RETURN

Tserriednich closes his eyes and begins shutting off his aura from the tips first. He thinks, "AND SHUTTING OFF MY ENTIRE BODY, ALL AT ONCE IS INDEED QUITE A HIGH LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY... BUT IF I DON'T SLOWLY CLOSE OFF MY BODY'S AURA BIT BY BIT FROM THE TIPS FIRST, IT'LL GET UNEVEN... I'M GETTING THE KNACK OF ZETSU." His eyes snap open in surprise as a massive sound effect FWSSSSSSSS erupts. He shouts, "HUH?!" and "...WHAT IN THE WORLD IS THIS?!" Theta stands nearby looking concerned. From above, something lands on Tserriednich's left shoulder. Theta reacts with shock, saying, "THERE'S SOMETHING ON YOUR LEFT SHOULDER...!!" Tserriednich turns slightly while Theta stares at the unknown object.

In a dim corridor, Tserriednich stands with his back to Theta. 'Fine, fine... focus, right?' he mutters. Theta replies from behind him, 'An enemy will attack you much more severely.' Tserriednich turns slightly and protests, 'Hold it... that's not exactly fair is it, Theta?' A sudden FZZZ sound effect fills the air. Tserriednich's eyes widen in shock as he exclaims, 'Wh... what's goin' on!?' and 'Is this a dream...?!' His Zetsu has come undone. 'My Zetsu came undone, too...!' he growls with a 'Tch...!' On his left shoulder he senses something. 'There is something...' he says, turning to stare directly at Theta with a tense expression.

Theta responds calmly, 'From the top. Alright.' Tserriednich, now facing her, asks, 'Was there anything different about how I looked just now...?' Theta presses, 'Hey, are you listening to me?' while repeating the earlier warning. Tserriednich realizes internally, 'Theta's dialogue... is exactly like it was in my dream just a moment ago...!' and panics, 'I'm not able to communicate with her...?!' In a flashback panel the three stand together as Tserriednich thinks, 'So then... was that not a dream...?! Was it... a premonition of the future reality to come...?!' He concludes, 'I changed my dialogue, but Theta just ignored me and spoke exactly as according to my dream... If it really was a vision of the future... The daydream I had... was about 10 seconds... It's nothing... err... Theta... she's back.'

Tserriednich stands with eyes closed, pondering the meaning of the sounds he hears. "THEN THE SECOND NOISE I HEAR AFTER ABOUT 10 SECONDS... IS THE SIGNAL THAT IT'S OVER?" he thinks. In the grand hall, he faces Theta from behind, wondering if the noise signals his premonition activating. "IF THAT'S A SIGNAL THAT MY PREMONITION HAS BEEN ACTIVATED..." he continues internally. He questions whether to activate Zetsu and close his eyes to focus again. "AND ACTIVATE MY ZETSU AS SOON AS I CLOSE MY EYES..." "FOCUS, RIGHT? SHOULD I TRY IT AGAIN?" Nearby, Theta stands calmly. Tserriednich worries about getting caught while having the vision and losing control of his body. "ON TOP OF THAT, IF WHILE I'M HAVING MY VISION, REAL TIME IS PASSING BY... THEN DOES THAT MEAN I GET RENDERED DEFENSELESS TO SEE 10 SECONDS INTO THE FUTURE? THAT'S RIDICULOUS." A close-up shows his intense expression: "I SHOULD BE ABLE TO HAVE MY PREMONITION FASTER THAN EVEN AN INSTANT...!!!" and "IF THIS IS TRULY MY ABILITY, THEN MY VISION SHOULD BE INSTANTANEOUS...!!!" A crumpled paper lies on the floor with the sound "TWS".

Tserriednich and Theta stand in the hallway. Tserriednich thinks, "AND KEEP MY ZETSU UP, THEN WILL MY ABILITY CONTINUE ON...?" He worries, "I CAN'T MOVE... IF I JUST GO THROUGH THESE 10 SECONDS LIKE THIS..." A loud "ZZZZ" sound effect fills the panel. Tserriednich questions if this is the end of his ability. In the next sequence, he sees Theta in his vision and realizes, "BUT THE THETA IN MY VISION IS THETA FROM 10 SECONDS IN THE FUTURE!" He feels her presence right in front of him in real time. "I CAN FEEL HER PRESENCE... THETA IS RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME... AND THAT'S THE THETA FROM THE REAL PRESENT TIME..." Tserriednich notes the time difference: "...NO, IT'S STILL GOING ON! BUT IT'S DIFFERENT THAN IT WAS EARLIER..." A narration box explains the ability: "ONCE I ACTIVATE IT, I IMMEDIATELY RECEIVE A PREMONITION OF THE 10 SECONDS TO COME. ONCE THAT 'INSTANTANEOUS 10 SECONDS' IS OVER, THEN MY VISION CONTINUES IN REAL TIME, BUT 10 SECONDS AHEAD OF THE REAL WORLD...!!!" Tserriednich concludes, "THAT'S GOT TO BE IT!!! THE 10 SECONDS IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING MY ABILITY ACTIVATION IS AN 'INSTANTANEOUS 10 SECONDS'!!" Theta suddenly moves forward as Tserriednich watches from behind, with the exclamation "THETA MOVED...!!" and a large "!!" reaction.

In a spacious tiled hall, Tserriednich stands with his back to the viewer, long hair flowing, while Theta faces him from across the room. His thoughts erupt in large bubbles: "THE THETA IN THE REAL WORLD'S TIME WILL MOVE!!" and "SO THEN IF MY PREMONITION IS RIGHT, THEN IN 10 SECONDS..." Smaller panels show his vision activating, with onomatopoeia "パタッ" as Theta steps forward exactly ten seconds later. Tserriednich confirms, "THIS VISION IS SHOWING ME 10 SECONDS INTO THE FUTURE!!" and "EXACTLY 10 SECONDS...! I'VE PROVEN MY HYPOTHESIS." He notes, "SHE MOVED...!" and muses, "QUITE THE SADIST, AREN'T YOU, THETA~. THIS IS A NEW DISCOVERY, A CUP... I SEE." A close-up reveals Theta's calm expression as Tserriednich shatters a cup with his ability. In a wider view of the hall with two suited men watching, he reflects, "BUT IF I HADN'T UNDONE MY ZETSU, THEN HOW WOULD THETA HAVE REACTED...?" One guard asks, "WOULD YOU PLEASE NOT INTERRUPT?" while narration states, "THE PRINCE IS TRAINING." Tserriednich concludes that the ten-second concentration was broken by the cup's sound, undoing his Zetsu. He decides, "NOW... LET'S TAKE IT FROM THE TOP ONE MORE TIME," and considers Theta's possible changed dialogue if she sees his future actions.

Tserriednich stands facing forward with a serious expression as panels replay earlier lines: "IT'S NOTHING." and "UNLIKE MY VISION, MY ZETSU IS STILL CONTINUING... BUT..." Theta, now with short hair and glasses, says, "WOULD YOU PLEASE NOT INTERRUPT?" while a guard notes, "THE PRINCE IS TRAINING." Tserriednich's thoughts continue: "SHE DOESN'T REALIZE ANY OF THE FUTURE THAT I'VE CHANGED!!" "THETA IS STILL SEEING MY 'VISION SELF'." He decides, "NOW... LET'S TAKE IT FROM THE TOP ONE MORE TIME." and "KUKUKU, I FIGURED AS MUCH." Theta's line repeats about considering the intrusion part of training. In a close-up of Tserriednich's face, he declares, "I'M GETTING SERIOUS NOW. I CAN LOOK AHEAD 10 SECONDS INTO THE FUTURE. WHEN I CLOSE MY EYES AND 'ZETSU'... YOU CAN DO WHATEVER YOU WANT NOW." He warns, "NOT EVEN A SINGLE HAIR ON MY NECK WILL FLINCH, DON'T WORRY. THAT CAN TAKE ANY ACTION WITHIN THOSE 10 SECONDS...!!! AND I'M THE ONLY ONE... EVEN IF YOU WRITHE AROUND ON THE FLOOR FOAMING AT THE MOUTH..."

In a grand hall, a massive horned Nen beast looms over Tserriednich and Theta. The creature's fierce eyes glare forward while the two stand with their backs partly turned. Tserriednich, long-haired and in a tank top, faces away from the beast; Theta stands beside him in loose pants. Close-up panels show the beast's startled expression followed by Theta's intense glare. Tserriednich turns slightly, hands at his sides. A wide shot captures the vast empty floor as both figures stand apart, motion lines streaking the ground. Tserriednich's thoughts race: "OR SHOULD I STAY IN ZETSU, CLOSE MY EYES AGAIN, AND ACTIVATE THE INSTANTANEOUS 10 SECONDS AGAIN...?" He continues internally, "SHOULD I TRY OPENING MY EYES AND TALKING TO HER?" Another panel reveals, "MY ZETSU HASN'T BROKEN..." and "SHE THREW AN AURA BALL AT ME."

A tight close-up shows Tserriednich's eyes slowly opening. Theta stands in profile, her expression serious. Tserriednich appears from behind, hands clasped near his face. Theta is seen from the back while a small panel reveals her stern face in a doorway. Tserriednich, now facing forward with a slight smile, gestures with two fingers raised. Theta's face appears again with a neutral look. Tserriednich smiles with eyes closed, saying "THETA..." and "KUKUKU." A heart-marked "OH♡" floats nearby. In the final wide panel, Tserriednich walks ahead of Theta across the hall floor while thinking, "I SUPPOSE I'LL KEEP THIS UP AND SEE HOW FAR IT GOES..." and "FANTASTIC! AS LONG AS I CONTINUE MY ZETSU, IT'S POSSIBLE TO REPEATEDLY ACTIVATE THE ABILITY...!!"

In a spacious, elegant hall with checkered floors and ornate wall panels, a stern man in a dark suit stands motionless at the center while a woman in a kimono arranges flowers nearby and several attendants linger by the doors. Two small silhouettes walk silently down a long corridor. Close-up profiles reveal Theta with her short bob haircut glancing sideways and a long-haired man with a composed expression. A decorative clock sits on a mantel. Theta strides ahead in the hall as a suited man approaches from behind and calls out, 'WHAT ARE YOU PLANNING ON DOING, THETA?' Theta replies with visible tension, 'HANG ON...!' and 'HRMM...?' A sudden broadcast interrupts: 'BUT AS A PRESENT FOR ALL OF YOU IN THE HIGH AREA (DECKS 1 AND 2), WE HAVE A SURPRISE CONCERT HOSTED AND ORGANIZED BY THE ROYAL MUSIC ASSOCIATION.' The announcer continues, 'LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I'M TERRIBLY SORRY FOR THE SUDDEN BROADCAST...'

The suited man continues speaking to the room, 'IF WE MAY HAVE YOUR ATTENTION. WE WILL BEGIN WITH A FLUTE PERFORMANCE BY MISS MELODY.' Theta reacts sharply, 'THETA... WHY...?! ...SERI-OUSLY?!' In the next instant the suited man draws and fires a handgun with a loud 'KABOOM' SFX. Extreme close-ups show wide, shocked eyes with sweat drops and motion lines. The final panel shows the long-haired man from behind facing the suited man, who now points the gun forward with intense radiating lines emphasizing the confrontation.

In a grand hall, a suited figure aims a gun at a seated person while another silhouette stands ready. Melody is announced to begin her flute performance. Suddenly, a long-haired man is struck from behind in a violent kick that sends debris flying as someone shouts 'WHOA ....!!'. The suited woman, Theta, points her gun and declares 'IF WE MAY HAVE YOUR ATTENTION.' A close-up reveals the long-haired man's shocked face as he realizes 'WHICH MEANS THETA CURRENTLY BELIEVES SHE'S SHOT ME!!' and 'I SEE... ...THETA IS STILL SEEING ME STANDING RIGHT THERE ....!'. His eye widens in manic glee with the words 'IT'S SOOOOOO... FUN!!'. An unseen voice cries 'KUKUKU... WHAT IS THIS ABILITY?!' as two dark hands reach toward a blinding burst of light and energy.

The long-haired muscular man stumbles forward with his back to the viewer while Theta stands behind him, firing her gun and producing a spray of sparks. In a dramatic outdoor scene filled with flowers and streaking light, the same muscular man lurches ahead as Theta continues to shoot. Floating portraits of the long-haired man's face and Theta's profile appear near the ground amid the blossoms.

In a grand hall lined with ornate windows and chandeliers, Tserriednich stands with his back to the viewer, body tense. A suited man nearby points a handgun directly at him. Tserriednich suddenly reacts with shock, sweat flying as he spins around. Close-ups reveal his wide-eyed face, mouth open in realization. He exclaims that the ability was not his own. Another panel shows Theta's profile, eyes wide with surprise and sweat drops. Tserriednich's large close-up dominates the bottom of the page as he declares the experience was far too enjoyable and questions what world of Nen this is, realizing someone else entirely used a completely different Nen ability on him.

Theta stands in profile on the left, listening intently. In the background, three suited men react to the gunshot; one holds a revolver while another speaks. A large speech bubble from one of the men states this is just part of Tserriednich's training and there is no problem. Theta internally notes that she would be panicked if she could comprehend what happened. Smaller panels show Kukuku's shocked reaction and a figure hunched over. Dialogue continues as Tserriednich addresses Theta, stating she has been over-focused this whole time and exactly why she tried to kill him, promising to take his time asking her properly. A final SFX panel shows a lingering sound effect.

In an ornate room, several figures stand together after hearing a gunshot. "Beautiful scenery unfolded before our eyes. As soon as we heard the gunshot, we started heading this way... and in that moment..." one man states. "Yes." "Time flew by...?" replies another. The group confirms the performer was a Hunter named Melody. "That was originally planned to be a broadcast of 8th Prince Sale-Sale's shitty rap, right?" "The music performance that was being broadcast was likely the cause of it." During that time they were unable to move at all. Tserriednich, with long wavy hair, considers the situation. "Depending on whether she answers yes or no, we can learn things about the situation. We'll start by seeing how she acts." He decides the "invitation" is different from a direct order and tells his subordinates, "Do it as an 'invitation.' Summon her here."

Tserriednich stands with eyes closed, describing his ability. "It's almost like a parallel world...!! I can advance ahead in that 10 second world...!! The 'instantaneous 10 seconds'!! Continuing in that state after the instant 10 seconds, while I'm having a vision of 10 seconds in the future, I can vicariously experience the actual real-time world of 10 seconds ago with my eyes closed..." He explains the process: close eyes and activate Zetsu, completely releasing the ability, opening eyes to see the vision, then re-activating. Diagrams show the flow of time in the real world versus his vision, with a 10-second span where actions in the vision cannot be perceived by others in real time. "Until I'm able to master those two things, I won't be able to truly utilize this ability to its true potential!! I was able to confirm that I can use my ability repeatedly... but the problem is how much time it takes to activate Zetsu!! And the skill required to maintain Zetsu!!"

Against a pitch-black background, a powerful hand stretches forward with fingers curled, its nails catching faint highlights. Tserriednich's thoughts appear in bold lettering: "TO CONTROL MY ZETSU FREELY..." and "BUT... IF I CAN ONLY MANAGE..." Below, the same man stands revealed in full, long hair flowing across his face and shoulders, muscular torso tensed as he raises his right hand high with fingers hooked like claws. His eyes are half-lidded in fierce concentration while large text declares "THIS SUC-CESSION WAR...!!!" and "THEN I WILL DOMI-NATE..." A narrow white divider separates the panels from the final splash. Two rounded bubbles frame a radiant burst of speed lines: the left reads "ONCE ONE SECOND HAS PASSED, LET'S HAVE A CONTEST." The right reads "MEASURE HOW MUCH TIME PASSES FROM WHEN I CLOSE MY EYES UNTIL I OPEN THEM." Across the center, enormous lettering proclaims "AND... THE WORLD....!!!" The page ends with the Hunter × Hunter logo and "CH. 387 END." Vertical text along the left edge reads "THE ABILITY TO HIJACK THE FUTURE!!"