Chapter 187 · THE ULTIMATE PREY

00AI-written

The Hunter × Hunter logo dominates the top of the page above a large panel showing a ruined building interior. A speech bubble declares 'GREAT WORK!' while a small 'TONK' sound effect appears near a fallen object. Below, a bespectacled man bows slightly and says 'THANK YOU IN ADVANCE.' An unseen speaker replies 'I WILL, HOWEVER, HEARTILY RECOMMEND YOU TO OTHER AGENCIES AND COUNTRIES.' A small boy stands nearby. In the next panel a suited man at a desk states 'HOWEVER, I'M TRULY SORRY THAT WE DO NOT HAVE THE MEANS WITH WHICH TO REWARD YOU.' Another voice answers 'IT DOES NOT MATTER.' A third voice adds 'IT'S WORTH MORE THAN WHAT OUR NATIONAL AGENCY COULD HAVE ACCOMPLISHED IN TWO CENTURIES.' A close-up shows a hand signing a document labeled 'ZOOLOGICAL INQUIRY CONCLUDED!!!' with 'SHIVU' and 'ZATELU' sound effects. The suited man continues 'IT WAS FUN DOING IT.' In the bottom section a man with slicked-back hair says 'NOW, THIS IS ONLY HEARSAY...' while another voice responds 'RIGHT...' A large panel shows the man explaining 'NOT BEING AN UNDER-FUNDED GOVERNMENT AGENCY LIKE US, THEY ARE HIRING LICENSED HUNTERS TO HELP THEM CATCH A LIVE SPECIMEN. APPARENTLY IT'S FROM A CREATURE THAT NO ONE HAS EVEN HEARD OF BEFORE. BUT IT IS RUMOURED THAT SOUTHERN PEACE HAS DISCOVERED A PART OF AN AMAZING LIFE FORM.'

bespectacled manyoung boysuited man at deskslicked-back hair manoffice workers

A massive insectoid creature with a segmented body and large egg sacs clings to a rocky cliff face. In the background a small silhouette labeled 'ZATELU' stands on the ground. Sound effects read '*ZATELU*' and '*ZATELU*'. The creature speaks: 'THE EGGS IN THIS AREA WILL HATCH SOON.' A close-up shows a cracked egg with '*ZUZUK*' sound. Below, a small ant-like figure stands amid rocks as the creature's clawed foot smashes down with '*BOTO*' and '*DOGA*' effects. The foot crushes the figure, producing '*BUCHIYO*' and '*MOZO*' sounds as debris flies.

large insectoid creatureZATELU (silhouette)small ant-like figure

A pack of Chimera Ant soldiers clusters together in the rain. The wolf-like grunt bares its fangs and growls "GI GI" while a tall, spiky insectoid beside it echoes the same cry. Behind them looms a massive, armored figure with multiple eyes and clawed limbs. In the next tier of panels, several silhouetted ants flinch and react with startled sounds: "*BOTOTSU*", "*ZUZU*", "*MOZO*", and a burst of "G-RUNTS !!!!". The bottom panel shows a close-up of the Chimera Ant Queen, her mandibles and antennae visible as she declares, "HENCE, I NEED TO ASSIMILATE MORE NUTRITIOUS FOOD. I NEED TO PREPARE MYSELF TO BREED THE MIGHTY KING!"

Chimera Ant Queenwolf-like Chimera Ant soldierspiky insectoid Chimera Antarmored multi-eyed Chimera Antsilhouetted Chimera Ant grunts

Small winged Chimera Ants scatter outward in all directions under a radiant burst, the Queen’s command "GO FETCH IT FOR ME." ringing above them amid large "ZU" sound effects. In the middle section the Queen sits on a rock inside the cave, surrounded by smaller ants, and explains: "IN ORDER TO BREED THE MIGHTY KING, A BIGGER CAVE IS NEEDED. I ALSO NEED TO BE SAFE FROM ENEMY ATTACK, SO I CAN FULLY CONCENTRATE DURING THE PREGNANCY." One of the ants notes "THIS PLACE IS WAY TOO SMALL." The final panel focuses on the Queen’s clawed foot as she proclaims, "I NEED TO BREED BETTER GRUNTS!! HENCE, BEFORE I START,"

Chimera Ant Queenflying Chimera Ant soldierssmall cave-dwelling Chimera Ants

A tall modern building rises against the sky, its sign clearly reading Southern Peace. A voice declares, 'THAT IS SOUTHERN PEACE.' 'THA ...' At the entrance, a suited man stands beside a door marked with a buzzing 'BZZZ' sound, his expression tense. Outside, a line of people waits quietly in front of the building. Suddenly, a severed limb with multiple clawed appendages is held up, and a voice announces, 'HERE IT IS.'

unidentified suited mangroup of people in line

A boy with glasses examines the limb closely and says, 'BU ... BU ... BUT IT'S SO BIG, THAT IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE IT BELONGS TO ANY SPECIES WE HAVE DISCOVERED YET. AT FIRST GLANCE THIS LOOKS A LOT LIKE AN INSECT LEG.' Nearby, a curly-haired man asks, 'YE ... YE ... YES, IT'S OBVIOUSLY A PART OF AN UNKNOWN CREATURE. LIN, WHAT'S YOUR OPINION?' Gon and Killua stand together watching silently. A woman in a hat points out, 'YES, AND FURTHER UP, THIS PART LOOKS LIKE A WRIST. THIS ARTICULATION LOOKS A LOT LIKE A HUMAN FINGER, DON'T YOU THINK?' Another voice adds, 'INSECTS USUALLY ONLY HAVE TWO, BUT THIS ONE HAS SIX.' 'CLAWS LIKE THESE ARE ALSO QUITE UNCOMMON AMONG INSECTS.' The woman continues, 'DO YOU THINK YOU COULD GIVE US A SMALL PART? WE COULD LEARN A LOT BY ANALYZING A SAMPLE.' Hands hold two small containers with limb fragments. The suited man replies, 'OH BY THE WAY, IF YOU GET YOUR HANDS ON AN ALBINO PONYTAIL CAT, PLEASE DO TELL US. WE AREN'T SUPPOSED TO GIVE IT TO STRANGERS, BUT SINCE YOU WERE RECOMMENDED BY MR. WON, WE COULD HARDLY REFUSE.'

boy with glassescurly-haired manGonKilluawoman in hatunidentified suited man

A woman in a hat and a spiky-haired man discuss their next steps at the discovery site. The woman states they will investigate the site of the discovery while the man agrees to stay behind and analyze the findings, promising to contact her once results are ready. She notes the abnormal weather this year, with a very unstable sky, and they decide to proceed. At the site south of Yorkshin, investigators examine the area where the claw was found. A small vehicle travels across a barren landscape toward distant mountains. In a rocky, cave-like area, a large dark object rests amid the rocks as a deep BUOO sound echoes.

woman in hatspiky-haired maninvestigators at site

Gon and Killua stand at the edge of a dense forest near the beach. Gon explains that the body was carried ashore by the waves and points out this is the beach where it was found. Killua notes that if something is hiding in the huge forest it will be hard to find. More importantly, Gon adds that the body might not have floated to the same island, though it may not be alive. Several figures are visible scattered along the shoreline and near the water's edge as the two boys look toward the forest.

GonKillua

A small fox-like creature laughs heartily with multiple 'HA HA HA' speech bubbles as it sits with tongue out. Nearby, a boy with a backpack smiles and declares, 'I know a way to speed up the investigation!' Close-up panels show intense eyes reacting to the idea. In the next scene, Gon asks the creature 'ARE YOU A DOG?' while Killua and Biscuit lean in curiously. Biscuit holds up a small object and says 'SMELL THIS.' The fox-like creature sniffs it eagerly. A wide panel shows the creature dashing across the sand with motion lines and debris flying. Gon and Killua stand watching as Biscuit comments from below. Killua remarks 'DON'T WORRY; YOU ONLY THINK IT'S ROTTEN BECAUSE YOU DISLIKE IT.' Gon adds 'ISN'T THAT ROTTEN?' and suggests 'OK LET'S GIVE THIS A SHOT. HA HA HA.' The creature runs off into the distance, emitting a 'SHHH' sound effect as it follows a trail near a tree trunk.

GonKilluaBiscuit (child form)fox-like creature

A woman in a hat asks 'WHAT IS THE TIDE LIKE HERE?' while another character explains 'PERHAPS THE WAVES SEPARATED THE LEG FROM THE REST OF THE BODY.' Nearby, someone wonders 'MAYBE THE BODY IS NOT HERE ANYMORE? WE CAN'T FIND IT.' Biscuit notes 'THE SEASONS PLAY THEIR ROLE TOO. THE TIDES ARE VERY COMPLICATED, THEY ARE IN COMPLETELY OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS DURING THE NIGHT & DAY.' The group decides 'LET'S SPLIT UP TO LOOK FOR IT. WE'LL SEARCH OVER THERE.' A narrator-like box states '... FINDING THE EXACT LOCATION OF THE BODY WILL BE VERY DIFFICULT ...' Gon and Killua react with surprise as the creature sniffs the ground vigorously. Biscuit asks 'AH! THIS FELLOW'S NOSE IS AS KEEN AS A DOG'S. ARE YOU SURE YOU WILL BE ABLE TO DO IT?' At the bottom, characters react with 'OH ...' 'BECAUSE IT RAINED RECENTLY.' 'THE SCENT HAS DISAPPEARED' and conclude 'IT CAN'T BE DONE.'

Biscuit (child form)GonKilluawoman in hatfox-like creature

A character with spiky hair declares they are jumping to a conclusion while holding a device. The girl with pigtails stares in shock as text states this is very similar to the Queen of the Chimera Ant species. A ringing phone is answered with "IT'S ME." The spiky-haired boy laughs loudly, exclaiming "OH NO!! OF ALL THE INSECTS, YE HA HA HA" while the girl asks "REALLY?" A serious figure in a hat mutters "CHIMAERA ANT ..." A hand makes a peace sign as narration explains it is ranked first among insects to be avoided. The boy asks "WHAT IS THAT?" and the girl replies "CHIMAERA ANT?" A large text box details that the Chimera Ant is a creature that takes on a special form for the mating process involving feeding. Someone sums it up as gluttonous, and another voice asks if it is dangerous.

GonKilluaBiscuit (child form)

A diagram shows the Chimera Ant Queen feeding repeatedly on prey to pass characteristics to the next generation of soldiers with acquired traits. Text explains the process may drive the species to extinction. A character notes the specimen is nowhere near as big as their own. The ant is said to be usually ten centimeters long but can vary greatly due to different tastes, sometimes called gourmet ant. With its exuberant appetite it can consume prey several times its own weight in a single day. The hatted figure states it can probably eat humans. The spiky-haired boy guesses the thing is more than two meters long. The group decides to hurry up and find it as the page ends with an ellipsis.

GonKilluaBiscuit (child form)

On their way to the mountains, the young boy and his little sister Reina encounter a snake. Reina starts crying in fear, but the boy picks up a branch and drives the snake away. In his journal he writes: "MONTH X, DAY 0. TODAY, MY LITTLE SISTER REINA AND I WENT UP TO THE MOUNTAINS TO PICK FRUITS." He often tells Reina to rely on him completely and feels embarrassed when she keeps thanking him. He notes that he is nine years old, four years older than her, and that Reina is only five with a very weak body that keeps her from going outside at night. Therefore he has decided to protect her until she finds a man she likes even more than him. Although Reina once said she wanted to marry him when she grows up, he knows that as siblings it cannot happen. The two children later agree to go to the riverside to fish and cook their catch as a surprise for their mother. Suddenly a massive clawed hand labeled "KISHIN" slams down in front of them.

young boy (big brother)Reina (little sister)large black monster

A gigantic black monster with multiple eyes and massive claws towers over the two children in a forest clearing. The boy immediately pushes Reina behind him and shouts for her to run. He tells her not to worry and that he will handle the monster. Reina cries out "BI... BIG BROTHER!" in fear. The boy yells at the monster "DON'T COME HERE! MONSTER!" and then "GET AWAY!" as the creature looms closer. The monster's enormous form fills the background while the children stand tiny in the foreground.

young boy (big brother)Reina (little sister)large black monster

A massive creature looms over a ravaged landscape, its mouth open wide as it devours something unseen. "WAS DELICIOUS!" the beast exclaims with satisfaction. "THAT" follows in the next panel. Below, smaller frames reveal a tattered cloth marked with a cross and a large bow-like object discarded on the ground. The creature continues feasting, declaring "IT'S THE BEST FOOD EVER!" and "THE NUTRITIONAL VALUE WAS ALSO VERY HIGH!" In the largest bottom panel the monster's grotesque face fills the frame, eyes gleaming with hunger. "OF THIS CREATURE!!!" it roars. "I MUST EAT MORE," it declares with fierce determination. At the very bottom of the page bold text reads: "FEAR THE SLAUGHTER. THE NEXT GOAL IS?!"

massive horned creature

#MANGA-SECTION PRESENTS: HUNTER X HUNTER 187 TITLE: THE ULTIMATE PREY. QUALITY CHECK: KNIVES, $206, AND PATH(L). PROOFREADER: PATH(L). RAW PROVIDER: $206. EDITOR: KAORU_CHAN. TRANSLATORS: ZHOUWEN, PPPR, PHILOTEX. SPECIAL THANKS: ASHORO, TOFUSENSEI, MOLOKIDAN. A full-body illustration of a bipedal creature with antlers, segmented armor, and spotted lower body appears on the right side of the page.

antlered armored creature

End of chapter16 pages

Discussion

00AI-written

bespectacled manyoung boysuited man at deskslicked-back hair manoffice workers

large insectoid creatureZATELU (silhouette)small ant-like figure

Chimera Ant Queenwolf-like Chimera Ant soldierspiky insectoid Chimera Antarmored multi-eyed Chimera Antsilhouetted Chimera Ant grunts

Chimera Ant Queenflying Chimera Ant soldierssmall cave-dwelling Chimera Ants

unidentified suited mangroup of people in line

boy with glassescurly-haired manGonKilluawoman in hatunidentified suited man

woman in hatspiky-haired maninvestigators at site

GonKillua

GonKilluaBiscuit (child form)fox-like creature

Biscuit (child form)GonKilluawoman in hatfox-like creature

GonKilluaBiscuit (child form)

young boy (big brother)Reina (little sister)large black monster

massive horned creature

antlered armored creature

End of chapter16 pages