TO EACH ONE HIS REASONS

The chapter title reads 'N°007. TO EACH ONE HIS REASONS'. On a wooden floor marked with impact lines, multiple speech bubbles explode with disbelief: 'IMPOSSIBLE...!! IMPOSSIBLE...!! IMPOSSIBLE...!!' and 'IT'S NOT POSSIBLE !!!'. Scattered 'TCHAC' and 'TAC' sound effects punctuate the scene. The next panel shows a storm of 'MPF' bubbles surrounding a defiant voice declaring 'HERE, NOBODY'S STRONGER THAN ME.' Another bubble retorts 'ME, LOSE? IT'S IMPOSSIBLE !!'. In the bottom section, angry scrawled text mocks 'LOSER (LAUGHS)! FAILED? JERK! FLUNKED! stupid LOSER...'. A calmer panel states 'NO, I CAN'T BELIEVE IT! IT CAN'T ME! NOT TO ME!! FAILED? NO! A LOSER'. The final panel contains a long boast: 'FROM STUDIES TO SPORTS, I AM THE BEST. ALL THE OTHERS ARE NOTHING COMPARED TO ME!! I JUST HAD TO USE THEM, AND THEN THROW THEM AWAY LIKE OLD SOCKS!!'.

A close-up shows a sweating man with light hair and a bow tie, his face contorted in panic as he screams 'NO!!!' amid 'HAA...', 'ARGH!', and 'AAH...' bubbles while 'MPF' signs float around him. Below, a foot smashes a keyboard with a loud 'CRASH!!!'. Another panel depicts the same man running desperately down stairs, surrounded by 'NO...' and 'I CAN'T ANY MORE ...' speech while 'SLAP' marks his steps. In the lower left, two figures watch as one says 'LET'S GO?' and another notes 'HE'S FINISHED.'

In the dim tunnel, a man with a headband wipes sweat and declares, "IT'S THE FIRST TIME I'VE SEEN ANYBODY TIRED AT THIS PART OF THE RACE!" Nearby, another runner in a cap asks, "WE HAVE TO RUN FOR SOME 6 MORE HOURS, DON'T WE?" while a group clings to the wall, one of them panting, "SO, THE NEW?" with sound effects PFF PFF PFF. A close-up reveals a drenched, exhausted face gasping, "IT'S NOT VERY GLORIOUS, KID! YOU'RE GIVING UP?" The scene shifts to a massive close-up of wide, tear-filled eyes as voices accuse, "IT'S TRUE THAT YOU'RE NOT THE SAME AS US! YOU REALLY DON'T HAVE ANY SENSE OF HONOR!" In the vast stone tunnel, a lone small figure kneels alone on the floor. Harsh voices echo from the sides: "WE DON'T WANT TO SEE YOU HERE ANYMORE, SEEDY! YOU'RE JUST AN ORDINARY GUY!"

The chapter title "N°007 TO EACH ONE HIS REASONS" stretches across the top. Far down the arched stone tunnel, a distant group of examinees runs toward the darkness. In the foreground, a large circular object with a black-and-white triangular pattern lies half-buried in a broken hole in the floor. Text boxes note "FIRST ROUND OF THE TESTS : MORE THAN 80KM RAN." and "DESERTED : 1".

A group of examinees discusses in low voices. One says, "LIES CAN REALLY HAVE SOME DEVASTATING EFFECTS ON SOME GUYS." Another notes, "HE LOCKED SOLID A NEW GUY, BUT..." while a third adds, "HIM, I'M SURE WE WON'T SEE HIM APPEAR AGAIN IN THE EXAM." with a small "PFF". Someone thanks, "NICE WORK, THANKS!" A spiky-haired man smirks, "IT'S MY REASON TO BE..." as Tonpa is praised: "TOMPA, YOU'RE REALLY A MASTER IN THE ART OF FINDING WEAKNESSES IN YOUR ADVERSARIES!" Runners press forward; one calls, "WE DON'T HAVE TIME LEFT." Another observes, "FINALLY, THERE WAS ONE... THE LEVEL IS HIGH THIS YEAR." Suddenly a bald man shouts, "LOOK!" with motion lines and "!!". From the tunnel ahead comes "DODODO" and tapping sounds "TAP-TAP-TAP". A large man numbered 25 asks, "IS THAT A JOKE...?" while another yells, "HEY!"

A massive spiral staircase twists endlessly upward through a colossal tunnel lit by faint overhead lights. Dozens of Hunter Exam applicants scramble up the steep steps, many stumbling or collapsing as the climb wears them down. Motion lines and impact shapes show bodies tumbling while others push forward desperately. Large sound effects scream FOOOOOO across the upper section and ARGH! DODODO near the lower steps. At the bottom of the page, Satotsu stands in calm profile, a slight smile on his face. He declares, "LET'S PICK UP THE PACE." and adds, "WELL."

Leorio loses his footing and plummets down the stairs with a startled "AARGH!" Satotsu strides upward with measured taps, his suit immaculate, ignoring the chaos around him. A narration box explains that under these conditions most can only walk, yet Satotsu climbs two steps at a time. A large panel erupts with massive black impact letters and DODODO sound effects as the crowd reacts in shock. Two applicants in the foreground, one with curly hair and sunglasses and another with a headband, exchange tense words: "NOW, IT'S GONNA BE CRITICAL."

Leorio, shirt torn open and drenched in sweat, charges up the steps while shouting "TAP TAP TAP" and "I'M NOT THE BEST, BUT IT DOESN'T MATTER: I KNOW I'LL MAKE IT!!!" Kurapika, looking concerned, asks, "ARE YOU OKAY, LEORIO?" Leorio answers, "AS YOU SEE, I'M REALLY FINE!" A narration box notes, "NOW THERE'S A LESSON TO REMEMBER..." Kurapika slaps a shadowy figure with a sharp "SLAP" and "HM." Elsewhere, a panicked applicant screams "AAAAAH" and "KURAPIKA!! I ADVISE YOU TO IGNORE ME, IF YOU DON'T WANT TO BE ASHAMED!! EVEN IF I HAVE TO RUN NAKED!!" while fleeing with motion lines and VOOOOO effects.

Kurapika and Leorio sit facing each other in the tunnel. Kurapika asks, "Can I ask you something?" Leorio replies, "To discuss is to consume energy." Kurapika continues, "Is it really because of the money that you want to become a Hunter?" Leorio answers, "We only met each other a few days ago, but I've understood this at least. I'm sure that it's not." Kurapika says, "I've seen a lot of people who only lived for money, and you're not that kind of person. But I don't think that you have a bad soul." Leorio suddenly stands and shouts, "You, you're the king of 'logical'!" as Kurapika's eyes begin to glow. The sound effect "vapovovovo" rumbles while Leorio exclaims, "SCARLET EYES..."

Leorio lunges forward with a fierce expression, his number 403 visible on his chest. Kurapika explains, "It's the reason why the Kuruta clan has been pursued." On a wide staircase, several applicants lie unconscious as Kurapika continues, "When we are traversed by a violent feeling, our eyes become scarlet, as if they were on fire. Scarlet eyes are the distinctive sign of the Kuruta." Kurapika adds, "It's because of that that your clan was destroyed by the Phantom Brigade?" He then states, "If we die at this state, our eyes never return to their normal state, and stay with this color. Today, the only thing that we can see in the darkness of their eyes is called revenge... The only things that were missing from my brother's bodies when we found them, were their eyes. Some say that this color, with its brightness, is one of the seven most beautiful in the world."

Kurapika declares with determination, "And I'll give my brothers and companions their eyes back. Whatever happens, I'll capture the Phantom Brigade!!" Leorio, looking surprised, responds, "But that isn't the case for a Hunter." Kurapika explains his reasoning: "If I choose to be a Hunter under contract, I'll become extremely rich, and I'll have access to many things. The clients are all potent men, multi-millionaires. It's impossible for a normal person to approach this environment. Unfortunately, they're surely sold on the black market." Leorio asks, "...In comparison with the pain of my companions? What is my dignity...? You're ready to sell your soul and lose your dignity...? Under contract...? I thought that was exactly the type of Hunter you hate the most...?" Leorio then says, "I can only say that my goal is really money... I don't have a reason as noble as yours to tell you... I'm sorry..."

Leorio leans forward intensely, sweat flying as he shouts, "THINGS FOR SURE, BUT ALSO THE DREAMS!" Kurapika grabs him by the collar, yelling back, "DON'T TELL ME YOU REALLY THINK WE CAN BUY EVERYTHING ON THIS WORLD?! YOU'RE SAYING NONSENSE!" Leorio retorts, "EVERYTHING CAN BE BOUGHT! EVEN LIVES DEPEND ON MONEY!" The argument escalates with motion lines and impact effects as Leorio cries out, "IF I HAD HAD THE MONEY, MY FRIEND WOULDN'T HAVE DIED! WHY? IT'S THE TRUTH!" Kurapika pleads, "STOP THIS, LEORIO! TAKE BACK WHAT YOU SAID!" In a flashback panel, Leorio runs while explaining, "BECAUSE OF AN ILLNESS...?" He continues, "SO, THIS WAY, I COULD HAVE TOLD THE PARENTS OF ALL THOSE CHILDREN IN THE SAME SITUATION AS MY FRIEND WAS: 'I DON'T CHARGE YOU ANY MONEY.' THAT WAS MY DREAM. I'M A LITTLE NAIVE, SO I THOUGHT I WOULD BECOME A DOCTOR. BUT TO OPERATE ON HIM, WE NEEDED TOO MUCH MONEY! IT WASN'T AN INCURABLE ILLNESS!!"

Leorio continues his outburst with a dramatic close-up, sweat pouring down, "I WANT MONEY! YOU SEE? MONEY! MONEY! MONEY! BECAUSE THERE WAS SOMETHING I DIDN'T KNOW: THE DOCTOR'S STUDIES ARE REALLY EXPENSIVE!! BUT I WAS TOO NAIVE!!" Kurapika watches with a concerned expression. The scene shifts to a long tunnel where a suited man with slicked-back hair stands in the foreground, one hand extended. A sign reads "DESERTED: 37". Behind him, examinees including Leorio, Kurapika, Gon, and Killua climb a massive spiraling staircase. A box states, "TEST OF THE STAIRS THAT GO TO THE PLACE OF THE TESTS..."

Killua, walking ahead on the stairs, remarks, "IN FACT, NOT MOVING THE FASTEST WAY IS MORE TIRING." The suited examiner leads the group upward. Gon, looking up with a sweat drop, thinks silently. Killua turns and says, "IT'S NOT FUNNY." Gon replies, "I DIDN'T NOTICE THAT WE WERE IN THE FRONT. IT'S BECAUSE THE RHYTHM ISN'T VERY FAST." Killua continues, "THE HUNTER'S EXAM SEEMS VERY ACCESSIBLE IN REALITY..." In a close-up, Killua smiles slightly and adds, "I'VE HEARD IT WAS SOMETHING EXTREMELY HARD, AND I THOUGHT IT SOUNDED INTERESTING. BUT I'M DISAPPOINTED." Gon looks surprised as Killua asks, "I DON'T REALLY WANT TO BE A HUNTER... WHY DO YOU WANT TO BE A HUNTER, KILLUA?" Wait, no—Killua questions Gon: "WHY DO YOU WANT TO BE A HUNTER, GON?"

Gon and Killua walk through the dim tunnel as Gon answers Killua's question. "Your father, what kind of hunter is he?" Gon replies, "I don't know!" Killua declares, "My father is a hunter! My goal is to become a hunter like him! What about you?" Gon explains, "But some years ago, I met a guy named Kaito, who taught me a lot of things about my father. My aunt took care of me, and I've only seen my father in photos." Killua laughs, "You think so? Hahaha that's not ordinary!" A large panel shows an illustrated scene of a long-haired man in a hat sitting on a log beside young Gon, accompanied by text describing the rare Triple Hunter title and the man's legendary feats: the discovery of the ruins of the Luluka civilization, the two-headed wolf's reproduction, the Frisking in the mines of Kongo, the taking down of Kurt's band, and the action field of Gon's father having no limit.

Gon continues, "So, I thought... But Kaito seemed so happy, and so proud to be able to speak of him. That I wanted to become a hunter like my father..." Killua responds while tapping his chest, "I don't know. And that's a super thing?" The boys and other examinees suddenly sprint forward as someone shouts, "Look!" A dramatic panel reveals a bright exit with the text "THE EXIT !!!" and the sound effect "DODODODODO" echoing through the passage.

The group emerges into daylight. Gon and Killua stand at the front with other examinees. "Ooh!" someone exclaims. A bald man numbered 294 shouts, "We're leaving the darkness of the underground passage! At last!" Another candidate cries, "Aaah... We're almost done, Leorio!" The crowd reacts with surprise and exhaustion as motion lines and sweat drops appear. A large panel shows the examinees gathered outside the tunnel entrance. Someone says, "It's..." while another voice adds, "But..." with the sound effect "Fuuu" and Japanese characters indicating a strong wind or collective sigh.

A vast, misty marsh stretches endlessly under a pale sky, its layered grasses and scattered trees fading into the distance. Sound effects echo across the open landscape. A large speech bubble on the left declares: "THIS IS THE PLACE WHERE THE SECOND ROUND WILL STAND : YOU'LL HAVE TO GO THROUGH THERE." On the right, another bubble identifies the location: "THE 'NUMELLE''S MARSH, NICKNAMED 'THE CROOKS' NEST.'" Below, a close-up shows a sharp-featured man with slicked-back white hair and a prominent curled mustache. He raises one finger and warns, "LOSING THE WAY RESULTS IN DEATH." He continues, "FOLLOW ME AND PAY CLOSE ATTENTION !!!" Beside him, further panels reveal dense jungle foliage where large, ominous birds lurk among the leaves. A bubble explains, "...EAT HUMANS FOR LUNCH. THEY'RE BIRDS OF PREY, AS WELL AS GAMERS..." Another adds, "THE RARE ANIMALS YOU'LL FIND IN THE MARSH..." while small birds scatter with cries of "HIAH HIAH" and a creature gulps loudly.