Hunter × Hunter Chapter 26: Final Fight's Eve

The chapter title 'FINAL FIGHT'S EVE' appears at the top. In a grassy outdoor area near a wooden fence, Leorio sits on the ground laughing with a large fish skewered on a stick. Behind him, Killua stands holding a fishing rod. In the foreground, Gon crouches excitedly beside a campfire, proudly holding up a freshly caught fish. Several other fish lie scattered on the ground near the fire. Motion lines and impact shapes emphasize the lively atmosphere of the fishing trip.

A close-up reveals Tompa's sweaty, distressed face with eyes half-closed and a large nose prominent, a small speech bubble with Japanese text beside him. Below, in a forest clearing at night, two small mice stand near a sign reading 'PFF' while Tompa sits bound and gagged on the ground with a sign on his head. In the wider forest scene, Leorio stands holding a sheet of paper, Kurapika kneels examining another sheet, and Gon sits nearby. To the right, Leorio carries an unconscious man over his shoulder while Killua walks beside him, both moving through the trees.

In the forest, Leorio sits while Kurapika and Gon stand nearby. Leorio says he took his sheet back after they dealt with sheets 16 and 118. Killua tells Leorio not to thank him for staying still during the attack from behind. Leorio thanks Kurapika for help and notes Tompa was his target. Killua explains he thought Leorio could not handle the attackers alone and thus would not be worthy to team with. Leorio reacts with surprise. The group discusses teaming up for the last four days, with Leorio suggesting they move forward as a team for more practice and Killua questioning who Leorio really is while considering him passed.

In the forest path, a spiky-haired examinee runs ahead while Gon kneels nearby. "CONCERNING THE 118, FOR YOU AND FOR ME, ITS ONLY ONE POINT." "LET'S KEEP IT, IT CAN BE USED AT SOME TIME OR ANOTHER." Killua holds up a tag numbered 16 and replies, "YES, UNDER THE CONDITION THAT NO ONE STEALS THEM FROM ME." "YOU ALREADY HAVE 6 POINTS." "WITH TOMPA'S SHEET AND YOURS THAT ARE THREE POINTS EACH..." In a shadowed panel the two agree, "LET'S WATCH OUR BACKS, TOO." "NOW, LETS FIND YOUR TARGET, #246." A foot steps forward with a sharp "TAP." Deeper in the woods Gon stands alert, a small distant figure visible among the trees ahead of him.

Gon walks along the leaf-strewn path, exhaling "PFF..." Killua's sharp eye watches from the side. "HE'S NOT DISCREET AT ALL." "SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE 4TH ROUND, SOMEBODY'S BEEN FOLLOWING ME." In a wide forest view Gon stands among massive roots and calls out, "LET'S HAVE A BIT OF FUN!" "SHOW YOURSELF!" The dense trees and undergrowth surround them as the unseen follower remains hidden.

Hisoka reclines lazily on a thick tree branch in the dense forest, one leg dangling as he calls out playfully. "COME ON," he says with a relaxed smile. Below him in the clearing, he continues, "SHOW YOURSELF." with a small heart symbol. Gon hides nearby, gripping his fishing rod tightly. A sudden "DON" sound effect rings out as Gon reacts with surprise. In the background, a shadowy figure darts between the trees marked by "ZAT". Hisoka's eyes narrow slightly as he observes the movement and remarks, "THERE'S SOMEBODY, ISN'T THERE?" The forest remains still except for the faint rustle of leaves and the distant silhouette shifting position.

Gon crouches low in the bushes, watching two distant figures in the forest. One stands near a sign while another walks away marked by repeated "ZAT" sounds. Gon senses trouble and thinks, "THERE'S A BIG DANGER..." A small creature or person appears briefly with "GRRR !!!" Hisoka's face appears in close-up with a sweat drop, declaring "NO !!!" In a wider view, a tall bearded man grips a long spear while a man with a heart symbol on his back stands nearby. Another figure sits in the distance. Gon wonders aloud from his hiding spot, "SINCE WHEN HAS HE BEEN THERE?" Tension fills the wooded area as the group remains unaware of the hidden observer.

A swordsman with a headband lunges forward, his blade slicing through the air with a loud FUUUUUUT as motion lines streak across the panel. In close-up, the swordsman glares and declares, "LET'S PLAY A GAME." Nearby, Gon peeks from behind foliage with wide eyes. In the forest clearing marked by a flag reading "FLUT," the swordsman stands ready with his weapon while Hisoka appears in close-up, smirking with a star on his cheek and saying, "YOU'RE GONNA DIE." with a heart symbol. Gon stares ahead, thinking in a circled panel, "THIS IS THE OPPORTUNITY."

The headbanded swordsman charges with a shout of "TAKE THIS!!" as he tackles and grapples with Gon on the ground amid heavy motion lines. SFX FLAAT and ZHOUT mark the impact and struggle. The swordsman is sent flying backward with a CLAC as Gon counters. Hisoka watches from the side with a grin. Multiple impact SFX like SHLAT and N! emphasize the rapid exchanges. In a distant panel, the swordsman and Gon face off again in the forest clearing.

A massive impact shakes the arena as the sound DOUM rings out. In the distance, a long-haired fighter brandishes a sword while another figure stands ready. Gon stands in the foreground, gripping his weapon tightly with a focused expression. He thinks, 'WHEN HISOKA WILL BEGIN ATTACKING HIS PREY.' and 'THE RIGHT MOMENT IS ARRIVING FOR ME.' Suddenly the scene erupts into rapid motion. FLIT and SHLAT sound effects mark fierce strikes as a bearded man is hit and sent reeling, followed by another combatant tumbling through the air. At the bottom of the page, a figure laughs 'HA! HA!' while thrusting a spear-like weapon forward.

Gon stares with wide eyes and a question mark above his head, thinking 'WHY? WHY DOESN'T HISOKA ATTACK IN RETURN?' In the arena, Hisoka stands laughing 'HA! HA!' with arms outstretched. A mustached man sweats and shouts 'HISOKA!' while asking 'WHY AREN'T YOU FIGHTING?' Hisoka replies with a smirk, 'YOU'LL DIE ANYWAY. GOING ON THIS WAY...' The large bottom panel shows Hisoka from behind, covered in butterfly marks and blood, facing an injured opponent. Hisoka declares, 'DON'T GIVE ANY MYSTERY ABOUT THE GRAVE STATE OF YOUR INJURIES.' and notes 'THE HIGH NUMBER OF BUTTERFLY AMATEUR FOR THE BLOOD AROUND YOU...' as the wounded man gasps 'OUH!' amid flying butterflies and impact lines.

In a misty forest clearing dotted with old gravestones and fluttering butterflies, an injured warrior kneels heavily, gripping a long staff. Blood stains his torn robe as he mutters, 'NO...' A voice from off-panel continues, 'AND I UNDERSTAND YOU WOULD LIKE TO DIE WORTHILY LIKE THE WARRIOR YOU ARE, BUT... I SUPPOSE SOMEBODY ALREADY INFLICTED GRAVE INJURIES ON YOU, DIDN'T HE?' The warrior's face tightens in pain. 'YOU UNDERSTAND, HOWEVER... YOU...' Suddenly a large panel reveals Hisoka's intense close-up, eyes wide and mouth open in a fierce grin as he declares, 'YOU DON'T WANT TO FIGHT AGAINST ME!!! DESPITE THIS...' Hisoka turns slightly, a single tear tracing his cheek, and adds with a calm, chilling smile, 'BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE LIFE ANYMORE. IN YOUR EYES. ME... THE DEAD DO NOT INTEREST ME.'

Close-ups show the injured warrior's eyes widening in shock as he repeats 'NO... NO...' In the background Hisoka waves casually and says 'BYE BYE' before turning away. Suddenly the warrior is hurled violently through the air, limbs flailing, as a massive impact sound erupts. Hisoka's fist connects with a sharp 'TAG!' sound. The warrior crashes down in a cloud of dust and debris. In the foreground Gon stares in wide-eyed surprise while Killua watches with a serious expression; the fallen warrior lies motionless between them with two exclamation marks above his head.

A large man with a heart symbol on his back sits slumped on a wooden crate in the distance as a loud "DOM" echoes. Hisoka's face fills the panel, covered in numerous pins and needles with blood streaming down, his mouth open in a pained expression. Gon stares in shock from a nearby panel, eyes wide and mouth agape. In a wide shot, a distant figure kneels and shouts "SORRY!" amid trees and fallen bodies. Hisoka, now shown with spiky hair adorned with pins and a star on his cheek, speaks while gesturing. "WHEN WILL YOU STOP BEING INTERESTED IN ENEMIES THAT AREN'T THE TROUBLE?" he asks. Another voice replies, "I'M CONFIDENT THAT HE IMPLORED YOU, SAYING 'PLEASE, I'M GONNA DIE, ACCEPT MY LAST WISH.'" A small figure adds, "BUT IT'S NECESSARY TO UNDERSTAND HIM! ANYHOW, HE WAS DYING." Hisoka responds sharply, "LIES." He continues, "I RELAXED MY ATTENTION A SHORT TIME AGO, AND HE ESCAPED FROM ME."

Hisoka, covered in pins, holds up a sheet marked "311" and states, "I'VE GOT IT." Gon stands nearby as Hisoka asks, "WHAT ABOUT THE SHEET?" A profile view shows a character with a tear saying, "I ONLY LET PEOPLE LIVE WHEN I ESTIMATE THAT AN UNTIMELY DEATH IS A MESS." Hisoka replies, "LETTING AN ADVERSARY GO AWAY VOLUNTARILY. YOU ALSO HAVE THOSE KIND OF PROBLEMS." The other answers, "YES, BUT I CHOOSE THEM CONSCIOUSLY." Hisoka then offers, "I'LL GIVE IT TO YOU." while displaying a glowing sheet marked "80", adding, "THIS ONE IS USELESS." Close-ups follow of Hisoka manipulating thin needles with "Tic", "ZIT ZIT", "SUT", and "TAC" sound effects. A small figure asks, "WHOSE SHEET IS IT?" Hisoka explains, "IT'S THE OWNER TRIED TO KILL ME WITH A BULLET. I GOT EXCITED SO I KILLED HIM IMMEDIATELY."

Hisoka smiles with eyes closed, a black star marking his cheek. "I CAN'T GROW TIRED OF THIS." Behind him, the back of a head with long dark hair reacts with "ZIT ZIT." Nearby, Examinee 301, a man with wildly spiked hair, a monocle, and numerous pins embedded in his face and jacket numbered 301, reacts with sharp sound effects "BLONG BLANG BLUNG." The same Examinee 301 now appears with his hair let down, pins still piercing his face, neck, and hands. He raises both hands slightly and says in a relaxed tone, "AH... I FEEL BETTER."

A long-haired girl kneels on the ground digging frantically with "SHAC SHAC" sounds. Examinee 301 hops away with "HOP!" and "TCHA" effects. A short-haired girl hidden in bushes wishes "GOOD LUCK!" while Examinee 301 declares "WELL, I'M GONNA SLEEP TIL THE END OF THE WEEK." A scarred man with a teardrop mark tosses a coin. A boy with a heart symbol on his back sits on a rock as speech bubbles read "..." "TAC" "GOOD NIGHT!" The final panels show a starry night sky with "WELL..." and a dark landscape at dusk.

Under a starry night sky, Hisoka stands with a calm yet menacing presence, his number 44 visible on his shirt. He declares, "I MIGHT BEGIN." and notes "STILL TWO POINTS." With a sharp motion, he releases several thin objects that fly forward accompanied by the sound "DAN". In the forest below, Gon crouches hidden among the bushes, watching intently. Hisoka's boot taps the ground with a "TAP" as he thinks to himself, "THE NEXT ONE IS THE GOOD ONE....!" Gon remains tense, his eyes wide with an exclamation mark above his head. Hisoka walks steadily through the trees, tapping his foot again with "TAP" sounds. Gon ducks lower into the foliage to stay concealed. Hisoka's face shows a focused expression with a star-shaped mark visible as he continues forward, while Gon peeks out from the bushes once more.

A wide panel shows the dark starry sky above the forest canopy. Gon emerges from the shadows with a surprised expression and an exclamation mark. From a high rocky outcrop, a small figure stands silhouetted against the clouds with a "HM..." reaction. A circular inset reveals dense forest treetops. Hisoka wipes his face with a cloth, producing a "HE HE !!!" laugh as he stands near a large object. Hisoka then raises his hand to his mouth and calls out loudly into the night. In the final wide panel, Leorio runs desperately through the thick forest undergrowth, his checkered pants visible as he moves with urgency among the trees and rocks.