THE WAY THE MAJORITY DECIDES

A full moon hangs in the upper left of a night sky above a massive, sprawling tree whose branches stretch across the page. Beneath the tree, several small silhouetted figures rest on the ground: a long-necked bird, a rabbit, a spiky-haired child, a round bear-like creature, and a fox-like animal. At the bottom of the page the chapter number and title appear in bold lettering: 'N°015 THE WAY THE MAJORITY DECIDES'.

A massive cylindrical tower rises high into the cloudy sky, its surface textured and imposing against the horizon. Dramatic sound effects echo around the structure, emphasizing its sheer scale and the wind rushing past. At the base, a jagged stone wall stretches across the foreground. In a separate lower panel, a small crown icon appears above the repeated sound 'flop flop' as something light flutters down near the tower's foundation.

Silhouettes of many examinees stand on a platform as an announcement declares the third round with 40 participants. Voices call out 'GOOD LUCK!!!' and 'MAY THE TRIALS BEGIN!!!' while a helicopter hovers nearby with 'flop flop' sounds. Close-up panels show determined faces of the remaining candidates. One man states that reaching the bottom of the tower alive within 72 hours is the goal. Another notes that for ordinary guys this would be suicide because there are no windows on the side of the tower. A bearded man wearing number 86 stands with arms crossed, listening intently.

A muscular bearded man scales a sheer rock wall with powerful, confident grips. "IT'S A CHILD'S GAME FOR SOMEBODY WHO IS USED TO CLIMBING CLIFFS! WITH SUCH GRIPS..." he declares as his hands slap the stone. "TAC! TAC!" The man continues upward, grunting with effort. "MPF!" "OUF!" Below, Gon and Killua stand watching the climb. Gon turns sharply. "WHAT?" Killua glances aside. "AHL." Someone calls out, "LOOK." Farther along the slope, the bearded man descends toward Gon and Killua, who stand together at the base near a skateboard and fluttering papers.

The bearded man clings to the wall, grinning confidently. "WITHOUT A DOUBT, THE FIRST QUALIFIED IN THIS TRIAL WILL BE ME." He chuckles, "HE HE HE." A dramatic close-up shows a wide-open eye. The man reaches for another hold as small winged creatures begin to flap around him. Suddenly a flock of large, grotesque winged beasts with gaping mouths swarm him. "WAAAAAAAH!!" he screams in terror while the creatures flap and flop through the air around his falling body.

Two candidates stand close together at the edge of the massive tiled platform. The tall man in a black suit mutters, "THERE MUST BE...." while a light-haired boy replies, "I DON'T THINK GOING DOWN THE WALL IS A GOOD IDEA... I DON'T WANT TO BE THE LUNCH OF THESE MONSTERS!" Dark winged creatures flutter against the sheer wall in the next panel. A voice declares, "A TRAP DOOR THAT LEADS US INSIDE." The wide view reveals dozens of examinees scattered across the vast stone floor under a cloudy sky. Leorio stands in the foreground with his back to the viewer, while a boy wearing number 1 on his back faces a group of candidates; one points toward the distance. In the bottom tier, a heavy boot steps forward with a "CLOC," followed by two soft "TAP" sounds as a candidate with a club walks across the tiles.

Close-up panels show repeated footfalls: "CLAC" then another "CLAC." A jester-costumed man with number 394 crouches and laughs "HI HI" while watching someone walk away. A large dark panel displays a thoughtful "HMMM..." A trap door suddenly flips open with a sharp "CLAK," revealing the jester falling through the gap. He tumbles downward with a trailing "FFF." In the final tier, Leorio turns his head sharply to the left with a focused expression, while Gon appears beside him, also looking intently in the same direction.

From behind, a figure surveys the open stone plaza where a large balloon-like structure floats and distant examinees stand under a cloudy sky. Narration states the number of participants has decreased. Leorio, wearing badge 403, stands with Killua, badge 404, and asks what the problem is. Killua responds with a questioning sound. Far below, examinee 22 holds a weapon while 21 walks away from a small figure. Killua notes they are about half the amount that arrived here and reacts with surprise at the number 23. In close-up, Killua realizes there must be several hidden doors. Leorio doubts that everyone used the same discreet way down and questions when it happened. Gon appears in the distance and calls out to Leorio and Kurapika while Leorio and Killua turn toward the voice.

Voices question how someone can hesitate and note that they are hesitating. Leorio announces they found a way to go down while the group stands on stone steps. Gon observes there are a lot of doors and asks which one they should use. A long brick corridor stretches into darkness with sound effects echoing. Leorio suggests they go for the test, noting the first candidates have arrived. In a side room, small bat-like creatures cling to the ceiling with clinking and flitting sounds. Gon, Leorio, and a large furry creature sit together on the floor as Gon reacts with surprise.

A long row of identical hooded figures stands in formation against a dark background. Each wears a tattered light-colored robe with a wide belt and cuffs binding the wrists; bare feet rest on the ground and faces are completely hidden inside deep black openings. In the panel below, a close-up shows a pair of clenched hands in striped sleeves. One voice replies 'SURE.' while another declares 'EACH ONE HIS POSITION!!'

From a high vantage, voices call out 'ANOTHER THREE ONES THERE!' and 'THERE AND THERE.' Leorio stares tensely at the floor, muttering 'EACH ONE CLOSE TO THE OTHERS... I DON'T LIKE THIS...' and 'FIVE DOORS...' while noting 'YEP... THERE ARE PROBABLY SOME THAT ARE TRAPS.' Below, Gon, Killua, and Kurapika stand on a tiled floor marked with trap doors. Leorio recalls 'WE WERE NEVER ABLE TO DO THE SAME THING BECAUSE IT WAS BLOCKED...' as a trap door clacks open with a 'CLAK' sound. Killua asks 'HOW?' and Leorio explains 'BY CHANCE, WE SAW SOMEBODY USING A TRAP DOOR AT ANOTHER PLACE.' and 'MORE, IT THE TRAPS DOOR SYSTEM ONLY FUNCTIONS ONE TIME...' Gon replies 'YEAH' while someone else mutters 'DAMN!' and 'OH!'

Leorio stares ahead and declares, "I see!" Killua stands beside him with a confident grin. In the next panel Leorio examines a small sign marked "TAC" while the spiky-headed creature crouches nearby, noting that the passage is only wide enough for one person. Killua raises a finger and explains, "That means each one has to enter through a different trap door. In fact, the passing is done one by one." The group stands together under a cloudy sky. Leorio asks the others what they plan to do. Gon and Killua both look determined; Gon states they have already decided to each pass through one of the five doors even if it is a trap, with no regrets. Close-ups show Leorio’s serious profile, Kurapika’s attentive gaze, and Gon and Killua side by side.

A long-haired man with a sword on his back announces, "There we are!!!" while a distant group waits ahead. Leorio asks who chooses first; the man replies that luck is also a force and that it is fine for him. The scene shifts to a vast tiled hall where Gon, Killua, Kurapika and Leorio stand on separate circular platforms. Gon declares their roads split here. Leorio suggests they all go at the same time on the count of three. The final row of panels shows a large "3!!!" SFX, followed by close-ups of Killua, Gon, Kurapika and Leorio each saying their number in sequence and confirming they will meet again on the real ground.

Gon bursts through a trap door with a powerful kick, the impact sending debris flying as the panel reads ZAT and ATE!!! BTAM. He lands in a crouch, skateboard in hand, while Killua appears beside him gripping a sword, TAC marking his swift movement. In the large central panel, Gon stands holding his skateboard and stares at the scene before him with a question mark floating above his head. Killua crouches nearby, also watching. An upside-down figure lies on the floor amid scattered debris, while a blond boy numbered 404 sits holding a staff and another boy numbered 99 watches from the side. In the bottom panels Gon and Killua exchange surprised glances, their expressions shifting from shock to realization as a small ellipsis appears above Gon.

Killua stands in the brick room and states there is no exit. A close-up shows the upside-down man with a cracked headpiece exclaiming that all the trap doors end up in the same room. The blond boy numbered 404 reacts with delight at the long separation while Killua looks on. A large framed sign displays Japanese text above an English translation explaining the majority rule for choosing the way. Leorio, wearing number 403, stands in the foreground and reacts with shock at the word FIVE. Gon, Killua, Kurapika, and the boy numbered 99 stand together in the background looking toward the sign and the path ahead.

Inside the brick-walled chamber, Gon, Killua, Kurapika, and Leorio examine the strange watches strapped to their wrists. The devices display shifting numbers and symbols, with two prominent buttons labeled O and X. A voice explains that there are even five watches in total. Killua mutters that the still guy must mean something specific. Leorio, sweating, wonders aloud what will happen before another guy falls into this room. Kurapika warns they won't be able to get out of here. The group studies the wall vents and cross-shaped passages. One panel shows a close-up of a watch face reading 71:19:10 with Tic and Tac labels. Leorio declares each one contains its own crossways while another notes the tower contains numerous passages. A warning states it is impossible to pass if the choice comes from one guy only, and that you can only move forward following the majority's choice. Gon shouts All right! as the group prepares to act.

Gon stands with hands on hips and yells Damn! All we can do is wait! as he kicks a sign reading BLAM. Nearby, Leorio sits on the floor looking frustrated. In the next area, several other examinees stand waiting in a tiled hallway. Leorio, now standing with number 403 on his badge, explains that the difficulty is cooperating is the essential condition. He adds that on that note, just fight well! Back in the brick room, Leorio complains that the only ones still on top are the last morons and that annoys him. Killua echoes the same annoyance. A watch close-up shows 69:22:01 with Tic and Tac. Leorio realizes already two hours have passed. The group reacts with shock as time ticks away, ending with a clak sound and close-ups of worried faces.

Gon and Killua stare upward with wide eyes as a strange white object marked TOC drifts near the ceiling. Above them, Leorio, Kurapika, and two other examinees stand on a high platform looking toward distant signs labeled EAR. Suddenly the tiled floor begins to shift and slide with loud SHUU sounds, panels tilting and dropping away. Gon clutches a small object while Leorio leans forward in alarm, both reacting to the collapsing structure beneath their feet. The platform continues to rumble and separate, leaving empty space where solid floor once was.

A massive white flash erupts as a large rectangular panel is violently torn upward with a loud TOHAC impact. Gon, Killua, Kurapika, and Leorio react in shock from below, their figures silhouetted against the blinding light and radiating speed lines. A heavy striped panel labeled DONG slams down with force. In the next scene a large bearded man in a vest appears, holding a phone to his ear with a Fuuuuu sound effect while the four boys watch from the side.