Hunter × Hunter Chapter 361: Withdrawal

A suited man with a mustache lunges forward in a desperate strike, his dagger flashing as he shouts in rage. The panel erupts with speed lines and impact bursts as he yells 'THE ASSASSIN'S DAGGER ATTACKS!!!' Below him, Kurapika with short white hair and chains wrapped around his arms counters the assault, his eyes sharp and focused. The chain-wrapped hand of the attacker swings wildly while Kurapika's own chained fist drives upward. The sequence shows the dagger plunging into a surface with a loud 'KUNK', followed by the suited man being hurled backward by a powerful kick from Kurapika. The attacker crashes down, blood visible, his face twisted in shock and pain as the final panel captures his wide-eyed reaction.

The scene shifts to the aftermath of the clash. Kurapika and Bill stand over the fallen Sairid, whose body lies sprawled on the floor with debris scattered around. Bill, with spiky hair, speaks while looking down: 'BILL... THOSE 3 METHODS YOU MENTIONED EARLIER...' In the next panel Kurapika's face is shown close-up with a serious expression. Bill continues, hand to his head: 'TO WITHDRAW FROM THE SUCCESSION BATTLE? WILL WE NEED SAIRID HERE...' The final panel shows Bill from the side, sweat visible, addressing the situation as Kurapika stands with his back turned.

Kurapika leans forward with a serious expression and asks, 'What is your type and ability?' In the next panel a man in a hat explains that though being a joint-type, he would have required the aura of other people, while Carton was the one really needed, being a Conjurer-type who could transform into a boat or vehicle that would be able to carry at most five people. A close-up shows a sweating, distorted face declaring, 'So it asked me a favor...!' followed by 'I was free...' Kurapika questions whether the earlier statement about ensuring the safety of the King and Queen was all lies. A spiky-haired man states this is an emergency situation and he needs the information solved as quickly as possible, but he cannot just tell what his ability is on his own without explicit approval. Kurapika stands with his back partially turned while the spiky-haired man remains tense. In the bottom panels a chained hand is shown as someone notes that it just may be of use, and another voice says 'I see.' The final panel reveals Sairid glaring as he explains that Sairid is an Emitter-Nen user whose ability is probably closer to a Manipulator's, launching his Nen out in a ball to control any bugs he captures with it.

Kurapika stands in a dramatic full-page pose against a black explosive background, right arm raised high with index finger pointing upward. Heavy chains whip through the air around him, connected to a large ornate weapon or device that crashes downward with massive impact. Bold onomatopoeia 'ドドド' erupts across the lower half of the page as the chains and weapon dominate the foreground. Kurapika's expression is focused and intense, his suit jacket flaring from the force of the activation.

Under a starry night sky, two speech bubbles float above the treeline. One reads 'TO LEAVE ONE OUT.' The other states 'I WANT YOU...'. In the forest clearing, Kurapika faces the light-haired girl. He says, 'BUT I JUST GET THE FEELING THAT WITH THOSE CHAINS... YOU'RE TRYING TO SET UP A SITUATION WHERE YOU CAN FIGHT ALL ON YOUR OWN.' She replies, 'I'M FULLY IN FAVOR OF HAVING CHAINS ON EACH ONE OF YOUR FINGERS AND ASSIGNING DIFFERENT POWERS TO EACH OF THEM...' A background panel shows two figures seated by a campfire. She asks 'WHY?' while another bubble questions 'LEAVE ONE OUT?'. Kurapika continues, 'IN A BATTLE OF NEN, THE MOST IMPORTANT PRINCIPLE IS THAT IF YOUR OPPONENT HAS MANY ON HIS SIDE, THEN YOU MUST AS WELL. COMBINING POWERS TO ATTACK AND SYNERGY BETWEEN ABILITIES FAR EXCEEDS THE STRENGTH OF ANY INDIVIDUAL'S POWER.' The girl protests, 'BUT... IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE YOU'LL ACCEPT IT.' Kurapika answers, 'WELL... I SUPPOSE ONCE YOU ACTUALLY FIGHT, YOU'LL KNOW WHAT I MEAN. BUT BY THEN, IT WILL ALREADY BE TOO LATE... WHICH IS WHY I'M GIVING YOU THIS WARNING NOW.' In close-up, his hands manipulate a small object as he concludes, 'THEN YOU SHOULD ADD AN ABILITY THAT WILL COMPENSATE FOR IT. IF WHEN YOU FIGHT FOR REAL, YOU FEEL AS THOUGH THERE'S SOMETHING YOU LACK... SO INSTEAD, I PROPOSE A COMPROMISE.'

Kurapika's profile appears in close-up as he asks, 'AND YOU'RE SURE THIS IS WHAT YOU WANT?' The light-haired girl responds, 'YOU'RE MORE OF THE KIND OF PERSON THAT WOULD GO OVER EVERY SINGLE OPTION TO ENSURE THEY HAD SELECTED THE BEST ONE POSSIBLE TO ACHIEVE THEIR GOAL, AREN'T YOU? I DON'T TAKE YOU FOR THE KIND OF PERSON THAT WOULD EVEN BE SATISFIED EVEN IF THEY WERE DOING WHAT THEY FELT WAS RIGHT.' In the forest, Kurapika sits facing the two background figures by the fire. He states, '...YOU MEAN YOU'RE FINE WITH COLLECTING PAWNS YOU CAN JUST SACRIFICE WHEN CONVENIENT. ...I'M FINE WITH ALLIES. BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT. IF YOU PLAN TO GO TO WAR AGAINST A GROUP OF A-RANK BOUNTIES, THEN CAST YOUR PERSONAL FEELINGS ASIDE AND FIND YOURSELF SOME ALLIES.' A large close-up shows the girl's wide-eyed, serious face as she says, 'PROGRESSING FORWARD LIKE THIS WAS HARDLY A SIMPLE TASK... INDEED... IT'S ALL EXACTLY AS YOU SAID IT WOULD BE. THIS IS ALSO SOMETHING YOU'LL ONLY LEARN ONCE YOU FIGHT ALONGSIDE ALLIES.'

A clenched fist wrapped in chains appears against a streaked background as inner resolve echoes: "TO FIGHT ON MY OWN ALL THE MORE!" "THAT'S WHY I WANT THE STRENGTH..." "BUT...!" Below, a bespectacled man in a suit reacts with surprise, raising a hand while shouting "SIMPLE...!!!" Nearby, Gon beams excitedly and Killua watches with a serious expression as another panel shows the suited man holding a phone to his ear. A small inset captures a round-faced child with closed eyes and clasped hands. Suddenly the massive Steal Chain ability activates: a long syringe-like barrel tipped with a needle and linked by heavy chains slams forward with explosive force, labeled "T/N: WRITTEN AS 'THIEVING INDEX FINGER CHAIN!'" The chain pierces a cylindrical object and strikes a screaming man with wild hair and a dangling pendant, shattering glass and sending debris flying amid bold impact SFX.

Kurapika straddles the fallen Sairid, pressing the chained syringe into his neck while declaring he will borrow Sairid's Nen ability temporarily. Sairid lies pinned with wide eyes and an open mouth as Kurapika explains that continued aura extraction will place him in a state identical to Zetsu. In smaller panels Bill reacts with shock, questioning what will happen if the Nen does not leave and worrying that Sairid's mind and body could be destroyed. A close-up shows Bill's alarmed face. Another panel depicts a hand near a head with exclamation marks. Kurapika continues analyzing the risks: if the Nen beast becomes a parasite-type it may feed on the host's aura until it disappears or the host dies. Bill's voice calls out "BILL...!!!" as Kurapika concludes that if he is next to die after this, that is how Bill must think as well, urging preparation of counter-measures against the information gained.

A close-up shows a bloodied face with closed eyes and an exclamation mark, reacting in shock. Nearby, a spiky-haired man sweats heavily with wide eyes and a grim expression. Kurapika, with blonde hair, speaks firmly: 'THEN I WOULD DO THE SAME THING IN ORDER TO GAIN DIFFERENT INFORMATION!' He continues, 'OF COURSE, IF YOU SHOULD BE TAKEN DOWN BY A DIFFERENT NEN BEAST...' The scene shifts to a massive splash panel revealing the Nen beast Gigi, a stitched teddy bear with spider-like limbs and a starry body, lying prone with drool and the label 'GIGI!' as impact lines and smoke fill the air around it.

Kurapika leaps into action wearing a black suit, chains extending from his hands as he targets an opponent below. A close-up highlights his hand with the label 'INDEX FINGER...'. In the next panel Kurapika's eyes glow intensely as he declares 'EMPEROR TIME!!!'. The Nen beast Gigi reacts with flailing limbs while a large ornate weapon or object is struck, producing massive black SFX 'ドレッドク' and impact bursts. Motion lines and speed effects emphasize the rapid assault.

Kurapika leaps into position beside a massive ornate mechanical construct suspended by chains. The device resembles a stylized fish or beast head with intricate floral patterns and a long barrel. A figure lies sprawled on the floor below as Kurapika extends his arm and shouts, "EQUIP STOLEN POWER!!" The construct glows and shifts while the fallen person remains motionless. In the lower panels the device activates with rapid analysis: "ANALYZING!" followed by "EQUIP COMPLETED!!" Bright impact lines and large stylized sound effects "ギャイイイ" burst outward as the barrel extends and the mechanism locks into place.

Kurapika reflects that he cannot hijack the enemy's ability because it requires hearing the Nen beast's voice and the keyword "free." Bill stands with arms raised, explaining that the stolen ability's name is "LITTLE EYE" and that it controls small living beings caught in its ball-shaped Nen but does not affect beings conjured by Nen. In the next scene Kurapika stands in an ornate room while Bill kneels beside a seated person. Kurapika tells Bill to go on standby for a bit. Bill acknowledges that Emperor Time has been active. Kurapika notes that since the ability has been activated without release, Emperor Time will continue and asks Bill to search for an appropriate small living being to use "retry" on. Bill replies that he thinks the target should be all right now and requests that Sairid be tied to a chair.

A man in a dark suit sits rigidly in an ornate chair, recounting his ordeal. "Somehow, it seemed only Nen users could see it... I tried telling it, 'I'm telling it, I'm not free! Get lost!!!' over and over, but it didn't do a damn thing..." Nearby, a small child clings to an adult's leg while another figure stands silently. The man continues, "This other smaller one latched onto me and was just constantly asking me..." A spiky-haired man stares in shock as the suited man growls, "Fine! I'm free now! What the hell do you want?!" The suited man adds, "I no longer had control over my own body... As soon as I'd said that..." The scene shifts to a cluttered room filled with soldiers in tactical gear and berets. Several bodies lie on tables covered by dark sheets. One soldier reports, "This is the other smaller one..." while another stands guard. In the foreground, Kurapika faces the spiky-haired man. A Kakin soldier in a cap marked "KIN" declares, "The Kakin army will be taking custody of, and questioning him. If you would hand him over. Where is the murderer?"

Kurapika continues explaining his ability. "As soon as I use them once, my power can automatically return to their original owner. As much as I would love to... Then I'd like you to keep them and hang onto them." He notes, "They're still in here." A close-up shows his serious expression as he adds, "The largest creature that my power can control is about the size of a hamster." He warns, "Even if I have trouble capturing nimble creatures, more sometimes. Also, the 'one use' you mentioned may also count a failure to capture something, so be careful." Further details follow about how being inconspicuous might make flies or mosquitoes good candidates, though natural predators often kill them, and even a creature in another place could provide information through what it sees or hears. In another room, a woman pleads, "We do not care if we're arrested by the military or even banished... but please make this stop..." while another figure says they do not think they can endure more of this. A soldier replies, "Ummm... Use it to find the real culprit. Please make good use of it." The group turns and walks away down the corridor.

Since leaving port, only two hours have passed as a massive black vessel glides across open water under scattered clouds. Inside an ornate room aboard the ship, a spiky-haired man in a dark suit stands with hands on his hips and declares that their numbers are down to a mere two, and the eleven bodyguards. A woman with glasses and a woman in formal robes stand attentively nearby while another woman sits holding a baby. In tighter panels, a stern man with slicked-back hair states that the other is even more difficult and requires the cooperation of master Beyond. A voice replies that yes, but one of them is extremely difficult and requires the cooperation of Pariston. The long-haired person asks whether they are still going to be possible without Carton, noting they were in the middle of their explanation but for the remaining two methods.

In Prince Residential Area - Section 12, a woman with hair in twin buns angrily tells someone to quit being so nosy, insisting Prince Momoze already has six bodyguards and that is plenty. She adds that Marayam's protection is more important and that the model will only scare him, wanting him calm and comfortable. A bald man questions whether she can really hear the reply. The woman with buns affirms that of course Momoze can look after herself. A spiky-haired man asks if it is okay if they go. Another man confirms the contract for Mara's model is already made and payment will still be issued. The woman with buns reassures that it is fine. At the bottom of the page a young girl with long wavy hair smiles and tells her mother not to worry about her; the mother replies yes.

A young girl in a frilled hat and dress sits beside a massive, round, mouse-like creature with a long tail. She speaks softly while looking down. 'I feel sorry for mother and Marayam...' she says. Nearby, two suited men stand at attention. One replies, 'But this is our mission... so if you don't mind...' and another adds, 'Thank you very much for your consideration...' The girl responds, 'Is that so? Well, thank you for your hard work.' The suited men then say, 'You guys can go relax in the room next door. I'll be fine...' In a larger panel the girl sits in an ornate chair next to the enormous creature, which has speech bubbles above it. She thinks, 'I haven't even done anything today, but I feel totally pooped...' and 'Having to go through that much hassle and worry...' The creature wonders, 'I wonder what's wrong with me...' An old man in the background mutters, 'Nobody else is here... we're gonna have to make it, who else?' A suited man nearby questions, 'What about the prince's food...?' At the bottom of the page, plates of roasted meat, vegetables, soup, and bread are shown with speech bubbles: 'Well, I've got A...' and 'Whoa... you're amazing!'

In a banquet hall filled with formally dressed guests at round tables, a young man with light hair stands and speaks. 'I'm just saying goodbye to my father,' he says. Another voice calls, 'Master Halkenburg...?' The young man continues, 'I look forward to the next dinner party!' and 'Well, then excuse me.' A large man with a mustache replies, 'Master Halkenburg... it is time to take your leave.' In close-up panels the young man walks forward with a serious expression while guests react. An older man with curly hair asks, 'What is it, Hui?' The young man, identified as Halkenburg, stands firm. A woman in an elaborate dress says, 'Well, we can discuss the investment another time...' and 'Excuse me, it appears my son has something to discuss in private, Hui.' The page ends with a dramatic close-up of Halkenburg's intense face against a black background, declaring, 'I am withdrawing from the succession battle.'

A massive winged guardian spirit beast looms behind a young man in a suit, its clawed hands resting on his shoulders. The creature has multiple horns, a central eye, and a fierce expression. The young man stands calmly, facing forward. In front of him, a bald man with a topknot smiles broadly. The young man speaks: "I ONLY PARTICIPATED IN THE CEREMONY TO SAVE FACE FOR YOU, FATHER..." and "I DON'T NEED A CROWN WON THROUGH BLOODSHED." The bald man replies with a grin: "DO AS YOU WISH, HUI..." and "A MAELSTROM... DOES HE WANT THIS OR DOESN'T HE?" He adds "HO HO HO..." Sound effects "ズ" "ズ" emphasize the beast's presence. The page is marked as the end of chapter 361.