Chapter 223

The long-haired man with sunglasses discusses Gon's unstable abilities, noting instability was evident even during training and that a stable rule follows instability. He recalls sensing no motivation or spirit in Gon during a recent fight. Another character asks if it is like a spring. The long-haired man confirms that Gon's lack of motivation these past weeks was like a spring. Gon smiles brightly and says his Nen will recover tomorrow too. The long-haired man explains that Gon must confront his hated enemy to unleash it all. Killua watches with concern, wondering what to do about Gon. A final panel shows the long-haired man standing alone in the train corridor, looking out the window.

A sweeping landscape of rolling hills and scattered trees unfolds under a wide sky, with a passenger train curving along a narrow track beside a steep rocky cliff. A large speech bubble declares, "OUR ENEMY IS RIGHT IN FRONT OF US." Below, the scene shifts to a quiet, dilapidated street lined with shuttered buildings. Four figures stand in the foreground: a short-haired boy in a collared shirt looks downward with a neutral expression, a spiky-haired man in an open jacket stands beside him, a capped man adjusts his glasses while glancing aside, and a long-haired person in dark clothing walks away toward the background.

Inside a room, several people watch a television broadcast. A female reporter with short dark hair appears on screen while narration explains that Supreme Chancellor Diego has ordered citizens in the capital city of Peijing to gather for National Foundation Day festivities. Another panel shows a large puppet-like figure with a round head, sharp teeth, and multiple strings being manipulated by a man in traditional attire who waves one hand. Text notes that only about 70% of people attended the gatherings and that public workers and hospital staff received exemptions. The broadcast questions the intentions behind recent movements in East Goruto.

A group of men discuss the implications of a powerful figure simultaneously announcing his successor and abdicating. One remarks, "IF HE WAS SIMULTANEOUSLY ANNOUNCING HIS SUCCESSOR AND ABDICATING HIS POSITION, THAT WOULD CAUSE A POWERFUL EFFECT." Another replies, "WELL, LET'S SEE..." and questions, "WHAT SORT OF PURPOSE DO YOU BELIEVE IT COULD BE?" A bald man with a scar states, "IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THIS GATHERING HAS A DIFFERENT PURPOSE FROM PREVIOUS EVENTS," while another adds that making public trains and buses free is also unprecedented. In the next panel, the scarred man suggests, "IT COULD BE A DIVERSIONAL TACTIC TO DRAW ATTENTION AWAY FROM SOMETHING ELSE," as a man with glasses and a hat gestures and replies, "HOWEVER, IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE THAT DIEGO WOULD WILLINGLY GIVE UP HIS POWER." A television broadcast shows a young girl, followed by a female reporter who says, "AND NOW, OUR NEXT STORY. ONE THING'S FOR SURE, IN TEN DAYS, THE ENTIRE WORLD WILL HAVE THEIR EYES FIXED ON EAST GORUTO." In a bustling restaurant filled with patrons, Gon, Killua, and others sit at a table. Someone notes, "THEY SEEM TO KNOW HOW TO COERCIVELY TEACH NEN ALREADY," while another states, "ACCORDING TO KORUTO'S ESTIMATIONS, ALL THE CITIZENS WILL UNDERGO A 'SELECTION' PROCESS."

Killua declares, "OUR LIMIT IS 10 DAYS...!!" while the suited man with glasses replies, "IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE PREVENT IT." In another panel the suited man states, "99% OF THE PEOPLE WILL DIE DURING THE 'SELECTION.'" He continues, "I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY HAVE PLANNED FOR THOSE WHO ARE AWAKENED BUT..." Gon and Killua stand together as the suited man explains, "I WAS INFORMED BY MAIL THAT HE HAS ALREADY HIDDEN HIMSELF SOMEWHERE IN EAST GORUTO." Killua asks, "BY THE WAY, WHAT'S THE OLD MAN LIP TO?" The suited man responds, "HE SAID THAT IF HE DIDN'T CONTACT US BY TODAY, WE SHOULD ASSUME SO AND ACT ACCORDINGLY," adding, "IN OUR PREVIOUS ARRANGEMENT..." Gon wonders, "COULD HE HAVE ALREADY BEEN DEFEATED?" while another voice notes, "BUT THERE HAS BEEN NO CORRESPONDENCE SINCE." In the final panel, Gon and Killua look forward with serious expressions beside a close-up of a stern face with spiky hair.

A stern close-up shows a man's intense glare directed rightward. In the next panel a suited man with glasses faces a robed bald figure while a woman with a ponytail watches nearby. She declares, "THAT GEEZER HAS EARS EVERYWHERE. I'D BET ON IT." The glasses-wearing man replies that the chairman must have overheard them. A cell phone tumbles through the air as a pointing finger emphasizes, "HE HAS SEEN EVERYTHING," followed by the ominous "...FU." Killua and Gon lean in to examine the phone screen while the glasses man notes, "THAT YOU TWO WERE COMING..." The device displays a typed message: "BREAK INTO THREE GROUPS OF TWO AND SEPARATE THE ROYAL GUARDS FROM THE KING. PROCEED WITH THE PLAN ON THE NIGHT BEFORE THE GATHERING AT EXACTLY MIDNIGHT. SINCERELY, THE GEEZER WITH EARS EVERYWHERE." Someone mutters, "WHAT A SCARY OLD MAN."

A massive speech bubble erupts as the small winged cat creature shouts, "SO I WILL BE DISAPPEARING NOW! SEE YOU LATER!! BUH BUH BYE!!" while another panel adds, "HATE TO HAVE TO LEAVE YOU, BUT YOUR 30 DAYS HAS JUST EXPIRED." Gon stands alone on a nighttime street, fist clenched, as the creature flies away into the starry sky. In a dark panel Gon throws a punch that erupts with force lines. A tall man with spiky hair tells him, "TRY IT OUT. YOUR NEN SHOULD BE RESTORED LIKE BEFORE." Gon looks surprised as black smoke and puzzle-piece fragments scatter. A long-haired man wearing sunglasses leans forward and says, "I WANT TO SHOW ME YOUR DETERMINATION." In the final panels the same man adds, "TOO BAD FOR YOU, I HAVEN'T APPROVED OF YOU YET," while a woman with long hair addresses Gon by name.

A long-haired man wearing sunglasses stands against a black background with radiating lines, gripping a small object near his face. He declares, "IF THAT SHOT'S PATHETIC, I'LL CALL ANOTHER HUNTER TO REPLACE YOU IMMEDIATELY," then adds, "IMAGINE ME AS THE ONE THAT DID THAT TO KAITO AND COME AT ME." In the next tier, a spiky-haired young man in profile tells Gon, "GON! SHOW HIM YOUR JAJANKEN," while adding that his teacher also approved of the long-haired man's twisted nature long ago. Gon stares forward with a serious expression. A black panel shows only a closed eye. The long-haired man lunges forward with a fierce expression, shouting, "IF YOU HOLD BACK EVEN A LITTLE, I'LL FAIL YOU!!" while motion lines emphasize his strike; nearby, a close-up of a booted foot appears as Gon thinks, "CAN I DO IT FOR REAL?" In the final panel, the muscular long-haired man stands shirtless on the left while Gon, viewed from behind, faces him and says, "GOT IT," with a small "zzt" sound effect near a dangling object.

The long-haired man transforms into a massively muscular form, veins and muscles bulging as he charges forward with intense speed lines and large black impact shapes surrounding him. A close-up shows Gon's eye narrowing with a sweat drop. Gon appears in a small panel with a surprised expression. The final spread reveals the long-haired man's face twisted in rage with bulging eyes and motion lines, while his body is shown mid-air being struck, one leg raised and hair flying wildly as debris and impact effects fill the scene.

A close-up reveals the long-haired fighter with sunglasses drenched in sweat, his face tense as a heavy vertical black bar and sharp SFX "ギッ" cut across the panel. Beside it looms an enormous, intense eye filling the frame. Below, four narrow panels show Knov with glasses looking serious, a tense profile view, an angry spiky-haired youth glaring, and Killua watching with a neutral expression. In the lower section the long-haired fighter stands ready and announces "FIRST IS..." while Gon charges forward in a low stance, weapon extended, the impact sound "ギイイ" slashing across the page. A final inset captures a tightly clenched fist radiating force.

A massive splash page erupts with radiating speed lines and a blinding white center as Gon leaps high, body coiled, shouting "ROCK!!" in a jagged speech bubble. Below him the long-haired fighter is hurled backward through the air, limbs flailing. In the lower left a close-up shows Gon’s face upside-down, eyes wide with focus and sweat flying. The lower right panel returns to the long-haired fighter’s face, sunglasses still on, mouth open in shock or pain as motion lines streak past.

A large hand reaches forward in the opening panel. Killua grabs Gon by the shoulder and declares, "THAT'S ENOUGH. GON." Gon remains on his knees, head lowered. In the next panel Killua stands protectively over his friend while a bright impact effect flashes behind them. The muscular man with long hair and sunglasses, addressed as "OSSAN," looks down and asks, "RIGHT?" From below, Gon and Killua bow deeply. Gon cries out, "I'M SORRY, MORAU-SAN." Killua adds, "KILLUA, THANK YOU!!" The man stares back with a stern, sweat-streaked face and replies, "...AH."

Gon looks up with wide eyes and clasped hands, admitting, "I WAS REALLY ABOUT TO KILL YOU." Knuckle bursts into laughter with "HU HA HA" and "WAHA HAHAHA! I GIVE UP! YOU WIN!!" He continues, "EVEN WHEN YOU LOSE YOUR TEMPER, YOU'RE GOOD. YOU'VE MATURED." In a starry background panel Knuckle speaks on a phone: "KNUCKLE AND SHOOT, YOU GUYS ARE RE-SPONSIBLE FOR MANTUTUYUPI. GON AND KILLUA, JUST LIKE YOU ASKED, YOU GUYS GET NEFEL-PITOU. FOLLOW THROUGH THE ORDERS USING YOUR OWN METHODS. FROM HERE, WE ACT ON OUR OWN. ROGER."

Gon glares ahead with narrowed eyes and a tense frown, his spiky black hair framing a determined face. Next to him, a curly-haired figure with wide, intense eyes stares forward, while Killua looks sideways with a serious, focused expression. In the next row, a stern man with slicked-back hair and a dark head covering glares to the side. Beside him, a large speech bubble declares "GOOD LUCK!!" as a ponytail-wearing man with a neutral expression glances left. Below, a long-haired man wearing dark sunglasses maintains a blank face, a young person with tied-back hair looks down with closed eyes, and a woman with glasses and dark hair frowns slightly. At the bottom, a goggled figure in a wide hat smiles faintly toward an elderly man with a large nose, wrinkled face, and thick mustache who returns a weary sideways glance.