Hunter × Hunter Chapter 344: Double the Reward

Rows of tall glass jars stand in a dark, flower-lined hall, each containing a single floating sphere and a small burning candle at its base. Labels identify their contents: A MAFIA DAUGHTER, POLITICIANS, ARTISTS, MANY MILLIONAIRES AND BILLIONAIRES, FOUNDERS OF RELIGIONS, MANY BOARD MEMBERS AND CHIEF OFFICIALS OF CORPORATIONS, CONMAN, MINISTER, INVESTOR, DOCTOR, CRAM SCHOOL LECTURER, LAWYER, MUSICIAN. A close-up reveals a young man with long hair whose eye reflects the jars. Text reads A PRINCE... AND. The same young man stares intensely, his eye filling the panel as narration states THE ONE WHO HAS THE REMAINING EYES...! THE VERY LAST BEAST... HE IS... A crowned man with a stern expression appears, followed by a scene of two suited figures where one gestures while speaking. Narration continues: BUT THAT WILL SOON... BE OVER. WHILE ON THIS JOURNEY TO TAKE BACK MY COMRADES, I LOST SOME THING... THREATENING, MANIPULATING, GIVING MONEY... WITHIN THOSE EYES, THE PAST AND THE FUTURE ARE REFLECTED...!!!

In a vast, candlelit hall filled with ornate arches, statues of angels, and rows of potted plants, Kurapika sits alone on a wooden stool, head bowed and body hunched forward in deep thought. Speech bubbles surround him as he reflects on his isolation. "I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING LIKE THAT AT ALL," he thinks, gazing at the empty grandeur around him. "PEOPLE TO GREET OR WELCOME ME OR A PLACE TO GO HOME TO..." A small inset shows a lone candle burning beside a tiny figure waving goodbye. "BUT," the narration continues on the right, "PAIRO..." Kurapika wonders aloud, "WHERE WILL IT TAKE ME...?" The final panel reveals a bright light and the small figure once more as the text concludes, "IT LOOKS LIKE MY JOURNEY IS FINALLY BEGINNING."

An empty wooden corridor stretches into the distance. Footsteps echo on the floor as two pairs of legs walk forward; a speech bubble reads "NUMBER 2... HRM?" accompanied by "SSSHHH" sound effects. Close-up panels show a girl with pigtails and facial markings looking surprised, a boy with dotted cheeks staring wide-eyed, and another boy with a determined expression. The girl says, "I GUESS THAT DEPENDS ON THE ANSWER." In a larger panel, a group gathers in a spacious room. A man in a headband stands with hands on hips asking, "AND NOW JUST WHAT DO YOU PLAN TO DO TO US...?" Across from him, a boy in a striped shirt and vest replies, "WITH PARISTON APPOINTED AS NUMBER 2, WE HAVE HAD ORDER AND METHOD BROUGHT TO OUR RANKS..." Other figures including a chef-hatted man and a seated person with light hair watch the exchange.

A girl with long pigtails and large headphones stands ready, her hands moving as she declares battle preparations completed. Nearby, a bowl-cut man in a ruff collar and jacket crouches aggressively, warning that they will have no choice but to eliminate anyone trying to stir up trouble or cause chaos. In a lower panel the same bowl-cut man appears with a surprised expression. A headband-wearing man with stubble flashes a peace sign and states that other than that, everyone can keep doing everything as they have been up till now. He adds that he will double the reward money that Beyond is paying and give it up front. A long-haired man with a headband questions whether everyone was employed by Beyond. The headband man repeats his offer to double the payment. A bespectacled man with a headband replies that he does not understand what they are talking about. Close-ups show various surprised and concerned faces from the surrounding group, including the pigtail girl and others reacting to the sudden offer.

In a spacious room Pariston stands before a large screen displaying another figure while addressing the seated group. He states that if anyone has anything to ask he will answer and join in any discussions he can, and that anyone wanting to hear what Pariston has to say is free to do so. A long-haired man asks if that was for real and questions the earlier promise of paying up front. The headband man insists he already told them to trust him and that he does not have to agree to any other conditions. Pariston on screen replies that if they tell him their account number he will pay immediately. The headband man concedes the number two position while another character refuses to concede it. Various group members show reactions of surprise and tension as the negotiation continues.

A large close-up shows the beanie-wearing young man with wide eyes and a worried expression as he speaks. "If everyone doesn't agree, then what? We'd then surely fall into the chaos we so despise..." In smaller panels, two figures in beanies stand inside a lit interior; one says "Yeah." while the other questions "Wait...?" The headband-wearing young man appears next, stating "It's gonna be a long journey, I'll just take my time and wait." and "Well, I guess it can't be helped then...I mean, however you look at it ...chaos isn't a good thing." A dramatic close-up follows of the headband man with intense eyes, declaring "In other words, whenever the time comes that you feel you're okay with thinking of me as your number 2, at that time I'll pay you. Though you understand the condition that this brings, right?" Kurapika, the blonde-haired figure, extends a hand holding a card and says "This is my account information and the amount of money that Beyond offered me. It doesn't bother me at all if you're number two..." The chef-hatted man reacts with surprise, asking "Just what the heck are you thinking...?" while an unseen voice mutters "...and, hey, wait a second..."

Kurapika stands holding a phone, sweat drop visible, as the headband man says "Go ahead and confirm it for yourself. I've wired the money." and "Okay." The headband man checks his own phone while the chef-hatted man asks "Well?" with a nervous look. In a wider scene, the headband man walks away down a hallway saying "Where are you going? I'll be right back." while a girl with pigtails calls "Excuse me a moment." The chef-hatted man and beanie man watch him leave, with the chef noting "He's never coming back, is he..." A long empty hallway panel follows. In the final panel the beanie man, now facing the chef and a suited blond boy, confirms "Yeah. I'm fine with it, too." and asks "Is there anyone else here that's okay with me being number two?"

The man with the head wrap holds up a card and states, "WELL THEN, GIVE ME YOUR ACCOUNT INFORMATION AND THE AMOUNT YOU ARE GOING TO BE PAID." He adds, "THAT'S FINE BY ME." The large man with spiky black hair and a headband glares and retorts, "AT THE MOST, THIS MAKES YOU THE EMPEROR WITH NEW CLOTHES ...NAKED AS EVER. BUT I REFUSE TO LISTEN TO ALL YOUR ORDERS WITHOUT EXCEPTION!!" In the background, several small hooded figures protest, with one declaring, "I CAN'T JUST ACCEPT THAT," another shouting, "I TOLD YA! I DUN WANT IT!!" and others insisting, "THAT'S NO GOOD, YOU'VE GOT TO TAKE IT" and "I DON'T NEED YER MONEY!" The head-wrapped man continues, "ON THE CONTRARY, HAVING YOU AS NUMBER 2 WOULD BE A TREMENDOUS ASSET FOR US," while the black-haired man asks, "PARISTON, YOU DON'T HAVE ANY OBJECTIONS?" Pariston replies, "IF THAT'S WHAT YOU WANT TO DO, JUST TELL ME." The head-wrapped man offers, "IF YOU WANT TO DONATE IT OR GIVE IT TO SOMEONE AFTER YOU RECEIVE IT, THAT WORKS TOO." In close-up, the blonde character thinks, "NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES YOU DOUBLE ZERO, IT'S GONNA BE ZERO... THOUGH... IF MY CALCULATIONS ARE CORRECT, AS I EXPECT THEM TO BE..." and concludes with a smile, "WELL THEN, WHY DON'T YOU GO AHEAD AND TELL ME YOUR ACCOUNT INFORMATION AND SALARY THEN. RIGHT? :)" A cityscape with a tall tower appears in the final panel.

On the phone, a suited man with glasses exclaims, "IS THAT YOU KURA-PIKA?!" Inside a moving car, the same man says, "GON'S FINE NOW. FOR THE TIME BEING, WHAT YOU CAN DO IS COME HERE AND GIVE ME SOME SUPPORT." He continues, "I HEARD ABOUT GON FROM MIZAISTOM. IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO RIGHT NOW?" and later, "I'LL PASS ON THAT. I'M HEADING OVER THERE RIGHT NOW, ANYWAY." At the building entrance, the man asks, "DO YOU UNDERSTAND THE SITUATION YOU'RE IN?! HOW MANY TIMES DO YOU THINK I'VE TRIED CALLING YOU NOW?! TELL ME YOUR FRICKIN' E-MAIL ADDRESS ALREADY!!" The man acknowledges, "ACKNOWLEDGED," while noting he is uncomfortable surrounded by unknown Zodiacs. Killua, with spiky hair, stands nearby. In close-up, a character in a hat states, "LEORIO REALLY VALUES YOU HIGHLY, DOESN'T HE?" Killua replies that the person is not shy or socially anxious. The blonde character (Kurapika) says, "ON THE VOYAGE, YOU CAN TAKE PRIORITY FOR YOUR SITUATION. I GET IT. I INTEND TO HELP IN ANY WAY AND AS MUCH AS I AM ABLE... ...BUT I'M GRATEFUL TO THE PRINCE. I WONDER ABOUT THAT, TO BE HONEST, I DON'T REALLY THINK MY ABILITY WILL BE OF MUCH HELP WITHIN THE DARK CONTINENT..."

A long-haired man speaks with calm intensity, warning that dark shadows loom around the prince and that any attempt to intervene would be futile. Since the beginning of his rule the prince has never faced a more delicate situation, yet the speaker urges mindful action and advises choosing the most peaceful, nonconfrontational path whenever possible. In a separate panel a stern man in a hat listens silently. Nearby, a close-up reveals a sharp-eyed figure with flowing hair who states that a beast in human clothing understands better than anyone how people want to be treated, adding there is no need to worry. The scene shifts to a wooden porch where Gon stands beside Killua. Gon suddenly looks down in shock, his hands clutching at his chest as he exclaims that his aura is not coming out.

Inside a cluttered room filled with books and screens, a voice lists the human-keeping beast Pu, the disease of immortality Zobae, the plant weapon Brion, the mist creature Ai, and the twin-tailed snake Hellbell, noting these five beings exceed even Chimera Ant level threats. Another speaker explains that items brought back from the Dark Continent served as warnings from the Guides. A man seated on the floor points at a whiteboard covered in diagrams and equations, declaring that the best strategy is to avoid the calamities unless they approach one another. He adds that victims of Ai and Pu have been located even in this world. In a lower room several people sit around a low table with food; one asks what concrete discoveries have come from any return, while another inquires whether they have obtained any literature documenting the risk involved. A final question asks if there are any other questions.

The Allied Nations of Beg-Rose sent 1000 people down their maintained route as a scouting brigade and only seven people returned. But those mountain ranges are the territory of the 'human-keeping beast pup.' They can be found in the rugged mountain ranges of the northeastern shore of Lake Mobius in the Dark Continent. With one small bead, it can put out 20,000 kilowatts of power for an entire day. The trade of a mineral that generates electricity when it is submerged in water, 'ghost stone.' But the plant weapon itself guards this deserted town...that very plant weapon eradicated the elite forces of the Sahelta Empire and left them with only two survivors that returned. If you continue due north from the lake from our world into the Dark Continent you'll end up in a sea of trees. After entering that area for 400km, you will see a mysterious labyrinth in a town that has been there since ancient times. There are herbs here which could cure 10,000 different illnesses. After the mist creature AI surrounded them and some kind of dispute or struggle ensued, exactly what kind is as of yet unclear, but, afterwards, the remaining survivors had lost all shred of their sanity. The Republic of Minbo enlisted the power of the Hunter Organization and challenged them to obtain the three primary liquids, but the result of that was only three survivors returning completely empty-handed. But as they traversed on through the wild swamplands that grew before them, 99% of them fell prey to Hellbell and they were left with only 11 survivors. South of Lake Mobius, the Ochima Federation attempted to get the ultimate longevity food, Nitro Grain. According to Netero... The Hunter Organization also secretly allied with Beyond's father, Netero, and went to the continent but there is no official record of this happening.

A massive swarm of grotesque creatures erupts from the dense jungle. Towering insectoid monsters with segmented bodies and buzzing wings dominate the sky, while a hulking reptilian beast with a spiked back and powerful jaws charges forward. Smaller creatures scatter in panic across the misty ground as enormous jaws snap and claws tear through the foliage. The air is thick with spores, dust, and the overwhelming presence of apex predators. A voice echoes through the chaos: 'THIS PLACE...'

Three labeled portraits appear in sequence: Aizack Netero with a fierce glare, Zzigg Zoldyck with wide shocked eyes, and Linnet Audible with a sweat-dropped anxious expression. Below them, narration recounts the previous expedition. Hunters and six survivors contracted Zobae; the Alchemical Plant from the Kukanya kingdom was retrieved but the wrong route led to the absolute worst diseases. As for Netero's son, he inherited his father's will and entered the Dark Continent with an organization, sparking a massive flame among the council. The result left Netero troubled and wracked with guilt over the piling victims. On the right, a colossal segmented creature towers over the landscape with a smaller reptilian beast perched on its back, the text declaring it IS GIGANTIC.

In a spacious room with hanging lamps, Ging stands with his back partly turned while addressing the group. Beyond has already discussed the high-risk return. Killua, seated among others including a chef-hatted man and a woman with glasses, asks if Ging will still go knowing the danger. Ging replies simply that he will go. A young boy with spiky hair questions the white-haired figure about returning after spending the money. The white-haired figure explains he came back to repay the debt for his hospitalized little sister. In a flashback panel the same figure thanks the listener for the insurance payout that will care for his sister. Ging then states they will handle the compensation from Beyond and warns that if the white-haired figure goes somewhere, he will follow no matter where, declaring him number two.

Over 300 years ago, only one person had ever explored the shores of Mobius. "Ah, of course. No matter what age you live in, there are always fools," a man with spiky hair replies. The woman with glasses and curly hair leans forward, pointing. "You've told us all about how at that time, there were many different places that were decided on as targets within the unknown continent by vs, right...? But how did they know where to look? Are there any mementos left behind by any previous pioneers we don't know about...?" "I have one thing that's been on my mind that I've got to ask," she adds. In a smaller panel, the same man continues, "And that person kept a journal on his exploration." "One person...?" the woman reacts with surprise. The scene shifts to a massive ornate double door or book cover marked with ancient symbols, a large W on the left side and E on the right, both surrounded by intricate world maps. Ging stands centered before it amid dramatic light bursts and debris. "But the only one we've found is the 'east'. There still hasn't been one copy of the 'west' found. Why is that?" he declares. "The 'New Continent's Traveller's Journal's' 'East' and 'West'!!"

Ging stands in a doorway, raising one finger. "And the last one is...?" someone asks off-panel. He explains, "He failed to realize his life's ambition and somewhere along his journey he decided not to finish the other half of the book... We simply haven't found it yet." A panel shows three raised fingers. "There are three possible reasons... That I can think of...!" Ging's intense close-up follows, holding up two fingers. "Being written, as we speak!! That it's still..." Reactions erupt from the group: Kurapika sweats and questions the claim, the woman with glasses laughs nervously about the all-curing herb, and another character reacts with shock. "THE FAMILY'S NAME IS...?!" Text overlays build to the reveal. A smoky background panel displays bold text: "DON FREECSS!!" and "THE AUTHOR OF THAT BOOK IS..."

A young man with short dark hair stares straight ahead, his vivid blue eyes glowing intensely. A luminous blue cross-shaped symbol shines on his forehead. Matching blue light radiates from the round earrings at his ears. He wears a white dress shirt, brown tie, and dark jacket, his expression calm and focused.