Hunter × Hunter Chapter 358: Eve

A massive black whale-shaped airship hovers above a sprawling port city filled with docks, buildings, and smaller flying vehicles. The enormous vessel dominates the sky, its single white eye visible on the side. On the left side of the scene, a jagged speech box declares: "LET THE EVE'S FESTIVITIES COMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEENCE!!!" On the right, another jagged box reads: "ON ITS JOURNEY TO THE NEW CONTINENT ....!!!" The airship begins its voyage as smaller craft trail beneath it.

On a brightly lit stage, a flamboyantly dressed performer in a striped outfit and tall hat gestures dramatically with a microphone while a young girl in a polka-dot dress floats nearby holding her own microphone. Behind them, an excited crowd cheers with raised arms. The performer shouts: "I AM HONORED TO BE IN THE PRESENCE OF LIVING WITNESSES TO A GREAT CHAPTER IN HISTORY!!!" A separate box states: "FROM HERE ON OUT, EVERY SINGLE THING YOU EXPERIENCE WILL BE HISTORY!!! THAT'S RIGHT, YOU YOURSELVES WILL BE A PART OF HISTORY!!!" Below, a small crowned figure stands on a lift platform before a throne-like structure as the performer continues: "THE GREAT GIANT WHO REALIZED THIS MODERN-DAY ARK!!! OUR VERY OWN KING!!!" and "WELL THEN, WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, LET ME INTRODUCE..." The girl smiles widely while motion lines and impact shapes emphasize the energetic announcement.

The colossal figure of the Great King of Kakin looms over the arena, arms thrust high with fists clenched, mouth wide in a thunderous roar. Radiating speed lines and jagged impact shapes emphasize his overwhelming presence. In the foreground, a single hand wearing a large ring points upward toward him. Speech balloons erupt on either side: one filled with the king's guttural battle cry 'HU!!!! GUOOOOO ROUUUUU UUUUUU ~!!!!!' while the other carries 'NASUU UUUU-B!!!!!!'. Below, the king proclaims 'I... AM THE GREAT KING OF KAKIN!!!' as another balloon declares 'I'VE ONLY GOT ONE THING I WANNA SAAAY- HU!!!'. The arena floor stretches out beneath him, packed with spectators.

A massive screen displays the Great King of Kakin's face looming above the stage where a small ceremonial structure sits. Crowds in the stands cheer wildly, raising their hands. Starburst balloons shout 'KING !!' repeatedly. Narration boxes explain that the princes related by blood to the Great King await their first step on this historic voyage, and that on the second stage the second-in-command will take over. In the lower panel, a tall bearded man in ornate robes waves to the crowd alongside a spiky-haired man in a decorated uniform who also raises his hand. Surrounding them are formally dressed adults and children, some waving back. The bearded man stands prominently in the center-right, while the spiky-haired figure occupies the left side of the group.

A bald man in ornate robes speaks with closed eyes, declaring, 'WHATEVER... THE ONE WHO WINS IN THE END WILL BE ME...!' Nearby, a woman with an elaborate updo and headband gazes forward. A spiky-haired man in formal attire wonders aloud, 'I WONDER HOW JUST HOW MANY WILL BE LEFT BY TOMORROW'S CEREMONY...?' and recalls, 'WHEN I WAS IN CONTACT WITH TSER-RIEDNICH.' In another panel a scarred man with a pompadour laughs 'KEH!' while a bespectacled figure claims, 'WHO WILL BE THE NEXT KING...?! IT IS I...' A young woman with facial markings smiles and says, 'IT JUST MIGHT BE ME... ♥' A long-haired man in a bow tie gestures dramatically, commanding, 'LOOK WELL UPON ME...' and sneering, 'ALL YOU IGNORANT INSECTS...' Below, two women wave enthusiastically from the left while a grinning man on the right flashes a peace sign. Smaller panels show a woman holding a baby, a boy in a suit waving, a curly-haired woman waving with both hands, and a suited man raising his hand.

A dramatic full-page spread shows a massive whale-shaped airship soaring over a city. In a small helicopter above it, the king points forward triumphantly. Bold narration declares: 'WITH HIS VERY OWN LIFE ON THE LINE, OUR KING IS GOING TO LEAD THE WAY FOR HIS PEOPLE TO UNTRODDEN LANDS!! HAS ANYONE LIKE THIS EVER EXISTED BEFORE?! NO!! NEVER!!' Another box adds, 'AND NOOOOO- AT LAST, THE AIRSHIP THAT THE KING IS ABOARD IS HEADING FOR THE BLACK WHALE!! THERE IT GOES!!' On the ground a frantic announcer yells, 'OUR GREAT KING!! NOW HEADING ONTO THE FITTINGLY GREAT SHIP!! RIGHT THIS VERY GREAT MOMENT!!' and 'WHAT A GREAT ARRIVAL!! SO FULL OF GREATNESS!! OH, IT IS GREAT, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!!!' The airship descends toward the Royal Glam Hotel area amid cheering crowds and scattered debris.

Narration fills the sky above a futuristic cityscape as massive airships and floating vehicles drift overhead. "ALSO, ON THE WATER, THE GENERAL PASSENGERS HAVE NOW BEGUN HEADING TO THE BLACK WHALE BY FERRY!! WHADDYA THINK OF THIS, WORLD?! THIS! IS! GREATNESS!!!" declares one bold caption. Another announces, "AND NOW, THE AIRSHIPS CONTAINING THE PRINCES AND THE VIPS ARE HEADING THERE, ONE AFTER THE OTHER!!" Below, a packed street overflows with celebrating citizens waving flags and cheering wildly. In a lively bar, patrons raise glasses as someone shouts, "FOR SUCH A GREAT OCCASION, WE TOO MUST ENJOY OURSELVES!!! LET'S CELEBRATE!!" The scene shifts to a bustling city avenue lined with glowing signs and towering buildings where crowds thrust their hands skyward in excitement, faces beaming with joy and anticipation.

A lavish ballroom stretches across the page, filled with elegantly dressed guests seated at tables or mingling beneath grand chandeliers and staircases. In the foreground stands a tall man with spiky hair wearing a formal suit, while a woman in an ornate gown and a small, serious-faced attendant stand nearby. Smaller panels capture intimate moments: a family with a baby, a young boy peering at a display case, conversations between suited men, a woman whispering to another guest, and an older couple smiling warmly. The atmosphere is refined and festive, with guests exchanging glances and quiet words amid the opulent surroundings.

A cross-section diagram reveals the Black Whale's five decks. The first deck houses the royal family and V5's political VIPs. The second deck contains various celebrities, prominent figures, and the wealthy upper class. The third deck and below are reserved for general public and regular passengers. Connecting pathways to each deck are guarded by royal troops under martial law. The second and third decks are completely isolated by massive thick walls that can only be opened or shut from the second deck during emergencies. The hunting grounds are restricted to the first and second decks only. Two armed guards stand watch in a corridor as one remarks, 'Therefore...' A lone silhouette stands before a crowd of seated figures.

A group of stern-faced men in puffer jackets discuss the upcoming events. The real party begins in two months after the landfall ceremony. Until then they are guards, not soldiers, and must maintain calm and composure aboard the ship. Each prince's residential quarters are strictly sectioned off to minimize contact with guards. One man stands alone in a checkered hallway. A large man in a puffer jacket stands with arms crossed, noting the strenuous assault plan. Near door 1014, a close-up shows an older man with a goatee stating that all princes will meet every Sunday with guests for a dinner banquet, and that no two princes' paths will cross in transit.

In the opulent hall of the ship, a blond man in a black suit stands with his back partially turned, listening as suited bodyguards discuss strategy. One guard asks if it is possible to contact the other queens and princes using the phones within the ship. Another replies yes, suggesting they use that chance to find a way to escape the succession war, noting that being a higher ranking bodyguard will be convenient. Additional voices add that the lower wives cannot call the wives above them and that on top of that the phones should be guarded by troops. A map of the King's Residential Quarters, Reception Hall, and Princes Residential Quarters is examined, with narration explaining that the royal troops watching over the succession war from a neutral standpoint are monitoring all the passageways, meaning the other wives are going to be aware of all their movements. A short-haired woman with a serious expression questions the king's motive while another character states that it would seem assassination has been made completely impossible. At the bottom, Kurapika leans forward with wide eyes and declares that once you take the existence of Nen users into account the possibilities become endless, adding that of course even within these circumstances there are plenty of ways around and out.

Kurapika continues the analysis, stating that even excluding Nen users their battle strength is scarce and that the hunters in charge of security outside the residential quarters may not be allies, making them threats. He emphasizes the need to get a read on the enemy's battle strength to gauge the balance of power. A diagram shows around 150 temporary hunters concealing ulterior motives prowling the 1st deck outside the king's residential quarters. Further text notes that at the time of the test no ulterior motives were learned from Kakin examinees and most slipped past the chain test, with limited hunter qualifications given for the voyage. The risk of wishy-washy amendments allowing uncertain factors is highlighted as greatly increasing the possibility of unexpected events. At the bottom, Kurapika answers a phone call with a surprised expression, asking if that is Mizai and what is wrong, while sensing a blood-drenched royal succession war and questioning if his nervousness was something else entirely.

Kakin's troops struggle to contain the spreading disorder as rumors about invalid tickets reach the public, sparking accusations and fears of riots. A man in a striped jacket and hat reports that crime has surged on decks 3-4 despite his efforts, with forged tickets, theft, brawls, and false reports overwhelming investigators. Botobai explains he cannot attend the Zodiacs' meeting because he and Arumor are assisting troops with private security. The root of the chaos traces back to a supposed criminal ring invalidating tickets. A suited man on the phone details severe medical shortages: only one-fifth of planned facilities and doctors are available across decks, with the worst shortages on the medical teams. In a room with ornate doors, a short-haired woman tells a colleague to stay alert as this may be their final communication before departure. Nearby, a group of soldiers and staff discuss the impossible workload, noting Cheadle's accurate warning and disgust that upper floors enjoy one doctor per twenty people. They conclude the meeting will likely be canceled.

Queen Oito sits in an ornate chair in a grand hall, murmuring her own name while considering how to exploit the chaos below. In the hallway, passengers and staff carry boxes amid the disorder. A woman with a braid explains that if all goes well they can slip away unnoticed among regular passengers when the gate opens. Another woman asks if the situation could worsen beyond current riots and fires. The braided woman confirms she has prepared emergency escape routes. A short-haired person urges memorizing airship, life raft, and floatation device locations. The braided woman admits she is preparing without knowing the exact threat. In close-up, she stresses that knowledge of life-or-death details greatly increases survival odds even without full understanding.

In the upper deck corridor, suited attendants rush toward a fallen figure as one calls out in alarm. A woman in a kimono stands frozen nearby, hands clasped tightly at her chest with sweat beading on her face. She whispers that she had prepared herself for death on the boat. Her expression shifts to sudden doubt in close-up as she thinks that what she wanted is no longer certain. Below, attendants move through a control area; one speaks into a phone requesting connection to the systems control room while another thanks him and offers to gather data and materials. A third attendant directs that the Queen and the Prince be taken to their sleeping chambers.

A pale-haired figure stares in shock at a scene where attendants gather around a rocking chair emitting dark smoke and skull-like shapes. The figure's eyes widen dramatically with motion lines. Turning back, the figure asks what is wrong. In the background the same group stands motionless around the chair. A voice states that it is set in motion, followed by the single word nothing. The page ends with the Hunter x Hunter logo and chapter 358 notation.

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