Hunter × Hunter Chapter 388: Deliberation

A scarred-forehead man in a high-collared jacket speaks firmly. "BEING THAT THIS IS ALSO A MATTER OF SECURITY, I WOULD LIKE TO ENTRUST THIS TO ME." An older man with glasses replies, "IF WE KEEP SURVEILLANCE TIGHT AND WATCH CAREFULLY, WE WILL KNOW WHETHER OR NOT SOMEONE IS BEING CONTROLLED." In a spacious hall, suited figures and uniformed guards stand at attention while speech continues: "BUT IF ANY MANIPULATION THROUGH NEN IS TRIED, WE WILL STOP IT." "IF WHATEVER THEY'RE PLANNING IS AGAINST US, THEY MIGHT TRY SOMETHING LIKE MANIPULATING YOU OR FORCING YOU TO ACT ACCORDING TO THEIR WILL..." The older man adds, "SEEING THAT YOU ARE THE FIRST PRINCE'S ELITE SOLDIERS, I SHALL LEAVE IT TO YOU." The scarred man muses, "...HRMM... ALTHOUGH I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A BIT OVERKILL AND HEAVY-HANDED... AFTER WHICH, WE WILL RESTRAIN BILL AND KURAPIKA IMMEDIATELY, JUST AS WE HAD WARNED THEM PREVIOUSLY." A small spiky-haired figure interjects while the scarred man thinks, "OR HE'S JUST TRYING TO CUT US OFF FROM INFORMATION, INCLUDING ANY HINT AT WHAT HE MIGHT BE DOING." "FROM THE PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES, IT WOULD SEEM THAT HE'S USING SOME ABILITY FROM WITHIN THAT ROOM THAT HE CAN'T LET BE SEEN FOR WHATEVER REASON..." The scarred man concludes internally, "IF I WANT TO FIGURE OUT KURAPIKA AND BILL'S ABILITIES, I CAN'T EXACTLY JUST LET THEM RUN FREE AND COMPLETELY UNCHECKED." Three men stand guard before ornate double doors as narration states, "THEN WE'LL DEFINITELY KNOW HE'S NOT TRYING TO TAKE CONTROL OF US OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT...!" A final panel shows the scarred man and a short-haired woman: "WITH SO MANY SAMPLES TO OBSERVE, I WOULD DEFINITELY NOTICE IF ANY OF THEM WERE BEING MANIPULATED BY KURAPIKA'S AURA...!!!" "THE ONLY POSSIBILITY WOULD BE A METHOD USING SOME MANIPULATOR-TYPE ABILITY TO SEMI-FORCE THEM OPEN... BUT IF THAT IS THE CASE, THEN THE USER'S AURA, IN THIS CASE KURAPIKA'S, WOULD BE MIXED IN WITH THEIRS." "ALL THESE PARTICIPANTS STILL LACK ENOUGH TRAINING TO HAVE THEIR AURA NODES BE FORCIBLY OPENED WITHOUT INCURRING REAL DAMAGE..."

The short-haired woman continues, "IF THAT IS THE CASE, THEN THE ONLY THING WE WOULD HAVE VERIFIED IS THAT KURAPIKA IS IN FACT A SPECIALIST, AND THAT HIS ABILITY'S CONDITION FOR ACTIVATION IS GIVING SOMEONE NEN ABILITIES. HE'S USING THAT TO GIVE US ALL NEN SO THAT HE CAN USE US AS TOOLS TO PROLONG THE LIFE OF THE PRINCE AND QUEEN HE'S DEFENDING...!" A profile view adds, "HE'LL HAVE PULLED IT OFF..." Another panel states, "BUT KURAPIKA IS A SPECIALIST... IF WE CONSIDER THAT A BYPRODUCT OF HIM ACTIVATING HIS ABILITY IS AWAKENING NEN IN HIS TARGET... THEN I COULD UNDERSTAND THE BASIS BEHIND KURAPIKA'S SEEMINGLY ROCK SOLID CONFIDENCE IN HIS TIME LIMIT." Two figures walk down a corridor while voices debate: "I AGREE... JUST AS YOU SAID, IF WE RUSH IN, WE'LL JUST BE DIGGING OUR OWN GRAVES... I'VE GOT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS..." "HE'S A FORMIDABLE FOE." "WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL AND PROCEED SLOWLY, COLLECTING WHAT INFORMATION WE CAN." "AND ALTHOUGH INCREDIBLY UNLIKELY, WE CAN'T IGNORE THE POSSIBILITY THAT HE'S DOING ALL OF THIS TO MISLEAD US FROM THE FACT THAT BILL IS IN FACT THE ONE WITH THE ACTUAL ABILITY." A man on a phone says, "I WANTED TO JUST RE-CONFIRM THE PRINCE'S ORDERS." "YES." "THEY ARE THE FIRST PRINCE'S PRIVATE GUARD AND CARRY AUTHORIZATION AS SUCH, BUT BEFORE I ENTRUSTED ANYTHING TO THEM..." A group of suited men and women react with shock, eyes widening and sweat drops appearing as a loud "CREAK" sounds from nearby doors.

A tense discussion unfolds among several adults in formal attire. One man with slicked-back hair states, 'But I don't believe she's being manipulated.' Another replies, '...I can't judge based on just one person.' A small figure in the background asks, 'Well?' Large narration text explains that without prior knowledge, reaching advanced Nen control normally takes a year of daily practice, yet the woman's aura flow has clearly increased, indicating she has entered the stage of having gained Nen and being able to control it. A woman with a ponytail admits, 'I can't say anything about it right now. I'm sorry.' Another asks about the water divination ceremony. The short-haired girl with large eyes declares she wants everyone to cooperate and reserves the right to end training if rules are broken. An older man warns that anyone interrupting training will be prosecuted, and notes that the third prince's private soldier, Tentōri, will be examined last. In the hallway, the short-haired girl tells Maor he is next.

A stern man with light hair responds that if he feels endangered he reserves the right to end everything. Another voice notes that both the listener and Rongi must not speak about the training duration. An older man commends the short-haired girl's speed at her age. The group is invited inside with 'Now then, please step inside.' In a grand hallway with checkered floors, the short-haired girl points forward while walking with two men. A close-up shows a glass of water on a table with a small object at the bottom. The final panel reveals a woman in a light kimono sitting calmly on a bed in a curtained room, hands folded in her lap.

In a spacious checkered-floor room, several suited figures stand around a small table holding a pitcher and glasses. A light-haired young person in a suit faces forward and begins explaining the situation. "STARTING NOW, EVERYTHING I SAY WILL BE THE TRUTH. OF COURSE, THAT DOESN'T MEAN YOU'RE REQUIRED TO BELIEVE ME." They continue, "IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE THAT, WE ARE SHARING NEN ABILITIES AND KNOWLEDGE OF THEM WITH ALL OF YOU. OUR MAIN PRIORITY ABOVE ALL ELSE IS PROTECTING THE LIVES OF THE 14TH PRINCE AND 8TH QUEEN OITO...!" A side panel shows the same young person addressing an older man with slicked-back hair. "BUT TODAY, WE ARE 'USING IT' AS A MEANS TO PROVE THAT NEN ABILITIES HAVE BEEN AWAKENED IN YOU." The older man replies, "THE WATER DIVINATION CEREMONY WAS ORIGINALLY A WAY FOR THOSE THAT HAD ACQUIRED NEN TO DISCERN WHAT TYPE OF NEN ABILITY THEY HAD. PRECISELY." He adds, "SO THEN WHEN YOU SAID YOU WANTED TO CREATE A STALEMATE IN POWER UNTIL WE MADE LAND, THAT WASN'T A LIE...?" The young person answers, "WHICH IS WHY WE'RE DOING IT THIS WAY. BUT TO BE FRANK, WE'VE NO OTHER OPTION." A close-up reveals a glass containing a plant seed as the young person states, "INSIDE THIS CUP, THERE IS A PLANT SEED. NORMALLY WE WOULD NEVER PLACE SOMETHING DIFFERENT LIKE THIS IN IT BEFOREHAND."

The light-haired young person continues, "BUT THE SPEED AT WHICH PEOPLE PASS THROUGH THE TRAINING WILL BE DIFFERENT FROM INDIVIDUAL TO INDIVIDUAL. FURTHERMORE, IT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT CAN BE GAINED OVERNIGHT." They add, "JUST AS I OUTLINED OVER THE LAST WEEK, NEN ABILITIES ARE SOMETHING THAT ANYONE IS CAPABLE OF ATTAINING..." The slicked-back haired man responds, "...CONTINUE." A dramatic panel shows a hand with multiple rings as an off-panel voice exclaims, "RECEIVING A NEN ATTACK"...!!!" The slicked-back haired man insists, "BUT I SWEAR I WILL NOT HARM YOU." The young person replies, "YOUR RESERVATIONS AND CAUTIOUSNESS... I FULLY UNDERSTAND..." A flashback panel depicts a robed man performing a ritual in a crowded, ornate room filled with onlookers. Narration states, "BUT ACTUALLY, THIS NEN 'ATTACK' ALSO INCLUDES HEALING ABILITIES AND LENDING ABILITIES. BEING AN ALTERNATIVE METHOD, IT IS FROWNED UPON AND QUITE TABOO, SO THE WORD 'ATTACK' IS USED AS CONVENIENCE TO DISGUISE IT..." The scene returns to the room where the spiky-haired man says, "BILL." The slicked-back haired man answers, "I SEE."

A close-up shows a hand gripping a glass containing a dark, sprouting mass with roots and bubbles. The spiky-haired man stares in surprise at two glasses on the table, one empty and one filled, exclaiming 'WHAT ...?!' Theta, with her short bob haircut, stands in the foreground and explains the process. 'BY USING HATSU HE IS ABLE TO STIMULATE AND HASTEN GROWTH IN HIS TARGET.' She adds, 'BILL IS AN ENHANCER-TYPE NEN USER.' The spiky-haired man's eyes widen in shock. Below, the seed-like object in a glass rapidly sprouts with bubbles rising, accompanied by large SFX 'ボッ ボッ ボッ' as it transforms and expands violently.

The slicked-back haired man questions the method, saying 'NOT QUITE. IF I DID THAT, THE EFFECTS TO THOSE STILL UNTRAINED OR LACKING ENOUGH WOULD BE WEAK...' and 'SO THEN YOU'RE SAYING IF YOU HOLD YOUR HANDS OVER ME LIKE YOU DID THAT SEED, YOU CAN AWAKEN ABILITIES WITHIN ME, AS WELL?' He reacts with 'HOW SHOCKING.' Theta holds a chain and clarifies her role: 'BILL IS GOING TO LEND HIS POWERS TO ME, AND THEN I, IN TURN, WILL LEND THEM TO YOU.' She continues, 'BUT WHEN I ACTIVATE IT, IT HAS A SECONDARY EFFECT OF SEMI-FORCING NEN ABILITIES TO AWAKEN IN SOMEONE WITHOUT THEM.' 'ALTHOUGH I SHOULDN'T BE TELLING YOU THIS, THIS IS AN INDIRECT ATTACK. OFFICIALLY, I AM A SPECIALIST WITH A LENDING-TYPE ABILITY THAT IN AND OF ITSELF IS NOT AN ATTACK ABILITY.' The man warns, 'YOU CAN JUST OPEN THAT DOOR, SAY "I'M RESIGNING," AND LEAVE THE ROOM. IF YOU DON'T CONSENT TO WHAT I'VE EXPLAINED UP UNTIL NOW, THEN I WON'T USE MY ABILITY.' Theta replies she would like the man to keep everything a secret but cannot force him. A door labeled 'CREAAAK' is visible as the man stands with his back turned.

In a tense hall discussion, a tall suited man stands with arms at his sides while a short-haired woman watches nearby. A muscular man with crossed arms declares there is no way Kurapika is being manipulated, and an older bald man beside him states he is almost completely certain. Another voice confirms what Kurapika said was true, noting both Lagiolas and Maor are now ready to use Nen. A close-up shows Kurapika's intense face as he reflects that this confirms Kurapika used his specialist ability to cause their Nen awakening, though that is most likely only one of many abilities he has. The suited man continues that if Kurapika's abilities are split into five just like his five fingers, they still do not know a thing about his abilities. The information he is deliberately giving out shows he is actually restraining them and keeping them from acting. Below in the grand hall, suited guards stand watch over a line of people as a voice states that in regards to gaining abilities the most important part begins now, Nen that will act as the deterrent to assure their mutual goal of stalemate. Another speaker adds that depending on today's training a few more people will reach the water divination ceremony.

The tall suited man continues speaking, saying it is the truth and that is right. The short-haired woman asks if this means he was not lying about anything he said. A panel shows a silhouette explaining that if your appearance comes off that way then your opponents will equip themselves with the appropriate defensive powers, and that it is essential for a Nen user to have another Nen user believe they are one at first glance. Kurapika thinks that if it were to run out then he would be completely out of energy. He feels incredible vitality overflowing with his aura rising up around him like a warmth. A flashback panel shows a man saying if this is not the level it is an act that could accomplish through a trick just by manipulating someone, this is absolute top class skill. Another voice notes from his appearance there seems nothing out of the ordinary. Kurapika considers synchronizing his breathing with his aura while holding his breath. He questions whether Kurapika is intending to continue on this course for a second or third time or perhaps he is looking for an excuse to stop it. A final panel shows that if a soldier with a high level of combat skill were to have that much aura he would be forced to be on his guard as if physically outclassed by the opponent. The page ends with a dramatic close-up of the short-haired woman's wide eyes and a large SFX burst.

A young woman with short dark hair stares in shock as a voice explains that the Halcyon ability loaded into Kurapika will now transfer to her through his link. Her eyes widen in panic while large impact SFX burst around her. Kurapika, standing calmly in a suit, tells her that if she concentrates on activating it she will be able to do the same thing Bill did. The woman suddenly thrusts both thumbs upward, sweat flying, and screams Waa waaa aah!! as a glass of water on the table begins to react with floating particles. In a wider view Kurapika and an older man with curly hair watch while the woman kneels before the table performing water divination. Kurapika notes that her aura has been awakened so the power she is using is borrowed through breathing exercises. He adds that without anyone finding out she can now perform the ceremony and discover her own Nen type on her own.

A spiky-haired man in profile thanks someone and agrees to a request. In a large panel he declares his plan to run the training a second and third time so that the power can reach the 10th Prince Kacho and 6th Prince Seiko, spreading it to as many people as possible. He states his goal is to use every power to ensure no one else falls victim to the succession war. A close-up of his serious face notes that Kurapika's strategy is currently the best but he has seen too many power-crazed despots after wealth and cannot predict what will happen next. Text boxes list concerns that his own power is unsuited for battle, that people change easily with power, and that tensions could lead to an unstoppable war. In a grand hall filled with people he asks if anyone has a trump card and wonders whether the unpredictable dilemma can be resolved without boiling over.

In a spacious ornate hall, Bill stands motionless in the center while Kurapika walks forward from the right, calling out "BILL...." Kurapika bows slightly and says "THANK YOU." Bill reacts with visible surprise, his hair flaring as he blurts "HUH ...? WHERE'D THAT COME FROM?" Kurapika replies calmly, "YOU HAVE MY GRATITUDE." Bill processes the thanks while Kurapika explains their earlier exchange: "WELL, IT WAS FOR OUR STRATEGY... AND YOU TOOK THE INITIATIVE AND REVEALED YOUR OWN ABILITY, SO IT'S NOT LIKE I WAS ABOUT TO NOT REVEAL MINE, RIGHT?" Bill answers "OH... THAT'S WHAT YOU MEAN." Kurapika continues, noting that most would hide their power but an enhancer with support type is rare. Bill concedes "...YOU'RE RIGHT." Kurapika asks whether they are still okay going down this path. The scene shifts to a flashback of a long-haired woman cradling a baby on the floor, surrounded by other infants. She recounts, "THE PRINCE WAS JUST A BABY, SO I DIDN'T THINK HE'D GET WRAPPED UP INTO ANY SEVERE BATTLES." She adds that they boarded the ship under the prince's orders to reach the new continent yet chose room 1014 themselves.

Bill continues recounting his past while standing with his back partly turned, explaining that Vincent the First Prince's assassin arrived at a place he chose for a disgraceful reason. He describes how the succession war began, everything descended into chaos, and he talked and acted strong yet was lost in reality. Kurapika listens quietly. Bill admits he was a coward who only decided after arguing with the Queen. He states that even the Queen could not stand him. The scene shifts to a hallway where Kurapika stands near a window as a suited man calls out "KURA-PIKA." Another man with glasses stands nearby. Bill's voice continues that he would not be surprised if something tried to move measures into their own hands. He notes everyone's instinct is probably right about the rumbling threat. The suited man says after all he feels one of them gets their powers awakened as soon as possible. In a later panel the man with glasses discusses training fundamentals of Nen and worries his power may still be a trap. Kurapika replies that Hashito has not gone through the training of the fundamentals like the others.

In a brightly lit room marked 1005, a group discusses recent developments. 'The Nen acquisition was actually true... We have definitive proof! Which means we should have everyone acquire this mighty power,' states an unseen speaker. Another adds, 'It is temporary, and it isn't the most equal alliance, so there are openings to exploit. Therefore, at the present moment, the 14th prince and the 3rd prince are bound by a very tight peace treaty, but...' A suited man with slicked-back hair and glasses affirms, 'Yes...! The risk of a trap is almost zero.' A woman with glasses replies, 'Yes, sir!' while another figure offers, 'I'll leave the personnel selection to you.' The man at the desk concludes, 'Well done. As for the treaty, negotiate to maintain it.' In a lower panel, a bearded man in profile warns, 'Indeed, it is a sound argument... but...' A close-up shows a determined face saying, 'For now, restrain yourself. Don't act rashly.' The ponytail-wearing man in a tracksuit thinks, 'I want to use your ability to slaughter the 9th prince's Nen beast, with certainty. Though he's open and honest with his strategy meanings, the prince's Nen beast lurking in the back doesn't show itself at all...' At the bottom, narration details 5th Prince Tserriednich's Nen beast still hidden, guarded by 9th Prince Halkenburg, and the risk of wasting time before acting urgently with the Predator ability.

Close-ups continue the strategic debate. A stern face declares, 'Furthermore, having a clear, precise goal of wanting to defend the prince will have a profound effect upon the nature of their Nen abilities...!!' Another notes Kurapika may be a beginner but could still threaten top-class users due to Nen power. A voice adds, 'It's not just that... It's that aura of Maor’s!!! He's at the final stage where his aura nodes are opened, and he's able to use Nen abilities... But compared to his state this morning, it's such an enormous leap.' The ponytail man thinks, 'This only increases the risk of just standing back and watching...! If I'm going to act, the sooner the better.' He analyzes enemy abilities that discover, cancel, or steal his own, concluding he must face similar opponents. 'Predator acts on its own, on top of that, it's ill-matched against opponents with multiple abilities... I want to use my Predator to eliminate Kurapika, but in order to do that I would have to fulfill the condition of figuring out all five of the abilities that I've hypothesized he has are, and that's just not realistic.' Further thoughts weigh experience from army command, the need to reveal little while using Predator, and the 48-hour recharge time, deciding against targeting 5th Prince Tserriednich or 9th Prince Halkenburg immediately, with room 1009 as an optimal spot to unleash the ability.

A bald man with a thick mustache and goatee stares forward with narrowed eyes. "Perhaps your assessment of the enemy's ability is wrong?! That would taint anything I try to verify afterwards, making it all unreliable...!" he thinks. "Figure it out, Lihan!! Do it yourself...!! Why did he give the order to stay 'prudent'...?!" Panels of text follow his reasoning: "If his aura was so massive that it caused a rumbling like that, then surely if he were to target someone with his ability alone, they would have an exceedingly slim chance of winning. Unless...he gave up his own life in exchange for the guarantee of safety for the 1st Prince...? No, that's impossible...!! The assassin would know that Sir Benjamin, the 1st Prince, despises things like begging for one's life more than anything else!!" Another panel reads: "There must be a hint...! If the assassin is a manipulator... then I must be able to find a lead from there!!" and "Your ability's crux is that you can't ask for advice or counsel...!!" A close-up of a hand continues: "The only thing I can think of is some kind of body swap...!" and "...But if he wasn't being manipulated... then does that mean they have an ability that made the assassin choose death by his own will...?!" A man with glasses appears next. "Yet, he didn't choose either option... which means, Prince Sale-Sale is dead...!! And then, there's 1st Prince Benjamin's private guard rotation. This leads us to one solution: that the assassination was carried out by Prince Benjamin's private guard... and the next target is me...!!" he concludes. "It's exceedingly simple... Prince Sale-Sale, consumed as he is with narcissism and the desire to express it, would never 'miss out' on performing live over just a little bad health...!! He's the kind of man that would gladly broadcast himself even if he were so ill that he couldn't even move, all so he can bask in the role of the tragic 'main character'." In a smaller panel, a lab-coated man with glasses salutes: "Yes, sir!" while another voice says "Heisen, please deal with this." A hand holds up a USB drive as text explains the plan to investigate Nen abilities and compile a list of possible culprits.

The glasses-wearing man continues thinking while holding a phone to his ear. "Information is bound to get leaked to Camilla... but if I could learn of the cause of his death and the situation surrounding it all at once...! I'll negotiate directly with Mother myself..." he decides. Another panel shows him at a laptop: "Did Mother's private guard, the ones watching over Prince Sale-Sale, not hear anything regarding Room 1008...?" and "But I need to give a good enough excuse to ensure I don't invite the suspicion of the Kingdom's legal offices... I must be careful." He adds, "I want to investigate the shifts of Prince Benjamin's private guard..." A dark panel with storm clouds reads: "Maor still isn't seeking any kind of defense against Nen abilities... But she would have needed some kind of (a) partner, no matter what...!! Kurapika...!!" and "There's a lot of risk in me making direct contact with the 2nd Queen's family guard...! But there's no way that Mother would have made any decision without discussing it with my sister first...! If she's given the okay, then I should consider that this might have been Sister's plan as well." The scene shifts to a hallway at "10TH DAY - 11:30 AM" where three figures stand: a white-haired man in a suit, a blonde person in a suit, and a dark-haired person holding a round object. Sound effects "ド" "ド" "ド" echo. A close-up shows the blonde character with wide eyes and a sweat drop. "The interval between them... is shrinking...?!" text reads, with a note "Quietly piercing through, an ominous rumbling...?!" The final panel declares "THE FOURTH RUMBLE...!!" as the chapter ends.