SCHEME

In a spacious room with high ceilings and large windows, several people react with agitation. A suited man holds a phone to his ear while a woman in a dress walks beside him, both speaking heatedly. Speech bubbles read: "UGH, IT MAKES ME WANT TO PUKE!", "SHE'S JUST TRYING TO MAKE HERSELF FEEL BETTER ABOUT HER OWN GUILT!", "THAT USELESS OLD HAG...!", and "DON'T WORRY, I'LL LEAVE THAT OFF THE RECORD." The man adds, "LIKE I CARE? GO AHEAD AND PUT IT ON THE RECORD!" Nearby panels show a blonde woman and a bald man with wide eyes, their dialogue spelled out letter-by-letter: "I-T-S-H-O-U-L-D-P-R-O-B-A-B-L-Y J-U-S-T F-I-N-E", "A-W-A-I-T-I-N-G-F-A-T-H-E-R'S-R-E-S-P-O-N-S-E", "C-A-N-B-E-O-N-S-T-A-N-D-B-Y-I-N-T-H-A-T-P-A-S-S-A-G-E-W-A-Y", and "P-L-A-N-I-T-S-O-T-H-A-T-Y-O-U-T-W-O". A small bald figure watches from the background. Below, a child-like bald person says, "O-K-A-Y T-E-L-L T-H-E-K-I-N-G-T-O-K-E-E-P-I-T-S-E-C-R-E-T-B-E-C-A-U-S-E-Y-O-U-W-A-N-T-T-O-M-A-K-E-I-T-A-S-U-R-P-R-I-S-E" while another panel continues the spelled dialogue about using the broadcast room. In a later panel the short-haired woman points and declares, "I-W-I-L-L-B-E-L-O-O-K-I-N-G-F-O-R-A-R-O-U-T-E" and "I-W-I-L-L-A-S-K-F-O-R-T-I-M-E-T-O-M-E-E-T-W-I-T-H-F-U-U-G-E-T-S-U". The page ends on a dramatic black panel with a radiant burst: "THE PLAN GOES DOWN NEXT SUNDAY...!!"

In a dim room, a small silhouetted figure stands alone while a voice declares, "YOUR KINDNESS WILL TRULY ALWAYS CAUSE THOSE YOU CARE ABOUT TO SUFFER..." Another unseen speaker replies, "BUT I'M ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN THAT FUUGETSU WOULD NEVER WANT THAT." A bald man with long hair in a suit glares forward and says, "YOU DON'T NEED TO KEEP PRETENDING TO HATE ME... KACHOU ...THAT'S ENOUGH..." A woman with short hair stands with her back turned, gesturing as she explains, "AND AS YOUR BODYGUARD, I WOULD NEED TO CHOSE BETWEEN YOU OR FUUGETSU; THAT I WOULD CHOOSE HER WITHOUT HESITATION." She adds, "YOU'RE JUST TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT IF THE WORST SHOULD COME TO WORST..." A close-up shows the woman's determined face as she thinks, "IF I CAN JUST GET THESE TWO OFF THIS RIDICULOUS BOAT, THEN THEY CAN TRY TO FORGET ALL ABOUT THIS HORRIBLE NIGHTMARE." Her resolve hardens: "...NO... I CAN'T ALLOW THAT WORST CASE SCENARIO TO EVER COME TO PASS!" In a grand hallway, the man identified as KEENI, 10TH PRINCE'S BODYGUARD HUNTER ASSOCIATION MEMBER, stands with a serious expression. A voice calls out, "MELODY, EXCUSE ME..." Keeni answers, "YES." From the shadows, someone notices, "SOME- ONE JUST SUDDENLY APPEARED ...?"

Keeni confirms, "EX- ACTLY." He continues, "IT MUST HAVE BEEN A NEN ABILITY." Walking down the hallway with two companions, he reasons, "BUT PUTTING TO- GETHER THE FACTS THAT THEY DISAP- PEARED SUDDENLY, AND THAT PRINCE KACHOU MADE NO FUSS ABOUT IT WHATSOEVER..." and concludes, "MY EN WAS UNABLE TO FULLY DISCERN EXACTLY WHO IT WAS..." A large speech bubble adds, "OR TO BE MORE ACCURATE... IT FELT LIKE SOME- ONE'S HEAD JUST PLOPPED OUT ONTO LADY KACHOU'S BED." Another notes, "ALMOST LIKE SOMEONE POPPING THEIR HEAD OUT OF A MANHOLE LID." Keeni speculates, "BUT AS SOON AS IT BECOMES KNOWN THAT SHE DOESN'T HAVE A FIGHTING-ORIENTED SKILL, SHE'LL BE TARGETED IMMEDIATELY." He adds, "IF SHE HAS A TRANSPORTATION- TYPE ABILITY AND IS ABLE TO USE IT WELL, SHE MIGHT BE ABLE TO BREAK OUT OF THIS WHOLE SITUATION..." and concludes, "IN ALL LIKELIHOOD, YES. I AGREE, AS WELL. MEANS IT WAS PROB- ABLY FUUGETSU." The group continues walking as Keeni states he will keep monitoring everything. A final panel shows a close-up face declaring, "THIS CAN WORK...!!"

In the central cafeteria, a suited man stands with arms at his sides while a woman in a light dress gestures across two folding tables covered in rows of cups. An older man kneels beside one table, hands on its edge, as another man in a dark suit leans forward from the left. Speech reads: "PRINCE KACHOU'S GUARDIAN BEAST..." and "IS THE THING THAT HASN'T SHOWN ITSELF EVEN ONCE...." Smaller panels show close-ups of concerned faces and internal monologue: "I'LL HAVE TO THINK OF A WAY TO MAKE IT SO SHE CAN'T SUMMON HER NEN BEAST..." "AND IF IT TRIES TO OBSTRUCT OUR PLANS..." "IF IT'S A BATTLE-HUNGRY NEN BEAST, THEN IT MAY NOT DESIRE TO WITHDRAW FROM THE SUCCESSION WAR AT ALL." "IF POSSIBLE, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW ABOUT IT..." At the bottom, a large sign reads "CENTRAL CAFETERIA" above Japanese characters, with four small portraits of young girls displayed beneath the earlier panels.

A large panel shows the Phantom Troupe seated around a table, many members displaying shocked expressions with wide eyes and open mouths as bold "F F F F" sound effects dominate the upper half. Visible members include a bandaged figure with wing-like hair, a feathered individual, a person with a topknot, and others in dark clothing. Below, two rows of labeled portraits display the numbered members: No.11 Illumi Zoldyck, No.8 Shizuku Murasaki, No.2 Feitan Pohtoh, No.5 Phinks Magkav, No.4 Kalluto Zoldyck, No.10 Bonolenov Ndongo, No.3 Machi Komachine, No.7 Franklin Bordeaux, No.1 Nobunaga Hazama, and No.0 Chrollo Lucifer.

In the bustling open hall of the 5th floor, a large group of passengers gathers around long tables covered in cards and documents. A man at the central table reports their findings while gesturing toward the crowd. "WE DO NOT KNOW WHICH FLOOR HISOKA IS ON," he states. Nearby, another speaker adds, "OUR INITIAL SCOURING OF THIS 5TH FLOOR FOR ANYONE OVER 190CM TALL CAME UP EMPTY." Narration explains the passengers' situation: many have been forced into various exploitative tasks by the kingdom, with the rest being "gobbled up by the mafia." Three circular panels detail the floor assignments: the 5th floor belongs to the Cha-R family, the 4th to the Xi-Yu family, and the 3rd to the Heil-ly family, with all comings and goings on the upper floors controlled by the mafia. In a smaller panel, a short-haired woman speaks to Illumi, saying, "I WASN'T TOLD VERY MANY DETAILS, SINCE WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF A GAME OF TAG AFTER ALL." Illumi, with his long dark hair and neutral expression, listens as a voice requests, "ILLUMI, PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND THEN GIVE US YOUR THOUGHTS ON WHERE YOU THINK HISOKA IS AND WHAT HE'S DOING." Close-ups show intense eyes, motion lines, and a hand clutching a rose with a visible eye-like pattern at its center, while background figures react with shock.

A dramatic full-page spread shows a group of seven individuals standing against radiating speed lines. Each bears a distinctive rose tattoo. Motion lines and impact symbols cross the foreground, suggesting sudden tension or arrival. From left to right: a curly-haired person in a hoodie looks concerned, a boy in a collared shirt stands in front, a short-haired figure in a jacket appears serious, a tall figure with a high collar and vest has arms crossed, a bald bearded man with a rose on his head stands prominently, a man with spiky hair in a dark shirt wears a rose at his chest, and a light-haired man in a jacket looks forward. Three close-up panels at the bottom focus on individuals: the short-haired figure with a rose on the neck, the spiky-haired man with a rose on the chest, and the bald bearded man with a rose near his ear, all displaying stern or intense expressions.

Illumi speaks while holding a handgun, recalling his give-and-take relationship with Hisoka. He states that one of them was going to kill the other in the end, making that a reality now. In another panel, Illumi introduces himself to an unseen listener, revealing he is the oldest son of the Zoldyck family with younger brothers Killua and Kalluto. He explains that on Hisoka's request he joined the Spiders. In a close-up, Illumi continues that both he and Hisoka are serious about their engagement ring arrangement: if Hisoka dies, Illumi still collects the reward. He adds that this is why he does not know Hisoka's location. The final wide panel shows a large meeting room where numerous people stand or sit around a long rectangular table, some leaning forward, others watching silently, with motion lines and the letters L... w appearing on the right.

A young man with a headband and earrings tells an off-panel figure they will have to go somewhere else because the table is in use. A bald bearded man with facial scars replies to move it, saying the table is reserved. The young man draws a handgun and points it forward. The bearded man raises his hands in a placating gesture. In a wider view, the young man states he does not want to fight and that the group owes him for securing tickets to the New Continent without lifting a finger. He notes their rampage through York-New City changed the mafia's influence. The bearded man acknowledges they are the Phantom Troupe and suggests they move quietly to avoid harm. Close-ups show the bearded man's angry expression, the young man's calm face, and patterned boots.

A large group of people stands in two opposing clusters aboard the ship. On the left, Chrollo faces forward with a stern expression while several companions including a woman in polka-dot attire and a small child-like figure wait nearby. On the right, a tall bald man and others in striped clothing stand silently. In the next panels the bearded man with a rose tattoo on his cheek addresses Chrollo, stating they can check the royal army passenger list but warns not to get hopes up because of many irregular passengers. Chrollo replies that Hisoka is their top priority. The bearded man continues describing Hisoka as over 190 cm tall, a man shrouded in an unpleasant, disgusting presence. In the lower section inside a crowded terminal, the bearded man explains the rules about distributed tickets and the mafia picking up passengers by the wayside. Chrollo asks if he can search the 3rd or 4th floors without a ticket. The bearded man answers that all Chrollo needs to do is move. Chrollo agrees, saying very well then perhaps they will, and suggests picking fights somewhere else.

The bearded man warns Chrollo not to get cocky and to hurry before he changes his mind. Chrollo walks away down the corridor while the bald man asks how to reach the first floor. In the background a crowd of passengers moves through the terminal. The bearded man tells Chrollo that if there is somewhere to go they will go to the first floor or not. A blonde woman and another man discuss whether Sun-bin has bad news. The bearded man orders to tell the boss they may have a dispute on their hands. A small figure exclaims they just hate bloodshed while another calls someone a liar. The bearded man instructs to send word to the boss. In the final panels he explains that Nen is the ultimate threat because those who have it from leaning past their own positions are like a game of Jenga and the most worrisome part is they make no attempt to hide their Nen. He concludes that if they make it to the top floor everything will come crashing down and they need to stop them.

A close-up profile shows a character with slicked-back hair declaring, "I smell pretty big secret." Nearby narration notes, "When you brought up the upper floor, the look in his eyes changed." In the background, a group of people walks forward together. One observer remarks, "He showed his hand." Lower panels show legs and feet as someone mutters, "For now, we worry about Hisoka." Another voice replies, "That's for after." A small bubble reads "Hmm...?" The large lower panel reveals the group gathered, with a figure in a dark jacket bearing a large cross emblem on the back facing away. The figure states, "We've shared our cards." Another character adds, "The rest is up to you."

A row of close-up faces shows varied expressions: a man with stubble, a young woman with light hair, a girl in a dark hat, a stern blond man, a woman with long hair, a man with an X scar, a figure with skull belt, a bandaged person, and a boy with glasses. A hand holds a small circular object while dialogue states, "We need a specially made-to-order one for the centerpiece." Another voice says, "I want to have a party, but there's no cake." A dramatic close-up reveals the same dark-haired figure with a cross mark on the forehead, continuing, "And we'll all dine at together at that table." The figure adds, "Once you get it, we'll all meet again." A large black box at the bottom declares in bold letters, "NOW, BRING ME HISOKA'S HEAD...!!"

A large group of figures stands assembled in tense silence, their faces turned forward with grim determination. In the foreground, a young man with a cross-shaped mark on his forehead stares ahead with a cold, unreadable expression. Nearby, a bandaged figure with wide eyes looms prominently, while another character with spiky hair and a high-collared outfit stands with arms crossed. Scattered throughout the composition are additional members: one with long hair and a headband, a girl with a ponytail, a figure in a striped uniform, and several others partially obscured, all radiating a sense of unity and readiness for confrontation. The background is dark, emphasizing the stark black-and-white contrast and the intense gazes directed outward.

In a cluttered indoor setting, Shizuku stands beside the bandaged Troupe member and asks, "WANNA TEAM UP?" Chrollo, seen from behind with his coat flaring, replies "BOSS." In a close-up, Chrollo states, "THAT'S MY CONDITION. I'M THE ONE THAT GETS TO KILL HIM." The group discusses strategy: Chrollo explains he plans to fight Hisoka directly, while others note that Bono and the bandaged member are not suited for Hisoka's Bungee Gum. The bandaged member reveals his ability, "CANTABILE: METAMORPHOSEN," and agrees to disguise himself. Another member offers to handle offense while the rest search for Hisoka. In the background, people sit and stand in a large hall as the Troupe continues planning.

In a dimly lit room, a figure in a dark coat stands with two others as a voice declares, "THERE IS SOMETHING I'D LIKE YOU TO DO THEN." A surprised "HUH?" echoes from the side. The scene shifts to a close-up of a young man with dark hair and an earring facing a girl with glasses and short dark hair. She says, "I HAVE SOMETHING I'D LIKE YOU TO DO AS WELL, BOSS." He responds, "UNFORTUNATELY, THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE." The girl asks, "CAN YOU READ MY FORTUNE AGAIN?" She explains, "I WAS THINKING IT MIGHT GIVE US SOME CLUES." The view widens to a ruined, cluttered interior where the young man says, "EXACTLY." A voice replies, "BUT THEN THAT MEANS..." Another asks, "OH?" The girl continues, "I DON'T KNOW WHEN, BUT AT SOME POINT IT VANISHED FROM MY BOOK." In a narrow panel, the young man muses, "YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN THINKING..." Nearby, a bandaged figure stands beside him while a small figure watches from the shadows. The scene changes to an open, desolate landscape under a cloudy sky. The girl warns, "KEEP YOUR THOUGHTS TO YOURSELF, YEAH?" A small voice calls, "...SHI-ZUKU..." The girl concludes, "THAT BOOK OF YOURS, BOSS... IT'S PRETTY MUCH LIKE A DEATH NOTE, ISN'T IT?" The page ends with the chapter footer.