Hunter × Hunter Chapter 342: Edict

Multiple close-up panels show the tense faces of several characters reacting with concern and disbelief. A large, scarred man with a thick beard dominates the right side of the page, his mouth open in a fierce grin as he declares, "AND THEN TOGETHER, WE WILL ALL HEAD INTO THE DARK CONTINENT!!" A second bubble from him adds, "YOU TWELVE WILL END UP RELEASING ME..." In the lower panels, a woman with round glasses responds calmly, "WELL, YOURS IS A MOST ASTUTE OBSERVATION." Another voice states, "THAT IS AN UNREALISTIC DELUSION." A third speaker warns, "THAT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE. YOU ARE AN INTERNATIONAL DISTURBANCE TO THE PEACE AND HAVE BEEN SENTENCED TO LONG-TERM IMPRISONMENT." The bearded man continues with a wide, toothy smile, "I THINK PERHAPS... IT MIGHT TAKE SOME TIME FOR WORD OF MY SITUATION TO REACH VS... POSSIBLY ENOUGH TIME TO..." A smaller figure replies, "BUT IN REALITY, THAT'S NOT HOW THINGS ARE... AFTER ALL... THERE ARE 'OTHER METHODS...'" At the bottom of the page, a compact digital voice recorder sits alone in a bordered panel, its screen illuminated.

A tense hearing unfolds in a formal chamber. A long-haired bearded man sits restrained on a raised platform, his arms bound behind him. In the background stand several figures including a stern woman with glasses and animal-like ears holding a tablet, a spiky-haired man in uniform, and others watching intently. A large onomatopoeia "バーン" erupts across the upper panel as the restrained man reacts. In close-up panels, the scarred bearded man speaks with a fierce expression: "If you can handle being government lapdogs, that is..." A voice replies, "Yeah...do whatever you need to." The glasses-wearing woman asks, "Is that okay with you?" and then states, "I'm going to log our entire conversation we've had this far." Another panel shows her thinking, "He's an exact resemblance...just from interviewing him, my heart is trembling...what is his aim?" A large panel reveals her internal narration: "For now I'm only sure of one thing...we're the ones on the defensive here and the one doing the attacking is him!" The scarred man leans forward intensely, saying, "And let's have a talk about VS's official position and true motives..." while another voice adds, "First of all, why don't you all prepare yourselves..."

An informational spread displays the officially published world map at the top. A large arrow points downward to a highlighted continent labeled as the Dark Continent at the center of giant Lake Mobius. Text boxes explain that the number of confirmed survivors totals 28 people from five different voyages, and that Master Beyond is one of them. Another box states humanity has attempted 149 times to challenge the voyage. A lower section shows a detailed map of the Dark Continent with various marked locations and symbols. Text notes that without a guide, humanity cannot pass the established borders of the ocean. It further states these five voyages all happened after the VS entered into the non-aggression pact, with the help of unofficial guides. Multiple "BEEP" sound effects appear near the map elements.

A composed young man with glasses stands at a podium before a large screen, addressing the room. He states that humanity has never succeeded in making a round trip to the Dark Continent by its own strength. He adds that officially, from the past until now, not even once has it happened. The screen behind him displays statistics and a map. In the expansive meeting hall below, a large screen shows the numbers 3 over 7500. The speaker continues that even after returning alive and clearing inspections, only three of the twenty-eight survivors were able to resume ordinary daily life, resulting in a successful return rate of merely 0.04 percent. He notes it would be incredibly reckless for regular civilians to undertake the voyage. The twenty-eight survivors all possessed the physical fitness of track and field medalists and were blessed with incredible luck. At the long table, seated officials and aides listen intently. In close-up panels, an elderly man with a stern expression questions the magic beast species that have the sole connection to the continent, noting negotiations without them make the voyage incredibly difficult. Another voice asks if one should kill to read the documents once in a while. A woman wonders about the gate-keepers, while an older man inquires who these guides are.

In a series of panels, attendees react to the briefing. One man questions the five great calamities. A woman with glasses wonders if the five great calamities that are coming would be the same as the trump cards. Another figure states that so far everything told has been well-known and documented fact. A person asks to speak and poses a question. An angry elderly man with a scarred face leans forward, pointing aggressively, declaring that adventurers only care for gasoline to chase their dreams and that the country should act like a proper corporate entity by footing the bill and going to bed. He insists no matter how much they talk about risk, the country's charter in the fourth article of foundation concerns international threats. Another speaker notes the data is in a different set of documents. A man with glasses states they want to know about the public attempt at stopping progress on Kakin. The same man adds that far be it for him to pry into the decrease in hopeful participants. The bottom of the page shows an exterior view of a large institutional building with fences and signs detailing prohibitions on infectious diseases, plagues, epidemics, and dangerous lifeforms, along with military intervention measures for unknown threats.

In a formal assembly hall, suited officials debate the future of V5. One speaker notes that it is common understanding a society able to be controlled officially and stopped at any time is exceedingly restrictive, yet military solutions have proven effective repeatedly. Another offers apologies for being so roundabout. A third states everything discussed here is public knowledge and will undoubtedly be known by Kakin. Others affirm that so does Kakin and that yes, they already know all of this. A close-up reveals Kakin, a young man with glasses, his face highlighted dramatically as voices declare he will need to usher in V5 and that to step into that peaceful situation and govern it requires careful handling. In the grand hall below, a lone figure stands at a podium before a massive screen while narration declares the king's name shall pioneer through the new continent and be officially written as such in history. The assembly resolves to reorganize as V6 apart from the voyage with Kakin, support the five countries from behind the scenes, and acknowledge the division into six equal parts in documentation. They conclude they must show Kakin they have readied all preparations and are ready to act as the final representative of the six continents.

Officials continue planning the actual voyage while solidifying V5's union. They will select members carefully and leave Kakin in their hands. A map panel highlights the non-intervention area of the borderless ocean with many uninhabited islands suitable for the massive immigration. One speaker notes that right now the organization has been commissioned to capture Beyond. Another suggests using the islands as a virtual new continent for hopeful immigrants to start new lives. Kakin's profile appears as voices explain that if negotiations succeed with both stalwart and insurgent factions the organization will prove more valuable than ever. After capture they will shift to persuasion maneuvers. A dark-skinned man and an older suited man discuss fiscal crisis risks if the Hunter Association becomes an unofficial part of the approval committee, with costs rising 10 to 25 fold. A hand stamps a document labeled STAMP. Outside a building marked with a hand symbol and HA HA HA laughter, two figures in suits discuss that if they fail they will have to move to direct negotiations with the head of Kakin. V6 will certainly be able to handle these affairs but the risk remains.

In a tiled room, a woman with glasses and curly hair sits at a table and addresses a woman with a ponytail seated on steps. "IF WE WERE NOT PERFORMING OUR MISSION OF PROTECTING THE SECURITY OF THE CIVILIAN IMMIGRATION ASSOCIATION, DON'T YOU THINK THAT'S A BIT HIGH RISK?" The ponytail woman replies, "WITHOUT IT VS WOULD BE UNABLE TO MOVE AND IF THIS NAIVELY HONEST AND PROPER PROCESS WERE STEPPED ON, THE PLAN WOULD BE DESTROYED. THE LIMIT-LESS OPEN DOOR POLICY WAS BOLDLY STATED TO DEFINE ALTERNATIVES AND CHOICES." A close-up shows the glasses woman saying, "IN THE MEANTIME, PERHAPS YOU SHOULD BE WORRYING MORE ABOUT YOURSELF?" The scarred, mustached man leans forward with a fierce expression. "THE ORGANIZATION IS FINE WITHOUT YOU WORRYING ABOUT IT. WHEN IT COMES TIME TO RUN, NOBODY'S GOING TO ACCEPT 'I MAINTAINED THE SECURITY OF THE CITIZENS WITH ALL MY MIGHT' AS AN EXCUSE. YOU'RE NOT EVEN CONSIDERING YOUR OWN RISKS? THAT IS QUITE BRAVE, BUT I WONDER HOW LONG YOU'LL LAST LIKE THAT." In a darker panel, a spiky-haired figure appears beside swirling speech. "HOWEVER, IT WOULDN'T BE VERY FUNNY IF VS WERE TO LET US ALL GO, IF SHE WANTS US TO STAND WATCH OVER BEYOND AND MAINTAIN OUR DIGNITY. BEYOND IS OFFERING TO MAKE KAKIN'S KING AN HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT FIGURE IN EXCHANGE FOR A TICKET TO THE DARK CONTINENT. IN OTHER WORDS... I CAN'T UNDERSTAND A WORD OF WHAT YOU'RE SAYING. SOMEONE TRANSLATE THIS FOR ME. ...IT'S NO USE." The final panels show a building exterior where a dark-haired woman and a mustached man converse. "OF COURSE, THE ORGANIZATION WOULD END UP DOING AN ENORMOUS FAVOR FOR HUMANITY AT THE SAME TIME. IF WE SUCCEED, IT'S POSSIBLE THAT WE WOULD THEN BE ABLE TO HUNT IN THE DARK CONTINENT. IF WE FAIL, WE'D LOSE ALL OF THE FAITH AND AUTHORIZATION FROM THE ORGANIZATION'S TOP TIER CUSTOMERS. IN THE SENSE OF 'HIGH RISK, HIGH RETURN.' DOES THIS CONVERSATION CONCERN US IN ANY WAY?"

Close-ups show the scarred man's intense eye and the glasses woman's serious face. "THE REAL FIGHTING RING IS IN THE DARK CONTINENT... WILL YOU JOIN ME? THIS IS MY DECLARATION OF WAR AGAINST YOU." The glasses woman responds, "THE HUNTER ORGANIZATION IS SUPPOSED TO TAKE CARE OF THAT KIND OF SURVEILLANCE THOUGH. IF YOU WERE TRUSTED BY VS, THAT IS. ...THIS IS A CHALLENGE, A DUEL!" Multiple bubbles continue the exchange about contacting VS and accepting a surveillance voyage. A large panel features the glasses woman with wide eyes. "BUT BEFORE THAT THERE ARE MANY THINGS WE STILL NEED TO CONFIRM. IF EVERYTHING YOU'VE SAID SO FAR IS TRUE, THEN WE ACCEPT YOUR OFFER. OF COURSE!!" In the lower section, a person in a hat stands beside the glasses woman. "CONTACT VS!→COW" Thought bubbles reveal suspicions that the man in the distance may be an imposter or the real president's son. "I SEE... HE'S THE REAL THING... HE REALLY IS THE PRESIDENT'S SON. SO... HE ALREADY SUSPECTED US TO THE POINT THAT HE MIGHT BE AN IMPOSTER... IN ORDER TO GO TO THE DARK CONTINENT... HE'S PLANNING TO STEP OVER THE ORGANIZATION. FINE BY ME. TAKE ANYTHING YOU NEED... BLOOD, HAIR, ANYTHING..." The scarred man grins widely on the right.

A top-secret mission briefing unfolds in a dimly lit hall. A voice declares there has been a change of plans—this is a top secret mission from V5, sanctioned by the organization. The group will head to the Dark Continent. Another warns that without hesitation or underhanded tactics their opponent has drawn them into the Devil's Continent, forcing them to move out. They ended up stepping into the arena against their will. A firm reminder echoes: remember, we can't lose... no matter what! While under supervision, Beyond will be transported to the Dark Continent while imprisoned; he must repel his comrades and discover a solution to the calamity. In a smaller panel a dark-haired girl stares in awe at the tall woman in black, exclaiming "Wow, you're just... wow." Beside her a spiky-haired boy questions the situation: "What part of this is a showdown?" and "Huh..? So we're going to be going there together?" The page ends on a dramatic splash of churning waves beneath a stormy sky: "IN THIS COMPLETELY UNKNOWN CONTINENT.....!! WE'RE CLUELESS AS TO WHETHER SOMETHING WILL ATTACK US OR WHAT THAT VERY THING COULD BE..."

Under a cloudy sky the group continues planning. A small spiky-haired figure named Kinta is told his head is in the clouds and to quit daydreaming. Others discuss the voyage: during it they can come to understand and get to know Beyond, then go on an adventure together. One character affirms exactly, so get ready everyone. Another questions if this is what they are supposed to deal with as Hunters. In the next row a long-haired woman tells a cloaked figure they will be locked up for a while and should prepare themselves. A masked attendant replies "GOTCHA." Cheadle is instructed to leave his guard duty. The page closes on a massive bearded man seated in shadow who states he will be waiting, while a voice answers that he will be locked up a while.

In the opulent hall of a grand building, several suited men stand near ornate railings after a presentation. One man says, 'Ah, thank you... but...' while another remarks, 'That was a nice presentation. Good job.' A worried voice wonders, 'I wonder if that was really okay...' In the next panels, a stern man with a mustache declares, 'Even before our client decides to travel or not, to present them with the most secure path. To make the decision or not is their responsibility.' Another replies, 'There's no problem at all. Our mission is to be as accurate as possible, no matter what the risk.' A third questions, 'Isn't this going against the departments who decided that they want to go in spite of that?' and is answered, 'To go along with orders and present huge samples for every single possible risk. What was?' Two men walk away down the corridor as one asks, 'Is something still bothering you?' and the other answers, '...Yeah.' Further along, a group of people including a man with glasses and a woman in a coat move through the hall. A voice states, 'But of the two peace is more important, right?' Another adds, 'But truthfully... having an honest and peaceful world is most important.' A close-up shows a man saying, 'But the book was once created as a vital reference for that world...' while another notes, 'The department's official stance is that the 'new world's traveler's log' is the writer's fantasy...' In the final panel an excited older man with glasses points and shouts, 'Haaah... You'll definitely become a manager!' as another laughs, 'Hahaha, you really are a lot like me!!'

A vast aerial view reveals a colossal black whale-shaped transport ship floating above a sprawling port city and wide body of water. Small boats and aircraft dot the scene around the massive vessel. In the lower panels a large crowd gathers before a screen showing the ship. A speaker announces, 'Now, countrymen, we will have a raffle to see which ship you will be able to get on. The likelihood of getting on the first ship is 1 in 1300!!' Another voice declares, 'This is not a dream! Those dream statistics you heard are real!!' Further text reads, 'You should definitely remember this glorious day, when this first ship makes its maiden voyage with master Beyond, the King, and the 14 princes!!' Additional narration states, 'And more incredibly, he has stated that within 5 years 1,000,000 will be transported to the Dark Continent!!' and 'Our legendary King Hoicoro has declared that in the next year, he will finish production on 20 more of these ships!!' A final panel shows aircraft flying near the whale ship with the warning, 'Look carefully!! That is the giant transport ship Black Whale Mark 1!! It's occupant capacity is 200,000 people!!!' and explains, 'In order to be mobile its interior is simplistic but thanks to that and its cost, it was possible to be manufactured in a short time!!'

A female news anchor with short hair reports on the immigration plans for the Dark Continent voyage. She explains that C-rank species top the introduced species list approved by the department, highlighting how dangerous these beasts truly are. An older male commentator with spiky hair adds that many of these creatures, such as bears, sharks, poisonous snakes, and killer bees, were already known, but the absolute worst situations would threaten death. In a television studio, the pair continues their discussion while staff work at desks in the background. The anchor notes that public anxiety remains high despite the excitement. Online opinions debate whether the beasts are B-rank or even super-dangerous A-rank threats. The older man counters that some people wrongly believe humanity avoided the Dark Continent only because of these dangers. A large presentation board displays silhouettes of various creatures labeled A, B, and C. The broadcast shifts to another speaker who states that at every level of human development new discoveries and inventions appear. He emphasizes that diseases are under control and new life forms along with precious minerals will be found in the continent's waters. An ancient ruin is shown with a prophecy about a calamity when the new continent is crossed. The broadcast concludes with an elderly man with a mustache and suit raising his finger confidently, declaring that within ten years humanity will enter its greatest gold rush ever and that communicable disease control has advanced enough to contain outbreaks.

In a spacious lounge, a man wearing a long robe and head wrap stands with his back to the viewer and loudly proclaims the Dark Continent. Several people lounge around the room: a white-haired person works on a laptop, a chef-like figure carries a tray, a group plays a board game on the floor, and others sit or stand nearby. A small child-like figure with a spotted head covering looks up and exclaims that it is the continent of dreams. The robed man remains the focal point of attention. The scene cuts to a close-up of a spiky-haired young man with a serious expression, his mouth open as he says Yo. A second even tighter close-up shows the same young man's intense face and ear as he utters the single syllable.

A young man with light hair stares intently to the side in close-up. Beside him, the same young man maintains a serious profile. In a large dramatic panel, a bandaged man with a head wrap and intense eyes radiates power with radiating lines, declaring, "OPPORTUNITY ONLY KNOCKS ONCE, RIGHT?" and "WANNA LET ME JOIN IN TOO?" Below, the young man in a suit stands composed while a small figure in the background says, "THAT IS WHY I'M HERE." The bandaged man continues, "WOW~ THIS IS A SURPRISE. I THOUGHT FOR SURE YOU WERE COMING TO STOP US." The young man replies thoughtfully about the organization responding to Beyond's talent and the Hunter Association's involvement. The bandaged man looms over the young man, stating, "IF THE ORGANIZATION RESPONDS TO BEYOND'S TALENT WE WILL BE HEADING INTO THE WORLD... AND IF THEY DON'T, IT'LL BE THE HUNTER ORGANIZATION... THE RIOT THIS TIME WAS YOUR SPECIAL LITTLE OBLIGATION, WASN'T IT?" In the lower panels, the bandaged man stands firmly and says, "THE ORGANIZATION IS NOT YOUR TOYBOX. PLEASE DON'T CAUSE ANY FURTHER DISTURBANCE. THAT SHOULD BE ENOUGH TO PLAY WITH, RIGHT?" A close-up shows the young man's determined face as an off-panel voice commands, "SEND IN 5000 CHIMERA."

Against a cracked, glowing background, the young man in a suit kneels and says, "UNTIL I HEAR YOU SAY 'UNCLE.'" The bandaged man stands with his back turned, replying, "FROM HERE ON OUT, I'M GONNA BE PLAYING DIRECTLY." A close-up captures the young man's face with a slight smile as he notes, "YOU'VE DECIDED TO JOIN ME. ...AT LAST." The bandaged man reacts with wide eyes, asking, "JOIN YOU?" and adding, "I'M NOT SO SURE ABOUT THAT... WHAT IF I LIKE TO PLAY BY MYSELF?" A small text box questions the motive behind the smile. The page ends with the Hunter × Hunter logo and "CH.342 /END".