REUNITED

Knuckle Bine appears in a large close-up, mouth wide open as he shouts with intense determination. Speech bubbles declare: "I REQUEST A DUEL WITH THE TWO SUPPRESSION TEAM CANDIDATES!" and "MY NAME IS KNUCKLE BINE! I AM A BEAST HUNTER!" In the next panel an older man with a stern expression replies "LET'S FIGHT, FAIR AND SQUARE!" while background onlookers watch from a building. Knuckle continues from off-panel: "TONIGHT, AT EXACTLY MIDNIGHT!" A wide shot shows him standing in an open area holding a sign, surrounded by several people including a bald man and children. He proclaims: "IT WILL BE SIMPLY ME, NO STRINGS ATTACHED! THERE WON'T BE ANY CHEAP TRICKS INVOLVED!" and "I WILL NOT RUN, I WILL NOT HIDE! I WILL NOT BRING ANY WEAPONS, AND I WILL COME ALONE!" A small bubble from a boy says "YOU'RE NOT SAYING WHERE." Signs reading "WHERE?" and "LOCATION?" are visible, along with a Japanese banner.

Gon sits with a serious expression, sweat on his face, as he remarks that they are not going anywhere even if the location had been mentioned. In the street below, a man in a long coat uses a megaphone to make an announcement while Gon watches from a distance. At a cafe table, Killua explains that considering what Palm said, it makes sense the enemies do not know their names. Gon agrees it is a strategy where one person hides and observes for any suspicious movements or abnormal reactions to the bait. Killua wonders if the opponent looked strong. Gon questions whether the man could be stupid enough to seriously request a duel like this, suggesting he is trying to lure them into a trap. In a close-up profile, a man with styled curly hair replies that the opponent is pretty strong.

At the cafe table, Killua notes uncertainties in a battle involving the Chairman. A waitress with a frilled apron and tiara stands nearby holding a tray, commenting she is not really sure and asking what they think it will take to defeat him. Killua disagrees with putting emphasis on chances of winning. He stresses it is important to accurately measure and assess the capacities of both sides. Gon, with a serious expression and straw in his mouth, declares there are two things they must accomplish: at least a 50 percent chance is necessary, preferably 70 percent or above. Killua agrees they must at least improve their basic abilities and figure out the abilities of their opponents.

Palm stands in her maid outfit facing left, reacting with surprise as she says 'Welcome' and questions the meaning of the conversation. Gon and Killua sit nearby, with Gon pondering their strategy. 'We'll be able to come up with a plan like we did against Gensuru. If we can figure out what their abilities are...' Gon thinks, hand to his chin. 'HMM.' Killua responds thoughtfully. In a close-up, Killua continues, 'I agree with the part about having to improve our basic abilities, but I don't think it's necessary to try to figure out our opponent's abilities.' The scene shifts to Killua looking shocked as someone with spiky hair exclaims, 'Just like the fights in NGL. But that's normal. Then we're just putting ourselves at a higher risk! What good is that? What!? Why's that??' A dramatic full-body panel shows a long-haired figure in a coat kneeling and declaring, 'It's to become stronger so that we can go back to NGL and rescue Kaito!! Our goal isn't to defeat Knuckle...'

Inside a large building, Gon and Killua walk away from the reception desk as voices debate the timeline. 'No matter how we go about it, we need to get results within one month. At this point, having to come up with a plan in order to win is meaningless. We need the kind of strength that is required to prevail against an enemy with unknown abilities.' Killua questions, 'You do have a point there...' Outside the building, Gon turns and shouts, 'Huh? That's too late. We will become strong enough to go back to NGL in one week!' Killua stares in disbelief, 'You're cra... What?' The final panel erupts into chaos with motion lines and impact effects as a small figure is sent flying. Gon grabs the spiky-haired character by the collar while yelling, 'Are you stupid or something?!'

Gon and Killua react with shock as two startled "AH!" exclamations ring out. Biscuit Krueger stands imposingly in the center, hands on hips, demanding "WHY ARE YOU HERE!?" while someone off-panel states "I CALLED HER HERE." Biscuit's name bursts out in large letters as "BISKE!?" Gon and Killua appear below, reacting to the sudden arrival. The group discusses time constraints: "WE DON'T HAVE MUCH TIME... PLEASE GET ON WITH IT." Biscuit replies "LIIHUUHUU! IT'S A SIMPLE MATTER IF I USE MY ABILITY." Another voice adds "BUT HOW!? WITH BISKE, WE ONLY..." Biscuit continues "I JUST CHECKED UP ON SOME INFORMATION ABOUT YOU TWO." Killua exclaims "HUH? NO WAY! YOU TWO KNOW EACH OTHER?" A small inset shows a half-timbered building labeled 29. Palm Siberia, with long disheveled hair and glasses, declares "The plan to massacre the apprentices of Morau!" while two small chibi heads react with surprise.

Biscuit delivers a spinning kick with an "OW!" sound effect as Gon and Killua react. Someone shouts "YES!" and asks "ALRIGHTY THEN, SHALL WE START?" Biscuit scolds "ARE YOU STUPID??" while another asks "WHAT WAS THAT FOR?" and "JUST PICKING UP WHERE WE LEFT OFF." In a large panel Biscuit warns that Chairman Netero is notorious for giving only one month that could stretch longer than a year, declaring "NEVERMIND DOING IT IN A WEEK!!" Gon and Killua stand together in the background. Biscuit points emphatically while stating they must return soon to rescue Kaito. A small panel shows the building exterior again. Biscuit continues "DO YOU WANT TO GO BACK NOT FULLY PREPARED AND JUST REPEAT THE SAME MISTAKE AGAIN?" as Killua replies "ERR." and Biscuit concludes "THEN THAT'S EVEN MORE OF A REASON NOT TO RUSH THINGS!!" calling someone an idiot.

Gon, Killua, and Palm stand ready in the training area. Gon shouts "REN"!! as energy crackles around them. Palm declares, "ALRIGHT THEN, LET'S START THE SPECIAL TRAINING." In a thought bubble she mutters that the old woman nags like an old hag. Killua responds, "YES, MA'AM...!" and confirms he understands. A bright flash erupts as Gon activates his Ren with wide eyes. Killua raises a hand in a three-finger sign and orders, "NOW MAINTAIN THAT STATUS FOR THREE HOURS!" Palm sits cross-legged on the floor reading a magazine and warns, "IF YOU GUYS CAN'T DO THIS, WE CAN'T MOVE TO THE NEXT PHASE." She adds that when she is in good condition she can hold it for about 55 minutes, then turns to Killua and asks how long he can maintain it. In the background a shirtless man lounges while reading, and Palm appears again in a heavy fur-trimmed coat holding an open magazine titled MALE.

A close-up shows a sweaty foot and a ticking timer clock. Gon stands drenched in sweat with a strained expression while Killua is collapsed on the floor, body covered in sweat and a large black aura exploding from his head. Palm's voice encourages, "YES YES... CONTINUE PLEASE." She adds, "OH C'MON, IT HASN'T EVEN BEEN AN HOUR YET." Gon groans "UGH..." as more sweat flies off him. Palm, still holding the open magazine, tells them, "YOU WON'T EVEN HAVE TIME TO SLEEP." She explains, "NORMALLY, IT TAKES ABOUT A MONTH JUST TO INCREASE YOUR REN BY 10 MINUTES." The magazine note identifies its title as MALE.

Under a bright full moon, a long eerie howl echoes across the night sky. In a quiet park, a stern man in a traditional robe stands with arms crossed, staring ahead. Nearby, a small white dog with a collar sits by a tree, its tail wagging slightly. A speech bubble reads 'BAS-TARDS...'. Suddenly a massive, furious face with wild hair and glaring eyes fills the panel, shouting 'YOU'VE JUST DUG YOUR OWN GRAVES!!' and 'DID YOU GET INTIMIDATED, YOU COWARDS?!'. In the final panel the man sits on the ground beside the dog, gently holding its paw. The dog asks 'you've got a collar on... Where's your owner?' while the man replies 'you have to keep the paws clean, y'know.'

Gon is struck hard, his body flying backward with a loud impact SFX. In the next panel a voice announces 'TOMORROW WILL COMMENCE IN 30 MINUTES!' and 'OKAY! THAT'S IT FOR TODAY. YOU MAY REST!'. A girl with long blonde hair sits on a floating platform at night, pressing her fingers into Gon's back while declaring 'Piano Massage!!' and 'Magical Estée!!'. Nearby, a long-haired figure says 'EXCUSE...' and a small girl with a headband replies 'OF COURSE, THIS WON'T BE FREE...'. She then tells Gon 'SLEEP WELL.' and explains 'WITH THIS, 30 MINUTES WILL BE EQUIVALENT TO EIGHT HOURS OF SLEEP.'

Palm stands with her hands clasped near her face, long dark hair framing her serious expression. She tells the others, "Since you were the answer my ability gave me. I will leave the training up to you..." In a separate panel a spiky-haired figure reacts with "Hmm?" as Palm continues, "I know I may be stepping out of line by saying this..." Palm clenches her fist tightly, admitting, "I... do not have the confidence... to restrain myself. But... if these two fail to defeat Morau's apprentices within the given time of one month..." A swirling vortex forms as she warns, "I will probably kill all of you..." She adds that if she keeps telling herself to be patient and they fail, she wants to go to NGL at any cost. Gon and Killua appear in the background. Palm looks down and says, "Out of concern..." Someone asks, "Is that a threat?" Palm replies, "No, I'm just warning you..." A small figure with spiky hair stands nearby. Palm concludes, "Tell the kids when they wake up. Well, you're talking to the wrong person. I can say that from experience, doing that will help reduce my anger and it'll eventually subside. So if you think they won't succeed, it will be best for you guys to hurry and get away from here..."

Gon appears in a dramatic close-up with spiky black hair and a determined smile, declaring, "I will definitely take you to NGL! Don't worry! Just leave it up to me!!" Palm and Killua stand in the background as Gon continues, "That's the kind of kid he is. Believe in him. We'll do our best! And if you have any suggestions for us, please don't hesitate to tell us!" Palm's face shows a neutral, slightly worried expression with sweat drops. Gon turns with a surprised look, sweat visible on his face. In the lower panels, a girl with a bun hairstyle asks Palm, "What are the chairman and the others planning on doing for a month? Do you know?" Palm responds, "But I'm actually more worried about the ones that went to NGL." The girl reacts with surprise, "?" and says, "Ara... stop it stop it." Palm's hair is visible in the corner as the conversation ends.

In a series of panels, a long-haired figure discusses strategy with others. "So they said they'll move according to the shortest estimate of two months," one voice states. Another adds, "The experts couldn't come to an agreement on how much time we have until the birth of the king..." A third continues, "They will first assess the strength of the enemy, and then reduce their numbers." Someone reacts with surprise: "Eh? Ah... um... they said they were going to 'investigate' and 'reduce.'" The scene shifts to a vast, barren landscape under dramatic sky lettering. A robed figure stands in the distance holding a staff. In the foreground, an elderly man with a mustache and topknot raises a hand to his face, muttering, "This isn't good..." and "Hmmm..." Below, inside a rocky crevice, a small spiky-haired figure sits on a ledge gazing upward. Speech bubbles read, "Could that one be" and "Stronger than me...?"