Chapter 364 · Expectation

00AI-written

An assassin disguised as a bodyguard leaps through the air, chains trailing from his wrists amid dramatic speed lines. A large thought bubble questions the consequences: "SO THEN WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF WE USED THE SELF-DEFENSE RULE TO TAKE HIM OUT?" Another bubble warns, "HE'S ONE OF THE FIRST PRINCE'S PRIVATE TROOPS AND AN OFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE KING'S ARMY...!!! EVEN A CLEAR AND OBVIOUS LIE LIKE THIS COULD ALL TOO EASILY END UP BEING TURNED INTO THE TRUTH...!!!" A smaller bubble adds, "THAT'S NO GOOD THERE~! YUP!" while another states, "WE'D BE IMPRISONED BY THE KING'S ARMY AS THE ASSASSINS AND WITHOUT A DOUBT BE FOUND GUILTY!" and "IF WE WENT THAT ROUTE..." Someone exclaims, "OH-HOH!" In the lower section, a tense group stands together: a young man with light hair in a dark suit and tie stares forward seriously, while nearby figures react with alarm. A large bubble outlines the plan: "ALL IN ORDER TO COMPLETE THE SCENARIO OF, 'THE SERVANT ASSASSINATED THE PRINCE AND QUEEN AND THEN KILLED HERSELF.'" Another continues, "HE WANTS TO LEAVE THE QUEEN AND THE PRINCE TOGETHER WITH THE LAST SERVANT AND LET THE NEXT ASSASSIN KILL THEM ALL." A close-up shows a stern man with short hair aiming a handgun directly forward, declaring, "AND I'LL HAVE TO TAKE SELF-DEFENSIVE ACTION!" and "I'LL HAVE TO CONCLUDE THAT YOU'RE ACCOMPLICES IN THE ASSASSINATION PLOT OF THE 14TH PRINCE, WOBLE." He adds, "IF YOU COME ANY CLOSER..." The young man replies simply, "YUP!"

light-haired young man in suitshort-haired man with handgunassassin in chainsbackground group members

Large title 'HUNTER x HUNTER' with credit 'CREATED BY YOSHIHIRO TOGASHI AND PRESENTED BY mangastream.com'. Credits list cleaning by Frostyle, Nash, Zero; redraws by Zero; typesetting by Dylan, Jean, Nora, RTSD; translation by DZYDZYDINO; provided by Friedrich. A dynamic close-up of Gon Freecss with green hair and intense expression appears against a fiery background. A notice warns against rehosting and directs readers to purchase official volumes.

Gon Freecss

A muscular man in a hooded jacket levels a handgun at Kurapika and smirks. "I take it you are the one that made the emergency call, Kurapika? Kukuku... very wise." Kurapika stands in the blood-spattered hallway, hands raised, while several bodies lie motionless behind him. He replies, "That's right. As you know, there are a great many things after the prince's life. And based on what we each have to gain in this situation, you're the most dangerous out of all of us." The gunman lowers his weapon slightly and declares, "I've come here to resolve the problem that's stemmed from this room. What I'm after here is 'cooperation'... I wouldn't dream of it, yup." Kurapika's eyes narrow beneath his bangs as he spits, "...Scum." The man grins and continues, "So how about 'cooperating' with me? If you do that, I'll spare your lives..."

Kurapikagunman in hooded jacket

In the corridor, several figures stand near an ornate doorway. A voice states, "We will protect the two of you." Another replies, "What happens to us." A third mutters, "No matter..." A woman holding a crying baby appears in the next panel, the infant wailing loudly. Kurapika, seen from behind, touches his head and says, "That is why we are here." Close-ups show a woman with a ponytail looking surprised, a stern man with a cross-shaped scar on his forehead, and another woman holding the baby with a worried expression. In the final panel Kurapika faces Prince Woble and Queen Oito directly and asks, "Prince Woble, Queen Oito? Will you trust me?"

KurapikaQueen OitoPrince Woblewoman with ponytailman with cross scargunman in hooded jacketdark-haired woman holding baby

Oito holds Prince Woble tightly in her arms, her eyes wide with sudden alarm as a sharp sound effect punctuates the moment. Sweat beads on her face while she stares intently at something off-panel. In a smaller panel, Woble reaches out with a cheerful cry of 'BAA AAAH'. Close-ups show Oito's tense eyes and Woble's curious gaze. In a dramatic full-width panel, Oito's expression hardens with fierce determination, tears and sweat visible as she shouts, 'NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS!!' and 'I WILL TRUST YOU!!' while clutching the baby prince protectively against her chest.

OitoWoble

A massive chain-wrapped hand bursts forward with heavy impact lines and bold sound effects. Kurapika leans in from the upper right, his face partially shadowed and focused. Below, Oito reacts with shock, her eyes wide as the chains whip around her and Woble. The baby reaches upward while Oito maintains her grip, the chains coiling tightly with dramatic motion lines and impact bursts surrounding them.

KurapikaOitoWoble

Shocked faces fill the panels as several people react with wide eyes and open mouths to an unseen event. A woman with dark hair tied back stares in alarm. In a large panel, Lady Oito recoils with a device attached to her ear, her expression one of shock and pain amid radiating impact lines and jagged SFX. A voice speaks directly into her mind: "I AM COMMUNICATING DIRECTLY TO YOUR MIND." The same voice addresses her: "LADY OITO." A small panel shows a blonde figure, Kurapika, with a focused gaze. The voice continues explaining the situation as a ornate fish-shaped device labeled with floral patterns appears, connected by tubes. "WE ARE CURRENTLY CONNECTED BY KURAPIKA'S ABILITY." Oito's eyes widen further in disbelief at the revelation. The voice states: "I HAVE TRANSFERRED THE RIGHT TO USE 'LITTLE EYE' WHICH I HAVE BEEN EQUIPPED WITH FROM KURAPIKA TO YOU, LADY OITO." Oito reacts with fresh surprise, sweat drops visible, as additional SFX and motion lines emphasize the mental connection and sudden transfer of the Nen ability.

OitoKurapikaunidentified slick-haired manunidentified ponytail woman

A man in a suit questions the unfolding scene while facing a hallway where a figure in dark clothing appears to attack a woman holding a baby. Speech bubbles read: "IS THIS A YES TO OUR 'COOPERATION'?!" and "HE'S ATTACKING THE QUEEN ...?!" Close-ups show an eye and an ornate mask-like device with text stating: "PRESENTLY, THE ONLY ONES THAT CAN SEE ME ARE KURAPIKA AND YOURSELF." and "THIS WILL BE IN EFFECT UNTIL THE ABILITY IS ACTIVATED." The attacker is identified in dialogue as the other bodyguard. A close-up reveals Vincent's intense glare. The scene shifts to a dramatic overhead view of a large room where multiple figures are sent flying or falling amid debris and motion lines, with Vincent's fist raised in the foreground. The queen and child are visible among the chaos below as the attack escalates.

VincentOitoWobleKurapikaunidentified suited manunidentified bodyguards

A bald man in a white jumpsuit stands with his back to a doorway, firing his handgun at a spiky-haired man engulfed in crackling aura. The spiky-haired man recoils from the impact but remains standing. The bald man, now facing forward with intense focus, grips his pistol and declares he cannot stop the attacker with bullets alone. He channels Nen through his arms to guard his vitals while advancing. With a powerful shout of "HNGH HH!!!", he delivers a massive forward punch labeled "AIR BLOW!!" that strikes the spiky-haired man squarely, sending shockwaves and spiral impact effects through his body.

bald man in white jumpsuitspiky-haired man with aura

The bald man's fist connects with the spiky-haired man's head, producing a large impact burst and a question mark reaction from the bald man. Close-ups show the spiky-haired man's narrowed eyes and the bald man's surprised expression. Text reads "IT DIDN'T WORK...?". In a wider shot the bald man, still holding his gun, points toward the spiky-haired man who now appears bound by chains or aura tendrils alongside another figure holding a small child. The bald man's face fills the final panel with a tense, focused stare.

bald man in white jumpsuitspiky-haired man with aurafigure holding a child

A chain-linked syringe device plunges deep into the bald man's torso with a massive SCHLUUUURP, visibly extracting swirling aura. The bald man stands frozen with hands raised in a defensive stance, chain wrapped around his waist, his face showing sudden alarm. Close-up on his wide eyes reveals the shock: 'IS BEING DRAINED ...?! MY AURA ...' Kurapika appears in the foreground, chain still connected to his finger, eyes sharp as he realizes the implication. 'WHICH MEANS I CAN TAKE ANOTHER ABILITY USING STEAL CHAIN!!' he announces. He continues, 'STEALTH DOLPHIN!! BY USING MY INDEX FINGER'S EMPEROR TIME, I CAN TRANSFER AN ABILITY I'VE TAKEN TO SOMEONE ELSE!!' In rapid succession, the bald man is hurled backward by a powerful impact, body twisting mid-air with debris flying. Another figure is struck and sent flying with a loud 'ドォォ' while the bald man cries out 'GAHA AAA AH!' amid motion lines and impact bursts.

Kurapikabald muscular man

A violent stomp crushes a handgun to the floor with 'STOMP' and 'CRACK KRACK' SFX as the bald man is forced down. The bald man reaches desperately with one hand while shouting 'Y...OU...!!!' A spiky-haired man lies on the ground clutching his face in pain, another gun nearby. Kurapika stands over the scene in a black suit, pointing a pistol downward. In a smaller panel Kurapika's face is shown as he states, 'I AM HEREBY RESTRAINING YOU.' He continues, 'FOR YOUR ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION OF 14TH PRINCE WOBLE...' The bald man, now on the ground with a bruised face, looks up in confusion and asks, '...WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?' In the background a silhouetted figure stands near two fallen men, one still holding a gun.

Kurapikabald muscular manspiky-haired man

A bald man with a stern face declares, 'I WILL TESTIFY.' He continues, 'I JUST CAME HERE AS A ROYAL BODYGUARD TO HELP DEFEND THE QUEEN AND PRINCE!!' and accuses, 'YOU ARE THE ONES THAT IGNORED MY WARNINGS AND ATTACKED ME!!' In another panel, a woman holding a baby warns, 'OR DIRTY METHODS YOU TRY TO EMPLOY...' while another voice adds, 'NO MATTER WHAT UNDERHANDED TRICKS YOU TRY TO USE...' The scene shifts to Queen Oito, wide-eyed and furious, holding Prince Woble. She points and shouts, 'WAS YOU, VINCENT!! THE ONE THAT CAME HERE AFTER OUR LIVES AND THE ONE THAT KILLED THE INNOCENT SANDRA...' Kurapika, eyes glowing with power and chains wrapped around his hands, reassures her, 'HE'LL CONFESS TO EVERYTHING ON THE WITNESS STAND ON HIS OWN.' He adds, 'DO NOT WORRY, QUEEN OITO. IF I USE MY ABILITY...' as two figures stand in the background near a fallen body.

VincentOitoWobleKurapika

Vincent's face twists in agony as he lets out 'URRP' and then 'CRUNCH' with a pained expression. Someone shouts, 'IT'S POISON!! HE MUST HAVE HAD IT IN ONE OF HIS BACK TEETH...!!!' as Vincent collapses into the arms of two men. 'WHAT'S WRONG?!' one cries. A shocked onlooker exclaims, '!!' while another warns, 'YOU'RE GONNA HAND HIM OVER JUST LIKE THAT?! WHAT ABOUT HIS CONFESSION...' and urges, 'MAKE HIM THROW IT UP!' and 'PLEASE GET IN CONTACT WITH THE ROYAL ARMY. HE TOOK IT WITH GREAT CONVICTION AND RESOLVE... WE'RE PROBABLY TOO LATE.' Kurapika points forward and states, 'CONSIDER THE RISKS THAT WILL ARISE AFTER HAVING US AND THE QUEEN APPEAR IN COURT. IF THE FIRST PRINCE'S CAMP IS JUST WATCHING US CAREFULLY, THEN WE SHOULDN'T MAKE ANY MOVES EITHER.' He continues, 'BUT THIS ISN'T A CASE THAT WILL GET WRAPPED UP IN THE SHIP COURT ALONE. AND UNLESS WE CAN GET AN IMMEDIATE ARREST OF THE MASTERMIND WITH HIS CONFESSION, WE NEED TO AVOID IT. I KNOW... INDEED, IT'S UNFORTUNATE...'

VincentKurapikaOitoWoble

In a dimly lit control room, an operator reports that the connection has been lost after noticing interference, followed by a loud crunch. Another voice suggests moving the corpse over. A bald man seated with a tablet discusses Vincent's situation with a spiky-haired man standing nearby. They note that if Vincent could use Nen normally, he would have overpowered his captors quickly, but the real issue is the enemy's ability that restrained him after a gunshot. The spiky-haired man considers that the enemy might have used a method to disable Vincent's Nen, forcing him to rely on his gun. Further analysis reveals the enemy is likely a Manipulator requiring vocal commands, yet Vincent still chose to shoot and resist rather than comply. The group questions whether Vincent's actions were a bluff or if he was under surveillance, deciding to instruct other soldiers to use Nen abilities immediately after invoking self-defense.

bald man with tabletspiky-haired manintense close-up man

Kurapika and a spiky-haired associate continue analyzing the incident, noting the two remaining bodyguards may possess troublesome abilities and are loyal to their mission. They consider that the enemy might have an ability to manipulate humans, forcing caution. The associate reflects on Vincent's steel resolve and willingness to die. A close-up shows a figure muttering how interesting the situation is while another voice whispers Kuku-Kuku. In a larger room, Babimaina stands with hands on hips as a soldier acknowledges orders. The spiky-haired man in the foreground states that the situation has changed, so the mission must change as well, instructing that Babimaina will take over for Vincent.

Kurapikaspiky-haired associateBabimainasoldier in uniform

A stern man with spiky hair issues a grave order to his subordinate. "WHAT I AM ENTRUSTING YOU WITH HERE... IS A MISSION OF THE ABSOLUTE UTMOST IMPORTANCE. FAILURE WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. COMPLETE THIS MISSION, EVEN IF IT COSTS YOU YOUR LIFE!!" The subordinate snaps to attention. "YES, SIR!!" In a long hallway of the 101st floor, several figures stand near the walls while others gather farther back. Kurapika reflects on the situation: the 13th Prince Marayam constantly keeps his pet hamster with him. At the next banquet, 8th Queen Oito will activate Sayird's ability to take control of that hamster. If this works, it will be the best chance to learn about the other princes' situations.

spiky-haired commanderscarred subordinateKurapika

Oito, holding Woble, speaks with Kurapika about the chaotic state of the upper floors. Kurapika notes that the ability has a time limit. Calculating the cost, one hour would equal 150 days and 24 hours would equal 10 years, making a full week impossible before the next banquet. A woman with a headband listens nearby. Kurapika explains that controlling small animals is the best way to scout other princes. The woman asks what she should do. Kurapika suggests using the ability on a dolphin or, if a fly or mosquito appears, ordering it to strike the target immediately, as these insects arouse no suspicion.

OitoKurapikaheadband womanWoble

Kurapika considers the risks of the stolen ability. "But if the worst case scenario should arise, and that ability has a very difficult condition for activation..." he thinks. "Indeed, if I equip the dolphin with the ability I stole, then I'll learn all about it and be able to use it once..." Oito, holding baby Woble, asks, "Kurapika, do you wish me to equip with that power?" Kurapika replies that doing so would let her learn the details of the power and allow her to use it, but she would also be able to use the steal chain again, killing three birds with one stone. Kurapika answers, "I'm fine for now." He notes that using the ability itself would become his biggest problem, forcing him to remain in Emperor Time. In the spacious room with checkered flooring, Kurapika tells Shimano to answer the phone. A man in a dark uniform stands by the ornate door labeled "KING" and "QUEEN." Oito exclaims in alarm, "That would without a doubt mean my death!" A massive splash panel declares: "While activated, every second shortens its user's life-span by one hour...!!! EMPEROR TIME'S RULE."

KurapikaOitoWobleShimanounidentified man in uniform

Oito warns that the princes calling now interpret any postponement as a hostile act. Normally the proper protocol would be to respond from oldest to youngest. The phone operator reports three people calling at once: the first prince Benjamin, the third prince Zhang Lei, and the fifth prince Tubeppa. Kurapika says, "That's the thing..." A close-up shows a nervous Shimano holding the receiver. Oito states that hanging up on the princes will leave them waiting and that denying the calls will not prove their innocence. She adds, "That will be a declaration of war...!" Close-ups reveal tense expressions on Kurapika, Oito, and Shimano. A loud "DING DONG!" rings out. The final panel shows a stern man with slicked-back hair standing before a large circular window as narration explains that on top of three phone calls, one visitor arrives, and whichever is handled first is a matter of life and death.

OitoKurapikaShimanoWobleunidentified stern man

End of chapter20 pages

Discussion

00AI-written

light-haired young man in suitshort-haired man with handgunassassin in chainsbackground group members

Gon Freecss

Kurapikagunman in hooded jacket

KurapikaQueen OitoPrince Woblewoman with ponytailman with cross scargunman in hooded jacketdark-haired woman holding baby

OitoWoble

KurapikaOitoWoble

OitoKurapikaunidentified slick-haired manunidentified ponytail woman

VincentOitoWobleKurapikaunidentified suited manunidentified bodyguards

bald man in white jumpsuitspiky-haired man with aura

bald man in white jumpsuitspiky-haired man with aurafigure holding a child

Kurapikabald muscular man

Kurapikabald muscular manspiky-haired man

VincentOitoWobleKurapika

VincentKurapikaOitoWoble

bald man with tabletspiky-haired manintense close-up man

Kurapikaspiky-haired associateBabimainasoldier in uniform

spiky-haired commanderscarred subordinateKurapika

OitoKurapikaheadband womanWoble

KurapikaOitoWobleShimanounidentified man in uniform

OitoKurapikaShimanoWobleunidentified stern man

End of chapter20 pages