Hunter × Hunter Chapter 44: Celestial Tournament

A black title page displays four character portraits arranged in a two-by-two grid. Top left shows a man with spiky hair, round glasses, and a collared shirt. Top right features a boy with wild white hair and a flame-patterned collar. Bottom left depicts a person with light hair and a striped turtleneck. Bottom right shows a boy with spiky black hair wearing a zip-up jacket. Centered across the middle in large stylized letters is the chapter title "CELESTIAL TOURNAMENT" beside the label "N°044".

On a quiet European-style street, a large speech bubble remarks that explanations make everything seem simple yet nerve-wracking. Another bubble admits, "AAH, I WAS TRICKED TOO." The scene shifts to Killua standing with arms crossed, then close-ups of his hands performing sleight of hand. Gon watches intently from the side. Killua holds up a coin and asks which hand it is in. Gon guesses left, but Killua reveals the coin was hidden in the right hand all along, tossing two coins afterward. Gon reacts with shock, exclaiming "!?" as Killua explains the trick: one coin stays hidden in the right hand while the other is thrown visibly with the left. The final panels show Killua holding up two fingers and smiling as Gon stares in disbelief.

Killua continues explaining the trick in detail. He describes how raising the wrist slightly higher misleads the player’s eyes. Gon watches with fascination, tapping his own fist. The explanation shows the coin sliding into the sleeve while the hand stays closed. Gon and Killua discuss the technique, with Gon noting it was only used in the last round. In the background, a man in a suit and a spiky-haired child walk away. The conversation shifts as Gon suddenly declares he made a decision about using a tourist visa. He insists he will use it only after finishing what he has to do. The man in the suit becomes angry, shouting why Gon is so stubborn and asking why he suddenly changed his mind.

Gon stands with his friends and declares his next steps. “I’m gonna try to contact Kaito and give him back what he lost. And most important for me…” A small “TAC SHAK” sound effect appears near him. Leorio, holding a briefcase, asks what they have to do, while Killua listens nearby. Gon continues, “First, thank the people who helped me. Well…” In a dramatic close-up, Gon raises his Hunter card numbered 44 and shouts, “I’ve decided not to use my Hunter card until I’ve done this!! Give this tag back to Hisoka and put my fist in his face with it!!” Killua and Leorio react with surprise. Kurapika asks where Hisoka is, and Gon replies that he knows. Leorio notes there was no doubting it, while Killua simply says “Euh…”

Close-up on Killua and Kurapika’s faces as they discuss a past conversation. Killua asks if there is a connection, and Kurapika confirms there is after the information meeting. In the background, Leorio walks ahead with Gon and Killua following. Kurapika questions what was said at that time. A panel shows Kurapika’s serious profile as he mentions “Concerning the spider…” The scene shifts back to the street where Leorio walks away, leaving Gon and Killua behind. A large close-up of Killua’s face appears with the line “I’m gonna teach you some pretty interesting stuff. ♥”

Kurapika wonders if someone overheard his conversation about the Ryodan during the first round. Hisoka listens as Kurapika recalls mentioning the Ryodan to him. Kurapika explains that the information coming from Hisoka interests him greatly because it concerns the Spider, the symbol of the Ryodan that only those familiar with it use. After the meeting, Kurapika asked Hisoka what he knew. Hisoka replies that he now understands why Kurapika accepted Hisoka's abandonment in the middle of the fight. In a dramatic full-page spread, Hisoka declares he will wait for Kurapika on September 1st in York Shin City. Gon and Killua react with surprise, asking what is going on in York Shin City and noting that the first of September is over six months away.

A narrator describes the world's biggest auction taking place in York Shin City between the 1st and 10th of September, where rare objects and treasures from around the world gather and money-addicted people assemble. Hisoka confirms it is the biggest auction in the world. Kurapika asks if Hisoka thinks the Spider members will be there. Hisoka replies possibly, noting that even if not numerous, important connections will surely attend. Kurapika states he has to save money to join the auction sale. Hisoka says he will leave after seeing Killua again once his break is over. Killua reacts with surprise. Hisoka tells Kurapika he can call if he finds him, and that Hisoka should be at York Shin that day. Kurapika thanks him and says from now on he is going to look seriously for some work as a Hunter.

Leorio stands facing the group, adjusting his glasses with a serious expression. "YOU TOO?!" he exclaims. "AS FOR ME, I'LL RETURN HOME." "WE'LL SEE YOU AGAIN IN YORK SHIN, KURAPIKA!" "OK..." Gon and Killua watch from the background. "YES! NEXT TIME..." "WE'LL SEE EACH OTHER LATER." "BE STRONG!" "YES YES" Leorio continues, "I MUSTN'T WAIT TO START STUDYING." He holds up his Hunter license. "IF I PASS THE ENTRANCE EXAM OF A PRIVATE UNIVERSITY, I WON'T HAVE TO PAY HIGH EXPENSES." "I HAVEN'T BECOME A DOCTOR YET." In a dramatic full-page spread, Leorio points forward confidently while Gon, Killua, and Kurapika stand before him. A large speech bubble declares: "IN YORK SHIN, ON SEPTEMBER 1ST!!!"

Gon and Killua stand in a long empty hallway of a building. "WHAT ARE WE GONNA DO?" Gon asks as a small fly buzzes nearby. "HERE WE ARE! ONLY TWO LEFT!" They look around the corridor where distant figures walk in the background. In close-up, Killua stares intensely at Gon. "YOU..." Gon replies with a determined face. They press close together. "WHAT ARE WE GONNA DO...? IT'S OBVIOUS." "WE'RE NOT GONNA HAVE FUN?" Killua grabs Gon's face. "SIX MONTHS, OR EVEN 10 YEARS WOULDN'T BE ENOUGH! YOU REALLY THINK YOU CAN MANAGE TO HIT HIM EVEN ONCE IN THE CONDITION YOU'RE IN NOW?" Later panels show a character with a backpack labeled "HANZO" and sound effects "SHUDDER" "TON TON". Two small figures labeled "HANZO" and "HISOKA" face each other with "GRATCH GRATCH" sounds. "THE DIFFERENCE IN STRENGTH BETWEEN HANZO AND HISOKA." "THIS IS HANZO." "THIS IS HISOKA." "I'M GOING TO EXPLAIN TO YOU SIMPLY."

A close-up shows a character sweating nervously with a large sweat drop, reacting to something off-panel. A small figure stands in the distance with a sign reading 'M'. Someone shouts, 'YOU ARE HERE!' and another voice adds, 'AND I'M BEING NICE.' The character wonders internally, 'IS HE TRYING TO GET ME MAD, OR WHAT?' In the next panels, Gon and Killua face each other. Killua remarks, 'HANZO IS STRONGER THAN YOU?' Gon replies, 'HMM!' and 'ABOUT HERE... (NORMAL FORM)' while Killua says, 'ME?' and 'WHAT ABOUT YOU?!' Gon continues, 'I'M SO MODEST.' Killua responds, 'DON'T MAKE A SERIOUS EXPRESSION WHILE SAYING THAT!' and 'SO YOU REALLY ARE STRONG!' Gon asks, 'WHAT?' and laughs, 'HEHE!' Killua admits, 'I'M ASHAMED.' The scene shifts outdoors as Gon explains, 'SO DON'T TOTALLY RELY ON YOUR JUDGEMENT. BUT THE ONES THAT CAN HIDE THEIR STRENGTH ARE MORE SKILLED THAN OTHERS.' Killua points upward, 'WITH EXPERIENCE, IT WILL INCREASE.' Gon leans in, 'YOU CAN UNDERSTAND IT A BIT, CAN'T YOU?' Killua retorts, 'IDIOT! I CAN'T EITHER! IT'S ONLY AN ESTIMATION!' and 'ME, I CAN'T PRECISELY MEASURE THE DIFFERENCE IN STRENGTH THAT EXISTS BETWEEN ME AND MY OPPONENT.'

Killua firmly states, 'NO.' and continues, 'IT'S NOT REALLY SURPRISING, YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO GIVE HIS HIT BACK IN SIX MONTHS.' Gon responds, 'YEAH.' In the next panel Gon asks, 'YEAH?' while Killua adds, 'WELL, WHATEVER, HISOKA IS REALLY STRONG!' The two stand together in a hallway with other people visible in the background. Gon wonders, 'I KNOW A PLACE WHERE WE CAN FIGHT AND WIN MONEY.' Killua replies, 'NEITHER DO I...' and 'I DON'T HAVE THAT MUCH.' Gon asks, 'DO YOU HAVE MONEY?' Killua answers, 'WELL, IN FACT...' A large dramatic panel shows Killua with spiky hair, an airship flying nearby with 'Gooooo' sound effect and motion lines, as he declares, 'IN THE TOWER OF THE CELESTIAL TOURNAMENT!'

A colossal tower dominates the skyline, its spire piercing the clouds above a dense cluster of skyscrapers. "IT'S THE 4TH HIGHEST BUILDING IN THE WORLD." A small airship drifts past the upper levels. "251 FLOORS, 991 M TALL..." At the base of the page, a map of the world displays several marked locations with an X over one region. "AND THERE, IN THE BACKGROUND, IS YORK SHIN." "THE TOURNAMENT IS HERE."

Gon and Killua stand with their backs to the viewer in an airport terminal. "YES!" Gon exclaims. Killua replies, "WHEN WE GET ON THE PLANE, IT WILL BE A NEW DEPARTURE." At the counter Killua continues, "AFTER, WE WON'T HAVE ANY CHOICE OTHER THAN EARNING SOME." "WE'LL USE ALL OUR SAVINGS TO GET ABOARD THE SHIP." Close-up panels show Gon smiling and Killua with a neutral expression. They walk side by side through a wide doorway into a crowded boarding area. "YEAH!!!" Gon shouts enthusiastically. "LET'S GO!" Killua answers. The crowd surges forward with motion lines as the boys advance. Large SFX read "TADAAA!!" and Japanese characters "ずらあああ!!" emphasize the bustling departure.

Gon and Killua stand amid a massive crowd of fighters lined up outside a towering arena. Gon stares at the long queue and exclaims, "WHOA! WHAT A QUEUE!" Killua replies, "THEY'RE ALL PARTICIPANTS." The scene shifts to the imposing structure as narration states, "IT'S THE PARADISE FOR BARBARIANS." Killua explains, "THE HIGHER YOU GO, THE BETTER THE FIGHTING SKILLS BECOME." Gon adds, "YOU KNOCK OUT YOUR OPPONENT, AND THAT'S OKAY!" and notes, "CONTRARY TO THE HUNTER EXAM, THERE'S NO SPECIAL REQUIRED CONDITION." At the registration counter, Gon eagerly says, "I WANNA GO UPSTAIRS QUICKLY." Killua fills out the form, muttering about putting "10 YRS..." for fighting experience. The smiling receptionist hands them a paper and says, "PLEASE FILL OUT THIS FORM WITH THE REQUIRED INFORMATION." and "WELCOME TO THE CELESTIAL TOURNAMENT." A gloved hand stamps the document with a loud "OUA!" and declares, "VERY GOOD! NOW, YOU CAN ENTER!"

Gon and Killua step into a vast circular arena filled with dozens of fighting platforms labeled A through P. Spectators pack the stands as cheers echo with "OUA!" and "OUA!". Gon gazes in awe and shouts, "OOOH !!!". Smaller inset panels show fighters rushing onto the mats and intense brawls breaking out with impact effects. In the foreground, Killua turns to Gon and asks, "YOU'VE ALREADY BEEN HERE?" Gon replies with a calm smile, "HUH? IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME... NOTHING'S CHANGED." The arena floor stretches out below them with multiple simultaneous matches underway.

Gon stands with wide eyes recalling a memory. He explains that when he was six years old even his father needed that much time to reach the higher floors. Killua, seen from the side, replies that it took him two years at that age and recounts how his father sent him alone to the 200th floor with orders to return only after succeeding. The scene shifts to the registration desk where a nervous Gon blurts out his number and steps forward. Killua and Gon sit together discussing strategy; they agree that fighting someone like Hisoka would prevent them from advancing quickly to the upper floors. Gon turns to Killua and notes that he passed the testing door, so he only needs to show what he can do. A massive bearded fighter suddenly looms over them with heavy footsteps, and the announcer calls all candidates into the ring.

The enormous fighter looms above Gon, warning him not to complain if he dies. Spectators in the stands notice the size difference and shout that the kid is in trouble. The large man laughs and tells Gon it is not a game while urging him to leave if he wants to live. The crowd cheers for a quick throw-out. An official with a star emblem on his headgear announces the three-minute time limit and states they are evaluating candidates on the first floor. The fight begins with a sharp command. The giant lunges forward declaring he will throw Gon out in one shot while the boy braces himself with only a single word.

Gon drives a heavy punch into the large fighter's torso, the impact marked by a massive DOM as the man is sent flying backward. The opponent tumbles through the air with a loud BOUM, landing hard on the arena floor. The crowd erupts in shock and excitement, shouting OOOOOOOH!! as spectators yell Who's that kid? and He's stronger than a gorilla!! Gon stands frozen in the ring, eyes wide, muttering I really used that much strength...? while another view shows him from behind with arms raised in surprise, WOUAH!

A boy with spiky hair answers a question with Yes? and is told You go to the 50th floor. Nearby, another fighter with a headband checks a device while saying Good luck to a small boy. In the stands, a group cheers Yeah! as the spiky-haired boy grins. Two children stand over a defeated opponent; one comments Another monstrous kid just made his appearance! while the other prefers to go up tranquilly. A bald boy in sunglasses declares I permit you to go as far as the 50th floor. A small figure is shown knocked back with OOOOH!! and BOUM as someone notes Still another one this way. The page ends with Volume 5. JIN FREAKS (END).