HUNTER×HUNTER No. 251

Multiple narration panels detail the situation. A small panel shows a hand reaching toward a cluster of enormous fruits growing on peculiar trees, with text noting there seem to be 500 fruits per tree and 10 trees total. Another panel shows a hand with sweat drops as narration explains that with Killua's interference the plan was reduced to one day of execution and the numbers add up. Further text states that if 500,000 people are "selected" in one day and about 1% survive, the survivors will become weapons possessing Nen abilities as tools of the King to attack the human race. A large central panel shows a dramatic radial burst effect with the text "AND ATTACK THE HUMAN RACE AS TOOLS OF THE KING!!" A black panel on the right emphasizes the 5,000 fruits as cocoons of the selected humans.

A determined figure with glasses and a headband speaks with resolve. "But not if I can help it!!!" Nearby thought bubbles analyze the situation: "These soldiers will be controlled to expand the invasion to the entire world under the will of the King." and "Nefelpitou seems to be a manipulation user." Below, a frantic character with wild hair and raised hands reacts as text declares "Installation complete...!!" and "First, the 'far exit'!!" Motion lines and impact shapes show urgency. The next panel shows a blurred rush forward with the line "Needs to be closer...!!" and "The next one..." The page ends on a wide establishing shot of a grand building facade labeled "TO THE PALACE ENTRANCE!!!!" with heavy vertical bars across the entrance and dramatic shading on the steps.

A large horizontal panel shows motion lines and debris with the narration "It's also getting darker." Smaller panels follow: the glasses-wearing character crouches while examining something on the ground, then a distant view of the same character approaching the barred palace entrance. A close panel notes "There's no one standing guard." Another figure in dark clothing peeks from behind a wall with the SFX "GOOO...!!" Circular thought bubbles appear: "Is probably kept to a minimum...!" and "The number inside..." The final large panel shows a close-up of the glasses-wearing character's bloodied, determined face with starburst effects as they declare "I can even go inside the palace...!!" and "Proceed!! If I've made it this far..."

A detailed floor plan of the palace is displayed, marking the main stairway to 2F, the center stairway to 3F, and the layout of the first, second, and third floors. A young man with dark hair and a head covering crouches beside the 2F section, studying the map intently. A large speech bubble declares the throne's position: "THE THRONE IS LOCATED IN THE CENTER OF THE THIRD FLOOR...!! I WANT TO GIVE THE ROYAL GUARDS EVEN A TENTH OF A SECOND LESS TIME TO DECIDE UPON A COURSE OF ACTION...!!" Another bubble emphasizes urgency: "FOR THAT PURPOSE, THE FIRST FLOOR IS TOO FAR!!" A small inset shows a door labeled "King" on the third floor leading to the center stairway. On a black background below, two explosive speech bubbles conclude the plan: "THAT PLACE IS THE BEST!!" and "THE CENTER STAIRWAY ON THE SECOND FLOOR!!"

A vast empty hall with tall pillars and a polished floor stretches into the distance. In the middle panel, a dark-haired girl peeks cautiously from behind a pillar on the right, her face partially visible with a focused expression, while motion lines and a small white dot appear in the dark central space. The bottom panel reveals the same grand hall from a wider view, showing the girl now sitting alone on the floor far in the distance between the pillars, her small silhouette emphasizing the immense scale of the empty chamber.

A boy with glasses peers cautiously from around a corner, sweat on his face as he scans the dark corridor ahead. He thinks to himself, "IF POSSIBLE, UP THE STAIRS ON THE SECOND FLOOR...!!" A voice answers, "BY THE FIRST FLOOR MAIN STAIRWAY!!" Another panel shows the same boy running at full speed down a long hallway toward a tall, thin figure standing motionless beside a pillar. Speech continues: "THIS PLACE ISN'T MUCH OF AN IMPROVEMENT FROM THE OUTSIDE! ...AT LEAST..." The thin figure replies, "NO." A close-up of the boy's hand gripping a surface appears as the voice adds, "SHOULD I MAKE AN EXIT HERE FOR INSURANCE?" The boy charges forward, arm extended, closing the distance to the waiting figure.

The glasses-wearing boy launches into a high-speed maneuver, body blurred by motion lines as he pushes off a surface. A monstrous face with wide eyes and jagged teeth flashes in a vertical panel, mouth open in a roar. The boy's determined profile appears beside it, eyes narrowed. In the largest panel he dives forward at extreme speed, arms extended, body horizontal, with heavy speed lines and impact marks streaking across the page. His expression is focused and intense as he closes in on his target.

Two fighters clash in mid-air with dynamic motion, one sporting a long trailing scarf or hair while the other counters with an outstretched arm. A man with glasses appears in close-up, lunging forward with a clenched fist as he yells 'CLOSE!!'. The view returns to the pair on the ground, one charging aggressively with motion lines and the other leaping back, an arrow pointing downward at the bottom of the page.

A short-haired fighter is struck hard, head snapping back with impact lines and debris flying. The same fighter is hurled through the air, crashing into a table that sends plates and objects scattering. The man with glasses pants heavily in close-up, sweat visible as he gasps 'HAA HAA'. In a narrow alley he thinks 'IF I'M SEEN, EVERYTHING WILL HAVE BEEN IN VAIN!!' and questions 'ARE THERE OTHERS....!?', while a footstep sound 'Z Z' appears near his leg. He considers 'WITHDRAW...!?' as the short-haired fighter lies collapsed on the ground nearby, still breathing heavily with 'HAA HAA'.

The boy with glasses peers around a corner, sweat dripping down his face. He thinks to himself, "SO HE WAS PATROLLING BY HIMSELF...?" and then "NO ONE'S COMING..." A small "chik" sound effect appears near his head. In the next panels, a body lies motionless on the floor of the dim hallway while the boy stands at a distance. He begins walking forward with a "SLY" sound effect trailing behind him. The final close-up shows his tense, sweating profile against a dark background as he continues to scan the area.

A vast empty hall stretches into the distance with long perspective lines and a crumpled paper marked "BANG" lying on the floor. The boy with glasses appears in close-up, his expression shifting as he begins to laugh. His laughter grows louder and more intense across multiple panels: "HAH HAH HAH", "HAH HAH HAH U HAH HAH HAH". In the wide view of the grand staircase and pillars, a tiny figure sits alone at the bottom while the boy continues laughing off-panel.

A close-up reveals a wide, sweat-drenched eye staring in disbelief. The voice within declares, "IT'S NOT POSSIBLE." Below, the scene shifts to a devastated corridor littered with debris and broken structures. Motion lines streak across the floor as the same voice insists, "PROCEED ANY FURTHER...!!! I CANNOT..."

Against a black background, text reads "IF I GO. I WILL BE KILLED FOR SURE..." A man with glasses sweats heavily and states, "I AM NOT AFRAID OF DYING HERE. ...NO!" A close-up of his eye adds, "THE ONES UP THERE... WHAT I'M AFRAID OF IS..." On the right, chaotic energy lines erupt as he exclaims, "WHAT THE HELL IS THAT AURA!? IT FEELS AS IF IT'S THE ESSENCE OF ALL THE OMINOUS ENERGY IN THIS WORLD...!!!" Narration continues: "WILL TRY TO EXTRACT AS MUCH INFORMATION REGARDING THE KING FROM ME AS POSSIBLE BEFORE THEY KILL ME. THEY WILL INCORPORATE THE CRUELEST METHODS WITHOUT HESITATION."

A close-up shows a trembling hand with fingers splayed, the inner thought reading "THIS IS THE LIMIT...!!" In the adjacent panel, bold narration declares: "IF I AM CAPTURED, THERE IS NO WAY FOR ME TO REFUSE...!! THE OMINOUS AURA IS ENOUGH FOR ME TO BE CERTAIN OF IT...!!" A young man with dark hair turns sharply, a bead of sweat and exclamation mark marking his alarm. Below, heavy rain streaks the night as a small van drives forward amid swirling question marks and motion lines. A jagged speech bubble from the vehicle reads "TIKI!!" A faint silhouette stands nearby in the downpour. At the bottom, large text wonders "★Who could be coming through the rain-filled night...!?"