Hunter × Hunter Chapter 266: Worst-Case Scenario

Killua's face fills the panel with wide eyes and a determined expression as he thinks, "I KNEW IT!!" Narration states that the moment Killua penetrated into the palace, unwanted enemies rushed in to fight on enemy turf. A powerful bald man with a beard stands in a wide stance on a grand staircase, arms outstretched. Killua realizes this is what he thought would happen. He could not sense Pitou's En in the slightest, and standing right before him was Yupi, who should not have been on the first floor—an impossible scene. Even confronted with this situation that had never come up in discussion, Killua's experience allowed him to retain his composure as he dashes forward with a focused look. In the background, several figures lie on the stairs. A close-up shows a stern, intense face glaring forward. The chapter title reads "WORST-CASE SCENARIO."

A powerfully built man with long hair sprints across a striped floor, body low and muscles straining as he moves forward. In the upper background several figures react with shock: one man with glasses points, a small spiky-haired figure stands nearby, and another character crouches. Speech bubbles burst out: "WHERE DID THEY APPEAR FROM?!" and "WHO THE HELL ARE THESE GUYS?". A narration box states that to Yupi, too, this was an "impossible" scene. The view shifts to a dramatic close-up of Yupi’s face, eyes narrowed, sweat flying, jaw clenched in fierce concentration. Another narration box reads: "But Yupi simply stopped thinking immediately." A final small panel shows a gleaming blade lying on a dark surface.

A grotesque multi-armed creature with eight clawed limbs spreads out against a white background, its back to the viewer. A framed sign on its back declares "I AM A SHIELD". Smaller text boxes read "GROTESQUE …". The creature’s powerful legs and clawed feet are visible below. The next panel shows a close-up of Youpi’s transformed face, mouth open in a fierce grin revealing sharp teeth, eyes narrowed. Speech boxes state "I PROTECT THE KING" and "WITH THIS BODY". Narration explains: "The reasoning behind this: unlike the other two Guards, he has no concern for himself; this selflessness gives him his strength." A final box adds: "The only one of the Royal Guards to have been altered to form upon beasts rather than humans…".

High above the wooden floor, a blinding flash erupts as a small group of figures clashes in the distance. Below, the monstrous form of Yupi plummets backward, his many clawed arms flailing wildly through the air. Upon witnessing Yupi's transformation and his barbaric grin, Shoot stopped in his tracks. Close panels capture Shoot's clenched teeth and narrowed eye as he freezes mid-motion. In a sweeping low stance, Shoot grips his caged lantern tightly, several severed hands still hovering around him. A box reads: THIS WAS NOT BECAUSE THE SIGHT AFFECTED HIS GOOD JUDGEMENT. Another fragment states: HOW-EVER...

Yupi's towering multi-armed silhouette looms at the top of the stairs, muscles tensed. A speech bubble from Knuckle reads: "IF I GET ANY CLOSER THAN THIS, YUPI WILL ATTACK." Knuckle crouches low on the steps, one hand raised, a small ball-like object near his feet. His internal thought states: "I HAVE TO AVOID EVEN THE TINIEST POSSIBILITY THAT HE WILL CHANCE TO HIT KNUCKLE, WHO SHOULD BE UP AHEAD." THAT WAS HIS REASONING. In a side panel, Knuckle dashes through a broken wall. Below, a grid of reaction faces shows Knuckle, Gon, Killua and others watching intently. A box declares: IT ARRIVED. At the bottom, Shoot extends his palm forward as more hands fly toward Yupi, the lantern swinging, with the note: BUT AT THE VERY MOMENT HE BROUGHT OUT HIS FLYING HANDS AND CAGE, TO FURTHER DRAW YUPI'S ATTENTION TO HIMSELF...

A massive explosion of force rips through the ruined building as a muscular figure with multiple outstretched arms hurtles through the air amid flying debris and shattered walls. Huge black exclamation marks dominate the foreground. Below, Morel swings a massive pipe-like weapon with a fierce expression while Killua and Gon react in shock amid the chaos. Other fighters are caught in the blast, some tumbling or bracing against the impact. The destruction is total, with splintered wood, falling rubble, and cracked floors everywhere.

Killua shouts in realization as the long-haired man stares in disbelief. Narration boxes explain that the others who did not understand the situation froze worse than Killua, who alone grasped what was happening. A large circular bubble declares this is the old guy's Dragon Dive. The scene shifts to a wide view of the devastated hall where only two people remain standing amid the wreckage. The multi-armed figure descends the stairs while Killua, Gon, and Morel react below. A narration box notes only two people are there.

Gon's face fills the upper panel, eyes wide and intense as motion lines streak across the background. A small speech bubble near him reads "...GON...". Below, a close-up reveals a wide, menacing grin on a rugged face with narrowed eyes and bared teeth. Speech bubbles continue the narration: "...AND YUPI..." and "...WERE FOCUSED COMPLETELY UPON THE ENEMY." The composition emphasizes the shift in focus during the intense confrontation.

Killua's face dominates the center with wide eyes and spiky hair, reacting in shock. Three characters in the top panel react with surprise: a bald man, a long-haired figure with sunglasses, and Killua himself. Bubbles read "YOUR OPPONENT ISN'T YUPI, YOU KNOW?!", "HE'S CHARGING IN...?!", and "WHAT THE?!!". A black panel declares "OF COURSE!!" as Killua thinks "NO, WAIT--!!". Action panels show Gon sprinting forward amid debris and destruction on wooden flooring. Killua follows with a burst of speed. Narration notes "AFTER A MOMENT'S DELAY, KILLUA TOO..." and "AND A FEW SECONDS LATER STILL, THE OTHERS GRASPED THE SITUATION." Killua exclaims "SUCH SPEED!! OF ALL THE POINTS TO NOTICE...!!" and "DAMN HIM...IN A SITUATION LIKE THIS...!!" as the group processes the sudden charge.

In the worst-case scenario, what happens if Meleoron and Knuckle are hit by one of these raining dragons and die instantly without taking a single breath? The answer is, 'I don't know.' If the second possibility is the correct one, there is no way to know right now whether they are safe or not. In which case— Or since Nen can become even stronger after death, would they just rot away like that, still undetectable by anyone? Would the technique be deactivated? The worst-case scenario... Somebody would have to take on Yupi in their stead! A massive shadowy figure with multiple clawed arms looms over the scene as Gon runs forward at full speed toward the threat, motion lines and impact effects emphasizing the urgency.

Even I was slower than Killua to grasp the situation! Shoot, you haven't done anything wrong!! If Gon and Killua are taking Yupi, then you have to go after Pitou!! Shoot!! Don't blame yourself!! You need to clear your mind!! But by all rights, that should have been my duty...! ...an entirely different emotion was gushing forth. But in Shoot's head at that moment... He was moved!!! To the point where he felt like crying and screaming out loud... GON ...!!! A close-up shows Gon's intense expression with tears and an open mouth as he shouts, while Shoot's face appears distressed with an eyepatch and sweat.

A voice reflects on the boy who saved his life despite being much younger. He wishes he could shout to the whole world that this is Gon. In the past, the speaker hid inside a cage where it was safe, avoiding his own words and any chance of being hurt. He used to run from danger or opportunity alike. A long-haired man with sunglasses recalls how he could not understand the stronger things people tried to tell him. Beside him, a curly-haired figure explains that 'NAKAWAI' was just a word others used. The speaker admits he could not change and hated himself for it. In the present, the same man is shown fighting fiercely. Gon shouts that the opponent broke him out of that cage. The man remembers he used to shrink back from opportunity, but now it is true that he can shoot away. Even though Gon was much weaker, the man resolves to thank him properly.

The long-haired man stands tall on broken stairs, hands clasped, declaring that thanks to his unique ability to think and develop in the face of adversity they need to come out of this alive. He notes that even he himself never truly realized what he was capable of. Below him on the shattered staircase, a grotesque multi-armed creature lies sprawled. Gon runs forward toward the creature, one arm raised. The man shouts 'ALL RIGHT!!!' as the confrontation intensifies.

A massive, multi-limbed muscular figure crashes through the wooden floorboards of a ruined building, its body twisted in violent motion with debris flying. Gon leaps forward from the background, fist extended and face set in determination, while a smaller cloaked figure trails behind him. The impact sends cracks and splinters erupting across the floor. Below, close-up panels capture reactions: Killua's eyes widen in shock, Gon's expression hardens with resolve, a long-haired man stares grimly, and Meleoron with his eyepatch looks tense. A monstrous, fanged face looms on the far right, mouth agape in a roar.

The ruined building continues to collapse as small figures tumble through the air amid flying debris. Gon and others react in the lower panels. On the right, a dramatic black-background splash shows the muscular fighter recoiling as Knuckle, wearing his signature hat, and Meleoron grapple and strike from the side. Large text declares HAKOWARE with exclamation marks. Speech bubbles confirm that Knuckle and Meleoron are alive, with the characters visibly engaged in combat against the towering opponent.

A massive explosion tears through the collapsing structure as multiple voices scream in panic. "YOUR MAJESTY!!!" and "YOUR MAJESTY!!!!" echo amid flying debris and shattering stone. The main staircase gives way with a thunderous roar, sending chunks of rock plummeting. In the lower left panel, a character with light hair and closed eyes reacts with a sharp "Ahh" and "!!!!" as the dreadful quaking intensifies.

In a ruined throne room without its king, Pouf stands with arms and butterfly-like wings spread wide amid scattered rubble and broken furniture. The once-grand chamber shows cracked walls, hanging debris, and a shattered chandelier. Pouf's posture is tense and searching. In the close-up below, Pouf allows himself a soft smile while his eyes convey urgency as he thinks, "WHERE IS THE KING...?!"