Hunter × Hunter Chapter 401: Moonlight

On the tenth day at 11:45 AM, the Black Whale sails across a calm sea while the brutal succession war continues unseen. A voice calls out, "Please come this way," directing Fifth Prince Tsubeppa's personal guard into room 1014. Inside the dim corridor, Kurapika stands with arms crossed, his thoughts racing: "Will she feign a reaction to Kurapika's attack? Or just come straight out with the truth? It would be great if she just accepts her fate and takes out Prince Woble." Another figure mutters "Hmm..." while watching the scene. The ponytail-haired guard enters the spacious hall where three figures now stand around a small table holding a pitcher and glasses. The guard faces Kurapika and a short-haired attendant across the polished floor marked with long shadows.

The ponytail guard declares she can already use Nen and does not need the divination test. She stands alone in the long corridor, her expression firm. Kurapika and the short-haired attendant watch from the side. In close-up the guard's eyes widen as she states, "This'll act as both the proof and reasoning for why I'm here. The snakes were not my doing. That said..." Suddenly her suit jacket tears apart violently with a burst of aura, shocking both Kurapika and the attendant who stare in alarm. The torn fabric and flying buttons emphasize the sudden release of power.

Kurapika stands with his hand raised, fingers manipulating a glowing, translucent contract document that cracks with energy. "I CAN BESTOW OR LIMIT THE POWER OF WHOEVER SIGNS THE CONTRACT," he declares. "THIS IS MY CONDITIONAL MANIPULATOR ABILITY: MOONLIT DECREE!" Tsubeppa, the short-haired figure, questions the details from the side. Kurapika explains that the contract requires the target to sign of their own free will. He urges Tsubeppa to listen carefully before deciding. In a later panel, Kurapika states his intent: "TO ALLY WITH THE FIFTH PRINCE, TUBEPP A." Tsubeppa notes that the contract is only insurance and a means to facilitate Kurapika's true goal. Kurapika adds that the binding is limited because the target must sign willingly, and Tsubeppa remains unaware that he is a new user. A small "LIFT" sound effect appears near Kurapika's raised hand as he holds the contract.

Tsubeppa points a small handgun directly forward with intense focus, surrounded by radiating speed lines. "SO, IF I DETERMINE YOU'RE LYING, I'LL SHOOT!" she warns. "I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR HALF-TRUTHS." Kurapika responds calmly that a .22 caliber would be useless against a new user. Tsubeppa questions if the threat is a waste of time. In a wider view of a room with other figures present, Kurapika notes that disclosing the whole truth is one of the ability's conditions. He continues that the listener must hear his full explanation before signing because his true goal requires even more power. The contract document is shown again in close-up, held between hands.

In the ornate room, a suited man with glasses stands beside another figure while a third person sits on a couch in the background. Speech bubbles read: "NOTHING... I JUST DON'T KNOW WHERE TO START..." and "...WHAT'S WRONG?" A close-up shows the ponytail woman asking, "AND WHAT IS THIS GOAL?" while another character responds with ellipses. The short-haired gun-wielder stares in surprise with a question mark above their head. The ponytail woman continues, "EVERYTHING ELSE WILL MAKE SENSE AFTER THAT. I GUESS I SHOULD EXPLAIN THE ORIGINAL 'PLAN'." In a dramatic close-up, she declares, "I AM BEYOND NETERo's BIOLOGICAL DAUGHTER." The pigtail girl, the short-haired gun-wielder, and the spiky-haired man react with visible shock and confusion, marked by sweat drops and wide eyes.

The ponytail woman explains that over thirty years ago Beyond fraudulently married young high-ranking Kakin soldiers and that she is not the only one; many others like her exist. She notes that offspring were raised by Beyond's wives and enlisted in the royal military school. A large panel shows rows of uniformed soldiers as she recounts realizing Beyond's goal when his children ended up in similar positions. She describes awakening Nen at birth, easily passing military tests, and how the plan was for them to become the princes' royal guards. In the final panels the short-haired gun-wielder asks if this was the original plan, and the ponytail woman confirms, "YES."

A young woman in a dark suit stands in a grand room, recalling her childhood. "...Were just part of the government's brainwashing to reach a world 'unified under Kakin'," she thinks. "Maybe because of that, I never doubted that these fanatic speeches about Beyond... I moved into dormitories before I could develop much of a relationship with my parents." Discarded pieces of her past lie in a forest clearing. A close-up shows a determined child with light hair stating, "We are... We aren't part of the standard M.O... Only..." The woman continues her account: "Thanks to that, I topped all the physical assessments at the academy with ease. It appears that if Nen is awoken in infancy, the infant will develop Ten and Zetsu rapidly in order to protect itself from the harsh fatigue. We had our Nen awakened from birth. As I said..." In a later panel she affirms, "Yes." A man with light hair, sweat on his face, declares, "An attack? This was only a side-effect of my father's Nen attack. However..." The final wide panel shows a dark skull-like image with the words "Placed a curse on us. My father."

A silhouetted figure stands before a swirling dark aura. Text explains: "It was only after the Seed Urn ritual began that we understood why. We had a highly renowned Nen user inspect it, and it seems we siblings were marked with seals." Notes about parents once supporting Beyond's dream appear. The figure thinks, "They're acting totally calm... even now I've dropped out from the royal guard..." A new panel reveals: "It was my half-sister, Mahaka, who caught on first. She graduated from the second term, famed for its harshness, thanks to Second Prince Camilla who allowed discriminated individuals to join the royal army. She noticed her parents started acting strangely after she dropped out. It was during her search for answers that she discovered me, as I was also posted to Prince Camilla's squad." The light-haired child looks worried. A woman in a dress appears with SFX "ズズズズ" as text states, "...With a terrifyingly dark Nen that activates after death. Each one of us has been cursed..." A close-up shows a face with wide eyes and open mouth amid heavy SFX "ゴゴゴゴ" while someone pleads, "Please, use Gyo... And take a look."

A massive close-up reveals a gaping mouth with a hypnotic spiral pattern swirling deep inside the throat, accompanied by heavy rumbling SFX. The view shifts to an extreme close-up of a wide-open eye, its iris also marked by the same intricate spiral design and surrounded by cracked, stressed skin. In the lower panels, three figures react to the revelation. A long-haired man in a dark suit stands centered with a serious expression. To his right, a spiky-haired man grips a handgun while sweat drips down his face. On the far right, a short-haired blonde girl stares forward with wide eyes and a tense expression. Speech bubbles convey their thoughts on the situation.

Multiple panels show the group continuing their tense discussion inside an ornate room. A close-up shows the blonde girl's intense expression as she realizes she has been possessed. The spiky-haired man checks his phone while the long-haired man and a ponytail woman stand nearby. Further panels depict the group gathered around a table with a seated figure visible in the background. Dialogue reveals they are living sacrifices converted into envoys of Beyond's curse, that burning the surface or removing cursed parts has no effect, and that their targets may not be the princes themselves. Kurapika is addressed directly. The final panel shows the group in a grand hall with a woman seated on a couch in the distance.

In a dimly lit room, Oito sits beside the sleeping infant prince, her hands clasped as she listens intently. A suited man with slicked-back hair stands nearby, his expression grave. "It's clear that Beyond has a strong conviction to end this succession war," Oito says. The suited man replies, "I can't be sure who will kill who but... There are over ten 'appetizing' sacrifices and 14 princes. The numbers can't be a coincidence." In the next panel, the suited man continues, "No... I don't think it's the first prince Benjamin. The first prince is backed by the royal army and he has the trump card of being able to give special orders. To kill through a curse requires the death of a powerful sacrifice to ensure Prince Benjamin remains in the war, he could inform him this via an encrypted code. I think it's the latter... Beyond currently has wormed his way into the core of Kakin. In which case it would be simple to gift the throne to the first prince immediately. Him not informing us must mean either he's already holding the trigger, or is waiting to meet the conditions that'll accumulate the required aura." Close-up reactions show Oito's worried face, the suited man's stern gaze, a blonde woman's surprised expression, and the spiky-haired man's intense stare. The suited man concludes in a large panel, "It doesn't make sense to go to such lengths in order to support an easy target. We're talking about a cunning, cold-hearted, thorough man who has had ample time to prepare." Oito responds, "Exactly." The suited man adds, "You can't be serious! No... Then... who...?"

A massive, scarred face looms in the background as the suited man shouts, "...IS BEYOND'S CHILD!" Close-up eyes of several characters react with shock. Queen Oito appears in a smaller panel, asking, "What are the conditions for a prince to join the succession war...?" A young girl holding a device replies, "Queen Oito." An older man with a mustache interjects, "...Is that even possible? But wait..." In the lower section, Oito's face fills with realization as she exclaims, "...SURELY NOT!!" and "NOT... ACTUALLY FATHERED BY THE KING, BUT..." while another bubble states, "ONLY NASUBI'S LEGITIMATE CHILDREN CAN PARTICIPATE. I SUPPOSE THAT COULD INCLUDE CHILDREN..."

In a grand hallway, a person with curly hair reacts with surprise as a gunshot rings out. Kurapika stands in a doorway, facing a tense scene where a suited man has just fired a gun at another figure. A voice calls out, 'KURAPIKA! ARE YOU OKAY?!' Kurapika turns and replies calmly, 'I'M PERFECTLY FINE.' Inside the room, Kurapika explains to the group, 'WE'RE NEGOTIATING THE TERMS OF A TREATY WITH PRINCE TUBEPP A.' A man with slicked-back hair mutters, '...H.M.' while observing the proceedings. Several suited men and guards stand by, watching the exchange. In a close-up, a stern-faced man with styled hair listens intently as another voice states, 'THERE DOESN'T APPEAR TO BE ANY CHANGES TO HIS AURA.' Kurapika adds, 'BUT HE MUST HAVE REALIZED SHE'S A NEW USER BY NOW, AND NOT ONLY THAT, BUT A MASS MURDERER. JUST WHAT KIND OF CONVERSATION CAN THEY BE HAVING...?!'

Kurapika holds a phone and says, 'CONTINUE. PLEASE.' On the line, the speaker continues, 'WILL BE A PEACE TREATY WITH THE EIGHTH QUEEN OITO AND THE FOURTEENTH PRINCE WOBLE.' The contract details are read aloud: 'IF YOUR PARTY INFRINGES THE RULES, THEN MY ABILITY WILL ACTIVATE, ENACTING THE PENALTY: A WEEK-LONG FORCED STATE OF ZETSU!' Further clauses state it prohibits attacks between queens, princes or guards, requires weekly registration in room 1014, and warns that a prolonged Zetsu state could be dangerous. Kurapika questions the wording, noting it is too ambiguous and that cooperative Nen uses might not count as attacks. The speaker adds that if Prince Tsubeppa retires from the succession war or competitors are reduced to two before Beyond's child is found, additional amendments will apply. A hand signs the torn contract paper.

A stern man with long hair tied back speaks firmly while holding documents. "I promise to start a new private contract with you, bestowing the boon onto you," he states. "If you continue the inquiry and meet the criteria... Of course, these amendments will be annulled if Tsubeppa refuses to sign, but..." He raises a glowing paper in his hand. "...The gift of using my ability a single time. And that boon is..." In a close side view, the man thinks, "I'd be able to impose Zetsu without all of the risks my Nen ability involves. Not a bad deal, depends on the target and requires very specific conditions, but..." At a table in a formal room, a woman sits with papers while a small figure stands on the table. The man continues, "My true desire... My real goal... Let me tell you what I really want. But please, before signing, she believes everything she's saying. The chain hasn't budged." A chained orb swings before a silhouetted figure.

Kurapika stands against a dark, smoky background with intense resolve. "I want to eliminate them with my own hands!!!" he declares. "If it's confirmed one of the princes is Beyond's child..." Close-up reaction shots show multiple characters' shocked or serious faces: a curly-haired man, a wide-eyed child, a figure holding a baby, and a woman with a ponytail. A lone panel shows the ponytail woman from behind with the word "If only..." A man with a headband glares angrily from shadows. "Even if my role was exactly the same as it is right now..." he says. A close-up of a glaring eye appears amid tangled lines. "...My father had shared his intentions with me." The final panel returns to the glowing chained orb. "...This resolve!!! I would've never reached..."

In a tense corridor, two men stand alert as a sharp KERCHK sound echoes from a nearby door. A group of suited figures watches from the background while a tall man in a jacket crosses his arms, his expression stern. Further down the hall, a woman with a ponytail faces another suited figure with short hair. The scene shifts to reveal the ponytail woman and the short-haired woman standing side by side, their faces serious. Close-ups capture intense reactions: a wide eye, a scarred forehead, and a man with long hair demanding answers. 'WHAT HAPPENED IN THERE?!' he exclaims. '...IS SHE CRYING...' he wonders aloud, his gaze fixed on the closed doors where negotiations had taken place moments before.

The short-haired woman in a suit analyzes the situation aloud, noting the lack of evidence for a long-range attack and questioning whether an ability requiring specific conditions affected both Kurapika and Bill. She debates possibilities with the ponytail woman, who remains composed. Nearby, a man in a jacket with an H emblem discusses Prince Woble's safety and the Nen awakening ceremony, suggesting the third prince may be involved. Other guards react with confusion, one asking 'SOMETHING WRONG?' while another considers swapping posts. A small inset shows a volcanic island with the words 'IT'S NOTHING...' and 'NO...' as tension lingers.

A heavily chained man with long, wild hair and a thick beard sits upright on a bed inside a stark room, gripping a thick book with both hands and staring forward with a grim expression. Below, a series of panels shows a conversation between the chained man and a spiky-haired boy. The boy asks, "YOU'VE GOT A BEARD AND BLOOD, RIGHT?" The chained man replies, "I CAN'T GIVE YOU ANYTHING, FOR SAFETY PURPOSES." The boy suggests, "GOOD IDEA. GOT A PEN AND PAPER?" The chained man answers, "NOPE. READ IT AGAIN, OR WRITE ONE YOURSELF." He then asks, "GOT ANY OTHER BOOKS?" The chained man chuckles, "KU KU KU, YOU'RE AN INTERESTING FELLOW." He continues, "FEEL FREE TO SAY ANYTHING. SPEAKIN' WON'T COST YA." The boy inquires, "HAVE YOU GOT ANY OTHER REQUESTS?" The chained man responds, "RODGER DODGER, I'M LOOKING IN MY BOOTS." He adds threateningly, "SAFETY PURPOSES? Y'KNOW IF I WANTED TO, I COULD BASH YOUR SKULL IN WITH THIS BOOK RIGHT HERE." The final wide panel shows an ocean surface with a small round vessel visible, time-stamped "TENTH DAY (TUESDAY) 2 PM." Speech bubbles read, "WHAT ARE BEYOND'S TRUE MOTIVES?? EVERY NEW WAVE ROCKS THE BOAT!!" "COULD YOU BRING THEM HERE FOR ME?" and "THERE'S SOMEBODY I WANNA SPEAK TO." The page ends with the note "CH.401 / END" and the teaser "THE PRINCES AND SENRITSU MAKE THEIR MOVES IN THE NEXT ISSUE!!"