Hunter × Hunter Chapter 404: Speculation

A hand wearing ornate shackles holds a small coin between two fingers while narration discusses its limits. Being limited to one coin a day, with a change on the tenth day, suggests that this ability's true value will become clear once Chorai is crowned king. This seems to reflect his forward-looking nature. It should be fine. Another voice warns that refusing the coin risks suspicion, and even accepting it activates a pseudo-coercive manipulation ability worth only about ten days of Nen, insufficient for a kill order. Kurapika examines the coin closely, noting its design. A voice asks ...AND? Kurapika replies that the number and design have both changed. The design matches the one on Tenfory's coin. It seems that when the owner changes, both the days and its effect are reset. Kurapika says I SEE. In the next panels Kurapika continues analyzing while an unseen speaker remarks OH? DO TELL ME. Kurapika states I THINK I HAVE A ROUGH GRASP ON HOW IT WORKS. OKAY, I GET IT NOW... The design has changed back... HM... VERY WELL... ...AND SEE WHETHER IT CHANGES AGAIN. I'LL RETURN OWNERSHIP OF THIS COIN TO THE PRINCE... A bald man with glasses interjects I ASSURE YOU IT'S NOT ANY ABILITY BENJAMIN WILL FEEL THREATENED BY. Kurapika answers I DON'T MIND. CAN WE TALK FREELY HERE? The bald man notes ...BUT THE '0' REMAINS '1.'

Kurapika's face is shown in close-up as narration continues. That means concealing information about 'weapons' and 'threats.' The coins can be traded, and the Nen will increase exponentially within them if held for a long period of time, thus unlocking unique abilities within the wielder. As long as I understand his intentions and respect the hierarchy, he's an ally! As the third prince he's proficient in strategy and subtle diplomacy. As expected... It can be inferred that Prince Chorai's guardian spirit beast has an accumulation-type conjuration ability. In the wider room, several men stand while Kurapika gestures. This method is the most efficient way to acquire Nen, which usually requires rigorous training with minimum effort and no risk. The prince's estimate of 10 to 64 may represent the number of days that are required for a wielder to use mysterious Nen abilities. After about half a year, when the coin is in the quintillions, the user's aura nodes will open, thus allowing them to use Nen. A form of half-compulsory loyalty toward Chorai... In other words, this is an ability that'll bear its fruit after you've taken the throne. Accumulation-based abilities are often found in individuals who are highly strategic and rational. That prince is likely a pseudo-coercive manipulation type. While it carries almost no risk or cost, the guardian spirit beast will demand an even price... A man in a suit states IT'S BEST TO KEEP THE POSSIBILITY OF IT BEING A PSEUDO-COERCIVE MANIPULATION TYPE HIDDEN FOR NOW... I TOLD YOU THIS POWER SUITED ME. SEE? HAHAHA... Another figure warns IT'LL ONLY CREATE UNNECESSARY TROUBLE. I'D LIKE TO OBSERVE THE COINS WITHOUT ANY NEW DEVELOPMENTS. At the bottom of the page Kurapika thinks ...MUST BE SECRETLY HOLDING ONTO THE COIN THAT APPEARED ON THE FIRST DAY!! and concludes SOMEONE HERE...

Kurapika and Coventoba continue their tense exchange inside the room. The discussion centers on the hidden mechanics of Choraï’s coins and the ongoing war. “Today is Wednesday, the 11th day of the war. Most Nen abilities with time-based conditions begin at ‘1.’ If the coins first appeared on Sunday, there should be at least two coins marked ‘10’ by now.” Coventoba stands with a serious expression, light radiating from behind him. “He’s the only Nen user here who doesn’t serve Choraï.” Kurapika listens intently, his eyes narrowed. “First Prince Benjamin’s personal soldier, Coventoba.” The conversation deepens as Kurapika considers the implications. “Someone who saw a coin emerge from Choraï’s guardian spirit beast picked it up and benefits from keeping information hidden…” He reflects further, “And in the event that it’s discovered I’ve been withholding information about Choraï’s ability, I can use Coventoba as insurance. The coin appears every day at 1:00 PM. We can easily verify who was with Choraï at that time by reviewing security records.” Coventoba speaks with a slight smile, “Right, this has been rather insightful, Kurapika.” Kurapika replies, “So it’d be in my best interest to secure the majority. Just one thing, it’s also possible that the number of coins owned could influence the ability’s effects.” Coventoba adds, “Now, I can focus entirely on contemplating my siblings’ futures.” Kurapika thanks him, “Thank you very much.” Coventoba offers, “And keep the rest with me for the time being. I’ll hand you the one that appeared today…” as he extends his hand. Kurapika nods, “Understood.”

Coventoba continues speaking to Kurapika, stressing the unequal nature of their exchange. “It’s likely that others were using the first session for recon. It’d be wise to devise countermeasures immediately.” He adds, “We’re not equal. I understand the price for my information is the assurance of Woble’s safety.” Kurapika responds, “Thanks for your consideration. I’m more worried about you and Prince Woble’s safety.” Coventoba replies, “Very well. Please hold off a little longer on the other matter; completing the second training session is very important to me.” The scene shifts to a large panel showing a dense crowd of suited men, likely mafia members connected to the princes. Text overlays explain the fragile balance of power and the risk that Choraï’s ties to the mafia could trigger special martial law if conflict escalates. Close-ups reveal stern faces of several mafia figures. Further narration warns that severing the “rope” holding the mafia families together could lead to open war and covert assassinations. The discussion underscores how Benjamin might exploit any incident to justify martial law.

Several figures stand together in tense discussion. A tall bald man in a puffy jacket listens as narration explains that the snake ability user remains a mystery and that one of the princes' guards may be plotting something. A suited man with his back turned stands silently beside a shorter bald man in a light jacket. On the right, a woman with curly hair suggests it may be safer to stay in room 1014 where the prince's guards constantly monitor each other rather than risk being targeted by Benjamin in room 1003. In the lower panels, a bespectacled man and the bald jacketed man confer quietly. Queen Oito holds Prince Woble wrapped in a blanket, her expression serious. Nearby, Prince Fugetsu stares forward with wide eyes and declares that no matter which path they choose they are walking on thin ice. A wheeled cart rolls across the foreground accompanied by loud rattling sound effects.

In a hospital corridor a cat-eared nurse with glasses issues urgent orders to prepare a blood test and GT scan immediately, contact Halkenburg's guards about the prince's condition, and send vomit samples for examination. Medical staff rush a gurney carrying the collapsed curly-haired patient whose body temperature is 36.6°C with no convulsions or shortness of breath; he is completely unresponsive after hitting his head. A young boy with spiky hair watches anxiously. In a side hallway guards and staff move about. A close-up shows a long-haired man sweating heavily as he thinks that if the mother refuses an autopsy his death will be dismissed as unexplained organ failure and that the pierced soul will not awaken unless he falls asleep, adding coma to the diagnosis and delaying identification of infectious gastroenteritis.

A stern man with spiky hair speaks into a phone. "GOOD WORK. I'LL SEND A TEAM OF ROYAL DOCTORS AND MILITARY DOCTORS TO YOUR LOCATION." Narration explains the timeline: "IT TAKES APPROXIMATELY 12 HOURS FROM THE ONSET OF VOMITING FOR THE TARGET TO PASS. THINGS MAY GET COMPLICATED IF THE HUNTER ASSOCIATION IS INVOLVED." In a hospital corridor a subordinate reports, "THE MISSION WILL BE COMPLETED WITHIN HALF A DAY." Another voice adds, "HALKANBURG VOMITED AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE ADJACENT GENERAL HOSPITAL." The bald subordinate answers, "YES, SIR!" and is ordered, "MONITOR HIS PROGRESS." Close-ups show the wavy-haired man and the bald man reacting with heavy sound effects as the explanation continues. A long block of text details the soul-transfer mechanics: "AS LONG AS SUMIDORI'S SOUL IS ACTIVE, SHIKAKU WON'T AWAKEN! IF SUMIDORI WAKES UP, SHIKAKU WILL FORCIBLY LOSE CONSCIOUSNESS. HOWEVER, EVEN IF YOU TRY TO AWAKEN SHIKAKU, HE WON'T BE ABLE TO REGAIN CONSCIOUSNESS AS LONG AS SUMIDORI IS ACTIVE. THIS CONDITION IS GAINED THROUGH A RESTRICTION ROOTED IN THE RESOLVE FOR SELF-SACRIFICE. THE INITIATOR'S PRIORITY IS ABSOLUTE! SHIKAKU AND SUMIDORI'S TRANSFER CONFIRMED SEVERAL HYPOTHESES. UPON AWAKENING, SUMIDORI'S BODY CORRECTLY IDENTIFIED SHIKAKU'S RECOGNITION NUMBER, PROVING THAT ONLY ONE SOUL CAN REMAIN CONSCIOUS AT A TIME. PRIORITY GOES TO THE ONE WHO ACTIVATED THE ABILITY."

The wavy-haired man continues his internal reasoning. "BUT IT WAS NECESSARY TO INVESTIGATE WHAT EFFECT THE BODY'S DEATH WOULD HAVE ON THE EXCHANGED SOUL." Flashback panels show the ability activation with silhouettes and an arrow. The ability is named: "MY ABILITY IS 'FORCED SOUL EXCHANGE'! ONE PERSON IS CHOSEN AT RANDOM FROM THE INITIATING GROUP, AND THEIR SOUL IS SWAPPED WITH THE ARROW'S TARGET!" A large close-up of the wavy-haired man's face details the first test: what happens to the soul inside the pierced body, and what happens if the target soul's new body dies. He concludes that because the ability was activated with the Guardian Spirit Beast's assistance, the death of the target body does not necessarily return the soul. The bottom panel shows a battlefield of armored warriors with the man declaring his resolve: "TO ESTABLISH AN IDEAL NATION, I MUST CONTINUE THE FIGHT AND HONOR THESE NOBLE SACRIFICES! FOR PARTICIPATION, IT'S LIKELY THAT MY ABILITY REQUIRES PEOPLE WHO ARE WILLING TO SACRIFICE THEMSELVES FOR THE GREATER GOOD. THEREFORE, THE ANSWER IS SELF-EVIDENT! AS FOR (1)... IF I IGNORE MY EMOTIONS AND FOCUS SOLELY ON ACHIEVING MY GOAL, IT ISN'T A SIGNIFICANT ISSUE."

A stern man in a puffy jacket stands centered between two massive flanking faces, his posture rigid as internal monologue bubbles expand around him. The left bubbles detail the mechanics: if the initiating side dies first the target's soul returns to its original body allowing both souls to coexist, and in that case priority shifts so the target soul regains full control over their original body. The right bubbles explain that the odds of his soul switching with Balsamilco were slim but accounted for, a scenario already tested on the First Prince's personal soldier victim. Lower bubbles continue the plan: because of that before time runs out he cannot control Balsamilco's soul when it awakens so this should give him around ten hours after his body's death to maintain control, that's why just before his body dies he will have this body ingest a sedative, and therefore if his body dies Balsamilco's soul will return to his own body and his soul will be forcibly put to rest. The page ends on a black splash with radiating lines showing a pair of glasses and the bold declaration to win the succession war while vowing to make the right move.

A multi-panel sequence depicts a tense medical facility. The top panel shows an overhead view of an operating room with a body on the table surrounded by medical staff and armed soldiers. Adjacent panel reveals a corridor lined with masked and armed personnel standing at attention. Middle panels show a hospital hallway with doctors, nurses, and guards near doorways, followed by a wide view of a patient room where a bandaged man sits upright in bed surrounded by medical equipment and personnel in protective gear. Close-up panels focus on the wide eyes of masked medical staff, then cut to the injured patient's face covered by an oxygen mask, sweat dripping, eyes closed, with motion lines and symbols indicating labored breathing or distress.

In a high-tech control room, a tall muscular man in a light-colored jumpsuit stands with arms crossed beside a seated man with spiky hair who holds a dark tablet and rests his chin on his hand while staring forward intently. Below, in an opulent sitting room, a woman with her hair in a ponytail leans over a small table writing on a tablet device while a blonde woman reclines on a couch holding a glass and looking toward her. Several maids in uniform stand in the background near ornate furniture and a fireplace. In a close-up panel, a bald man with a mustache and three dots on his forehead sits in an ornate chair and holds up a small round coin between his fingers for examination.

A man with spiky hair sweats while staring at a small device in his hand as a large timer on a phone screen displays 0:00:03:496. Nearby, a man with a ponytail stands with hands clasped and speaks while a suited man holds a phone. Speech bubbles convey: "I WAS SO FRUSTRATED THAT MY TIME WASN'T IMPROVING THAT I ALMOST GAVE UP..." and "'LEVELING UP IS A STAIRCASE, NOT A SLOPE.' AND BOY IS THAT TRUE." The suited man says "SOME-ONE ONCE SAID..." Close-ups show intense expressions as the ponytail man continues: "DAMN. IT MIGHT TAKE A WEEK, TEN DAYS, OR WORST-CASE SCENARIO, TWO WEEKS..." and "OPTIMISM ISN'T ENOUGH. BREAKING THE ONE-SECOND BARRIER ISN'T GOING TO BE EASY..." A voice questions "THETA, WHAT THE HELL DO YOU WANT ME TO DO WITH HIM?!" while another states "REACHING THIS LEVEL IN JUST THREE DAYS IS UNHEARD OF..." The spiky-haired man declares "I GET IT NOW..." and "I'LL SHAVE OFF EVERY LAST SECOND!" followed by "BUT I'LL FREAKING DO IT!!" Narration reads: "HE MANIFESTS HIS OWN DESTINY. HE TALKS THE TALK AND WALKS THE WALK. I HAVE NO DOUBT HE'LL SUCCEED. THEN HE MENTIONED MOVING ON TO THE 'REAL THING,' RIGHT? WHAT'S HE GOT IN STORE FOR ME?" and "IT'S SO FAR REMOVED FROM WHAT AN AVERAGE GUY LIKE ME CAN COMPREHEND..." ending with "THE EXPECTATIONS HE SETS FOR HIMSELF... HIS WHOLE ATTITUDE..."

A powerful silhouette erupts against a black background as a tall, muscular man with spiky hair and a stern expression extends both hands forward, cradling a bright glowing orb that illuminates his scarred chest and athletic build. Below, a television screen shows a crowned, robed figure standing triumphantly before an open book on a pedestal while an excited crowd raises their hands in celebration. Beside the TV, a serious man with slicked-back hair and glasses sits at a desk, hand resting on his chin as he watches a laptop screen intently. In a dimly lit living room, a man with a pompadour hairstyle leans forward on a couch, chin on his hand, watching the broadcast, while a woman with large puffy pigtails sits beside him with her back to the viewer. A suited man stands nearby observing the scene.

In a dark bedroom, a woman with short light hair stands with her back to the viewer, gazing at a figure lying in bed under heavy blankets. In a bright playroom, a girl with a ponytail kneels and points at a large model train set while two children and a man in a sweater vest watch nearby; a woman with glasses stands holding papers. In a grand hallway, a young boy with spiky hair carrying a bundle turns and speaks, while a woman holding a baby sits in a chair and another child stands nearby. Several guards and attendants line the corridor in the background. A foreground boy with spiky hair says "YEAH." A speech bubble reads "WILL YOU AND FURYKOV STILL REPRESENT PRINCE BENJAMIN?" Another states "THE SECOND TRAINING SESSION WILL TAKE PLACE TOMORROW, THURSDAY, AT 9 AM. THE ONLY CHANGE IS THE ATTENDANCE OF PRINCE CAMILLA'S GUARD THIS TIME."

A stern-faced man with slicked-back hair wonders if Camilla's have-not guards could be Nen users, noting their uncertain abilities keep piling up. Nearby, a blonde woman recalls that Senritsu's letter made no mention of Camilla. In a spacious corridor, several figures discuss the training session that confirmed their claims, suggesting Camilla now sees it as a worthwhile investment. One asks what to make of Prince Camilla's change of heart. Another speculates the visitors might be after training, information, assassination, negotiation, or persuasion, with the list of possibilities endless. Kurapika, pointer in hand, stresses they must keep Shimano close to the Queen and Prince Woble even at the cost of cleaning duties. He and the blonde woman agree they cannot let the visitors near Prince Woble, though the two of them will have to handle it themselves. A woman with a bun replies simply, 'Okay.' At the bottom of the page, masked guards in the hallway react with sharp sound effects as tension rises.

In a brightly lit operating room, a bloodied man lies on a table surrounded by masked medical staff. His shirt reads 'GUARDS.' Vital signs spike at 47 then flatline to 0 as the heart monitor emits a long continuous tone. The man convulses slightly before going still. A surgeon in full scrubs gives a thumbs-up gesture to a colleague. The final panel shows a close-up of the man's bruised, lifeless face with eyes closed and mouth open.

In a spacious office, several figures discuss recent events. "Those were the prince's final words... What do you think?" one asks. "Yes," comes the reply. A large narration box details the prince's final three wishes: a public announcement, a farewell from his supporters, and personal handling of his coffin transportation. Another voice states, "It seems the body will be transported at midday, moving up the central stairway from tier three to the morgue on tier one." A spiky-haired man seated in a swivel chair speaks into a phone: "Let them proceed." Nearby, a bald man in a puffy jacket reports, "Yes, sir! Tell Supreme Magistrate Alea to drop the case and release his private soldiers so they can go to him." The spiky-haired man continues, "We'll respect his wishes, even though he didn't write them down. We can't let his supporters' grief turn into anger. We must act carefully and with respect." The bald man adds, "And then return with his remains!" Another man on the phone says, "I'll discuss the autopsy results when they arrive and oversee the memorial service..." In close-up, two stern men face each other. One says, "Yes, sir! You've done an excellent job." The other replies, "Thank you, brother. Make sure everything is handled with the utmost care."

A large public screen in a bustling city plaza displays Prince Halkenburg. Narration announces: "The ninth prince Halkenburg tragically passed away earlier today." A voice continues, "Ladies and gentlemen, we have some very sad and unfortunate news to share..." The crowd is instructed to gather at the central stairway plaza for the final farewell. "The funeral procession will proceed today at noon and proceed up the central stairway towards the first tier." In side panels, several figures discuss the situation. One says, "Anyway, I wanna straighten some things with the two families before we head to the Heil-ly hideout." Another notes, "There's no rush. Hinrigh did a great job hiding the transmitter." A man with slicked hair remarks, "Then who cares. Let's hurry on down to tier four." A woman asks, "Was he the head of a family?" Others reply, "No, not connected." "Well, obviously, it's about how to crush them." "Pointless. We crush them regardless." "Yeah. What? About Heil-ly?" At night under stars, small floating heads converse: "I hope I'm wrong, but if my hunch is right I'm gonna beat the shit out of you guys." "You got a hard-on for the enemy or something? How lame. It's all in your head." "Not only pointless, also nonsense." "Depending on their response, we might have to go all out on this." The page ends with the Hunter × Hunter logo and chapter number.