Hunter × Hunter Chapter 48: Hisoka's Condition

In a training room, two boys stand watching as a man in a white shirt stands before a large cracked hole in the wall. A voice explains, 'A secret force hidden in everybody. This is 'NEN.'' The boys, one with spiky hair and the other with dark hair, look on intently. The scene shifts to a montage of intense faces and figures, with narration stating that those who can use and master this force are called 'geniuses,' 'superman,' 'great master,' 'pure spirit,' or 'gifted,' but few can control it even a little. In the foreground, a young man with glasses and dark hair holds up two fingers and declares, 'There are two ways... to awaken a force that sleeps...'

Gon and Killua leap forward with arms outstretched and excited expressions against a dramatic starburst background. On the right side of the page, a tall ornate tower rises into a starry night sky. A speech bubble near the tower reads, "BY TAKING OUR TIME..." Another bubble lower down states, "OR BY PROVOKING IT." At the bottom, the chapter title "HISOKA'S CONDITION" is displayed prominently.

Wing stands with his back partially turned, explaining that Zushi learns quickly and has mastered Ten in about six months. Gon appears in a small panel looking determined, declaring he wants to destroy the wall put up by the Nen of Hisoka. Killua and Gon listen as Wing continues, noting they can only use provocation. Wing turns and demonstrates by raising his hand, explaining the technique called Hatsu that keeps aura inside the body. Gon and Killua watch closely from below as Wing asks if they will be able to master it.

Wing stands in profile, explaining the method with a serious expression. "It's a rough technique... But its goal is to surprise and provoke the awakening. Of course, you don't have to worry: I don't have the intention of destroying your bodies." In the next panel he continues, "The lethargy means the 'sholko,' which are openings in your body, are maintained closed. Consequently, the aura can't develop well. I'm going to send waves into your lethargic bodies and render the 'ten' more accessible." Wing faces Gon and Killua directly. "Well, force the opening of the sholko. Thanks to my aura that I'm going to send into your bodies in one shot..." Below, the three boys stand on the arena floor with their backs to the viewer. Wing's narration continues, "Even Zushi, who's gifted, needed three months to succeed. Normally, we learn to feel our own aura with prayers and meditation. After having realized that the aura envelops the whole body, we can let it open bit by bit. That's why it takes a long time."

In the dark background, Gon and Killua face Wing. Wing says, "But you, you would only need a week... Maybe less..." Killua replies, "To me, it seems better to wake up quickly..." Gon adds, "I don't really understand..." Wing continues, "In our situation, we have to be content with that unsatisfying way. That's all we can regret." Wing touches his glasses and explains, "If a person who isn't mature enough, or has bad intentions, was practicing this technique, she would die. It's a secret technique called 'Gehou.' It doesn't respect the legal order." Gon asks, "Why have you decided to teach us the true technique?" Wing answers, "I've got something to ask." Gon presses, "But, Wing, you don't have bad intentions, or are not mature enough... Aren't you?"

The members of the group on the 200th floor are all using Nen. Arriving at the 200th floor without knowing anything, you could have had a lot of problems. I thought that you were pretty close. They attack with their Nen! And when new participants who do not know Nen arrive, they 'baptise' them. The ones who survive can stay. They're elected. 'Who cares if they die.' That's what they think at that moment. Much more violently than what I'm going to do to you. A hand extends forward with a sharp 'SUU' sound effect. You'll understand when you meet them. But the price is expensive. But I want you to discover it before then.

Killua stands with a focused expression as Wing extends a hand toward him, surrounded by large 'ZU' sound effects and black impact shapes. With you, I know this method's going to work. All I have told you may have scared you a little, but... Your Ren... Gon watches from the background with a concerned look. Put yourself in a T-shirt and come here. Can we get back before bedtime? It's your gift! Your quality! Was splendid. And show me your back. A small figure of Gon appears in a separate panel looking up at the action.

Killua, Gon, and Wing stand before a dark backdrop filled with swirling black aura shapes. Wing extends both hands toward the boys without making contact. Killua reflects internally: if the sensation were amplified a million times and turned unpleasant, it might resemble the Nen of his brother. Gon exclaims that this is the feeling—an invisible softness sliding under his skin and fixing itself there. He notes that although Wing does not touch them, it feels as if he is strongly pushing them, and the sensation is hot. A close-up shows Wing’s open hand. Wing declares, “I’m going.” The final panel zooms sharply on Wing’s intense eyes and glasses with radiating motion lines and the large SFX “ZOOM.”

A massive impact erupts with the huge onomatopoeia “DOM.” Killua, Gon, and Wing are violently thrown backward amid flying debris and motion lines. Killua’s hair flies wildly as his body twists from the force. Gon’s mouth opens wide in shock, eyes bulging. The boys’ clothing and limbs flail as shattered rectangular fragments scatter through the air. The entire panel conveys an explosive release of power knocking everyone off balance.

A massive surge of energy erupts around Gon and Killua. Killua stands with arms outstretched, his body crackling with power as his hair spikes wildly. Gon leans forward with wide eyes and an open mouth, one hand extended toward the energy. In a small inset panel, Wing watches calmly with glasses reflecting the light. Side panels show close-ups of Killua and Gon reacting with shock. Large sound effects explode across the page. Wing declares, "THAT'S THE VITAL ENERGY." Another panel shows him stating, "ALL YOUR SHOUKO ARE OPEN." Gon shouts, "THAT'S ?!" as the energy swirls violently around them.

Gon and Killua are flung backward by the escaping aura, limbs flailing. Killua yells that he can see it because the shouko of his eyes are open. In close-up panels, Gon sweats and questions if the vapor-like energy spouting from his body is normal. Wing explains it is exactly like vapor water escaping a kettle. He warns that if they let the vital energy continue escaping they will feel tired and unable to stand upright. Gon complains that it sucks. Wing then instructs them to close their eyes in any comfortable position they can visualize, and asks if they are ready to use nen to contain their aura, raising one finger as he speaks.

Wing stands with eyes closed, instructing the boys on the proper flow of aura. "EYES CLOSED, FROM THE TOP OF THE SKILL, PASSING BY THE RIGHT SHOULDER, HAND, LEG... THEN THE LEFT SIDE..." he explains. "NEXT, THINK YOUR AURA IS TRANSFORMING INTO A LIQUID THAT SCOURS ALL OF YOUR BODY." He continues, "A PICTURE OF THE HALO THAT SURROUNDS YOU AND UNDULATES IN YOUR MIND. THEN THE FLUX STOPS PROGRESSIVELY..." In a dramatic full-page spread, Gon and Killua stand enveloped in their aura, eyes shut in concentration. Massive sound effects erupt: "DAAAAAN" and "VOOOA". At the bottom of the page Wing stares in shock, sweat pouring down his face. "UNBELIEVABLE. THEY'RE..."

Wing continues his praise and concern. "IT'S MAGNIFICENT... BUT WORRYING...!" he thinks. "THEY UNDERSTOOD WITHOUT ME TELLING THEM THAT THE NATURE OF THEIR BODIES IS AN EXTREMELY FAVORABLE SITE FOR TEN. ONLY ONE PIECE OF ADVICE WAS NECESSARY FOR THEM TO MASTER IT." He tells the boys, "OPEN YOUR EYES SLOWLY." Gon opens his eyes and remarks, "IT'S LIKE WEARING VERY LIGHT CLOTHES." Killua adds, "IT'S THE FEELING OF BEING INSIDE LIQUID..." Wing asks, "HOW DO YOU FEEL?" and advises, "WHEN YOU GET USED TO IT, EVEN WHILE SLEEPING, YOU'LL BE ABLE TO USE TEN. TRY TO PICTURE THIS IN YOUR MIND EVERYDAY." In the final panel the three characters are shown with motion lines as the boys maintain their Ten, accompanied by a large "ZOOM" effect.

Wing extends his open hand toward the viewer, dark aura flaring around him. "AND PROJECT MY NEN TO YOU," he declares. "NOW, I'M GOING TO CHANNEL SOME HOSTILITY..." Killua listens intently, sweat on his cheek. "YES... I THINK I'VE UNDERSTOOD YOUR EXAMPLE WITH THE ICE FLOW..." Wing continues, "THE FACT OF STAYING HERE WAS PAINFUL FOR YOU. UNTIL A WHILE AGO..." Violent "GOGOGO" and impact SFX erupt beside the boys as the hostile Nen presses on them. Gon stares forward with wide eyes and clenched jaw, sweat flying. Killua's face tightens in determination, also sweating. Wing's hand thrusts forward again with speed lines. "LET'S GO. YOU'LL BE ABLE TO DESTROY HIS WALL... IF YOU CAN AVOID IT..."

Gon jolts upright with a sharp "!" reaction. Silhouettes of Gon and Killua stand back-to-back inside jagged black voids, Gon gripping a weapon. A long empty hallway is shown with a distant figure at the far end. Gon sits alone on the floor in the corridor. A spiky-haired figure crouches in a bright impact burst. Massive stylized "ZU" and "ZUU" sound effects explode across the page as the same figure kneels in a glowing aura, one hand on the floor, body tense with effort.

Hisoka's feet tap rhythmically on the floor as he approaches. His face appears with a star and teardrop mark, smiling faintly. In a burst of dark energy, Gon and Killua stand facing Hisoka, who looms with swirling black aura and playing cards visible on his outfit. Gon looks tense while Killua maintains a ready stance. A close-up shows Gon's determined face. Hisoka's voice addresses them: "It seems you'll be able to pass without undergoing a baptism." He continues, "Welcome to the class of the 200th floor." Three silhouettes plummet through the air with the sound effect "DAMN!"

Hisoka speaks from the shadows with a heart symbol, explaining his intentions. He says, "It makes it easier for me to win sometime." and "The only thing I couldn't have expected was to see you here." Hisoka continues, "Your intention was to confront me after training here, wasn't it?" and "I can imagine that which brought you to the Celestial Tower." A side view shows Hisoka's profile with the star mark. He notes, "You've become quite confident since you acquired Nen." Hisoka performs rapid hand signs with spade and skull symbols, producing sharp SFX "Zu Zu Zu" and "SHLAA" while commenting "The Nen is quite deep." Killua's hand forms a finger sign with skull and "ZING ZING" effects. Hisoka declares, "But... to speak openly, as you are now, I don't want... to fight against you." Gon and Killua stand side by side, watching intently.

Hisoka leans forward with a sly, confident smirk, raising one finger as he speaks directly to an unseen group. "AND I'LL BE YOUR MAN. ♥" he promises, followed by "COME OUT VICTORIES FROM ONLY ONE FIGHT IN THIS GROUP..." The scene shifts to a dark hallway where several figures dash past with rapid "ZOON" sound effects marking their movement. In a brightly lit arena, Hisoka stands tall in his signature outfit, one arm extended, while a blindfolded spiky-haired fighter sits on a hovering vehicle labeled "HUM" and a small masked attendant holds a sign reading "HUM HUM HUM." Vibrations and crowd noise rumble across the panel as "GOGOGOGOGO" echoes. Hisoka remarks, "It seems that way." The blindfolded fighter questions, "ROOKIES ?" Below, Gon stares upward with wide eyes while Killua stands beside him, his expression serious and focused.