Hunter × Hunter Chapter 348: Resolution

A woman with short light hair states that the Hunters who took into account the political power of the Kingdom of Kakin versus would benefit after the voyage. She adds that she knew beforehand because she works in an information agency and it came through there. A suited man with glasses replies that there are many merits for futures and stocks business infrastructure but he digresses, more profitable benefits will without doubt be enjoyed by Kakin's royal family. He notes he was aware of it beforehand but unfortunately cannot reveal his source. Another man labeled Black says the first speaker is shrouded in a smoke mixed with lies and truth. The suited man labeled White says the previous speaker doesn't know anything. In a lower panel a mustached man at a desk explains his approach would be to have them seek out intermediary offices for the higher officials of Kakin. A hand holds up a small device labeled SUN as the man continues that as far as the voyage goes this is a bit embarrassing but he didn't know anything. Kurapika, with wide eyes and a sweat drop, thinks ...Black. In the next exchange Kurapika says Indeed while a man in uniform remarks that is surprising. Kurapika then states he never expected this many would be able to clear the thermography and lie detector. The uniformed man replies that he had thought that most of the spies faking their way through the mental test during the primary evaluation for the Hunter Exam had been screened out but the last speaker is hiding extremely important information.

Kurapika listens intently as the man in the peaked cap states, "I'M TALKING ABOUT YOUR ABILITY." The man quickly adds, "NOT THAT." In the library-like room, Kurapika replies softly, "...PLEASE DON'T OVERESTIMATE ME..." The man continues, "IT MAY BE SAYING TOO MUCH, BUT IT'S ALMOST LIKE YOUR ABILITY WAS MADE FOR THIS SITUATION. YOU WERE HUMBLE AND UNSURE IF IT WOULD BE OF ANY USE OR NOT..." Kurapika explains, "FIRST OF ALL, I MYSELF DON'T PERFECTLY UNDERSTAND THE NATURE OF THIS ABILITY." The man asks, "ARE THERE ANY RISKS IN PARTICULAR TO IT?" Another panel shows a figure at a control panel as the man notes, "BUT NOW WITH THIS, WE SHOULDN'T HAVE ANY PROBLEMS. IT'S TRUE THAT WE HAVE MANY MORE NEW SPIES APPLYING THAN WE EXPECTED..." Kurapika elaborates on his power: "WHEN INTENSELY FOCUSING TO MY UTMOST LIMITS, I CAN PERCEIVE MINUTE CHANGES THAT TRANSCEND SELF-AWARENESS THROUGH THE CHAIN'S CONVEYANCE. THESE CHANGES WOULDN'T APPEAR ON ANY KIND OF READING. UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES, I HAVE TO BE DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE TARGET FOR THIS ABILITY TO WORK, SO THIS IS JUST A GUESS..." In a dark panel, Kurapika's ability is described further: "NO MATTER HOW MUCH THE TARGET HAS TRAINED IN DECEPTION, THE LIE WILL BE SNIFFED OUT" LEVEL OF ABILITY. "BUT, THIS IS A... OTHERWISE, THIS ABILITY REQUIRES THAT ITS TARGETS BE MET IN PERSON. WHEN I USE "EMPEROR TIME," PERHAPS IT MAKES EVERYTHING MORE VIVID AND IT BECOMES POSSIBLE TO READ THROUGH THE IMAGE ...AT LEAST, THAT'S MY GUESS."

Mizaistom declares, "NOT TO HIDE MY LIES BUT TO ERASE THEM ENTIRELY. I'D LOOK FOR SOMEONE WITH THE ABILITY TO MANIPULATE THE CONSCIOUSNESS AND AWARENESS OF OTHERS. PERHAPS THE ABILITY TO ERASE SOMEONE'S MEMORY?" He continues, "AND I NEEDED TO DECEIVE SOMEONE WHO HAD THE SAME ABILITY AS MYSELF... WELL, FOR EXAMPLE, IF I WERE A SPY... THAT SOUNDS LIKE PLENTY, RIGHT!? WHAT KIND OF PROBLEM IS THERE THEN?" Kurapika responds, "IT IS LIKELY MY CHAIN WILL NOT WORK. IN THE EVENT THE TARGET IS NOT SELF-AWARE OF THEIR OWN LIE..." Mizaistom ponders, "THAT IS THE QUESTION." A person in a patterned jacket appears as Kurapika suggests, "I THINK USING A METHOD SIMILAR TO THE ONE I JUST MENTIONED, THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO CLEAR THE HUNTER EXAM'S DOUBLE-LAYERED TRAP. WITHIN THE UPPER RANKS OF THE ORGANIZATION, IF THERE IS SOMEONE WITH AN ABILITY LIKE MINE, OR AGAIN, SOMEONE THAT KNOWS SOMEONE WITH AN ABILITY LIKE MINE... AND THEY WERE ON THE ENEMIES' SIDE..." Mizaistom concludes with a close-up of his eyes, "WELL...IS THAT EVEN A POSSIBILITY?"

On a quiet nighttime city street, cars glide past illuminated buildings and trees. Inside a lavishly decorated room, successive panels reveal an empty corridor, a table with flowers, and a fireplace mantel. A syringe dispenses a drop of liquid amid floating musical notes and vibrating BMMMM sound effects. In the foreground, Tserriednich holds a mobile phone to his ear and speaks the name "TSERRIED-NICH." while seated nearby in a fur-trimmed robe, another long-haired man raises one hand in a casual gesture beside a bottle and glass on a small table.

Tserriednich continues the call, saying "YO, B.B." and "YOU'RE GONNA BE HAPPY, IT'S GOOD NEWS." A low GRRRRROM sound echoes down a long empty hallway. In the next scene a spiky-haired man with a fierce expression restrains a massive roaring beast whose jaws gape wide. The beast emits a loud GRRRRRRR sound effect while the spiky-haired man exclaims "SERI-OUSLY?" and states "FATHER ACCEPTED IT."

A fierce close-up reveals Benjamin's intense glare as he declares, "THE ONE PERSON WHO SURVIVES THIS VOYAGE WILL SOON BE KING." Another voice confirms, "YUP... HE WAS PRETTY CLEAR ABOUT IT." In a narrow panel, Benjamin's eye narrows with resolve while he mutters, "AT LAST..." Beside him, a long-haired man with closed eyes responds softly, "I AM GRATEFUL... OHH... GOD IN HEAVEN." Benjamin's face twists into a menacing grin as he growls, "TREMBLE AND SHAKE IN YOUR SLEEP, BENJAMIN... FOR I WILL BE KING," followed by "AT LAST, THIS MEANS I'LL BE ABLE TO ERADICATE EVERY LAST ROTTEN PIECE OF SHIT GARBAGE WITHOUT RESERVE." His laughter echoes with "KU KU KU KU." In the bottom panels, two men stand in a room; one holds a device while asking, "HAVE YOU TOLD ANY OF THE OTHERS?" The other replies, "I'M ON A NATURAL HIGH." A close-up shows a hand gripping the device as the voice continues, "WHAT THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN SMOKING?" and warns, "DON'T TELL ME YOU ACTUALLY THINK YOU CAN WIN?"

In a spacious training hall, a massive muscular man with wild hair stands with his back to the viewer as he tells the long-haired man, "YOU'RE THE ONLY ONE I'VE TOLD FIRST." The long-haired man lounges casually and replies, "I'M TERRIFIED, SO DON'T EVER COME CALLING AGAIN, M'KAY? BUH-BYEE TE-NO." The muscular man, identified as Benjamin, clenches his fist and declares, "FATHER'S MESSENGER IS ABOUT TO HEAD OUT TO INFORM THE REST OF OUR SIBLINGS." He continues, "I, MYSELF, SHALL BREAK EACH AND EVERY LAST ONE OF YOUR BONES WITH THESE HANDS OF MINE. SINCE I'LL BE THE ONE TO DEAL WITH YOU PERSONALLY...!!!" A translator note appears beside the long-haired man who sips from a cup and questions the use of "I, MYSELF" as third-person speech. The bald tattooed man looks up in surprise. The page ends with a roaring close-up of a fierce, lion-like creature baring its fangs with onomatopoeia "GIRI GIRI" across its chest.

A stern long-haired man with a thin beard stares intently at the glowing screen of his smartphone held in his right hand, his face shown in sharp profile against a dark, smoky background. Beside him looms a massive, muscular figure with wild spiky hair, bared teeth, and a fierce expression, his powerful body covered in scars and sweat as he stands outdoors on grass. In the lower panel the same long-haired man, now wearing a loose robe, holds a black smartphone to his ear inside a dimly lit room with windows and a picture frame on the wall. A large Japanese sound effect "ドク" bursts near his head as he listens with a neutral expression.

The long-haired man in a robe continues his phone conversation. "IT'S EVEN BEEN DECIDED THAT THERE WILL BE 15 MEMBERS OF STAFF ASSIGNED TO EACH PRINCE ON BOARD THE VOYAGE," he states. "UPON RECEIVING A REQUEST FOR COOPERATION FROM THE ORGANIZATION BEFOREHAND, THIS IS PRACTICALLY LIKE A FIXED RACE." A voice on the line replies, "CONDITIONALLY, ALL 5 HAVE PASSED." The man answers, "HEY, TAYTA. HOW'D EVERYTHING GO?" and adds, "WELL, IT'S ONLY NATURAL, ASSUMING THEY AREN'T COMPLETE IDIOTS THAT IS." He continues, "SOME OF THE OTHER PRINCES HAVE STARTED TO THINK THE SAME THING. BUT OF COURSE." In a darker panel showing a large ship at dock he notes, "EVEN AT BEST, WE'RE STILL PASSING WEEKS AND WEEKS IN THE SAME SHIP WITH A BUNCH OF SIBLINGS WHO DON'T GET ALONG." "THERE ARE MANY ALLIES WE CAN RELY ON ...IT'S AN IDEAL SITUATION." In the lower section a woman with a headset and several suited men discuss the mission. One man says, "WE'VE BEEN ADVISED THEY MAY HAVE MACHINES AND TOOLS ON BOARD TO SCREEN US." Another warns, "WE'VE BEEN WARNED THAT 'ANYONE WHO LIES OR HIDES ANYTHING FROM THE ORGANIZATION'S QUESTIONS WILL BE REJECTED.'" The woman concludes, "GOOD JOB. NO PROBLEMS HERE."

A long-haired man sits at a table with a wine bottle and glass, speaking on the phone. He explains that Tyson would never let his dear, darling soldiers outside as he wouldn't allow some strange unknown bugs to tread upon them. Benjamin feels as though his excellent soldiers are far above the likes of the Hunter organization and would never lower himself to letting them be judged by the organization. The man confirms precisely on what grounds the deduction was made and notes that the ones that didn't come to the exam were Benjamin's (the first prince) and Tyson's (the sixth prince) bodyguards. He attributes the motive to hubris and jealousy. Without even thinking about the possibility of some lie detector, he sent his soldiers in with assassination on their minds in all likelihood, being the moron that he is. Kukuku, as expected, there was some moron running up in the lead. It appears as though all of Luzurus' (the seventh prince) failed according to the memo from the organization. The man asks if there were any bodyguards that didn't pass the exam. Lower panels detail escape routes, blind spots, travel time, and possibly remodeled areas, demanding every one be hypothesized. There is something even the seven deadly sins don't account for. Everyone must gain an understanding of the inner framework of the Black Whale from the blueprints acquired. As for the voyage, post-boarding defensive deployments, arrangements, and orders will all be given beforehand. A subordinate replies yes, sir, and is told to resume normal defensive duties upon return to the country. The page ends with a massive close-up of a man's face shouting that for any of those pig trash to become king instead of him is completely out of the question and that ignorance and stupidity from those who don't know their own place are the greatest sinners of all.

In a spacious room with bookshelves and a ceiling light, a suited man with light hair stands with his back partly turned while another man in a patterned suit and hat stands with arms crossed. The light-haired man states there is a possibility. The suited man replies he doesn't think so. A close panel shows the hatted man holding a small object and declaring that first off, within the Zodiacs, there is no one that can use the ability in question. He asks what the rationale is for that. The light-haired man explains his rationale is pure conjecture but his case follows that even on general missions the Zodiacs performed well together and often acted with those same factions. Originally within the Zodiacs' members there were three factions. Before long they will be able to confirm this. Of course there is no way to know the full extent of each and every one of their powers. Chibi illustrations label the factions: Extreme Left Patriotist (impossible to decipher), Reformists Hardline Faction, Floating Idiot (Idiot), and Liberal Non-Political. Another group is labeled Importance of Balance Dependable Maintenance Faction. The light-haired man notes the exception that he doesn't know the other factions' powers but knows all of the powers of the members of the faction he was in.

The Zodiacs stand assembled in chibi form, each labeled by specialty. All members readily gave their consent. And, in order to strengthen our cooperation, I requested the Zodiacs mutually share all information regarding their abilities with one another. However, currently we've had to separate into specialty teams based on our talents and expertise. Biology, Chemistry, Defense, and Intelligence divisions are shown. We've heard about your circumstances from Leorio. No. Are you planning on applying that criterion to me as well? So it doesn't hurt to have everyone open and honest with one another. I think everyone recognizes the importance and magnitude of this current mission. I don't mind at all... and thank you for attending to my worries. In exchange though, that means I won't be telling you about the abilities of the Zodiacs. I haven't asked for an in-depth explanation of your ability and I won't be disclosing any of what you've told me to anyone else. ...Anyway, continuing on with my rationale. From the mutual sharing of information on abilities within the Zodiacs, we know there is no one with that corresponding ability. But with Leorio here, I feel a lot better and at ease. It's also a great help to us. I think, maybe, if I were here by myself that things probably wouldn't go as smoothly... About what?

The man in the helmet continues the discussion with the bob-haired girl. Of course, exactly. It's even more likely that the person would be employed by a secret intelligence agency outside of the organization. In regards to what the person is, isn't there a high probability that it would be used in missions of absolute secrecy? By going through and eliminating information from all the organization members' past hunt histories and checking important secret intelligence missions, investigation mission frequency, and the value of their index... Next is, do we have any acquaintances with the aforementioned ability? This is also most likely a no. If there were someone secretly colluding, it is safe to assume they would have developed countermeasures for someone that can detect lies through lips. But the results of the exam point 'No.' We can see that there is no one that has the matching criteria that would fit the circumstances of knowing someone with that ability. It is definitely strange that these two did not pass the exam. Bio-chemist Yunde. Mercenary Muhel. Because apart from that... Or perhaps both of them were sent by some powerful spy unknown to us as decoys. Anything is possible... For someone who'd left such an important post to be sent in and knowing there'd be a trap, if he had some kind of countermeasure, he would have used it surely. Especially Yunde being in charge of mediating between the science division and biology division. Both of them are extraordinarily excellent men of talent. There's an alarm going off inside me that's blaring out... When he got caught, the machine was doubted at first.

A close-up shows a stern man in a hat and glasses with an earring, his face half-shadowed. Speech bubbles reveal his thoughts: "AFTER LOSING THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, PARISTON SO READILY AND QUICKLY LEFT..." Nearby, another voice adds, "...BECAUSE HE STILL HAS A COMRADE ON THE INSIDE." A worried exclamation follows: "THAT'S THE HYPOTHESIS I'M WORRIED ABOUT...!!!" Floating in the background are expressive chibi faces of several Zodiac members, including one with an afro headband, a ram-horned figure, a girl with pigtails, and a small hooded child staring upward. In a lower panel the same hatted man gestures with one hand raised, declaring, "I CAN TEST THEM IN SECRET..." A calm reply answers, "I SEE." The page ends on a dramatic full-width panel of a serious young person with light shoulder-length hair and dark formal attire, hands clasped tightly at chest level. They state, "YOU HAVE MY COOPERATION." A second bubble adds, "IF THAT'S WHAT YOU WANT..." Motion lines and impact shapes emphasize the intensity of the moment.

A wide panel depicts the Zodiacs gathered around a long table covered in cards, boxes, snacks, and a laptop. A man in a cow-patterned outfit stands at the head, while others lounge or reach for food. One figure with a star headband eats from a large container. Smaller panels follow: a bearded man in armor states, "AS THE DEFENSE DIVISION, I THINK THE SOONER WE EXCHANGE INFORMATION THE BETTER." Another replies, "IT'S MORE LIKELY THIS IS ABOUT OUR ABILITIES, ISN'T IT?" A third adds concern about the two new recruits and whether the group plans to bully them. A close-up shows a sweating light-haired figure with a dark mark on the cheek. The hatted man appears again, saying, "BEFORE THAT, THERE ARE THINGS WE MUST CONFIRM AND VALIDATE FIRST." A companion agrees, "WE WILL DEFINITELY BE GETTING TO THAT BEFORE THE VOYAGE. YEAH." The final panel returns to the hatted man in dramatic close-up, asking, "KNOWING THAT, WOULD YOU STILL REVEAL YOUR OWN ABILITIES?" A final bubble warns, "THERE MAY BE SOMEONE AMONG US THAT IS ON BEYOND'S SIDE."

A row of stern faces from the Zodiacs stares forward in tense silence. Mizaistom's voice erupts in a massive shout: MIZAI!!! Someone off-panel yells, "I'm asking if you're fucking serious, damn you...!" Another voice responds, "... Hey" and "Why would you say that...?" A surprised figure retorts, "...HAH? What are you talking about? There's no way any one of us..." Ging, sweat flying, glares with clenched teeth and a furious expression. Mizaistom stands calmly beside him. In the lower panels Mizaistom continues speaking with a clenched fist raised: "Regardless, what I'm saying is that both situations are equally possible. So that's why I'm asking you...! 'Even knowing that, can you still reveal your own abilities?' This is an issue of which happened first...!! Not a matter of betrayal or doubt." Ging's intense close-up shows gritted teeth and wide eyes. Mizaistom concludes, "I think I probably would have been happy to help him with his dream. Then seeing the president's video after that, I think my position wouldn't change either. If... I had met Beyond long before I'd ever heard the president's mission..."

Mizaistom thrusts three colored cards forward with dramatic speed lines and impact shapes, shouting "I CAN!" He explains his ability: "With blue, I have them make their admission to the courtroom. With yellow, they are restrained. And with red, I have them removed." He continues, "By presenting three colored cards to my opponent, I restrict their movement. That is 'Cross Game'." A close-up shows only his intense eyes beneath the hat brim as he states, "This is a matter of resolution. I have made it my mission to determine which one of you is here under different pretenses." The final panels show security camera views: one capturing a group including a long-nosed figure, another a close-up of a lens, and a silhouette standing under ceiling lights with the word "ZOOM".

A person with long light-colored hair leans over a laptop, pointing at the screen displaying a grainy security camera feed labeled 'SECURITY CAM 1.V' showing a chaotic scene. The hand, adorned with a large ring and a chain with two spherical weights, taps the keyboard. The person covers their face briefly as white impact effects flash around them. A close-up reveals wide eyes and a tense expression. The chain with weights swings in darkness. An extreme close-up shows a shocked eye with radiating lines. The laptop screen now clearly displays a face wearing a headpiece labeled 'SAIYUU' with the text 'THE TRAITOR...' overlaid. Large text declares 'IS SAIYUU ...!!' and 'THE ALARM BELL RINGS FOR...!?' The page ends with the Hunter × Hunter logo, chapter number 348, and a note about the next issue taking a break.