gon stands with both hands clutched to his chest, eyes wide, thinking "HE'S BEEN... GUIDING ME THROUGHOUT..." In the large central panel, Gon leans forward dramatically with his right arm extended in a powerful punch, motion lines radiating outward. A bubble reads "FIRST IS..." while the small uniformed man in the background exclaims "HE'S TOO GENEROUS...!" Large text "ROCKK!!" erupts near Gon's fist. The bottom tier shows an impact burst and a close-up of an eye with a small circular mark inside the pupil.

Knuckle stands amid shattered wooden beams and debris, gazing upward as Gon is hurled high into the air amid explosive motion lines and flying fragments. Gon tumbles helplessly, limbs flailing. In close-up, Gon grimaces in pain, muttering 'GAH...' and 'UGH...'. Knuckle glares fiercely and shouts, 'DON'T PLAY GAMES WITH ME, PUNK! I TOLD YOU I'D BREAK IT IF YOU TRIED IT.' Gon is struck repeatedly in midair with sharp impact effects labeled 'GH', 'ZA', and 'ZAT', his body twisting from the blows. Below, a figure's arm swings while Gon looks up in shock, reacting with 'YOUR FULL STRENGTH...?' and 'WAS THAT...' as another pained 'GAH GAK' escapes him.

In a dramatic close-up, Gon is grabbed from behind by Knuckle, who leans in and declares, 'YOU'RE THE ONE THAT'S PLAYING GAMES WITH ME!' and 'YOU SAID THIS WAS A REAL FIGHT, RIGHT?' Knuckle stands ready in the background with fists clenched. The scene cuts to a fierce close-up of Gon's face, sweat flying, as he yells 'KNUCKLE!!! TRY TO KILL ME THEN!!' with intense eyes and bared teeth.

Knuckle glares intensely with narrowed eyes and a clenched jaw, sweat visible on his face as a sharp "GIII" sound effect cuts through the panel. In the next close-up his expression remains fierce and focused. Gon lunges forward with a determined shout, yelling "ROCK!!" as he drives his fist ahead. Knuckle stands firm, extending one arm while declaring "FIRST IS..." with "K1" marked on his hand. Cross-shaped impact lines and motion streaks fill the space between them. The strike lands with a heavy crash; Gon is shown reeling from the blow with an "UGH..." reaction, debris flying as Knuckle watches in wide-eyed surprise, sweat flying from his face.