Hunter × Hunter Chapter 403: Results

Narration explains that the judge and defense lawyer are also at risk of infection, though their distance reduces it to below 2%. Because this is a closed court case, the chances of a pandemic are extremely low, but martial law would contain it if needed. A small panel shows the curly-haired judge at the podium facing the bald man in a padded suit standing before him. Another caption states that the bald man will have no means of escape during the cross-examination and that his demise is 100% certain. The bald man is shown from behind walking down a long institutional hallway lined with numbered doors and signs. Close-ups focus on his boots stepping forward. Further panels show the empty corridor stretching ahead and a close-up of an intense eye watching. At the far end, a small group of people stands near the wall.

The bald man in the padded suit glances back over his shoulder with a stern expression. Close-up panels show the scarred face of a bearded muscular man glaring intensely. A large panel centers on the bearded man's grim face. His eyes widen dramatically as the sound effect "VICT...!!" erupts. In the hallway below, the bald man continues walking away while another figure in similar attire stands further down the corridor near the wall signs.

In a tense hallway, a suited man and a woman with a ponytail examine a clipboard while discussing the situation. A rumbling sound echoes as a large man in a white puffy jacket reacts in shock, realizing the noise cannot be natural. Nearby, another suited man stares in confusion at the unfolding chaos. Halkenburg, the man in the white jacket, insists he should have no personal guards. The group notices military sign language being used, suggesting verbal communication is being blocked. In the corridor, the suited man with the book declares they have discovered the secret to Halkenburg's ability. A scarred bald man with a goatee looks on with wide eyes amid the rumbling and distant figures.

A group of formally dressed people stand in a room with dripping walls as a suited man points forward with both hands. In the background, a man in a wheelchair operates a laptop while a woman sits beside him. Outside, figures move through rain as a suited man measures distances and adjusts his aim. Balsamilco calculates positions from 25 meters ahead. The man in the striped suit commands to fire, activating an ability called Grimal-Les Dissonances. A close-up shows intense focus on the shooter's face as the shot is taken.

A powerful figure in a pinstripe suit thrusts his arm forward dramatically as the wall behind him shatters outward in a massive explosion of debris and motion lines. The impact sends shockwaves through the corridor. In the long hallway below, guards stand watch near a reception desk while two figures converse at a distance. The scene shifts to room 1001 where a spiky-haired man stares in shock at a monitor. A voice explains that both parties requested a reschedule. Another asks if the trial has started yet. The spiky-haired man shouts in confusion. Narration reveals the defendant's request citing ill health was accepted while the plaintiff's equipment trouble claim was rejected. The man in the puffy jacket questions both reasons.

Multiple overlapping speech bubbles detail Halkenburg's sudden collapse in the medical room where his condition has stabilized. The spiky-haired man questions the particulars on Halkenburg's status and wonders why equipment trouble was cited. A stern man with slicked-back hair considers whether Balsamilco is the target. Prince Benjamin's captain arrives and contacts someone by phone. The spiky-haired man wonders what the captain will try to pull. The captain states he wants to speak for just a second while the spiky-haired man agrees and comments on the situation.

In the office, a spiky-haired man listens as an unseen speaker explains that the arrow was likely fired from back activations or civilians rather than personal guards. A new arrow was fired at him but missed; Halkenburg lost consciousness on the spot. The trial was postponed due to troubles on Halkenburg's side after noticing the earlier rumbling. Getting straight to the point, the mission is not yet complete. The spiky-haired man replies, 'I see,' and asks if the trial will resume soon. The speaker calls it a plausible explanation but clearly a fake illness to delay the trial. The spiky-haired man confirms, 'Of course.' Suddenly, a close-up reveals Balsamilco's intense glare as he declares he will issue special martial law and purge both of them. He warns that if Balsamilco returns without finishing the mission, it will be considered a coup d'état plotted in collusion with Halkenburg. A large man with a scarred head responds that he assumes the supporters will be in the medical room with him but should not pose a threat. He asks for permission to meet with Halkenburg, noting it is his chance. The spiky-haired man refuses to return until the mission is executed perfectly and asks to inform his subordinates. He states he is aware that since Halkenburg's ability has been used, it is difficult to trust him, and all decisions on the field are up to him; the result is all that matters. He questions if the plan is to appear as if carrying out the mission in the medical room while secretly waiting to trap him.

Balsamilco, the large scarred man, holds a phone and declares he will report back today with positive results. The panel is labeled 'ELEVENTH DAY (WEDNESDAY) 7:50 AM'. In a hallway, two men discuss that if Balsamilco leaves the bureau without making contact first, they will immediately enact the special martial law and inform the second and third tiers. One man points and shouts 'ROGER!!' while another warns to remain on high alert until the truth of the matter is found out. In another room, two figures stand near a door as one says 'BUTCH!' and questions if he is really telling the truth. A panel shows Prince Fugetsu and a member of the Justice Bureau wishing to hand over something personally to First Prince Benjamin. Balsamilco appears in a dramatic close-up, declaring he will use this opportunity to share information and build a good relationship. He says 'SEND THEM THROUGH.' He resolves to keep the head of the Justice Bureau on his side for a long time, even after becoming king.

In an ornate royal chamber, a telephone rings insistently with repeated RING RING sounds. A lavish table holds a plate of ornate cards, a teacup, and a decorative pitcher. Voices discuss calmly: one says there is no need to worry, while another acknowledges understanding. In the grand hall below, attendants stand at attention near pillars and floral arrangements as a figure seated in an elaborate chair speaks into a telephone receiver. The seated speaker reassures the listener that it is a shame they will miss seeing each other at the banquet but promises full support. The view tightens on the elegant man with styled hair and a ruffled collar, who smiles warmly while holding the phone and declares his pride in his dearest little boy, Halkenburg.

An open document filled with dense handwritten notes presents a leading theory from a foreign site claiming the first queen is Halkenburg's real mother, noting fears that the dead can speak freely. A spiky-haired man reads the page and remarks that nothing appears political, seeing only a standard letter. Additional notes discuss how the first queen might use connections to help Halkenburg win and how the succession war has rendered the order meaningless, though the rumor holds truth. In a separate scene, the same man observes a group including a suited figure, a woman, and a child, commenting that even assuming the second and third letters contain evidence, the political influence remains uncertain. A final panel shows a stern man with glasses stating that it is more than enough to know the real threat of martial law has become reality and that questioning the bureau's impartiality would be catastrophic.

A long-haired woman reads intently from several sheets of paper while a bald man with facial markings studies his own documents nearby. A woman with pigtails and a man with glasses examine papers with serious expressions. In a spacious library, speech fills the air as unseen speakers discuss recent events. "It sounds better on paper to be honest, me immediately said 'just toss it'." "I wanted Tserriednich to read it, but he refused?" "The only ones to refuse were the fourth and 13th prince, as well as the convalescent ninth prince." A short-haired woman stands in a long hallway and murmurs "true..." More dialogue continues among the group. "Being an information broker may even garner full-chan some respect." "Oh well, even just one of them taking interest in my misdirect is a win." "Placing the marker in Luzurus chambers is a massive victory in itself." "The hard part comes next." In a dim room, a figure lies in bed connected to medical equipment as soft sound effects echo.

On a sunlit shore, several characters discuss plans. "Let's rest as well." "Agreed. It'd be terrible if we push her too hard and she can't use her power when we need it most." "So, I think it's best if we let Fugetsu rest for a while..." "Thanks to Basho, she can be left alone without being bothered by cursed spirits." A woman lies asleep in bed. Close-ups show a stern glasses-wearing man and a surprised bald man. "Okay, the mission starts tomorrow evening!" Inside an ornate ship cabin labeled 1014, a tall figure stands watch while a person holds a baby. "Unfortunately, this ship is a literal kodoku pot..." "It seems like a death penalty is enacted on those who attempt to leave the war." A blonde character with intense eyes declares, "However, I actually see this as a beacon of light!" "Death is the only way out..." "It makes sense to think that a Nen ability preventing anyone from leaving the ship would mean that..." "...have to fight each other till the end." "Then, the princes will really..." A woman holding a child reacts with shock: "...How?"

In a dimly lit room, Queen Oito kneels while holding Prince Woble close, a bright Nen aura flaring behind them. A suited man with an H emblem stands nearby as Oito pleads, "I NEED YOU TO GRANT ME PERMISSION TO DO SOMETHING..." The man replies, "QUEEN, IN ORDER TO SAVE WOBLE AND THE OTHER YOUNG PRINCES..." Oito's face fills with shock as she asks, "WHAT IS IT?" Below, a large panel shows scattered coins on a wooden surface marked with the number 1003. A bald man with facial markings stares at the coins, which display intricate designs. One coin previously marked "1" now clearly reads "10." He explains, "THE PROBLEM IS... OF ALL THE COINS PRODUCED BY MY NEN BEAST, SEVEN ARE IN MY POSSESSION AND THREE HAVE BEEN GIFTED TO OTHERS." A heavy SFX "ズズズ..." rumbles across the scene as the coins lie scattered in the foreground.

In a formal meeting room, a group of suited men stand around a table while one bald man addresses them from behind. He states, "I'D LIKE TO HEAR EVERYONE'S OPINIONS." Another voice notes, "WHAT'S WORSE IS WE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THIS MEANS. WE'RE COMPLETELY IN THE DARK." The discussion continues with suggestions to write dates on coins and monitor growth over ten days. One man explains the coins grow by a factor of ten every ten days. The bald man concludes, "IN ORDER TO ACQUIRE THE INFORMATION ON NEN AND MY GUARDIAN BEAST'S ABILITY NECESSARY TO WIN THIS WAR... I'M GOING TO NEED SOMEONE LIKE KURAPIKA..." He then shouts, "PHONE ROOM 1014!" as the panel darkens around his determined face.

In a long hallway, a suited man with glasses listens as another man reports that Halkenburg's team informed him of the group fainting ahead of time. "IT'S NO PROBLEM," the reporter replies. Nearby, people walk past a grand staircase. The man with glasses muses that something else has caught his interest. He notes that, just as said, the ten supporters who visited the prince passed out in the waiting room after manifesting identical symptoms. After meeting with him, they may appear under the effects of hypnotherapy, but that is only because their anxiety has been relieved and they will soon be conscious again. The man with glasses and his striped-suited companion discuss the situation. They confirm the supporters are in a private room awaiting further tests. To discover Halkenburg's objective and form an alliance, it may be best to explain their current situation as well. The man with glasses wonders where the staff member is now and whether it was a coincidence. He decides it is hard to brush this one off as a coincidence. In a dramatic bottom panel, the man with glasses walks away, declaring that meeting Halkenburg knowing so little about his ability is too risky, so he will find out all he can from Wario. He asks for Wario Bei's room number, E-6, and states he will conduct an interview. Wario, a man who loves all that is fair, will surely have thoughts about the meeting.

Wario, a stern man with slicked-back hair and a scar, glares intensely and promises that the beliefs of the man with glasses will have no impact on his standing in the bureau. He demands to know exactly what happened. The man with glasses replies that he is willing to act outside his role as the bureau's head of prosecution and back Prince Halkenburg, given that he protects Prince Fugetsu. He states he is not the kind to mince words and reveals the facts: super powers exist, and the princes are using them as weapons. Wario reacts with shock. The man with glasses shows a leaf-like symbol bestowed upon him by the prince and asks what it is. Wario explains that Prince Kacho died while trying to escape because of this power and that the ship is surrounded by a barrier aware of a person's royal blood. The man with glasses identifies the Ninth Prince Halkenburg and notes that it is natural to be suspected after the mass fainting. Wario confirms that if the man with glasses were to speak openly about Nen, he should show the symbol. In a final close-up, the man with glasses stares forward as a voice says the prince predicted they would meet and that he will soon perish.

In a high-end hotel corridor, a spiky-haired man in a light jacket speaks urgently into a phone. "I'VE COMPLETED THE MISSION." "YES!" he confirms as a voice on the other end asks "ARE YOU SURE?!" Behind him, a man in a thick puffer jacket stands near the elevator doors marked 1001. The scene shifts to a tense close-up where a bald man with a goatee and facial scars holds a phone to his ear, declaring "I'LL SHOW ABSOLUTE PROOF OF MY SUCCESS TONIGHT, AS PLANNED." Heavy SFX "ズ ズ ズ" rumble beside him while a blond man with a serious expression watches from the shadows. In a spacious room resembling a hospital ward, a crowd of adults and children gathers around a bed where a light-haired person lies under blankets. Some figures stand near a side table with pitchers, while others linger by the doorway. The final panel shows only the backs of several people in casual and formal attire, one wearing glasses.

Kurapika stands with his back to the viewer in an ornate room, facing a woman holding a baby. He states he will begin the second round of Nen training tomorrow with an open invitation to each prince, adding that he will now divulge the letter's contents. The woman asks if he wants to publish the letter. In a series of panels Kurapika explains his three reasons while holding up fingers: first, to avoid unnecessary suspicion; second, because the older princes' crimes were revealed to one another so the younger princes must also be informed; third, because being the first to go public will put him into contact with some of the older princes. A woman with curly hair listens nearby. The final spread shows Kurapika, the curly-haired woman, and suited men at door 1003 as bold text declares "KURAPIKA REVEALS THE LETTER...!!" with impact SFX. The chapter ends.