Hunter × Hunter Chapter 24: Special Training

A wide ocean view shows several black flags fluttering in the wind above the waves, with distant islands on the horizon. The title reads N°024 SPECIAL TRAINING. In a forest clearing, Gon stands barefoot holding a large cloth, looking toward a seated figure wrapped in robes beside a small waterfall and a thatched hut. Another boy sits near a sign reading BONE ZONE. Gon lifts one foot, his expression thoughtful as a large thought bubble forms. He wonders aloud how he can possibly obtain Hisoka's card.

Gon stands with a wide-eyed, determined expression, sweat beading on his face as he holds a small slice of cake topped with a cherry in his left hand. His right hand is raised with fingers spread and curled, as if reacting in surprise or preparing for something. The large title "SPECIAL TRAINING" stretches across the top of the page above him.

A rapid montage of Gon’s past experiences flashes across the page. Gon appears in multiple panels looking surprised or focused, alongside scenes of a muscular fighter, a woman in a dress, and a large monstrous tree-like creature with sharp teeth. In one panel Gon hangs from a rope while the creature looms. Below, a close-up shows a grinning man with a scar, followed by three panels of Gon upside down, hanging from the creature’s tendrils. Gon says he sees no other option but to attack directly.

Gon stares ahead with wide eyes and a sharp double exclamation mark reaction as a thought bubble appears overhead. 'ONE OF THE OTHER PARTICIPANTS ...!!' reads the bubble above the spiky-haired examinee with the bandaged nose, who crouches tensely in tall grass under a dark sky. The scene shifts to empty grass patches where a small bird takes flight. A distant figure hides low in the brush. 'SHIT!' a voice exclaims from the left panel as the hidden examinee reacts. Another bubble states 'AND ANOTHER ONE BEHIND HIM...' while the bandaged-nose examinee remains alert in the foreground, sweat visible on his face.

Majitani stands in the forest clearing with grass around him as 'FLAP FLAP' sound effects appear. Gon watches intently from the side, thinking 'HE'S HUNTING THE ONE IN FRONT OF HIM!' Majitani turns with a wary expression. 'ZAT ZAT' sound effects mark movement through the grass. Gon leans forward with intense focus as 'FIUT FIUT' sounds play near him. Majitani raises a hand in the grass while another examinee hides nearby. The page ends with a dramatic speed line panel showing Gon's determined profile.

A close-up shows hands nocking an arrow on a bowstring. In the tall grass, a smiling archer with a wrapped headband and quiver on his back draws his bow, ready to fire. A narrow panel reveals a long-haired figure watching intently from the side. Far below in the undergrowth, two small figures crouch hidden: one wearing a conical hat and vest, the other with spiky hair. The archer’s face tightens with focus as he aims. Gon’s wide-eyed face appears in the foreground, staring upward in alarm. The archer releases the arrow; bold sound effects “ドドドド” and “ドン” rumble across the panels as the bowstring snaps and the shot flies.

Gon stares in shock, shouting “HE’S GONNA SHOOT !!!”. The archer’s face twists with strain as impact lines and “TCHAC” burst around his head. A suited man with short hair appears in profile, looking tense. The archer is suddenly struck mid-air, body flung backward with “FLIT” effects and sharp motion lines tearing through the grass. A star-shaped projectile spins through the air and slams into the suited man’s shoulder; he grimaces in pain as radiating impact lines explode outward from the hit.

Gon swings his weapon but the strike goes wide. "MISSED!" he yells as the blade cuts only air. In the grass, the spiky-haired fighter draws his sword with a sharp "HE!" The enemy hunter lunges forward, spear thrusting. "SLAT" and "ARGH!" ring out as the weapon grazes him. The long-haired hunter with the headband grins in close-up. "HEHE!" he laughs. In the forest clearing the sword-wielding fighter stands ready, back to the viewer, facing the bowman who has already drawn another arrow. The long-haired hunter appears again on the right, smiling broadly beneath his headband as the word "SMILE" floats beside him.

The long-haired hunter sits on the ground and explains that the arrow was soaked in a paralyzing liquid with fast effects. "EXPECT NOT TO BE ABLE TO WALK FOR A WEEK," he says. The spiky-haired fighter clutches his arm in pain with "SLAT" and "AAH..." The hunter continues, "YOU WON'T DIE. THERE'S A WATER POINT CLOSE TO HERE." He waves goodbye with "SEE YA." and the number 105 appears. Gon stares in shock, realizing the hunter had prepared everything in advance. "THAT'S THE REAL HUNT....!!!" he exclaims as narration confirms the hunter anticipated the dodge and timed the paralyzing strike perfectly. "GREAT....!!!"

Gon concentrates intensely, thinking that he can only succeed this way. If he wants to take Hisoka's sheet, he must wait for the right moment while approaching without being seen. He extends his fishing rod carefully toward the distant target. The line shoots out with a sharp flit as the hook sails through the air. Gon leaps forward, ready to snatch the sheet in one swift motion.

Gon confirms his plan with a quiet 'Yep.' Despite the setup, he realizes there is still a big problem. Hisoka moves unlike the previous target. Gon lacks any paralyzing liquid and knows a surprise attack will not work easily against Hisoka. He decides he must wait for the perfect moment and use the fish-hook to take the sheet without direct confrontation, aware that Hisoka will surely try to touch him if they face each other.

Gon stands alone beneath a large tree in a grassy clearing, gripping a long fishing rod with multiple weighted hooks dangling from the line. He stares ahead with determination. "TO REACH MY GOAL, I HAVE TO TRAIN..." he thinks. "...ON A MOVING TARGET, I MUST SUCCEED WITH A PERFECT RATE, NO MISSES." In a rapid sequence of panels, Gon swings the rod hard. The line lashes forward with a sharp "SLAT" as the hooks fly. Impact lines and motion bursts fill the frame. He pulls back with focused intensity. The rod bends as something is snagged, and Gon is shown mid-swing, body leaning into the motion. A final panel captures the catch with a bold "CATCH" effect as the prey is reeled in.

Gon sits cross-legged on the grass, rod resting beside him, watching a small frog hop across the field. "THAT'S NOT AT ALL THE SAME..." he notes. "BUT..." A frog croaks "CROA!" nearby. Gon observes the differences between moving and stationary targets. He watches the frog hop with a "Hop~!" sound as it lands. The frog stares back with wide eyes. Gon concludes, "THERE ARE FEW DIFFERENCES BETWEEN A TARGET WITH REGULAR MOVEMENT... AND ONE WHICH DOESN'T MOVE AT ALL." He adds, "I ALSO HAVE TO TAKE MY PREY'S MOVEMENTS INTO ACCOUNT." With a confident "YES..." he stands and readies the rod again, the line swinging in a circular motion.

A hand activates a small device with a sharp TAC. Nearby, a plump bird perches on a branch, flapping its wings with FLAP and calling CLII CLII. Footprints trail across the ground marked FILLU FILLU. In a wide riverside scene, Gon stands holding a fishing rod, the line cast toward the bird. Close-up, Gon’s face fills the frame with intense focus and worry as he thinks, 'I HAVE NO HOPE OF TAKING HISOKA'S SHEET!!' and 'IF I CAN'T CAPTURE THIS BIRD...'

Gon leaps forward with a powerful SLAT and HOP!, swinging a slingshot-like weapon. Birds scatter across the sky. The bird dodges with FILIT as Gon’s attack misses. Multiple impact lines and SLAT effects show failed strikes. The bird flies away with SUUUU motion. On the ground Gon shouts HYA! and HA! while hopping. An unseen speaker remarks, 'THAT'S NOT THE KIND OF THING YOU CAN SUCCEED AT ON THE FIRST TRY.' Gon reacts with surprise, exclaiming 'HUH?'

Gon stares upward with wide eyes and an open mouth, sweat drops on his face. "I didn't think it was that difficult. Crap!" he exclaims. Night falls over the grassy clearing as two small speech bubbles read "MFF! MFF!" from the bushes. "Well, it will be better tomorrow," Gon says. The next day he leaps high among the clouds with a determined shout, "HA! HOP!" Later Gon stands on a rocky outcrop holding a long stick, gazing at a flock of birds in the sky. Thought bubbles appear: "If only... I could anticipate its movements... Is it impossible, or what? Catching a flying bird... It doesn't work...!!!" He sits dejectedly with his back to the viewer, rod in hand.

A large bird with spread wings snatches a fish from the water in a big splash. Gon watches from the grass with shock, two exclamation marks above his head. "But that's bluntly impossible..." he says. The bird flies away carrying the fish while sunlight glints on the water. Gon stands watching the distant bird with a small empty speech bubble nearby. At night Gon sits alone among trees looking up at the sky. The bird dives again and again in a rapid sequence of panels marked with motion lines and SPLASH effects. Gon suddenly stands with a fierce expression and yells "NOW!!!" as he spots his chance.

Gon sits on the riverbank holding his fishing rod, focused intently on the water. A large bird suddenly dives and snatches a fish with a loud GLOP, sending up a bright splash. Gon’s eye widens in excitement as he yells “YES!!”. Narration emphasizes the critical instant: “A MOMENT WHEN WE CAN ANTICIPATE OUR PREY’S MOVEMENTS!” Gon declares, “THERE IS ONE!!” Small birds nearby chirp “CLII CLII”. A much larger bird glides swiftly overhead with a sharp “SHUU”. Gon’s expression sharpens as he shouts “NOW!!!” and prepares to act.

Gon lunges forward with intense focus, motion lines streaking behind him. The large bird continues flying away. Below, the first bird struggles with its catch in the water. The large bird suddenly dives and collides with the smaller one in a violent “COLIC” impact, sending feathers and fish flying. Gon leaps high into the air, rod raised, shouting “YEAH!!!!” Narration explains: “IT’S PRECISELY AT THAT MOMENT THAT IT’S MY TURN TO ATTACK!” and “WHEN HE TRIES TO CATCH HIS PREY TOO!!”