Hunter × Hunter Chapter 380: Alarm

Officials debate the ongoing murders aboard the ship. One man questions what need the culprits would have to kill so many regular passengers with no connection to them. Another states that besides, the succession war is a battle between the princes in the first place. A voice calls the idea ridiculous and rejects the notion that the princes are behind the murders. In a lower panel, a speaker insists there is absolutely zero possibility that the princes have left the first deck. Another panel shows a man in a hat addressing a group, saying that if one of the princes is the culprit then there is no problem and they would simply need to tailor up a true culprit and brush it under the table. The discussion grows heated as several men react with shock. A large bottom panel depicts a massive pile of skulls beneath a dark throne-like structure. Narration explains that until one final prince remains, all their actions are granted immunity apart from directly killing the other princes. It continues that during the journey to the new continent the top priority on the ship is the succession war, and the next king of Kakin will be decided on the battlefield. Further text discusses the paradox of the spear and shield making up the compound for the kanji for contradiction, noting that two kinds of murders have become prevalent: contracted murders and inferred murders because of the succession immunity rules.

A man wearing a camouflage-patterned hat and mask points upward while speaking. He asks why the killers would need to murder so many commoners and notes that the incident could be considered a surmised murder. Smaller panels show ancient stone structures and a crowd gathered before a tall tower. Narration explains that it would be natural for people to believe supernatural powers come from human sacrifices, a trend seen throughout history. Another panel states that from the viewpoint of politicians and statesmen the birthing jar ceremony has allowed the kingdom to prosper. The masked man continues that a large amount of blood must be spilled for the killers to achieve their goals and grant supernatural powers. He adds that by the same rationale it would not be hard to imagine someone who inferred their prince's intent. The final panels show the masked man's intense close-up face as he declares that from here on out the crimes will continue and increase, then announces they will now move onto the main topic. The background shows a meeting room with many seated figures and sound effects indicating reactions.

A massive burst of energy erupts across the top of the page as a voice declares, 'THIS SHIP WILL SINK...!' Another voice continues, 'AND WHEN THEY EXCEED THEIR CRITICAL POINT...' Below, chaos engulfs the grand interior of the ship. A bloodied man with short dark hair grips a weapon and shouts, 'IN THE FORM OF RIOTS...!!' as crowds of passengers fight, trample, and panic amid rising black smoke. Narration explains that the panic and dismay of 200,000 people will give rise to paranoia and fear. The bottom panel shows the massive ship listing and sinking into dark waters, thick smoke billowing from its decks.

The sinking ship is shown from a distance with smoke pouring out as uniformed soldiers stand in a line on deck, one saying 'IT... CAN'T BE...' Detailed panels explain the security situation: public safety on the 4th and 5th decks is handled by the mafia, 70% of security is assigned to upper decks, and in reality only about 800 bodyguards are on the first deck and 600 on the second. A calculation reveals one bodyguard for every 100 passengers, creating a 1:300 ratio against the soldiers. A helmeted soldier suggests assigning 800 troops to lower decks and reorganizing the royal army. An older bearded man questions how to interrupt the succession war, replying 'B... BUT...' as the discussion continues.

In a tense briefing room, officials discuss their strategy. "We have more than sufficient data supporting these actions to ensure he should be able to expect results," one states. Another adds, "I believe if we propose this to the first prince, who is the central pillar of the kingdom's defense, he'd readily approve." A woman in uniform gestures while explaining, "I'm not trying to threaten or frighten you with those words. The life or death of the kingdom of Kakin rests on this." Someone exclaims, "That's... just too much!" A close-up shows a stern face under a hat as the speaker continues, "Well, you would be the ones in the worst situation... Of course, in the event that the official minutes containing the rough outline of this plan should somehow not be reported to the first prince..." The discussion grows heated. "Telling a bunch of regular joes that there's 'a bunch of serial killers with super powers' around is completely beyond their range of understanding or acceptance," one warns. "To regular people, the threat of the unknown is enough to detonate the bomb that is panic." Another replies, "It can't be helped. As long as we can't explain about Nen abilities, this is the best we can do." A bearded man in a striped uniform declares, "And have them enforce a gag order regarding the upper Kakin members involved in this incident. I'll pull together all the association hunters in charge of guarding outside the princes' residential quarters." The man in the hat responds, "All that's left is to evacuate as many people as possible during that time and focus on defusing their 'explosives.' You've extended the fuse as much as you could." A massive splash panel shows a bright explosion with the narration: "Somehow, I get the feeling... it's much shorter than I ever imagined... The fuse that burns towards destruction..."

Inside a secure base, a spacious lounge features black leather sofas, a central table, and a framed symbol on the wall. A speech bubble notes, "This is the inside of our base." Security footage plays on monitors. One panel shows a room with furniture and a person on the floor. "Here's the footage of the man that brought the warehouse-keeper with him," a voice explains. "Of course, that includes this room as well. It records surveillance over all the key areas of the 5th deck. And this is the monitor room." In the control room, operators review screens. "Do you have any footage of inside the warehouse?" someone asks. "He did his best to ensure that his face wouldn't be caught on camera," another replies. "But it was locked, so he gave up and escaped through the door he came in from." A man with slicked-back hair states, "Through the confusion of their dispute, it's clear he's trying to open the door towards the inner area..." A bespectacled man adds, "It's highly possible that the culprit came to case the area." They continue, "Rewind to yesterday and pull up a list of the non-family people that entered or exited then. You were the only three people that entered or left today outside of our own family's men. The cameras are only installed on the entrance." A small bubble reads "Ammm."

A man with slicked-back hair and glasses speaks calmly while facing forward. "If they were trying to open that door, that is," he says. "At any rate, they'd come from that direction." In a lower panel he continues, "I'm not exactly expecting much." Nearby, a woman with a topknot hairstyle carries a large rifle down a corridor while two suited men walk ahead of her. One suited man remarks, "If someone entered as a laborer, they wouldn't have been caught on the monitor. The cameras were installed the day before we embarked, the luggage was already loaded before then." The slick-haired man and Nobunaga Hazama stand facing each other in a hallway lined with framed pictures. Nobunaga asks, "What's inside?" The suited man replies, "Don't you want to see..." A heavy door rattles with loud SFX "ゴゴゴ..." Nobunaga, now shown in close-up with intense eyes, offers, "So how about in exchange for the head of the person killing your family's men? Can't say I'm not interested... but I don't expect you to offer for free."

From an upper deck overlooking a large room, a suited man confirms, "Yes, sir." Another voice instructs, "Make sure to show them the ropes." Three new men are being introduced to join the surveillance rotation. In a side room, several casually dressed men stand in line while others sit at tables. Nobunaga Hazama, seen from behind, greets them with "Hey!" One replies "Very well." Three stern-faced men stand together; one with a high collar says "Got it." The central figure with short spiky hair and facial marks is identified as Tsubonke, an underling boss. He exclaims internally, "WOOOAAH OOOOOOH! IT'S THE SPIDERS!!" while thinking there is much he wants to ask but cannot because of the other underlings present. Nearby, a man estimates "At most, I'd say roughly 250" Cha family members are aboard and another asks how many are on the boat. In the cafeteria, a seated man wonders if paying money could get him an autograph or a private meal with the new arrivals.

A detailed cross-section diagram of the massive Black Whale ship reveals its multi-level structure during the 4th day of the voyage at 10:00 AM. The upper decks include Deck 3 General Passenger Room where Cashew is located, Deck 3 Vista Area occupied by Illumi and Kalluto, and Deck 3 Political Ward housing Mizai, Botobai, Pyon, Clook, and Ginta from government and law enforcement agencies. The Medical Ward lists Cheadle, Leorio, and Gel. Further down, the Xi-Yu Family Office shows Hinrigh, the Heil-Ly Family Office marks Luini, and the Cha-R Family Office contains Wang, Nobunaga, and Phinks. In the Central Accessway on levels 4 to 5, Chrollo, Bonolenov, and Shizuku are positioned. Feitan stands near the Warehouse Entrance, Machi is in Deck 5 General Passenger Room, and Franklin appears in Deck 5 Central Cafeteria. The diagram highlights the ship's submerged lower sections and a small vessel nearby on the water surface.

Loudspeakers announce strict orders across the ship: "UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD YOU LEAVE YOUR ROOM OR OPEN YOUR DOOR UNLESS INSTRUCTED TO BY THE MILITARY." Another broadcast warns "A STOWAWAY IN POSSESSION OF A DANGEROUS WEAPON IS ON THE LOOSE AND IS CURRENTLY HIDING SOMEWHERE ON BOARD!!" In a residential room a man and woman react with concern while a third person lies in bed holding a book as the message continues "MEALS WILL BE SCHEDULED BY AREA!! YOU WILL BE ESCORTED TO THE CAFETERIA BY THE MILITARY!!" Crowds of passengers fill a hallway where soldiers direct them and repeat "WE REPEAT !!" and "PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE YOUR ROOMS WITHOUT PERMISSION!" Further panels show soldiers entering rooms and ordering "PLEASE COOPERATE WITH THE ARMY'S OPERATION!!" while searching thoroughly. A final spread depicts armed troops advancing with rifles raised, declaring "THOROUGHLY SEARCH ALL THE ROOMS IN THE RESIDENTIAL AREA AND BRING FORTH ANYONE SUSPICIOUS!" and "ANYONE WITHOUT A TICKET, EVEN A CHILD, WILL BE RESTRAINED!!" alongside "USING HUMAN WAVE TACTICS, WE WILL BEGIN INVESTIGATING FROM DECK 3!"

Armed soldiers in tactical gear sweep through the upper corridors of the massive vessel, rifles raised and aimed forward as they advance in formation. In a side room, more troops stand guard while a stern-faced officer glances sideways. A massive sound effect rumbles across the page. From the observation deck, a sweeping panoramic view reveals the sprawling cityscape of the lower decks stretching to the horizon under a cloudy sky. Below, civilians lie prone on the floor with hands raised as soldiers surround them, weapons trained. One soldier shouts, 'DID YOU NOT HEAR THE EMERGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT?!' Another commands, 'RAISE YOUR HANDS AND TURN AROUND, SLOWLY!' A third yells, 'HEY!!'

A woman with long dark hair in a polka-dot cropped jacket stands on the deck with both hands raised, explaining she was sleeping and did not notice the announcement. Nearby, a girl in a black outfit with striped sash raises her hands as well. A man checks an ID card that beeps, reacting with surprise. The girl questions the situation while the woman replies 'BUSINESS...' in a close-up of intense eyes. A soldier in a white helmet states he is fine where he is, while another explains that due to quasi-martial law the connecting decks are under surveillance and free travel is impossible until reaching the new continent. The woman walks away with a child as the soldier watches.

Corporal Misery stares in shock, mouth open. "CORPORAL MISERY..." he begins, but the long-haired woman turns her back and cuts him off. "BUT..." he tries again. She replies firmly, "I'M STAYING HERE. I TOLD YOU, DIDN'T I? I'M ON BUSINESS." In the bustling deck area, the woman stands facing a tall, bearded man in an ornate striped coat with flame-like patterns, while Corporal Misery watches from the side. Nearby stands a shorter figure in a checkered uniform. Close-up panels show the woman, a man in a patterned helmet, and the tall man declaring, "HE'S A HUNTER, AS WELL." A massive sound effect erupts across the open deck as crowds mill about under awnings and stalls. The woman confirms, "ALL OF THEM." "YES," answers the helmeted man, whose eyes widen in realization: "THE SPIDERS... ARE THEY HERE ONBOARD...?"

The long-haired woman continues speaking, hand raised. "AS LONG AS I'M ON BUSINESS, I HAVE A DUTY OF CONFIDENTIALITY TO PROTECT. SORRY, BUT I'LL HAVE TO DECLINE ANY FURTHER COMMENT." From above, a voice calls "BROTHER!" while two figures discuss IDs and scanning. The helmeted man explains that IDs can be scanned and those without numbers will be restrained. The woman offers, "BUT IF POSSIBLE, I'D LIKE A SOLITARY CELL WITH A SHOWER." "VERY WELL," the helmeted man replies. In the background, police officers stand guard. The helmeted man internally questions, "JUST WHAT ARE THEY PLANNING...?" while learning that Kalluto, the 5th son of the Zoldyck family, joined the Spiders. The woman is told she will have an individual room on deck 3 like the others, and the scene shows armed personnel on the deck below.

Kurapika is in the dead middle of the complex intertwining of Nen beasts, princes, plots, and schemes that is the succession war... Losing focus for even a moment could cost him his life!! And the Spiders are enough to shake him to his very core. A tall figure in a black-and-white cow-patterned outfit stands atop a railing, hands clasped, gazing downward. A speech bubble near him reads: 'But... why are the Spiders on this ship...?' Large narration bursts outward: 'The Zoldyck family's and the Spider's objective is one thing, but what's even most worrisome of all is if Kurapika were to discover that they're here!!' Close-up panels show wide, shocked eyes and a small exclamation: 'It can't be...!' Another burst questions: 'Are the Spiders after revenge against Kurapika...?!' Below, a group of four figures stands together on the deck, backs turned. Narration continues: 'Then they could have prepared and arranged everything to make their way here on board...!!' and 'Illumi is a fellow classmate of Kurapika's from the Hunter Association!! If the Spiders know of Kurapika's actions as a Hunter...' The page ends in a massive radial burst with the anguished thoughts: 'OR NOT ...?!' and 'SHOULD I TELL KURA-PIKA ...?!'

In a series of panels, a man in a dark uniform and helmet stands in a large hall filled with beds and people. Speech bubbles read: 'What is it?', 'But there's a bit of a problem...', 'I discovered someone suspicious without an ID.', and he calls out 'MIZAI!' A close-up shows him whispering to a bearded man in a hat. The bearded man reacts sharply: 'What did you say...?!' The scene shifts to a sunny outdoor deck area with lounge chairs, tables, and scattered people. The uniformed man walks alongside another figure, shouting: 'BOTOBAL!! GINTA!! TAKE CARE OF THEM FOR ME!!' A final narration box states: 'I'VE GOT TO HEAD BACK TO HEAD-QUARTERS FOR NOW!!' Background shows palm trees, umbrellas, and various bystanders on the ship deck.

In a modern building hallway, a suited man strides forward issuing urgent commands. "ISSUE A GAG ORDER TO THEM! PUT THEM ON HOUSE ARREST, WHATEVER IT TAKES!" Nearby, another figure adds, "But it seems a few soldiers may have noticed her, as well." Two men walk away down the corridor as one reassures, "She's fine. We've got hunters securing the room." The other replies, "She's safe and unharmed, right?" Inside a spacious office, several figures stand near a desk and chairs; a man with curly hair faces a tall figure in a patterned jacket while others linger by the doorway. A helmeted soldier steps into view as an off-panel voice demands, "WHAT IS SHE DOING HERE?!" The soldier asks, "Can you please explain what's going on?" A stern-faced man with a headband and earrings answers calmly, "You can relax now." The final panel shows a dramatic close-up of 11th Prince Fugetsu, wide-eyed and wearing an ornate hooded outfit, reacting with visible shock. A speech bubble reads, "11TH PRINCE FUGETSU ...?" The page concludes with the Hunter × Hunter logo and the note that chapter 380 has ended, with the next issue to resume after a break.