Hunter × Hunter Chapter 230: Chapter 230

Multiple panels illustrate a harsh informant and defection system. A pointing hand emphasizes rules: informants accumulate points, falsified reports or traitors lead to group punishment, and rewards are given for uncovering spies. Silhouettes show executions of defecting families without questions. A spiky-haired boy sweats while saying he has managed to stop something somehow, as another voice protests "HEY, DON'T BLOW UP ON ME! I CAN HEAR IT!!" and "what you're saying is too difficult". Further bubbles explain East Goruto cutting off talks, using TV reports for aid, and a system where financial aid is misused for extravagant lifestyles while citizens starve. Gon, Killua, and two companions walk through the forest as the explanation continues.

In a misty forest at night, unseen voices discuss prior intelligence. "There was similar information posted on the Hunter site as well," one says. "And he was probably quoting Grampa," another adds. "I'm just quoting my brother." "You sure know a lot, Killua." A different voice notes, "There's a good chance that they still use the same system." The scene shifts to a quiet village of thatched-roof houses under a starry sky. From the grass, Killua and Gon peer toward the settlement. "Yeah. It's pretty small," Killua observes. "It's a village," Gon replies. Close to the ground, a pair of feet in sneakers steps carefully through tall grass as the large onomatopoeia "SNEAK IN." appears. "What should we do?" Gon asks.

Killua continues planning while hidden among trees. "There may also be other methods they use to determine spies," he warns. "Although we've prepared a change of clothes similar to theirs and a badge to indicate our rank..." He adds that they still need current information anyway. Gon sits on a tree branch and replies, "You sure it'll be okay?" Killua runs ahead across open ground, saying, "It would be better to collect as much data as possible." From behind a rocky cliff, Gon watches as Killua raises a hand and calls, "Wait there for a bit." The two then approach the village buildings, peering through gaps in a fence and moving along a wall under the night sky.

Gon stares ahead with wide eyes in close-up. In a forest clearing, Gon kneels on the ground examining something. A small distant figure leaps high into the air above an empty panel. Inside a rundown room filled with scattered furniture and debris, a voice declares, "IT'S EMPTY." Gon stands in the doorway of another damaged room and replies, "NO." Killua stands nearby with hands on his hips and asks, "DO YOU THINK THEY'VE ALL ALREADY GONE TO PEIJING?" Gon remains silent with an ellipsis above his head as they survey the ransacked interior.

Killua stands with his back to the viewer, peering into a cabinet while saying, "AND THEY TRIED TO CONCEAL IT." In close-up, Killua touches his chin thoughtfully and notes, "SOMETHING HAPPENED HERE..." A close-up shows dark liquid splattered on the floor beside a wooden box. Killua observes, "THEY DID A PRETTY CARELESS JOB THOUGH." A close-up of a shoe stepping on a long scratch mark across the floor is shown next to an outdoor scene of Gon and Killua running through trees. Killua's head emerges from foliage with leaves around him as the sound effect "za za za" appears.

Gon and Killua stand on a rocky ledge beneath a silhouetted tree, staring ahead. Killua gasps sharply. Close-up panels capture Killua's wide-eyed shock and Gon's startled expression. Below, a barren field is littered with wild dogs sniffing and prowling over disturbed earth. Narration boxes state: "THE ENTIRE TOWN HAS PROBABLY BEEN BURIED HERE." and "THE HOLE THEY DUG WAS TOO SHALLOW SO IT ATTRACTED THE WILD DOGS." Killua, seen in profile with intense focus, declares: "THIS IS THE TRUE PURPOSE OF THE NATIONAL RALLY." Gon reacts with visible confusion, asking: "WHAT... COULD THIS POSSIBLY MEAN?" A narrow panel shows only eyes and floating question marks. The final panel zooms on Killua's serious face as he explains: "TO CREATE A SITUATION WHERE ENTIRE TOWNS OR VILLAGES CAN DISAPPEAR WITHOUT ATTRACTING ANY SUSPICION...!"

A massive, grotesque figure looms over Gon and Killua, who stand small at the bottom of the panel looking upward. A large speech bubble declares: "THE 'SELECTION' HAS ALREADY BEGUN....!!!" Subsequent panels show a pointing hand gesture alongside narration: "IT'S EASIER TO MANAGE THE PROCESS BY VILLAGE OR TOWN." and "AFTER ALL, THERE ARE AROUND 5,000,000 CITIZENS." Killua continues: "IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT, IT'S INCREDIBLY STRANGE TO GATHER THE ENTIRE COUNTRY AND CONDUCT THE 'SELECTION' ALL AT ONCE." The bottom panels, set against a starry background, add: "BUT THE PRESENCE OF A HIGH PRIORITY EVENT LIKE THE NATIONAL RALLY WOULDN'T MAKE AN EXTENDED ABSENCE DURING THAT PERIOD SEEM STRANGE AT ALL." and "THE PROBLEM WOULD'VE BEEN FAMILY MEMBERS OR COLLEAGUES AT WORK CAUSING A COMMOTION FOR THE MISSING..."

A pair of boots steps through dense jungle foliage as a voice explains that cell phones do not work here, so everyone will naturally lose contact. The job will go smoothly. A detailed map of Peijing appears, marking the southeastern tip of the land. The plan is to begin the selection from the furthest areas and move inward. Gon and Killua discuss the risks: the government will announce departure times for each area just before ordering people to the capital, preventing groups from banding together. There will be no danger of groups contacting each other before leaving. On a rocky jungle path, Gon and Killua walk forward. Gon pauses, hand to his chin, and mutters, "HMM?" A thought bubble reads, "BUT..."

Gon and Killua continue their conversation in the jungle. Gon notes that even with ten or nine days left, calculating survivors would still produce 50,000 soldiers. Killua raises a finger, questioning whether many selectors would be needed to process 5,000,000 people. Gon suddenly exclaims, "IT'S 500." A Nen user could handle 10,000 people through the selection, requiring only 500 such users. They consider whether soldier ants are capable of using Nen. Gon asks, "HUH? HOW COME?" and concludes that even if the selector does not know how to use Nen, it does not really matter.

A towering stitched figure with long flowing hair and a massive single eye looms forward in a wide stance, arms outstretched. A speech bubble declares, "THEY CAN JUST CONTROL." Below, a close-up reveals wide, startled eyes staring upward. In smaller panels, a cloaked fighter forces aura into a fist and strikes a target while explaining, "AND FORCE THEM TO CONCENTRATE THAT AURA INTO THEIR FIST AND PUNCH THE TARGETS BEING 'SELECTED'..." Another voice adds, "EVEN A NORMAL HUMAN EMITS AURA, SO IF THEY USE THAT..." On the right, a spiky-haired figure surrounded by flame-like aura states, "IT CAN PROBABLY DO SIMPLE AUTOMATIC CONTROL, AND LIKE GENSURU, SHOULD BE ABLE TO CONTROL LARGE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE SIMULTANEOUSLY." A final bubble concludes, "IT'S PROBABLY THAT ONE'S ABILITY."

A dark-haired character glances back with a small speech bubble containing only dots. Two figures discuss the situation: one with light hair says, "IF MY ASSUMPTION IS CORRECT, IT'LL NOT BE EASY TO STOP THE 'SELECTION.'" The other replies, "BUT IT'S NOT ALL BAD." A vast field of skulls stretches into the distance beneath the words, "AN INSTANT ARMY OF 50,000 CAN EASILY BE CREATED." and "OVER 4,950,000 CORPSES." The light-haired speaker continues, outlining how escaped villagers could notice the commotion and that causing chaos by attacking the controlled person would halt the process. Night-sky panels add that beating up amateur Nen users would create a huge disturbance and make them easy to handle. At the bottom, Gon stares forward with concern while Killua finishes, "THEY'LL QUICKLY CATCH ON TO US." and "THE PROBLEM IS..."

Gon walks ahead along a forest path while Killua follows a few steps behind. Killua raises three fingers and explains that executing the old man's plan will keep their cover intact. He adds that any move they make now will likely be noticed immediately. Killua's intense close-up shows wide eyes and a serious expression. In the next panels his face tightens with resolve. Gon turns slightly and declares, "LET'S DO IT...!" Killua answers with a firm "LET'S DO IT." Gon looks back over his shoulder, saying he understands it is impossible to stay still. He notes that if the "SELECTION" has already begun they must act.

Gon and Killua stand face to face. Gon insists he will handle the task alone and tells Killua to hide. Killua looks surprised, his eyes wide. Gon continues that defeating the target is the only thing that matters. He points at himself with his thumb and says he will stir the pot. Killua's close-up shows a stern expression. In the final panel Gon stands with his back partly turned, stating it will be easier if he does it alone. Killua looks down with a troubled face and replies that he is sorry but he cannot agree.

Gon stares forward with wide, intense eyes in a stark close-up. Killua turns his head slightly, replying with a hesitant "REALLY?" followed by a quiet "....." and a resigned "GEEZ~ ALRIGHT." Gon leans in closer, his expression serious, and asks, "DO YOU REALLY UNDERSTAND?" He suddenly grabs Killua by the collar, shouting "YOU WON'T MOVE!!" and "PROMISE ME!!" Killua begins to speak, "KILLU...A." with a trailing ellipsis. Gon pulls him forward dramatically, motion lines radiating outward, and declares, "NO MATTER HOW MANY PEOPLE DIE IN FRONT OF YOUR EYES!!" The final wide panel shows the two boys standing apart in a dense forest clearing, small and distant among tall trees, with only an ellipsis floating between them.

A large white page dominated by the bold Hunter × Hunter logo and publisher credits. In the bottom right corner, a small rectangular panel shows Gon partially submerged in shallow water, a cracked stone or helmet-like object resting on his head, his eyes wide and staring upward as ripples spread around him.