Hunter × Hunter Chapter 154: United Front

On the phone, Kazsukuru speaks: 'HI, IT'S KAZSUKURU.' He offers, 'IF IT'S ABOUT A TRADE, WE OFFER #23, "AD LIB BOOK", AND #52, "PEARL LOCUST".' Biscuit responds, 'THANKS FOR THE OFFER, BUT WE'LL POSTPONE THIS TALK TIL LATER.' Someone asks, 'DISCUSS WHAT?' Kazsukuru inquires, 'CAN WE MEET? WE HAVE THINGS TO DISCUSS...' A dramatic panel shows the group reacting as narration states a group of players is about to clear the game. They discuss meeting other groups at a rock quarry two km northeast of Masadora. The three members of the Kazsukuru Group appear: Kazsukuru in a hat, and two companions, one holding a book.

Under a starry night sky above jagged rocky cliffs, a large group of people has gathered on the uneven stone ground. A voice rings out, 'THANK YOU FOR GATHERING HERE.' In the center stands a man in a spotted shirt with his hands on his hips, facing the crowd. Nearby, a blond figure and others sit or stand attentively. Smaller panels identify the assembled factions: Yabibi Group with their stern members, Goreinu glaring forward, Asuta Group including a short-haired woman and a man with a goatee, Hanze Group with a bald man and a sharp-eyed fighter, and Kazsukuru Group featuring a spiky-haired man. Killua, Gon, and Biscuit watch from the left side with serious expressions. The man in the thick fur hat and coat, Tsezguerra, speaks: 'Gensuru's group is about to complete the game. As I told you with "contact"...' A close-up shows his determined face as he continues, 'We need to think of a counter-attack immediately. We checked the rankings earlier. They presently have 96 types of cards.' Someone reacts with surprise, 'What?' while another voice asks, 'May I?'

The discussion continues with urgency. A blond man insists, 'Let's hurry up and get to the main topic. It'll take all night if we work with people like them!' From the right, voices protest, 'Hey! You don't even know about that?!' and 'That's...' while another demands, 'How can you know the ranking?' Tsezguerra replies firmly, 'The main purpose of this meeting is to exchange information. Don't be rude!' A woman with a ponytail looks surprised as someone laughs, 'Haha! I don't know how that could be possible!' Another notes, 'The newbies don't even know how the trade shops really work!' and 'Maybe they have info that you don't know of!' Tsezguerra explains the value of 'contact' and 'fluoroscopy' abilities for learning card details. He adds that knowing a group's member composition allows finding their collected cards, and a special fee can reveal exact card numbers. In a dramatic close-up, a character with spiky hair declares, 'Anyway—four types left, and they're done!' while Tsezguerra warns, 'Gensuru has the 96 types of cards, and the other two hold the double cards.'

Killua and Gon stare forward with wide eyes. A tall man in a wide hat, leopard-print shirt, and fur scarf raises one hand and declares, "THE NUMBERS OF THESE FOUR ARE ... No. 9 000 No. 75 2". Another panel shows him continuing, "SO THAT'S THREE TYPES LEFT. #000 CAN ONLY BE ACQUIRED ONCE THE OTHER 99 ARE GATHERED." The man leans in close, saying, "WE CAN PREVENT THEM FROM COMPLETING THE GAME! IF WE MANAGE TO GET A MONOPOLY OF ONE OF THE THREE CARDS..." In a lower panel a woman with short hair asks, "BUT THERE ARE CONDITIONS THAT CAN INVALIDATE 'LEVY'. THEY HAVE THE 'KNIGHT NECKLACE' SO THE ONLY ATTACK SPELL POSSIBLE IS 'LEVY'. FOR EXAMPLE, AN ASSAULT WITH SPELL CARDS? THERE ARE OTHER WAYS, AREN'T THERE?" Killua points upward emphatically and explains, "THEREFORE, IF ALL THE PAGES OF FIXED SLOTS ARE PROTECTED WITH 'PRISON', ALL THE SPELL CARDS ARE USELESS. 'PRISON' CAN PROTECT ONE PAGE OF CARDS FROM 'LEVY'. ONE 'PRISON' AND ELEVEN 'CLONE' OR 'TRANSFORM'. CONDITIONS?"

Gon and Killua continue their conversation. Gon says, "YEAH. IT'S POSSIBLE." Killua adds, "THAT'S WHY YOU CAN BE SURE HE'S PROTECTED THE PAGES OF HIS BINDER WITH 'PRISON'. GENSURU KNOWS THAT HAVING 96 TYPES OF CARDS STANDS OUT. FOR HIM, FULFILLING THESE CONDITIONS ISN'T HARD, IT'S JUST A MATTER OF TIME. GENSURU MANAGED TO COLLECT A LARGE QUANTITY OF SPELL CARDS USING THE GROUP 'HAME'." A man with slicked-back hair asks, "YOU'RE ABLE TO DO THAT?" The short-haired woman replies, "WE CAN ALL USE FORCE TO SNATCH CARDS AWAY." In a rocky cavern the man states, "I BELIEVE THERE AREN'T ANY OBJECTIONS ... THE MOST REALISTIC METHOD IS TO GET A MONOPOLY ON A CARD. THEY ARE REAL WARRIORS, USED TO PLAYER HUNTING... YOU PROBABLY WON'T STAND A CHANCE AGAINST THEM. WE DON'T KNOW THE REAL ABILITIES OF THOSE THREE." The man in the hat raises both hands and concludes, "WE SHOULD ALL MAKE A UNITED FRONT. IN THAT CASE, THE MAIN POINT IS..."

Asuta stands in his fur-trimmed hat and coat, speaking firmly. "I followed the condition you requested when I contacted you." Biscuit, arms crossed, replies sharply, "Wait a minute, Asuta. But I don't agree regarding all the members." Killua and Gon watch from the side as Asuta continues, "There are six groups here that fit that condition perfectly. Only groups with more than 50 types of cards." Biscuit nods, "I agree with that." In a rocky cavern setting, Biscuit turns toward the three boys and thinks, "I don't think those kids can offer anything beneficial." She adds aloud, "That, and the players in question are also able to bring something, so that the relations are profitable for everyone!" Biscuit sits on the rocks facing the group and states, "We know the abilities of Gensuru's group." A man with a cap retorts, "Then give us some evidence that you have something profitable for us." Biscuit smirks, "Seems like you can talk big too!" The man challenges, "Aren't you wasting those profitable relations for everyone?" Killua, facing away, asks, "Still complaining?" Asuta answers, "We have a card they're searching for." The surrounding men react with surprise, one exclaiming "!!" as tension rises in the cave.

Biscuit reacts with surprise, "Eh?" as the man in the cap asks, "What about you?" Another voice insists, "Tell us about their skills." Biscuit replies, "No, that's enough." Killua steps forward and demands, "Show us any evidence you have." The cap-wearing man questions, "Do you have anything worth our interest?" Biscuit turns and states, "We've gathered 71 kinds of cards." Killua looks skeptical, "That's a lot more than you." Biscuit continues, "We can collect A-ranked cards on our own." Killua retorts, "You joking?" The man asks, "Is that fine?" Biscuit offers, "We'll give you an A-ranked card in exchange for the information concerning their abilities." In a sudden outburst of aura and motion lines, Biscuit glares and shouts, "Who do you think you are, you brat?!" while Killua counters, "Or we won't tell you." The final demand comes, "We want two S-ranked cards, and an equal amount of information!" with the word "CHILL" visible amid the tension.

Biscuit reacts in shock with a loud "WHA?!" as Killua firmly tells the group, "NO, NO, JUST FROM YOU." The Gensuru Group members glare and accuse, "THEY INTEND TO TAKE 10 S-RANKED CARDS FROM US?!" and "YOU HEARD IT TOO! THAT'S BULLSHIT!" Killua continues explaining, "THEIR COMPENSATION IS THEIR OWN DECISION. WE'LL TELL THE FOUR OTHER GROUPS." Biscuit bursts into laughter, "HAAAAA! WHAT A KID! WHY ARE YOU SO STUBBORN?!" while warning, "AS FOR YOU, IF YOU DON'T FULFILL THOSE CONDITIONS, I WON'T TELL YOU ANYTHING." A man in a cap named Asuta suggests giving two cards to move the discussion forward, but another character stops the fight, saying "STOP THAT, YOU TWO!" Killua reacts with surprise at the idea of partnering, exclaiming "PARTNER WITH THAT?!" while sweat drops form. An unseen voice shouts, "WHO IS?! THAT BASTARD!" and another declares, "HE'S THE ONE BRAWLING!" and "I DIDN'T SAY I WOULDN'T GIVE HIM THE CARDS."

Killua confirms, "YEAH... THAT'S WHAT YOU TOLD ME." Gon notes that the Gensuru Group informed them about clearing the game. Killua adds, "NO MATTER WHAT, I DON'T WANT THEM TO CLEAR THE GAME." The two boys huddle and decide, "WE'RE QUITTING! LET'S GO BACK! WE WON'T TEAM WITH PEOPLE LIKE THEM!" A large panel displays two cards: "SHIELD OF FAITH" S-15 with a detailed crest and "PREGNANCY STONE" S-10 showing two stones. Text on the Pregnancy Stone explains it makes the holder pregnant with one male and one female stone after one month. Gensuru stands before a starry night sky and ruined stone walls, explaining, "GENSURU HAS TWO TECHNIQUES: 'COUNTDOWN' AND 'LITTLE FLOWER'." He continues, "BOTH ARE USED TO MAKE THE TARGET BLOW UP." In the distance, the other groups watch from the rocky terrain as someone advises, "IT'S BETTER IF YOU STAY AWAY FROM HIM."

Killua grins with his hand near his mouth while Gon looks on beside him. Someone off-panel says, 'okaaay, a chance to get some cards!' In the next panels, a girl with short curly hair and a bald muscular man react with surprise. 'LOOKS LIKE SOME OF THEM HAVE GOTTEN THE IDEA.' 'REALLY? THEN HE GOT ME... AT THAT TIME!!' The bald man thinks, 'THEY SEEM TO KNOW MORE THAN THEY THOUGHT.' Biscuit, the curly-haired girl in a black top, appears alarmed. 'AH!! YOU IDIOT!!!' Killua explains while touching Gensuru, 'YES, THERE IS. WHILE TOUCHING GENSURU, YOU HAVE TO SAY "I CAUGHT BOMBER."' Biscuit asks, 'ISN'T THERE ANYTHING WE CAN DO? A WAY TO CANCEL IT?' Gon replies, 'IF YOU NEVER GO NEAR HIM, YOU'LL BE FINE.' Another panel notes, 'THE COUNTDOWN IS ONLY INVOKED AFTER GENSURU HAS EXPLAINED HIS SKILLS.' Killua adds, 'BUT IF IT ENDS IN ANOTHER BRAWL... WE COULD HAVE GOTTEN MORE CARDS WITH THAT!' In the lower section, Gon stares with a question mark above his head. Someone says, 'YEAH, WE KNOW THAT.' Biscuit continues, 'SAYING IT, AND INSERTING THE CARD INTO THE LAST PAGE OF THE BINDER.' She turns to Gon and asks, 'YOU KNOW THERE ARE TWO WAYS TO CAST SPELLS, RIGHT?'

Biscuit continues explaining the binder system. 'THE CARD IS CONSIDERED UNUSED, THEN, WITH ONLY ONE CARD, YOU CAN CONFIRM THE NAMES OF THE PLAYERS YOU'VE MET SEVERAL TIMES.' Gon and Killua listen closely. 'FOR EXAMPLE, IF YOU PUT "FLUOROSCOPY" IN THE BINDER, YOU CAN SEE THE NAMES OF THE PLAYERS YOU'VE MET UP WITH SO FAR. IF YOU DON'T PUSH THE CONFIRM BUTTON, AND REMOVE THE CARD...' Biscuit warns, 'BUT IF YOU INSERT IT IN THE LAST PAGE OF THE BINDER, IT'S POSSIBLE TO CANCEL IT.' She adds, 'IF YOU SAY THE NAME OF THE CARD, YOU CAN NO LONGER USE IT AFTER THAT.' Killua reacts with shock, 'IT'S TRUE THAT WE'VE TRIED IT...' Biscuit reveals, 'YOU CAN BUY B-RANK CARDS FROM THE FIXED SLOTS IN THE SHOPS.' Gon exclaims, 'REALLY?!' Biscuit notes that becoming a favorite customer allows collecting monthly tournament cards. She asks if they have doubles of 'SKELETON GLASSES.' In the final panel, a starry night sky with rocky terrain appears as Biscuit says, 'YOU CAN EASILY GET THE #77, "EMERALD CALLING OUT BEAUTY", AND #8, "MIRACLE POND", IF YOU USE THEM.'

Killua stares forward with a stern expression, weighing the offer. "FOR AN INFORMATION TRADE, THAT IS..." he says. "IS THAT FINE?" In the next panels a light-haired man insists it is their turn now while another figure urges acceptance of the S-ranked cards. Gon, facing away, suddenly shouts "HEY! GON!!" as Killua sits on a rock and replies that plenty of cards are already available. The light-haired man offers examples, explaining that obtaining S-ranked cards allows many other cards to be transformed into items. In the final panel Gon turns with a bright smile toward a seated man with arm tattoos and a black vest, exclaiming "THANKS! THAT'LL BE A GREAT HELP!" The man answers calmly, "AND SO THAT'S IT."

A small figure with spiky hair explains that one group can hold only one version of a card and that twenty transformations are too many to achieve monopoly. Another panel shows the same speaker noting they have card #75 "Alexandrite Luck" but cannot obtain a monopoly of it. The group reacts with shock upon learning the card was found. A man with a pompadour protests that the information exchange should happen later. The tattooed man offers three S-ranked cards in return. A hand holds up card #75 while declaring "LIST" ON! Nearby text states it is impossible for six players to hold the card. Five other groups already possess #75. The group stands together in the rocky clearing as someone remarks it is a hard thing to gather nineteen clone cards so quickly.

A man pores over an open book filled with notes while holding up a card. "AS FOR #2, 'COASTLINE OF ONE TSUBO'... ZERO PLAYERS!! IT'S FINE," he declares. Nearby, a bald man raises his own card and shouts, "LIST" ON!! A second figure activates another card with the same command. The girl with dark hair reacts with surprise. "WE WENT THERE ONCE!" someone exclaims. "OH! I DON'T KNOW THE PLACE... SOUFURABI," she replies. She then holds up her card and calls out, "GUIDE-POST" ON! The scene shifts to a rocky cliff under a starry sky. "YEAH! THEN LET'S GO!" "YES!" "SOMEONE HAVE AN 'ACCOMPANY'?" voices call out. Suddenly a figure launches into the night sky, streaking forward with a blazing trail and powerful motion lines as the ground falls away below.

A young woman with short layered hair and glasses stands against a plain background. She wears a black cropped turtleneck and light pants, her hands adjusting the waistband at her hips. A bold black number 6 is visible on the back of her clothing. Her large eyes gaze forward with a calm, steady expression as she finishes fastening her outfit.