Hunter × Hunter Chapter 374: Ability

The suited man snaps back, "Don't underestimate me! I don't need advice on security from the likes of you!" He threatens, "That's enough. If you keep ignoring me and continuing on with these absurd claims of yours, I'll have to interpret this as a declaration of war." A younger man with light hair bows slightly and says, "Pardon my rudeness..." The suited man continues on the phone, "The easiest way to think of it is that your entire living quarters have been transported to some other location. I would like you to have someone from the Hunter Association check outside the door to confirm the situation!" In the next scene the suited man speaks with a serious expression, "All of the subjects are affiliated with the higher ranked queens, so we have not received any information on them whatsoever..." He adds, "So I can finally get down to business... What I want to know is the present status of the 6 suspects in 12th Prince Momoze's assassination." The suited man offers, "If you're able to acquire useful information on those involved, then we'd be fine with placing the Hunter Association member that was guarding Prince Momoze in your charge temporarily." He concludes, "As far as being affiliated with a queen that's even lower ranked than the one the suspects are affiliated with, you're the same as us... but being outsiders, you're more able to freely conduct yourselves. So I would like you to report on the current development of your investigation." Kurapika listens with a sharp gaze as a bald man asks, "What is it?"

Kurapika stares forward with a serious expression as speech bubbles detail the situation. 'REGARDING THE CULPRIT BEHIND 12TH PRINCE MOZE'S ASSASSINATION...! WE'VE ALREADY ACQUIRED ACCURATE, PRECISE INFORMATION...' A smaller panel shows Kurapika responding with 'YES.' The suited man continues, 'AND AS I SAID EARLIER, ROOM 1013 IS ALREADY UNDER THE EFFECTS OF SOME NEN USER. I WANT TO DO WHATEVER POSSIBLE TO STOP THE YOUNG PRINCES FROM FALLING VICTIM TO THIS TRAGEDY.' He explains the alliance formed with the third, fifth, and ninth princes and the need for cooperation. Kurapika listens intently. 'IF WE CAN GAIN AN UNDERSTANDING OF OUR SITUATION AND THEN SHARE THAT INFORMATION WITH ONE ANOTHER, THEN WE WILL SURELY FIND A WAY TO RESOLVE THINGS.' The suited man adds, 'PLEASE, WHATEVER IT TAKES, I NEED YOU TO TRUST US.' Kurapika replies, 'THANK YOU.' The man concludes, 'FINE. IF YOU'RE WILLING TO GO THAT FAR, I UNDERSTAND. IF WE BECOME AWARE OF ANY IRREGULARITIES, YOU WILL TELL US HOW TO DEAL WITH THEM AS WELL AS THE NAME OF THE ASSASSIN. I'LL HAVE THE ASSOCIATION HUNTER TAKE A LOOK OUTSIDE THE DOOR AND REPORT THE RESULTS OF THAT TO YOU.'

The suited man glares intensely, shouting, 'I'LL BET THAT'S WHAT YOU THOUGHT I'D SAY!! I TOLD YOU NOT TO UNDERESTIMATE ME, DIDN'T I?!' Kurapika reacts with surprise, a sweat drop visible. The man continues his tirade: 'THEN I CALL YOU TO ACCOUNT ABOUT THE INCIDENT THAT OCCURRED HERE IN ROOM 1013, YOU SAY "I KNOW THE CULPRIT"?! AND TO TOP THAT OFF, DURING YOUR LECTURE ON NEN, WE HAD ANOTHER DEATH!' He points accusingly. 'NOW ALL YOU ASSOCIATION MEMBERS SAY "NEN CAN ONLY BE SEEN BY THOSE THAT HAVE NEN ABILITIES"! FIRST OFF, AN EXTREMELY QUESTIONABLE DEATH OCCURRED IN ROOM 1014 AND INFORMATION ABOUT THIS SO-CALLED "NEN" BEGAN SPREADING.' The man demands, 'IF THAT WORKS FOR YOU, THEN GO AHEAD... LET'S HEAR WHO THIS SUPPOSED CULPRIT IS!' Kurapika looks down and answers, 'VERY WELL.'

A stern man with glasses delivers critical information: 'THIS IS INFORMATION THAT AN OUTSIDER SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO HAVE ACCESS TO.' He continues, 'INCIDENTALLY, AT THE TIME OF THE ASSASSINATION, TOUGHDY WAS IN BED IN ACCORDANCE WITH HIS SHIFT.' In another panel he adds, 'HE COMMITTED SUICIDE WITH A RESTRAINING BAR, AND IN HIS WILL HE REVEALED THE SECRETS OF HIS ABILITY THAT ALLOWED HIM TO INFILTRATE THE PRINCE'S SLEEPING QUARTERS.' Kurapika, standing in a grand hallway, listens as the man concludes, 'THE CULPRIT WAS A PRIVATE SOLDIER OF 5TH QUEEN SWINKO-SWINKO NAMED TOUGHDY.' Kurapika steps forward and insists, 'I WANT YOU TO UNDERSTAND THAT I'M NOT JUST CARELESS SPOUTING OFF RANDOM CLAIMS TO YOU.' The man replies that the identity of the assassin should be broadcast soon and that the trial of the 5th and 8th queens plus upper princes should proceed without delay. An unseen speaker offers an alliance, saying 'PLEASE, RECONSIDER MY OFFER OF ALLIANCE' and 'THAT WAS VERY INSIGHTFUL.' Kurapika warns that the chain of assassinations will not end and that more high-ranked queens and princes will become involved, making the outcome look like a lone act. In a dramatic full-width panel showing a bullet hole in rocky ground, a voice declares, 'AND WITH WHAT I'VE CONFIRMED JUST NOW... THERE WASN'T A SINGLE THING THE CLEAR AWAY ANY SUSPICION AT ALL... AND IN FACT, IT HAS ONLY DEEPENED...!' The same voice concludes, 'IT SEEMS TO ME, THAT THE HUNTER ASSOCIATION IS USING THIS SUCCESSION CEREMONY TO SOW THE DESTRUCTION OF KAKIN FROM THE INSIDE!'

Kurapika, eyes wide, states he is the only one aware of the full situation and wants the listener to stay in room 1013. He adds that although their whereabouts are unknown, he at least knows they can contact the association. In a side profile, the man with glasses replies that once his ability's cooldown ends he will return to his true body and investigate. Kurapika thinks to himself that Wergey is incredibly stubborn and gets the impression he trusts no one but himself. The man with glasses says he does not think Wergey is in a position to start a witch hunt but will act prudently. Kurapika, looking concerned, asks if there is anything she wants him to investigate. The man answers by prioritizing the safety of 13th Prince Marayam. In the hallway, the man with glasses bids farewell to two figures in the background, one in a puffy jacket, saying 'SEE YA.' A close-up shows him thinking 'HE'S A GOOD GUY IN THERE, AFTER ALL.' Kurapika stands alone in the ornate corridor as the conversation ends.

Kurapika stands in a hallway facing a man in a dark suit. The man asks, 'AND ITS PRESENT CONDITION UNDER THE EFFECTS OF NEN? WOULD YOU TELL ME WHAT YOU KNOW ABOUT ROOM 1013...' Kurapika replies, 'KURA-PIKA.' A spiky-haired man with arms crossed listens nearby. In another panel the suited man explains, 'THE ABILITY TO ISOLATE AND COMPLETELY CUT OFF A SPACE IS A SPECIALTY OF EMITTERS AND CONJURERS. ROOM 1013 HAS BEEN TRANSPORTED SOMEWHERE ALONG WITH ALL THE PEOPLE INSIDE IT. THOUGH WE CURRENTLY DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS AN OFFENSIVE OR DEFENSIVE ACT.' Kurapika thinks, 'BHAVIMINA DIDN'T INTERFERE IN THE SLIGHTEST... IS THIS PART OF HIS STRATEGY? OR DOES HE PLAN TO KEEP QUIET AND WATCH UNTIL THE ASSASSIN IS FOUND...?' The spiky-haired man adds, 'EMITTERS EXCEL AT MOVING ENTIRE SPACES, AND CONJURERS EXCEL AT CREATING LAWS AND RULES TO AFFIX TO THE AREA WITHIN THEM.' In a lower panel the suited man says, 'UNDERSTOOD. PLEASE KEEP ME UPDATED ON YOUR RESULTS. OF COURSE.' Another voice states, 'BUT COMMUNICATION WITH HANZO FROM HERE ON WILL BE THE KEY TO FIGURING IT OUT. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A DEFENSIVE ACT BY 13TH PRINCE MARAYAM'S NEN BEAST...' A timestamp reads '10. 37 HOURS AND 30 MINUTES SINCE DEPARTURE.'

A large diagram displays the current status of all princes in the succession contest. Each prince is listed with their queen, number of private guards, family guards, workers, hunter association members, and affiliate hunters. 1st Prince Benjamin has 13 private guards and 9 lower-prince surveillance members. 2nd Prince Camilla has 12 private guards. 3rd Prince Zhang Lei has 7 private guards. 4th Prince Tserriednich has 15 private guards. 5th Prince Tubeppa has 14 private guards. 6th Prince Tyson has 5 private guards. 7th Prince Luzurus has 6 private guards. 8th Prince Sale-Sale has 5 private guards. 9th Prince Halkenburg has 14 private guards. 10th Prince Kacho has 4 private guards. 11th Prince Fugetsu has 2 private guards. 12th Prince Momoze is marked deceased with everyone transferred to 13th Prince's room. 13th Prince Marayam has 5 hunter association members. 14th Prince Woble has 2 private guards and 1 worker. A black amorphous shape floats at the center of the diagram. Explanatory text at the bottom defines private guard, family guard, hunter association members, affiliate hunters, and workers, noting that private guards of the top 5 princes are fiercely loyal while others follow non-aggression policies.

A short-haired girl with dark bangs lies close to a smiling light-haired woman in a gentle embrace. A digital clock on the wall reads Tuesday 1:27 AM. The girl suddenly wakes with wide eyes, hearing a sharp KA-CHIN sound from her phone on the pillow. She sits up in bed, checks the glowing screen, then climbs out and approaches an ornate door decorated with swirling heart patterns. Loud snoring Z Z Z sounds echo from behind the door as the girl stares in shock, a speech bubble showing her surprise with !?.

Massive Z Z Z sound effects dominate the top of the page around the heart-decorated door. The short-haired girl stares at the door and realizes it is the entrance to the Magic Worm playground equipment she remembers from when she was little. The door suddenly appears in the wall. She crawls through the small doorway into a dim tunnel-like space filled with large cylindrical pipes and a heart symbol on the wall. In a separate room below, two figures stand facing each other: one in a puffy vest and another in a dark suit, with a curtained window and a speech bubble between them.

A heavy door swings open with a sharp KCHNK, followed by a long CREAK and a soft FWOSH as it settles. Inside the ornate room, two men stand facing each other in silence: the man in the puffy jacket stares ahead with a stern expression while the suited man maintains a composed, watchful posture. Far below, in a pitch-black tunnel, a lone figure crawls forward on hands and knees through the narrow passage. A hand reaches toward a swirling vortex that forms a perfect circular tunnel. A young girl with pigtails stares at it in awe, her eyes wide as she recalls the past. "WE WOULD BE ABLE TO GO ANYWHERE BY CRAWLING THROUGH IT!" "IT'S THE MAGIC TUNNEL...!! BACK THEN ..." "THAT'S RIGHT!"

A close-up reveals the young girl's eyes wide with shock and sweat drops flying. On the bed, the woman with wavy hair sits upright among scattered playing cards while a small figure hides beneath the sheets, only the top of a head visible. The woman turns her head with a tense expression, sweat visible on her cheek. The hidden child clenches a fist near their face. The woman raises both hands defensively, fingers spread and brows furrowed in alarm. The child peeks out from under the blanket. The young girl brings a finger to her lips in a clear shushing gesture, eyes narrowed with focus.

In a tense hallway exchange, a subordinate confirms with a sharp 'YES!' that he noticed the change. The bald attendant with a ponytail suddenly reels back in shock, eyes wide and mouth agape, shouting 'PRINCE KACHO'S PULSE RATE JUST JUMPED!!' as motion lines emphasize his alarm. Another voice calls out 'YOUR HIGHNESS!' from the corridor where two suited figures stand. The scene shifts to a spacious, checkered-floor room where a man in a puffy white jacket stands facing a man in a black suit; a question mark floats above the suited man's head. The bald attendant, still rattled, demands 'WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?' Prince Kacho, seen from behind with long hair, faces the puffy-jacketed guard. The guard asks 'PRINCE KACHO... ARE YOU ALRIGHT?' while the bald attendant pleads, 'IT IS OUR JOB TO PROTECT YOU. PLEASE, RELY ON US MORE.' Another voice affirms 'INDEED.'

Prince Kacho reflects internally that the sound of her bodyguard's heartbeat tells her the woman truly believes she is obligated to protect her this way, noting 'SHE REALLY IS STRONG-MINDED...' The long-haired bodyguard insists she will pretend to worry while Kacho hangs around, adding that it is simply her 'JOB' to work hard and get paid. She contrasts herself with Kacho, stating she has no one whose life she would risk her own to protect and takes great pride in her work. Kacho sharply retorts, 'HAVE YOU EVER BEEN TOLD BY YOUR PARENTS TO KILL YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS?!' and warns the bodyguard not to talk as if she understands her. The bodyguard counters that if her mission were to protect someone she would stake her life to accomplish it. Kacho kneels before the two men in suits, declaring 'IT'S EXACTLY AS YOU SAY.' She continues that it is not like she is risking her life because she wants to, and questions why she was doing this for someone else's sake. In a final panel she wonders aloud what would happen if she explained the truth about Nen to her underling.

A massive, grotesque Guardian Spirit Beast looms at the top of the page, its gaping mouth exhaling thick white smoke with sharp sound effects PWSSSSH and FWSSSHH. Below, a close-up profile of a man with closed eyes delivers detailed narration: the 8th Prince Sale-Sale's Guardian Spirit Beast is a Manipulator that incites by diffusing and spreading its suggestions. Its level of compulsory control is weak, but it manipulates a great number of people. The beast intermittently exhales white smoke; the more one inhales, the more favor is gained for the Prince. In the large panel, the beast floats above a cluttered royal bedchamber where a figure lies in bed. Two men stand watch: one in a puffy vest and boots, the other in a dark suit. Further narration explains that once carriers inhale enough smoke, clones of the Guardian Beast form above their heads as well, turning them into infected carriers of good favor toward the Prince. A woman with her hair in a bun sits and listens as additional text boxes detail how the clone's effective range changes with the Prince's tension, averaging a 7-meter radius.

Three large circular narration bubbles dominate the top: the appointed private guard had unusually fierce loyalty that took half a day to begin with, supporting the theory that clones form above the heads of those close to the Prince. Another bubble analyzes the Prince's harem ambitions and the high probability of correct theory. A third bubble breaks down Nen beast manipulation into three categories: manipulate allies, mentally strain enemies, or collect power for the ability itself. In the middle section, a man with spiky hair exhales smoke while saying HUFF as another man watches. Text reveals the guy Coloubi is assigned to the same shift and spends 16 hours inhaling the drifting smoke. A muscular man with PREDATOR written on chest bands stands centered, declaring he will be able to release Predator. Bottom text boxes explain the Predator conjurer-type ability: once Rihan designates a target and activates it, Predator grows within the user's body and becomes stronger based on the accuracy of the user's analysis.

In room 1003, two guards stand watch over a seated bald man in an ornate chair surrounded by plates and glasses. A metallic CL-CLANK echoes as a coin spins through the air and drops to the floor. The bald man with facial scars and dotted head turns sharply, while a spiky-haired man watches with a tense expression. The coin lands near the empty chair. The scarred man demands, "PICK IT UP." The spiky-haired man hesitates, replying "ERR... ABOUT THAT..." The scarred man presses, "WHAT'S WRONG? YOU DROPPED SOMETHING." From below, the seated man and another figure look up as the spiky-haired man insists, "IT'S THE TRUTH. THE COIN JUST SUDDENLY DROPPED OUT OF THIN AIR ...!" The scarred man counters, "IT WASN'T US... OUT OF THE SKY..."

The scarred bald man reflects that the coin truly appeared in mid-air with no need to explain it to those unaware. He notes a coin suddenly fell from thin air before his very eyes. A mechanical device labeled as the Guardian Beast of 3rd Prince Zhang activates, with text indicating "OUT OF THE MOUTH..." The puffy-jacketed guard stands silently, thinking that though no one else noticed, this coin appeared yesterday as well. The seated man murmurs "HMM..." In a close-up, a hand holds a coin marked with the number 1 and floral designs amid swirling smoke and SFX ズズ..., with the thought "IS THIS OMINOUS COIN TO PAY FOR SOMETHING!?"