Hunter × Hunter Chapter 198: Assault

Inside a cavern with ribbed stone walls, a cloaked figure stands with a tall companion while a small creature perches nearby. A large speech bubble explains: 'FOR INSTANCE, IF SOMEONE BELONGS TO THE TRANSFORMATION GROUP, BUT HAS A DESIRE FOR MANIPULATION, HE MIGHT DEVELOP POWERS FROM MANIPULATION, THE GROUP HE IS LEAST COMPATIBLE WITH.' Another bubble adds: 'THE COMPATIBILITY BETWEEN A SPECIFIC POWER AND THE CATEGORY ONE BELONGS TO IS ALSO IMPORTANT.' In a close-up, a spiky-haired character with a needle tool says 'HMM, I SEE.' while examining a paper marked 'SUICHI'. Nearby text continues: 'IF YOU'RE LUCKY, AND YOUR PERSONAL DESIRES AND THE CATEGORY YOU BELONG TO ARE COMPATIBLE, THE POSSIBILITY OF DEVELOPING STRONG POWERS IS HIGHER.' The bottom panel shows the same spiky-haired character leaning over a dark-haired figure lying on the ground, surrounded by impact lines and repeated 'AH' sounds. The standing character holds thin rods and declares: 'A METHOD CALLED THE "WATER VISUALIZATION TECHNIQUE" IS AH ... THE SIMPLEST AND AH ... MOST POPULAR METHOD AH ...' while asking 'HOW DOES ONE IDENTIFY WHICH OF THE SIX CATEGORIES ONE BELONGS TO?' Sound effects 'FUCHI' and 'FUCHI' punctuate the action.

In a dim rocky chamber, a long-haired figure in dark clothing watches intently as a hulking masked man named Ramotto grips a glass of liquid. Ramotto answers, "YES." A voice commands, "TRY IT, RAMOTTO." The glass vibrates with repeated "zu zu" sounds as the liquid inside reacts. Water flows slowly over the rim while a one-eyed, long-haired character labeled Calira holds the glass close, reacting with "OOH" and examining the slow overflow. In a lower panel, a spiky-haired youth drinks from a bottle on the ground. Nearby, a cat-eared character with glasses smiles and says, "LET ME TRY IT TOO." The same character adds, "I SEE, SO RAMOTTO FALLS UNDER THE REINFORCEMENT CATEGORY."

A close-up shows a leaf drying and crumbling inside a spherical frame labeled 'BORO' with the note '(LEAF DRYING)'. The one-eyed character reacts with "AH." as the leaf withers away completely. In the next panel the cat-eared character named Neferupitoo holds a small withered leaf and speaks with a "HMM" while a spiky-haired figure watches. A translator note states the term 'ARMY COMMANDER' was used. Neferupitoo declares, "THAT MEANS ... YOU MUST BE OF THE SPECIALIZATION CATEGORY, ARMY COMMANDER." The spiky-haired youth lies on the ground in the background. Neferupitoo continues, "IT'S THE NAME I WAS GRANTED BY THE QUEEN." and tells the masked figure, "JUST CALL ME NEFERUPITOO FROM NOW ON." The masked figure reacts with surprise, "HUH?" A hand discards the leaf while another panel shows the masked figure's shocked expression.

A character with curly light hair, glasses, cat-like ears, and a sailor-style uniform stands with one hand on their hip, glancing back over their shoulder. In the background, a figure in a chef's hat is violently butchered against a wall with the sound effect BUCHYA as blood sprays. A voice confirms, "YES." Another orders, "TAKE IT TO THE QUEEN RIGHT AWAY." Large circular panels display proclamations: "THERE YOU WILL RECEIVE ENORMOUS POWER IN EXCHANGE FOR A LITTLE PAIN!!" "REPORT IMMEDIATELY TO THE FIRST AUDITORIUM FOR AN AWARD CEREMONY." "THIS IS COMMANDER NEFERPITOO: TO ALL DIVISION LEADERS AND SQUAD CAPTAINS!!" A final emphatic circle states, "YOU MUST USE THAT POWER SOLELY FOR THE QUEEN!!" Below, a stern character with a topknot, pointed ears, and striped clothing reacts with intense focus, hands raised amid sharp motion lines and repeated SFX "ZU" labeled (CALURA).

In a forested area with rocky terrain and trees, numerous humanoid ant-like figures stand gathered while several are sent flying by explosions and impacts with SFX DOGAN and FUGAA. A small winged figure labeled (EARS TWITCHING) reacts with PIKU. The curly-haired character in the sailor uniform stands with arms crossed, commenting, "THESE ORDINARY ONES SURE HAVE IT TOUGH..." and "THEY CAN'T EVEN DRAW OUT THEIR POWER WITHOUT RESORTING TO TROUBLESOME STUFF LIKE THIS." labeled (PUNCH). In a lower panel, a character with spiky hair asks, "WHERE ARE YOU GOING, COMMANDER?" while another replies, "PEGGY, TAKE CARE OF THE REST, OK?" A close-up shows the curly-haired character's face in profile with flowing hair and boots visible.

A winged female figure with spiky hair stands beside a dark silhouette. Close-up on a face with narrowed eyes as a voice declares intent to confirm something. The same face contorts with realization, sweat flying, as narration states the extent of my strength. A wide-brimmed hat casts shadow over a sweating face marked by three drops; thought bubbles read a monster. The hatted figure shouts Get away from here!! Go now!! while another panel shows Gon and Killua in the forest as a voice urges Gon, Killua, run away, now. A distant explosion erupts among the trees. Someone exclaims Totally unbelievable... A small Huh!? escapes from one of the boys as they stare toward the blast.

A massive rocky cliff face dominates the frame as a huge clawed hand grips the edge. A small figure clings desperately to the rock wall while intense speed lines and a bright flash radiate from the right, suggesting a powerful impact or movement. Below, a close-up shows a thick, muscular arm with a ring on the finger; the arm flexes with visible muscle definition as BIKI BIKI sound effects appear. A speech bubble states Found you. Small dots indicate surprise or motion on the right side of the panel.

In a barren desert landscape, a small figure leaps across the dunes toward a lone cactus. A sharp PA sound effect marks the distant jump. Suddenly the view shifts to a close-up of wide, intense eyes and a spiky-haired head turning sharply as a powerful HYUU whoosh fills the air. Kite, long hair streaming and hat low, lunges forward with an outstretched hand. His face twisted in fury, he shouts at the spiky-haired boy below him. GET AWAY! FROM ME!! The boy recoils from the forceful gesture as motion lines emphasize Kite's desperate push.

Kite continues his leap through the air, body angled sharply as his long hair and coat stream behind him. Below, a hand reaches upward with fingers curled. In a narrow panel at the bottom, two boys look up in stunned silence. The boy on the left has wide eyes and an open mouth, sweat drops visible on his face. The boy on the right has narrowed eyes and a tense expression, both reacting to the sudden rejection from above.

A massive winged chimera ant perches on the left side of the battlefield while Gon and Killua stand ready in the center. A large, indistinct figure looms on the right amid swirling smoke and debris. In a narrow horizontal strip, three close-up faces react in sequence: Gon’s intense, focused profile on the left, a girl with pigtails showing a worried expression in the middle, and a small creature’s wide-eyed, startled face on the right. In the large bottom panel, Gon crouches in a fighting stance with fists clenched and Killua leans forward with hands raised, both staring at a massive, stylized nen aura erupting between them. The aura forms a thick, cloud-like shape with bold circular outlines and jagged edges, radiating powerful energy across the rocky ground.

The top wide panel repeats the battlefield setup with the winged chimera ant on the left and the large figure on the right. An editor’s note appears beside the middle reaction strip. The three close-up faces remain: Gon’s focused profile, the girl’s worried look, and the small creature’s startled expression. In the large bottom panel the nen aura has changed shape, now forming a tall, star-like silhouette with flowing tendrils that stretch downward like a living figure. Gon maintains his low stance while Killua watches the evolving energy with a tense posture, the rocky ground marked by heavy motion lines and impact shading.

A powerful arm swings through the air with heavy motion lines. In the next panel a figure in a white hat and cloak is sent flying backward while a spiky-haired boy crouches low. The view shifts to a close-up of a clenched fist and a rapidly turning head marked (TURNING FAST). Below, Gon leans forward with a strained expression, mouth open in a shout as a massive AARGH erupts beside him. A large-breasted female Chimera Ant looms in the foreground, her body partially visible, and she speaks with a speech bubble reading IDIOT....

A massive impact strikes Killua, sending his body twisting violently with a huge G sound effect. The panel shows his limbs flailing and hair flying. Below, smaller panels capture slight movement: a figure labeled JIRI, another GA, and close-ups of an eye and Killua's face. Kite appears in the lower section, long hair and cloak flowing, one hand extended. Kite says TAKE GON AND RUN. and then GOOD JUDGMENT, KILLUA. A final BON (PUFF) effect marks Kite's movement.

A massive "BON" sound effect explodes across the upper left panel with radiating impact lines and a puff effect below. In the top right, a grinning figure wearing a hat marked with a bold 3 looms forward, eyes wide and mouth open in manic laughter. "LOOK'S LIKE A GOOD NUMBER IS COMING! TWURURURU!" the figure declares, followed by "HYAHAHAHAHA! YOU SEEM TO BE IN ONE HELL OF A PINCH NOW, SUCKER!" Below, a small panel shows a curly-haired girl with wide, surprised eyes reacting to the scene. "SO EVEN SOMETHING OF THAT SORT IS POSSIBLE ... OOH ..." she murmurs. The lower half of the page shifts to a wide action shot labeled "MEANWHILE." A long-haired fighter in a cap and sleeveless outfit lunges dynamically, gripping multiple ornate club-like weapons that extend in all directions. "I'LL HAVE TO BUY THEM TIME!!" the fighter shouts while holding the weapons steady against unseen opponents.

Large text at the top reads "CONCEITED. WE WERE ..." A panel of narration continues: "IF KAITO HAD BEEN ALONE ... THINGS PROBABLY WOULDN'T HAVE ENDED UP LIKE THIS." Another block states "EVEN AFTER HE HAD LOST AN ARM, BOTH OF US WERE MUCH WEAKER THAN KAITO." A close-up shows a spiky-haired character with wide eyes and visible sweat drops, conveying distress. The narration concludes "THAT WAS HIS CONCLUSION. THAT'S REALITY." At the bottom, bold lettering declares "TOTAL IDIOTS. WE WERE ..." followed by a dramatic angled caption: "THE UNCOMPROMISING REALITY!! A CRISIS HAS SUDDENLY ERUPTED!"