Hunter × Hunter Chapter 289: Condition

A massive armored creature looms in close-up, its helmet-like head filling the panel as a killing blow sweeps toward Morau. The strike misses its mark. The creature's body twists violently in the next panel, many circular markings visible across its back and shoulders. It crouches low on clawed feet, tail lashing, and roars in shock. "HE'S GONE ......!!!" A large empty speech bubble hovers on the left. The Hunter × Hunter logo and chapter title #289: CONDITION appear at the bottom of the splash. In the lower tier of panels the creature stands upright again, one clawed hand raised near its face. "HE WASN'T TELEPORTED AFTER ALL...?" it wonders. Another panel shows a close view of its head and the word "BLOOD OD ...!!!" as realization hits. The final small panel shows the creature's intense glare, still searching for its vanished target.

The fighter reflects on the sudden disappearance of his target. 'I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT ONE OF THEIR GROUP HAD THE ABILITY TO TELEPORT, BUT...' he thinks as motion lines streak across the panel. 'HE DISAPPEARED AN INSTANT BEFORE MY ATTACK CONNECTED.' In close-up, his eyes narrow beneath his headband. 'BESIDES WHICH, IF HE TELEPORTED, THEN MY ATTACK COULDN'T POSSIBLY HAVE WOUNDED HIM AFTER HE DISAPPEARED...' A separate thought continues: 'I DIDN'T SEE ANYONE NEAR HIM, EVEN IN THE INSTANT HE DISAPPEARED!!' Smaller panels show stick-figure diagrams labeled A and B. 'IN OTHER WORDS, ONE OF THEM HAS THE ABILITY TO MAKE NOT ONLY HIMSELF, BUT OTHER PEOPLE INVISIBLE AS WELL...' 'IF HE HAD THAT ABILITY HIMSELF, THOUGH, HE WOULD HAVE USED IT A LONG TIME AGO!!' 'HE'S JUST INVISIBLE...?! AN INVISIBILITY TECHNIQUE!!' 'HE DISAPPEARED, BUT I STILL STABBED HIM...... I CAN'T SEE HIM... WHICH MEANS...' The bottom panel explodes with light: '......BUT HE DIDN'T MAKE IT IN TIME!! ...THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED!!' 'AND JUST BEFORE I STABBED MR. SHADES, THAT'S WHO TRIED TO SAVE HIM!'

A massive slash cuts across the panel. 'DEEP....!!!' Youpi's enormous multi-eyed head is shown with a deep wound across it. 'I SLICED HIM.....' reads the narration beside the injury. Youpi's single visible eye glares from a narrow black panel. In the next scene Youpi stands alone in a dark, cratered wasteland, body hunched, one clawed arm raised and the other holding a long blade. His massive form is backlit against the rocky ground as he processes the wound.

In a dark, rocky landscape under a black sky, Youpi stands tall and menacing while Knuckle, bloodied and hunched over, struggles on the ground. A large creature looms in the foreground. Knuckle's thoughts race as he realizes the danger: "HE KNOWS!!" He desperately thinks, "I HAVE TO GET AWAY, ALONE IF I HAVE TO!!" and notes the bloodstains on the floor that could reveal his location even if his opponent cannot see his actual body. Youpi swings his sword repeatedly with powerful strikes marked by sharp sound effects. Knuckle collapses further, thinking "DAMMIT ALL!!" and "I'M OUT OF BREATH, TOO...!!" as he lies injured on the rocky terrain.

Youpi stands holding a small creature by the mouth while a spiky-haired figure reacts with surprise marked by "!?". In the foreground, Knuckle remains collapsed on the ground. A muscular man with a spotted head stands nearby, and a small round creature with a tail appears. The muscular man questions why the small creature is revealing itself now. Knuckle is addressed directly as "KNUCKLE?!". The small creature with large eyes declares there is only one thing to do right now and urges action, criticizing the hiding behavior. Bright light effects and dramatic panel borders highlight the tense standoff between the characters on the open rocky ground.

A close-up shows a clenched fist trembling slightly with sweat drops flying off as a voice pleads, "SO PLEASE..." In the next panel Knuckle stands with his back to the viewer, facing the massive form of Youpi across a dark, cracked ground. Knuckle declares, "I'M FIGHTING YOU" and "I'M NOT RUNNING OR HIDING ANY LONGER." A tight close-up captures Knuckle's sweat-drenched face, eyes narrowed and teeth gritted, as he shouts, "LEAVE HIM ALONE!!" Narration boxes explain that the reason Knuckle is using words instead of only his fists is because Youpi's earlier statements have shaken him significantly. Youpi's massive torso looms in the background, his eyes visible through the gloom. In the final panels Knuckle looks down tensely while Youpi, now shown from the chest up, asks with a skeptical expression, "HOW D'YA FIGURE THAT'S A FAIR DEAL?" and adds, "OH, COME ON..."

A close-up of Youpi's eyes and brow continues the exchange as he states, "...IS NO" and "MY ANSWER..." The panel shows his face tightening with resolve. A small inset reads "HOW- EVER..." while Knuckle's face appears in profile, eyes wide and sweat still visible, reacting to the reply. The scene shifts to a large, dramatic panel where a muscular, armored figure with a pointed helmet grips a grotesque, multi-eyed creature by the neck. A small, round, winged creature labeled 370584 floats nearby, cheerfully declaring, "GET RID OF THIS THING," while adding, "AND IT'S A DIFFERENT STORY." The muscular figure stands firm on cracked ground as the grotesque creature's many eyes stare blankly.

A figure wearing a tall, pointed head covering stares forward with intense eyes and declares, "I'M BETTING THIS IS A GOOD TRADE." Another voice adds, "THIS GUY HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH WHY YOU'VE BEEN RUNNING AROUND THIS WHOLE TIME, RIGHT?" In smaller panels, a long-haired character whispers "NO .." while a spiky-haired figure and a sweating man with an eyepatch react with shock. A large, anguished close-up shows a character with a wide, open mouth and tears, shouting desperately, "KNUCKLE!!! DON'T BE A FOOL...!!!" and "NO... YOU CAN'T !!!" Narration explains that the earlier action brought Meleoron to his senses; however, thanks to the effect of "God's Accomplice," Morali's desperate cry could not reach Knuckle's ears.

A tiger-like humanoid with a long tail stands in a dynamic pose and releases Morali, who lies face-down on the ground with dark stains on his clothing. A small panel shows Morali's prone form whispering "...ABOUT ME........." while another panel displays intense close-up eyes. The tiger-like figure's face fills the frame, shouting "THAT'S THE ONE THING YOU MUST NEVER DO!!! KNUCKLE!!!" and "YOU MUSTN'T!!!" In the final wide panel, distant figures stand in an open area as Morali, still on the ground, says "...LEAVE... ME. JUST..."

A bald, sweaty man with wide bulging eyes and a frantic expression screams at the top of his lungs, "EVERYTHING EVERYTHING YOU'VE DONE!! EVERYTHING MORALI'S DONE!! EVERYTHING SHOOT'S DONE!!" In the adjacent panel a grotesque multi-faced creature stands upright on a barren battlefield, its head covered in numerous round screaming faces, while a limp body lies motionless on the ground behind it. Overlaid text reads "DON'T FORGET... EVERYTHING YOU'VE... EVERYTHING!! IT ALL HAVE BEEN FOR NOTHING!!!" The creature appears to be shouting or reacting with the same desperate energy. A large splash panel fills the bottom of the page with a close-up of a man wearing a dark hat, his face drenched in heavy sweat drops, eyes tightly shut and mouth open in anguish as he internally roars, "EVERYTHING YOU'VE PUT YOUR LIVES ON THE LINE FOR!!!"

A large digital timer at the top of the page displays 0:11:35:89. Text boxes state that if Knuckle gives up on Morali the two of them can carry on the fight, and that for that reason the speaker still cannot afford to give up. A small silhouette of a standing figure appears against a black background. Another panel shows a character with a long tail viewed from behind, accompanied by the note that Knuckle is sure to listen to what Morali says. A thought box explains that these were the thoughts that led Meleoron to make his decision to separate from Morali. A spiky speech bubble yells "KNUCKLE...!" In the lower panels a character with a blindfold-like marking and another with spiky hair react with shock, one shouting "KNUCKLE!!!" while sweat flies and motion lines emphasize the tension.

In a desolate rocky wasteland under a dark sky, a massive chimeric beast with a cluster of skull-like orbs on its back stands dominant in the foreground, its long tail extended. Farther back, a muscular shirtless man stands motionless, watching the scene. Closer to the beast, a figure with spiky hair and a flowing cloak gestures urgently while moving away, and another figure lies collapsed on the ground nearby. A large digital timer in the lower left reads 0:11:39:07. A caption box states that the previous action had the opposite effect.

Close-up panels show intense reactions: a torn cloak, swirling black energy, a sweating man with glasses and a beard looking shocked, and a close view of a strained face. In a wider shot, the large chimeric beast looms on the right while small figures are thrown through the air on the left. Below, a figure with glasses and spiky hair kneels, speaking in distress. Another panel shows a prone figure with long hair lying on the ground, thinking about their only chance of defeating him. The kneeling figure continues to react with despair, saying everything is lost.

Knuckle stares ahead with a fierce, sweat-streaked face, his resolve cracking. The sight of Morali soaked in his own blood merges with Shoot's in Knuckle's mind, and broke his will. In a distant sandy expanse, a lone figure stands facing the massive, skull-headed chimera ant Youpi. Knuckle's profile tightens as he speaks. Youpi looms with a spiky mane, declaring he has deactivated Potclean. Knuckle shouts that this is his side of the bargain. Youpi repeats that he broke his will. In a desperate close-up, Knuckle yells with all his might, pleading for Youpi to fight him instead and just kill him, while demanding that Youpi now leave his boss alone. The creature stands unmoved beside him.

A small inset shows a wide-eyed, shocked Knuckle reacting with horror. Youpi's enormous body towers, covered in multiple skull-like heads, as he mutters '...screw that'. In the background, Knuckle stands ready in a fighting stance. Youpi begins walking away, his massive form casting shadows. A wolf-like face appears in a panel, reacting with surprise. Youpi's face turns slightly as he is questioned. Knuckle and another figure yell for him to stop and ask where he is going. Youpi replies curtly that he is going to the King and calls the question idiotic. Knuckle and the helmeted man protest, telling him not to be ridiculous and asking what he wants them to come along too.

Youpi's face twists with irritation as sweat beads on his brow. In the distance a small creature perches on a rock while a lone figure stands in the open ground. A voice calls out, "In which case you'd better get carrying old Shady there to a doctor pretty soon, or you'll have made that deal for nothing!!" Another voice questions, "That guy's ability isn't teleportation, right?" Youpi stands motionless, his massive frame casting a long shadow. Narration fills the panels: "Fully aware of this fact, and yet still failing to do the deed, Youpi felt a form of irritation at himself quite different from the wrath he was accustomed to." Youpi's thoughts continue, "It doesn't matter how many times trash like you show up I'll just kick your asses every time!!" and "It's not like I care!!" Further reflection reads, "If he was truly prioritising the king's protection, then by rights he should have killed all three of them then and there." The scene shifts as Youpi's silhouette looms against the sky. Text states, "Then this might border on 'fair'" and "Come back whenever." A final panel shows Youpi's body erupting with power as the narration concludes, "This fact had profoundly shaken what little 'self' Youpi actually had," followed by his roar, "You're not even worth killing right now!! That's all, all right?!" and the note, "In the heat of battle, he had learned the true depths of his enmity from his enemies." Large impact SFX "ドドドドド" explode across the page.

Youpi's enormous body hurtles forward through streaked space, limbs flailing. Narration reads, "...His calmed emotions had actually had the opposite effect, preventing him from seeing things in simple terms." Another box states, "In learning to separate his wrath from his mind..." Youpi's face contorts as he thinks, "I must've caught whatever Pouf's got!!" and mutters, "Shit..." Smaller panels show a distant flailing figure and a blank rectangular object. A close-up reveals a bald, stern-faced man with narrowed eyes and a hand raised near his face. Speech bubbles read, "Why don't I feel like turning it on them...?" and "They're the ones who caused all this wrath I've built up... so why...?" A box asks, "Was this a form of growth?" The man questions internally, "What... who... am I supposed to vent it on?!" while another box notes, "That, Youpi could not say." The final panel shows a bright starburst with the text, "This wrath..."

Knuckle stands alone with his back to the viewer, his powerful, muscular frame filling the center of the page. He wears a dark cap, a tight tank top, and loose pants held by a wide utility belt with multiple pouches. His fists are clenched at his sides and his posture is rigid. Small curved lines and dots near his head suggest tension or faint motion. A rectangular box on the left reads "KNUCKLE ..." while another on the right states "MEAN-WHILE...". At the bottom, large bold lettering declares "I LOST..." followed by "UTTERLY..." and the slanted phrase "INESCAPABLE DEFEAT...". The Hunter × Hunter logo and "No.289 / おわり" appear near the lower right.