Hunter × Hunter Chapter 372: Elimination

The slick-haired man thinks to himself: 'I SEE... THEY'RE EITHER BEING CONTROLLED BY A MANIPULATOR... OR IT'S SOMETHING TO DO WITH THEIR PRINCE'S NEN BEAST.' He continues, 'IF POSSIBLE, I'D LIKE TO STAY AND KEEP WATCH... BUT THAT'S ALL GOING TO DEPEND ON HOW KURAPIKA VIEWS ME FIRING THAT GUN EARLIER...' In the background, a suited man stands on a grand staircase and says, 'ONCE THE LESSON IS OVER, I SHALL SPEAK WITH ONE OF THE TWO OF YOU.' 'DUE TO SECURITY REASONS, I CAN'T LEAVE THIS AREA... NOR CAN I ALLOW YOU TO COME ANY CLOSER.' A voice replies 'UNDERSTOOD.' Close-ups show intense eyes as narration states, 'WHICH MEANS THERE'S STILL ONE OTHER NEN USER HIDING AMONG US...' 'ONE OF THEM WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY BY THE ROYAL ARMY EARLIER...' Further narration reads, 'WITHOUT A DOUBT, THEY ARE AN ASSASSIN.' 'THEY ARE INDEED SKILLED.' 'THE AURA THAT'S STEMMING UP AND OFF OF THEIR HEAD IS NATURAL...' '...WHOEVER THEY ARE...' 'THEY'RE WELL CAMOUFLAGED...' The man concludes, 'PERHAPS I'LL LET THINGS PLAY OUT A BIT LONGER... THEY STILL HAVEN'T BECOME NOTICED THE FACT THAT I'M AWARE OF THEM.' 'AND THE FLOW OF AURA COMING FROM THEIR HANDS IS PRECISELY THAT OF AN AMATEUR'S.'

The scene opens on the exterior of room 1010. Inside, an elderly man in a dark suit stands beside a small child with a worried expression. Nearby, a young woman with a headband sits on a bed reading a book, while a woman with voluminous curly hair stands with arms crossed. Two suited men stand behind a seated man wearing glasses who clasps his hands. The curly-haired woman speaks firmly, declaring she will not answer questions. The man with glasses states he invokes his right to silence. Another voice notes they are staying silent. In a larger room with ornate decor, figures sit and stand as someone asks how they will proceed. The curly-haired woman adds she would be grateful if the formality ended quickly. The man with glasses replies that it is simply a formality with no court records left behind, and that the speaker is protected by royal family privileges. He further explains that under constant surveillance they must endure the next 72 hours, and offers to prepare anything needed.

A close-up reveals a man's wide, startled eyes and forehead. Below, three panels show a bald man in a suit standing with a stern expression, a young girl with pigtails looking concerned, and a large rat gnawing on debris near a security camera. In the main scene, a massive spiky creature with multiple limbs and a grotesque face looms over a small table where two people sit. The creature growls loudly with onomatopoeia GRR RRR RRO WL. The girl remarks that it looks like the creature is getting bigger. An unseen voice asks what the listener thinks about the situation.

An unseen narrator explains the Nen beast's condition: anxiety, fear, stress, and trauma manifest on it, with thorns appearing as a defensive instinct. The sister's death accelerated its growth, and it has begun swelling in size with a stern expression. In a room with a clock showing 3:15, a guard informs Hanzo and Biscuit that they are here to take over the shift. Hanzo and Biscuit stand facing two suited men. Biscuit lies on the upper bunk while the patient rests below; she asks if Hanzo is really going to go. Hanzo replies that discovering the culprit may help the prince and Nen beast relax. He then leaps from the upper level, activates Hanzo Skill 4, Bunshin no Jutsu, and creates a clone that lands on the lower bed. The clone explains that if touched or spoken to, the technique will cancel, and lack of sleep harms the skin; it offers beauty face packs in exchange for watching over the patient.

A man with spiky hair lies in bed, taps the wall twice, and looks upward. From the upper bunk, a large eye peers down through a gap. The spiky-haired man sits up as Hanzo, wearing a black jacket with an 'H', leans over him and states that the First Prince Benjamin wants to see him and has come to help. The man reacts with shock. In another room, a seated figure explains that a precise murder method is needed for the trial materials and that Nago-mam next door will confess to everything and commit suicide. Hanzo tells the spiky-haired man that everything has been arranged with the army and that Benjamin wants to recruit him. The man exclaims in disbelief about Benjamin's involvement.

In a dimly lit room, a spiky-haired man explains his Nen ability while facing another figure. He states that as long as he lies down with his eyes closed, he can create a clone that can move freely within a radius of 20 meters. The clone technique is called "The Touch." Another voice responds that they need to write the specifics of the ability in the will so everything will be perfect, noting that the existence of Nen abilities and Nen beasts have become public knowledge due to recent happenings. A suited man confirms he understands. The spiky-haired man then asks for help to make it look like the target committed suicide, revealing that Nagomam has been drugged asleep. In a close panel, he questions if the other knew it was him. Suddenly, the scene shifts to action as the spiky-haired man grabs the bald man with a long braid from behind in a chokehold. The bald man, eyes wide in shock, exclaims that he just happened to test the other first. The spiky-haired man declares it was down to two people as they struggle violently, with impact lines and motion emphasizing the fight.

The scene opens in room 1008. A large digital display shows the number 1008 on the wall. A man with a long braid stands with a stern expression, sweat visible on his face. In the background, a large bed holds several people: a shirtless muscular man sitting up in alarm, a woman with long hair, and a small child. Speech bubbles indicate the group is discussing a broadcast and whether they can attend a banquet. The braided man asks what they are planning. Suddenly, a grotesque, multi-eyed and multi-mouthed Nen beast-like entity appears, its face contorted with many open mouths and eyes, surrounded by smoke or aura effects. It speaks in a taunting manner, saying they will have to look forward to the day it happens to find out. The entity continues to mock them while the people in the bed react with shock and confusion. The braided man remains focused and serious amid the chaos.

A large overhead panel shows ornate double doors beneath a decorative sign reading 106. Speech bubbles float above the scene as unseen readers react to a book: "I'M SO OVERWHELMED WITH EVERY LINE I READ THAT I CAN HARDLY MAKE ANY PROGRESS." "EVERY LAST WORD RESOUNDS SO DEEPLY MY HEART...!!" "HAS IT BROUGHT ABOUT A CHANGE WITHIN YOUR HEARTS?" "SO... HOW DO YOU FEEL NOW THAT YOU'VE READ THE TEACHINGS OF TAITHO?" Below, a long corridor lined with ornate railings and potted plants stretches into the distance. A small figure stands on the stairs proclaiming, "MY TEACHINGS WILL TAKE YOU TO THE NEXT STAGE!!" Another voice answers, "BUT I GUARANTEE YOU THIS... YOU BOTH HAVE A SPECIAL POWER WITHIN YOU!" "MY FEELINGS ARE EVOLVING AS WE SPEAK!!" "YES, MA'AM!!" In a side panel, a stern dark-haired man in a suit faces a grinning blond man. The blond declares, "EVEN SEEING THE INDEX OF CHAPTER TITLES IS A TOTAL KNOCK-OUT!! I'M PORING OVER EVERY LAST INCH OF THAT RIGHT NOW!!" "YOU HAVEN'T EVEN READ A WORD OF IT." "YOU'RE REALLY SOMETHING ELSE." A short-haired woman nearby apologizes, "I APOLOGIZE, BUT I HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE TO READ IT YET." The dark-haired man and blond continue: "IT SEEMS ONLY WE NEN USERS CAN SEE THEM... BUT REGARDLESS, THEY DON'T SEEM TO BE HARMFUL FOR NOW." "SAME WITH ME." "THIS THING WON'T LEAVE MY SIDE... WHAT IS IT~?" The blond calls out, "IZU..." In the final panel a bald man with a prominent scar and earpiece speaks forcefully: "OH, IZU... YOU'RE JUST TRYING TO RUN AWAY FROM REALITY, AREN'T YOU?" "SHUT UP! WHY ARE YOU ALWAYS SO EASY-GOING?!" "WE STILL DON'T KNOW THAT. IT MAY BE HERE FOR SOME OTHER REASON." "ME? YOU MEAN ME, KURAPIKA?" "SHOULD WE TRY TO BRANCH OUT?" "THAT MEANS THAT WE'VE BEEN ACKNOWLEDGED BY THE PRINCE MORE THAN HIM, RIGHT?" "BUT THE FACT THAT THERE ISN'T ONE ON FIRST PRINCE BENJAMIN'S PRIVATE ARMY'S OLAI..."

A wide panel displays a digital clock reading 1014 beneath a banner stating THE SECOND DAY, 12:30 PM. A speech bubble promises, "I'LL SEE YOU HERE TOMORROW AT THE SAME TIME." Another concludes, "THAT WILL DO IT FOR TODAY." In the next tier, a stern man with a scar on his cheek asks, "DOES THAT MEAN THEY'RE PLANNING ONE KILLING A DAY?" while a tall man in a high-collared jacket replies, "AFTER THAT INCIDENT, THE ASSASSIN DIDN'T MAKE ANY MORE MOVES..." A young woman with pigtails stands with arms crossed, recalling, "WHEN I WAS WORKING AS A BODYGUARD ON THE FIRST DAY, 5 PEOPLE WERE KILLED." "WHICH MEANS THIS TIME, IT JUST CAME DOWN TO THE FACT THAT THE REQUIREMENTS WEREN'T MET." A group of suited men appears; one says, "I WOULD LIKE TO BE PRESENT AS WELL." Kurapika is addressed by name in a nearby bubble. In the lower panels a dark-haired man questions Bill and Kurapika's ability to handle the situation alone: "DO YOU REALLY THINK YOU AND BILL CAN GET THROUGH THE REST OF THIS ALONE? AN ASSASSIN AT WORK WITHIN THE CROWD WASN'T IN YOUR CALCULATIONS, WAS IT?" The young woman answers, "IF YOU DON'T SHOW THE 3RD PRINCE FAVOR AND GIVE US ANY USEFUL INFORMATION, THEN THERE'S NO POINT IN US STAYING HERE." "AND I SHOULD HAVE MORE THAN QUALIFIED." "I'M SORRY, BUT..."

A dark-haired man in a suit leans forward with a serious expression, insisting on full disclosure. "I'M MUCH MORE EXPERIENCED WHEN IT COMES TO SECURITY, SO MY OPINION AND VIEW-POINT WILL CARRY MORE VALIDITY THAN YOURS. I WANT TO KNOW ANY AND ALL INFORMATION ABOUT NEN THAT STEMS FROM ANY-THING THAT HAPPENS HERE." Kurapika, with his blonde hair and sharp eyes, refuses firmly. "NO CAN DO." He continues, "OF COURSE I STILL PLAN ON KEEPING MY PROMISE ABOUT THE INFORMATION, BUT PLEASE JUST STEP BACK FOR NOW. THIS IS ONE OF THE PROBLEMS THAT BILL MENTIONED TO ME BEFORE I BLACKED OUT..." In a wider view inside the ornate hall, the dark-haired man stands opposite Kurapika. "THEN WE WILL HAVE TO COMPROMISE," he states. "IF YOU ARE DISAGREEING DUE TO US..." Another panel shows Kurapika turning slightly as the man adds, "IN ORDER TO HELP DISCUSSIONS ALONG TODAY AS AMICABLY AS POSSIBLE, HE WANTS INFORMATION ABOUT NEN BEASTS. 9TH PRINCE HARKENBURG WISHES TO PUT THIS MATTER TO A STOP IF AT ALL POSSIBLE." The final panel reveals a close-up of a gloved hand holding a glowing leaf-shaped mark that emits a bright aura against a dark background.

A raised hand gestures while explaining the strange circumstances. "AND THE FACT THAT WE DIDN'T THINK IT STRANGE THAT THE PRINCE WAS GOING TO BED AT A TIME OUTSIDE OF HIS USUAL BEDTIME." Another voice notes, "WHAT'S STRANGE IS THAT NONE OF US HAVE ANY MEMORIES OF LOSING CONSCIOUSNESS..." The group discusses how the Prince and his soldiers immediately lost consciousness after seeing everyone pass out, with a mark already present on their hands upon waking. "THIS IS COMMON WITH MEMORY REVISIONS FROM A MANIPULATOR'S ATTACKS," states Kurapika. The panel shows several suited men standing in the hall, one pointing at the mark on another's hand. "NO MATTER HOW MUCH WE RUB OR WASH, IT WON'T COME OFF, MUCH LIKE A TATTOO." Kurapika analyzes the ability: "USERS WHO STILL GIVE THEIR TARGETS THE FREEDOM OF CHOICE, BUT MANIPULATE THEM TO WORK IN THEIR FAVOR." He identifies it as "REQUEST-TYPE..." and notes that this memory revision is common with request-type manipulators. Yuhirai appears in a panel near the doors. The page ends with definitions of compulsory and half-compulsory types contrasted against request-type traits, as Kurapika points upward with a focused expression.

A stern-faced man with short dark hair closes his eyes as he speaks of the prince's words and attitude permeating the decisions of all his men. He suggests it was a declaration of resolve and unity. In the next panels a light-haired woman with a bob cut agrees that the prince could have placed the mark somewhere more visible. A hand displays a small leaf-like mark on the fingertip while another voice notes that others, including the prince himself, possess the same mark. Two men in suits discuss the contradiction: one with glasses states it is clearly contradictory while the other agrees the will itself is the problem. The light-haired woman listens intently. Further panels show the stern man explaining that the prince prepared to follow his beliefs and chose a harsh path, yet the ceremony and his Nen beast run contrary to one another. The last thing the prince wants is for the princes to kill each other, which is why he refused the king to stop the ceremony. The 9th Prince Halkenburg's desire is to annul the monarchical system. In order to make that desire a reality, this succession war was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The stern man clenches his fist around the marked hand while the light-haired woman watches with a serious expression.

The light-haired woman notes that the man is in a state of half-awakening and asks if he can see the number 4 on her fingertip. She holds up her finger showing the mark while small aura-like shapes float nearby. A voice explains that the conditions for activation are linked to the prince's own words and actions, placing the man in a partial temporary state he cannot fully control. The stern-faced man reacts with surprise, asking what this means. The light-haired woman replies that they may be in a dangerous situation and that if the prince has the same mark the risk is tied to his very life. In order to ensure the prince's beliefs do not turn into poison, those bearing the mark must piece together the true nature of his ability. The fact that there is no difference among the seals means the will will be equally manifested among the prince and his supporters. The stronger the ability the stronger its restriction, and the greater the consequences for not meeting its conditions. The light-haired woman offers to help find out about the prince's ability and devise countermeasures. The stern man and two other men stand listening in the background.

A man in a suit speaks seriously to a blonde woman. "But when you say 'we' you don't speak for all the princes you share information with..." The woman replies, "I trust you just fine." Another man adds, "We will absolutely not use your information for any evil purposes." The woman continues, "After the uproar that just happened, you should well know that Queen Oito truly wishes to escape from this killing game." In the next panel the suited man explains, "So all we need to do is drive 9th Prince Halkenburg into a critical position where he's forced to decide between the succession ceremony or his beliefs." A voice counters, "That's not true at all. 3rd Prince Chourai is prioritizing searching for a peaceful resolution to all this." The woman leans in, "The lower ranked princes need to unite together or else they risk getting picked off." The suited man retorts, "You'll say whatever you need to get what you want." The blonde woman thinks, "While I buy time, I need to find the hints towards some kind of way to escape the succession war..." The suited man declares, "Winning over the 3rd and 9th princes is going to be major." She resolves, "I'll make an appeal to the other princes through the Hunter Association." The short-haired man confirms, "Yes, that's right... and the most pressing matter is still the identification and capture of the assassin..." Another panel shows intense close-ups as the group discusses Kurapika's crash course information on Halkenburg's Nen beast and the identity of the assassin. The suited man states, "I agree... first off, we need to create some kind of alliance among the princes." The spiky-haired character adds, "Sakata being here is really troublesome, but more important than that is Kurapika's information." The final panel emphasizes, "Protecting 14th Prince Woble will also result in the protecting of 9th Prince Halkenburg...!!"

A long empty hallway stretches under a sign reading 1013. A small figure lies motionless on the floor near scattered debris. An upside-down face appears with a question mark, reacting in shock. A bald man in a suit stares in horror at an empty bed, thinking "My body... is missing...?!" and "And Biscuit is gone, too?! What happened here?!" He turns and runs down the corridor shouting "Noone's here...!!" while another suited figure stands in the distant background. The bald man continues sprinting through the ruined hallway, his face filled with alarm.

A bald man in a dark suit stands in a grand room, his back to the viewer as he faces a massive, spiky Nen beast crouched on the floor. The creature, covered in horns and tendrils, glares with intense eyes. A close-up reveals its menacing face filling the frame. The man steps back slightly as the beast growls. His thoughts race: "...WHICH MEANS THE PRINCE MUST BE NEARBY...!!!" "IT'S GROWN ALL THE MORE MENACING..." "IT'S GOTTEN SMALLER, BUT..." "THE PRINCE'S NEN BEAST IS HERE...!!!" The beast lets out a thunderous "GROOOAR" as the man shifts his stance amid motion lines.

The Nen beast transforms dramatically, sprouting wings and multiple insect-like appendages as it hovers with intense speed lines radiating outward. It emits a loud "GRRR KRRRR KRRRR" while plant-like tendrils extend from its body. The bald man in the suit leaps backward into a defensive stance, one arm extended. His thoughts continue: "IT'S NO USE ...I CAN'T GET ANY CLOSER ..." A large close-up shows his intense expression as he wonders: "...OR... DOES IT NOT EVEN DISTINGUISH BETWEEN FRIEND OR FOE?!" and "WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?! IS IT PLANNING TO ATTACK ME WITHOUT ANY REGARD FOR FRIEND OR FOE?!"

In a dimly lit office, a man sits at a desk facing his laptop when a sharp K-KLACK sound echoes from the hallway. The door opens and Second Prince Camilla steps inside, her long hair flowing as she confronts the seated man. "Will you assist me? Or do you wish to die here?" she demands. The man, still seated with his back partially turned, replies, "I'm currently heading to kill First Prince Benjamin." A voice from off-panel adds, "If you need something, I can take care of it for you..." while another questions, "2nd Prince Camilla?!" Camilla leans forward with an intense gaze, strands of hair framing her face, and states, "I am kind, am I not? Choose whichever you prefer." The man reacts with visible tension, sweat on his brow, and retorts, "This is not my idea of a joke... Lady Camilla..." A bold caption declares, "ARROGANT DISRESPECT!! THE 2ND PRINCE IS ON THE MOVE!!" while impact SFX "ドドド" punctuate the charged exchange. The room number 1002 is visible on the wall, and the man wears a high-collared uniform jacket.