Hunter × Hunter Chapter 331: X Day

In a sleek modern hallway, a girl with round glasses and pigtails snaps back angrily. "WHAT EXACTLY ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? MORON." Nearby, a bandaged man with a stern expression leans in. "WANNA KNOW HOW MANY DAYS ARE LEFT?" A voice answers, "I KNOW, THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!!" Another figure in a striped hat and robe declares, "I'LL VOTE FOR YOU TODAY, ALRIGHT? GOOD JOB." From the side, a girl in a dress questions, "WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? WE'VE JUST GOT OUR CANDIDATES DOWN TO FOUR. NOTHING'S BEEN DECIDED YET." The bandaged man continues, "WHAT I MEAN IS, 'WHAT HASN'T BEEN DECIDED IS DECIDED NOW!!'" The glasses girl presses, "BUT IF YOU REALLY WANTED TO WIN, YOU WOULD HAVE GOTTEN MORE DESPERATE WAY EARLIER." The bandaged man retorts, "BECAUSE YOU AND MIZAI ARE PLAYING TO WIN." She fires back, "WHAT! HOW WOULD YOU KNOW?!" The bandaged man explodes, "YOU'RE REALLY A PAIN IN THE ASS, YOU KNOW THAT?! YOU'RE TOO STUBBORN TO HAVE LISTENED!!" He adds, "HOW DOES SAYING THAT NOW DO ANY GOOD?! IT'S EASY TO TALK LIKE THAT AFTER THE EVENT!!" A small figure with a headband explains, "AND AT THE LAST, BY THE 2ND OR 3RD DAY, USED WHATEVER DIRTY MEANS YOU COULD COME UP WITH TO GET THE MAJORITY OF THE VOTES." The bandaged man concludes, "YOU COULD HAVE COLLECTED ALL THE ZODIACS' VOTES TO YOURSELF, INCLUDING THE ONES FROM TERADAIN." In a dramatic close-up, the bandaged man points at his own head with intense focus. "GO AHEAD, KEEP THINKING LIKE THAT UNTIL X DAY, WHAT DO I CARE?!" He finishes, "ANYWAY, IT'S UP TO YOU WHAT YOU WANNA THINK."

The glasses girl wonders internally, "HOW CAN I BEAT HIM?" and thinks, "I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON IN PARISTON'S HEAD..." A sudden outburst erupts, "WHAAAAA AAAAAT?!" Someone calls, "WAIT!" The bandaged man stands with his back turned, a sweat drop visible. "WHAT'S THAT SIGH FOR?" The headband girl responds, "...I'LL LISTEN TO YOU." The bandaged man turns, hand to his head, proposing, "SO HOW ABOUT WE START FROM WHAT PARISTON'S THINKING?" He admits, "I HAVE NO EXPERIENCE WITH YOU LISTENING TO WHAT I SAY..." In a smaller panel, the glasses girl states, "ABOUT LOSING." The bandaged man notes, "HE ALSO ISN'T THINKING ABOUT WINNING." A suited blond man with glasses points upward, saying, "ISN'T THAT THINKING ABOUT WINNING." An unseen voice adds, "HE" The glasses girl stares forward with wide eyes against a dark landscape background. "THAT'S WHY HE'S SO POWERFUL."

In a spacious hall, a figure raises a finger while explaining the stakes of the vote-gathering game. "Especially when it comes to a vote-gathering game like this," the speaker notes. Another voice replies, "But that's why you're so easy to read, because you know what you need to do to win." A third speaker adds, "If someone thinks they're gonna win, it'll make them stronger!!" The man in the hat and coat stands with his back to the viewer beside a woman in a long dress near a staircase, responding, "I know, I know. In your mind, B...but and you aren't wrong. That's correct." A close-up shows a girl with glasses reacting sharply, "GAME...?!" The man with the headband and scarf leans in, telling the small character with swirling hair, "You aren't trying to be like a dog at all! You're totally you!" The small character retorts, "What are you, a moralist? A moralist who focuses on balance? Hey, look at me, dammit!" The headband-wearing man continues, "You thought that was imprudent of me just now, didn't you? That you should get angry. Look!" In a close-up, he declares, "Unbeatable, isn't he?" and explains, "And he isn't thinking of winning even though he does know." The final panel shows him standing with arms at his sides as dramatic sound effects burst around him: "He knows exactly how you think, how you'll move, what you'll do next! Pariston knows both sides of you, so he's got you pinned!" Someone off-panel shouts, "I told you already, you won't listen to me even if I do give you directions!! How many times have we been over this? Then...what should I do?!"

From a high balcony overlooking the assembly hall, a voice states, "You and Pariston will be left after this round." Another replies, "Just tell me what'll happen if we continue the game like this." A third says, "Fine then." In a smaller panel the girl with glasses reacts with surprise, "!?" The man with the headband continues, "And then things will continue just like that." The small character with swirling hair appears in a thought bubble. The headband man adds, "But in the next one-on-one election, you'll switch places." In a large close-up he warns, "He's got a vice grip on those temp hunters, so he'll just get them to abstain from voting. Pariston will probably come in to lower the voting percentage." The girl with glasses and the small character discuss the situation: "He's like me and Netero... I get easily bored, though." "He just wants to enjoy himself." "He has no intention to win or lose." "I told you." "Why...?" The girl concludes, "He's relentless." The small character replies, "Him, though." In the final panel the man in the hat and the woman in the dress stand together in the empty hall as the headband man notes, "He's just going to play around until X day."

A close-up reveals cracked, intense eyes glaring forward. In a large panel, a tall building shakes under dramatic speed lines as someone shouts, 'TO HEAR THAT FROM YOU!! I DON'T WANT'. The bandaged man in a head wrap and cloak stands in profile against a black background, declaring, 'IS PARISTON. THE ONLY ONE OUT OF THE REMAINING FOUR WHO'S REALLY CARRYING ON NETERO'S SPIRIT'. Small reaction panels show the girl with round glasses and pigtails looking surprised beside the bandaged man. In close-up, the bandaged man narrows his eyes and says, 'YOU REALLY LIKED THAT OLD PERVERT THAT MUCH?' A voice replies, 'YOU'RE JEALOUS OF HIM.' At the bottom of the page, wide shocked eyes framed by glasses stare upward amid motion lines and sweat drops.

The girl with glasses and pigtails points forward aggressively amid large starburst effects, yelling, 'YOU JUST NEED TO TELL ME WHEN X DAY IS!! YOU GOOD-FOR-NOTHING!' and 'SHUT UP!!! DON'T GET SO COCKY'. The bandaged man, looking annoyed, says, 'JUST TIGHTEN UP YOUR ACT FOR NEXT TIME. IT'S EMBARRASSING.' She responds, '...FINE.' A wide shot shows a desolate rocky area littered with the wreckage of many airships. A speech bubble explains, '100 LARGE HUNTER ORGANIZATION AIRSHIPS HEADED INTO EAST GORUDO.' Another notes, 'THE DAY WHEN NETERO BLEW HIMSELF UP.' In the final panels, a character with a skull-like mask asks, 'WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?' The bandaged man replies, 'YOU SHOULD BEFRIEND SOME PILOTS OR ENGINEERS.' The masked character continues, 'YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THIS, DID YOU?' and 'BY THE BOOKS, THESE AIRSHIPS WERE SUPPOSED TO BE SITTING IN THEIR GARAGES.' A final voice states, 'THIS WASN'T RECORDED.'

A man wearing a headband and cap speaks intently. "EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM CAN USE NEN," he says. "AND THEY'VE PROBABLY ALL HATCHED BY NOW." In a vast tiled hall, a girl with a backpack stands facing a robed figure. Speech continues: "HYBRID COCOONS THAT THE CHIMERA ANTS HAD LEFT AROUND. THEY PICKED UP AROUND 5000 COCOONS." A dramatic panel shows wide eyes and motion lines. The scene shifts to a rugged mountainous landscape. "HE WANTS A BIG GARDEN TO PLAY WITH THEM IN, TOO," a voice explains. "PARISTON WANTS TO PLAY WITH THEM." At the bottom, legs in boots stand on checkered flooring beside text reading "THE SITUATION COULD CHANGE. HOWEVER... DEPENDING ON HOW ONE INTERPRETS THE HUNTER COMMANDMENTS, IS THE DAY OF THE NEXT HUNTER EXAMINATION." The man with the headband reappears in close-up, glaring forward as the label "X DAY" appears beside him.

The man with the headband leans forward with a sharp glare. "YOU'RE A HUNTER, AREN'T YOU?" he asks. "FIGURE THE REST OUT YOURSELF," he adds in a separate bubble. The background shows swirling dark clouds and motion lines. Below, a sudden explosion erupts with bright starburst effects and flying debris. A girl with round glasses and pigtails stands amid the blast, her mouth slightly open and eyes wide. Only an ellipsis "......" appears in a small speech bubble near her as the smoke and sparks fill the panel.

The page presents the ten Hunter Commandments in bold numbered panels arranged around a central framed portrait of an elderly bearded man wearing an earring. Commandment 1 states Hunters must hunt something. Commandment 2 requires all Hunters to achieve a minimum level of martial proficiency and the ability to use Nen. Commandment 3 declares that once someone becomes a Hunter their title can never be revoked. Commandment 4 forbids Hunters from hunting fellow Hunters except those who have committed atrocities. Commandment 5 awards a star to Hunters who achieve extraordinary accomplishments in a certain field. Commandment 6 states that veteran Hunters who have received a star become superior officers and their students receive stars as well. Commandment 7 awards three stars to Hunters with two stars who achieve extraordinary accomplishments in multiple fields. Commandment 8 explains that if the Hunter in charge does not receive minimum support their post is removed and an election for the next chairman must occur immediately. Commandment 9 notes the chairman decides how new Hunters are chosen but must receive majority support for any change. Commandment 10 leaves everything not written here to be decided by the chairman, vice-chairman, and their advisors.

In a grand auditorium filled with Hunters, a man in a vest reports that 606 out of 635 Hunters are present, giving a 95.4% vote rating. On stage, several figures sit in chairs while a woman with long hair stands facing the crowd. A spiky-haired man shouts that everyone should take their seats as the 8th election for the 13th chairman begins. In smaller panels, Morai appears on a screen stating he has said all he wanted. Cheadle, a woman in a bunny costume, announces they will begin with comments from the remaining candidates after two drop out. A horned man named Cheadle asks everyone to entrust their votes to him. Close-ups show intense faces including a man in a cow-print hat looking concerned, a man with sunglasses muttering about the situation, and a smiling blonde woman with glasses. The final panel shows the group preparing to hear speeches from the remaining four candidates followed by a question-and-answer session and then voting.

A mustached Zodiac member with a grid-like scar on his forehead glares forward, declaring his stance. "PERSONALLY, I SYMPATHIZE WITH CHEADLE! HER SUPERIOR SENSE WILL SURELY LEAD THE ORGANIZATION IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION!!" he shouts. Beside him another speech bubble continues, "THE ZODIAC IS BY NO MEANS A MONOLITHIC ORGANIZATION...! BUT THERE ARE SOME AMONG US WHO WISH TO PROCEED IN A SIMILAR DIRECTION." In a smaller panel a leaf-haired figure glances sideways. Next to it, a spiky-haired young man smiles faintly with a musical note floating nearby. The bear-like character with a prominent P emblem on his head holds up a sign covered in dense, unreadable text and states flatly, "DO AS YOU LIKE." He adds, "TO ME, THIS ISN'T REALITY." In the final panel the same bear-like figure continues holding the sign and asks, "INCIDENTALLY, WOULD YOU LIKE TO TRADE THE GLORIOUS WHITE SPEAR FOR THE HOLY GOLD FLAG?" From off-panel a voice yells, "GING!! DON'T YOU JUST WIN AND RUN AWAY!! COME BACK!!"

In a crowded room several suited men discuss the ongoing election. One says, "THERE'S ALSO ONE REQUEST THAT I WOULD LIKE YOU ALL TO HEED!" On a large screen the bear-like character with the P emblem flashes a peace sign and announces, "THAT CONCLUDES THE COMMENTARY FROM THE PREVIOUS CANDIDATES!" The view widens to a grand hall where an unseen speaker warns, "PLEASE, DO NOT LEAVE THIS HALL UNTIL WE'VE DECIDED ON THE 13TH CHAIRMAN!!" The hall is filled with rows of seated and standing figures, some wearing distinctive hats or animal features. Four close-up reaction panels follow: a bearded man with sunglasses sweats nervously, a bandaged man in a hat looks tense, the spiky-haired young man glances sideways, and a girl with glasses and a cross necklace smiles calmly.

A vast open plaza stretches before a massive white building marked with a bold black cross on its facade, resembling a hospital or medical facility. The structure dominates the skyline against a backdrop of city skyscrapers, a domed building, and scattered clouds. Three tiny figures stand motionless at the wide entrance doors. In a high-angle follow-up view, the same plaza appears nearly empty except for a small rectangular box lying on the pavement and a few scattered objects, including what looks like a broken fragment and a small dark item nearby.

Outside the facility, Tsubone stands beside a black car and tells the driver she can lock the door after getting inside, noting that only Canary and Tsubone remain. A suited man asks who is inside the vehicle. In smaller panels, Amane adjusts her hat while other attendants wait nearby. Alluka, dressed in an elaborate black-and-white frilled outfit, stands with hands on hips. Killua, arms crossed and looking stern, watches the scene. Further down, Tsubone states she will wait until Alluka wakes herself up, confirming she is still asleep. Killua asks how Alluka is doing. In a dramatic vertical panel, Gon walks away down a long corridor with the words "A LITTLE BIT LONGER, GON...!!" and "JUST WAIT" appearing as emphasis. At the car, Killua now carries the sleeping Alluka in his arms, her head resting against him as he stands by the open door.

In a vast, empty hall with wooden flooring and tall walls, a large rectangular object sits covered by a tattered cloth in the center, surrounded by scattered mechanical parts and cables. Two tall, thin poles topped with floating diamond-shaped symbols marked '2' stand on either side of the covered object. Far in the background, a small figure sits slumped on a low bench while another slender silhouette stands motionless to the left and a tall, featureless figure stands to the right. Below, Killua sits on the edge of a simple bench, his spiky hair unmistakable, wearing a white shirt and dark shorts. Alluka lies across his lap, eyes closed, head resting on his arm, her dark hair and patterned clothing visible as she appears unconscious or asleep. Killua looks down at her with a calm, protective expression.

A cheerful woman with bunny ears and a striped outfit stands at a doorway, microphone in hand, gesturing as she speaks to the crowd. Multiple large speech bubbles fill the upper panels, urging voters to relax, take their time, and use the prepared facilities. A small round character sits cross-legged with hands behind their head near another doorway. In a close-up, a dog-like figure with glasses stares intently while a blond man with a slight smile rests his hand near his chin. A wide panel shows a crowd of seated people inside the hall. The final panel focuses on a serious man wearing a headband, his face tense as he begins to speak, with a small note reading 'THIS IS BAD ...' beside him. Large text declares the start of his speech and announces he will ask candidate #4, Mizais-tom, to begin.