Hunter × Hunter Chapter 57: Promise

Killua stands with his back to the viewer, his spiky hair unmistakable. White feathers drift down around him from above. In his right hand he holds a small dark object resembling a gun. To his left, a torn sack spills more feathers onto the ground. At the bottom of the page the chapter number and title are displayed: N°057 PROMISE.

Against a nighttime city skyline, a voice instructs to imagine accumulating energy throughout the entire body. The force builds cell by cell, concentrating and growing stronger. Gon stands with eyes closed, concentrating hard, while Killua watches him closely. Suddenly the accumulated energy is projected outward in a massive burst. The word OUTSIDE!!! explodes across the panel as a powerful aura erupts around them. Gon and Killua react in surprise at the visible release of power, motion lines and impact shapes emphasizing the dramatic projection.

The group continues their Nen training discussion. Zushi notes it was not easy to slow down the Ten and find perfect timing. Killua replies that it is fine now since they are used to it. Wing, sweating, admits it took him weeks to master the timing and praises their high-speed progress. Gon suggests resting as part of training, but Killua insists on continuing visualization work since they have not reached Zushi's level yet. They agree to stop for the day. As they part ways at the doorway, Gon says good night and Killua waves, claiming he can still go on despite being surpassed. Zushi waves back cheerfully.

A spiky-haired figure glances downward and murmurs "WELL...". Below, a wide-eyed boy reacts with shock as "?!" bursts around his head. In the background, several figures walk away down a stone corridor. The boy stands facing a long-haired man in a dark vest. Suddenly the boy freezes in place beside the man as jagged "gigi" sound effects erupt around them. Sweat flies from the boy's face while he gasps "I... MY BODY...". A small panel shows him hunched over with a question mark above his head, followed by a startled "!!?" reaction.

Massive "Gi" and "Gi Gi" impact effects explode across the page as the boy cries "I CAN'T MOVE!!". The long-haired man stands directly behind him, aura flaring wildly. A close-up shows the boy's eye with motion lines and the word "Ta". The boy struggles, thinking "WHAT'S... I CAN'T TALK... NOR BREATHE... BUT?!". The man points and states "THERE.". In the final panel the man commands "STOP IT." with a stern expression.

Gon stands facing Hisoka in a narrow alley. "It's okay, I'll be your opponent. You have only to choose the date," Gon says. Hisoka answers, "It's not necessary to use such pitiful strategies." In the background, a small spiky-haired child watches with a group of onlookers. Hisoka's eyes narrow as he considers the offer. Gon raises a finger confidently. "I'll offer a victory to each one!! How's that sound? Don't worry, I'll let you win." Hisoka turns away, replying, "Breaking a promise isn't good. And even if he forgives him..." From off-panel, a voice continues, "And I think he'll refuse to teach him about the Nen if Gon was about to re-do it, whatever the reason. Concerning Gon, he's already broken a promise he made to our master..."

Hisoka continues, "I'm sure he'll be happy about that. If you want to fight against Gon, you'll have to follow his plan." In another panel, a masked fighter and a bald man discuss registration. "This way, we'll give you back the brat without doing any harm to him. It's not that we don't trust you, but let's go register right now." Hisoka smirks, "Everything can be fixed without using those methods. Hehehe...! If you accept to be our adversaries..." Gon agrees, "Okay okay, I agree... But, as a compensation, promise me that it's the first and last time." Later, Gon stands in a hallway. "Yes. You can have him back. Is that okay?" A pen writes "May 29th..." with a "CRIK" sound effect, followed by a dark silhouette panel.

In a dimly lit room, Gon speaks softly to himself. "OH... WELL..." and "~" as two small speech fragments appear. He turns and says, "IF YOU DON'T KEEP YOUR PROMISE..." then adds firmly, "I'M SAYING IT ONCE MORE! THIS IS THE LAST TIME." Gon hops away with a light "HOP!" In the hallway, a masked figure with goggles aims a device and calls out, "LOOK IN FRONT OF THE DOOR OF YOUR ROOM... HELLO? GON?" Further down the corridor, the masked figure questions, "SOMETHING BOTHERING YOU?" while another voice replies, "NO, FORGET IT..." The masked figure continues, "TOMORROW, ALL THREE OF YOU WILL BE ABLE TO RESTART TRAINING, WITHOUT CHANGING ANYTHING." He adds, "DON'T SPEAK TO ANYBODY ABOUT THIS, AND ACT AS I EXPLAINED TO YOU..." In the background, Gon stands with Zushi and another boy. The masked figure states, "YOU CAN KEEP YOUR PROMISE, EVERYTHING IS FINE." A voice answers, "YOU CAN EASILY GUESS THE SITUATION, RIGHT?" Gon replies, "I HAVE NO INTEREST IN TELLING YOU HERE." The group reacts with "HMM?" and questions, "WHAT IF WE DON'T KEEP OUR PROMISE"? Gon ends with a sharp "HE!"

Against a night sky with dark buildings, Gon stands with a serious expression. "BUT IT'S NOT EASY." he says, followed by "I SAID I'VE STOPPED KILLING..." In the next panel he continues, "IT'S REALLY HARD TO ACT CORRECTLY..." with a pained "ARGH!" Gon suddenly collapses forward in distress, clutching his head. A large close-up shows a shoe sole dominating the foreground. From below, Zushi looks up and calls out, "ZUSHI..." with a surprised expression on his face.

In a bustling hallway of the arena, spectators mill about as a man in a cap wonders aloud, "HMP? HE DIDN'T WAIT FOR ME?" Nearby, a ticket vendor shouts energetically, "TICKETS! WHO WANTS TICKETS?!" The scene shifts to the next day, showing a tall tower silhouetted against a bright sun with a sign reading "THE NEXT DAY." A close-up reveals a spiky-haired man in a large hat emblazoned with "XXK" aggressively promoting, "TICKETS FOR THE MATCH BETWEEN GON AND SADOSO!! IF YOU DON'T BUY THEM, YOU'LL REGRET IT!" Crowds respond eagerly: "ALL RIGHT!", "ME TOO.", "HERE YOU GO!", and "GIVE ME ONE." One curious buyer asks, "TELL ME WHAT KIND OF GUY IS SADOSO?" while others line up to purchase tickets amid the lively atmosphere.

The spiky-haired spectator discusses Killua with a companion, noting "WE ALSO CALL HIM THE ROOKIE HUNTER..." and warning that "IF YOU GET CAUGHT BY HIS INVISIBLE HAND, IT'S OVER." He adds that Killua "HE'S ONE-ARMED, KIND OF LIKE THE NOH MASKS." A dark panel shows the XXK-hatted man thinking intensely, "HIM..." The conversation continues with the mohawk man reacting in shock: "WHAT? HE'S KILLUA." and "WHAT'S WITH HIM?" while another notes "THE KILLUA OF THE 200TH FLOOR." Observers question whether the kids stand a chance against Sadoso, and the spiky-haired man declares, "50,000 ON KILLUA." and "NO... I BET ON HIM." A lone figure walks away in the background.

Gon rubs the back of his head and insists he is fine. "NO, NO PROBLEM. I THINK I WAS JUST REALLY TIRED." Killua asks if he feels strange after the night before. Zushi runs ahead down the hallway and calls back, "I WAS TOLD CARE OF ZUSHI YESTERDAY NIGHT, THANKS." Gon answers with a bright "YEAH!!" Wing steps forward and confirms he was the one who found Zushi. Zushi bows and says, "IT WAS NOTHING." A small "TAP" sounds as Zushi hops. Zushi then apologizes, "I MADE YOU WORRY, I'M SORRY," while Wing notes that the phone call revealed Zushi sleeping against a stoke near the dome entrance. Gon points upward and declares, "I CAN DO THE GYOU TOO." He turns to Wing and asks, "HEY WING, CAN YOU SHOW ME YESTERDAY'S VIDEO AGAIN?"

A television screen shows Hisoka mid-fight, scarf and cards flying. Gon stands in the foreground, eyes narrowed in concentration. He counts aloud, "13 FOR THE CARDS, ONE FOR THE SCARF, AND ONE VERY WELL HIDDEN ONE THAT COMES FROM HIS RIGHT ARM." Wing leans in and says, "NEXT…" Gon continues analyzing the footage. He theorizes, "UNLESS IT’S ATTRACTION-REPLUSION, LIKE A MAGNET…" and adds, "IF IT’S NOT THAT, I CAN’T SEE HOW HIS AURA CAN FIX TO HIS HAND AND CHIN WITH SUCH PRECISION." On the right, Zushi sits cross-legged watching. Gon concludes, "I CAN SEE THAT HIS AURA EXTENDS AND RETRACTS."

Gon stares with wide eyes and sweat drops, overwhelmed. 'HE'S TOO STRONG' 'HIS LEVEL...' Killua stands nearby wiping his brow. 'PHEW!' Hisoka's face appears in close-up, sweat visible, as thoughts race: 'HE USES HIS AURA LIKE AN ADHESIVE GUM...' 'IT MUST BE THE FIRST SOLUTION' 'IF I'M RIGHT, THEN I CAN EXPLAIN HIS MAGIC TRICK...' Wing, glasses glinting, touches his face. 'I'M FLATTENED.' 'THAT'S FINE, YOU'VE SUCCEEDED.' An exclamation mark pops above Killua as he faces a static-filled screen. Wing stands with arms crossed. 'BOTH OF YOU MASTERED GYOU IN ONE EVENING.' Wing leans in toward Gon and Killua. 'I SUPPOSE YOU'RE GOING TO SAY TO ME AS WELL, "I FOUND THE ANSWER TO THE QUESTION, SO I WANT TO FIGHT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE" ?' Killua answers 'YEP.' Gon looks up. 'BUT I DIDN'T SEE ALL THE ABILITIES OF HISOKA.' 'YOU TOO, GON?'

Gon grins widely with dramatic speed lines behind him. 'IT'S MAY 29TH, MY BIRTHDAY! (MEGA LIE)' 'IN FACT, IT'S THE SAME FOR ME, I'VE EVEN ALREADY DECIDED THE DAY OF MY NEXT FIGHT.' Killua reacts with surprise. 'AH.' 'IT'S NOT THAT I WANT TO LEAVE YOU ALONE, IT'S ONLY BECAUSE I HAVE A SUDDEN URGE TO FIGHT.' Wing listens. 'I SEE WHAT YOU MEAN.' 'WE'RE THINKING ABOUT THE SAME THING?' A close-up shows a hand making a gesture with ellipsis. Wing advises from a rooftop view of traditional buildings. 'SHARE YOUR TIME EQUALLY BETWEEN PRACTICE, RELAXATION, AND REST.' 'UNTIL THE DAY OF THE FIGHT, YOU'LL PRACTICE ONLY TEN AND REN.' Killua walks away carrying Gon over his shoulder. 'OKAY, I UNDERSTAND.' 'I'VE CLEARLY SEEN THE PROGRESS YOU MADE.' Birds fly across a distant sky.

Gon and Killua walk side by side down the corridor, their backs to the viewer. Gon speaks first, his voice tense. "It's getting on my nerves. They threatened you too, didn't they?" Killua answers simply from off-panel, "Yes?" Gon continues, "And Zushi is also unharmed. The thing that worried me the most was Wing's reaction, but we had his agreement..." Killua replies firmly, "No. But I think they'll do that to Zushi again... We have to lose on purpose... I'll take on my..." In a close-up, Killua turns his head slightly, his expression calm and reassuring as he says, "Don't worry."

A banner reads "Beginning of the fight in 10 minutes." Hisoka sits alone in a room, legs crossed, speaking to himself with a sinister smile. "This way, I'll be sure of getting riches and fame for my entire life... And I'm ready to become a Floor Master... He he he... Next, Gon will be the 7th. Today, I fight against Killua, and I'll have my sixth victory. I'll only have to find other prey like them..." Suddenly, Hisoka's eyes widen in shock, sweat drops forming as a loud "SHLACK?!" sound effect erupts. His expression twists into alarm with multiple question marks and motion lines around him.

In the tiled hallway, Killua looms over the fallen light-haired boy who lies sprawled on the floor, sweat pouring down his face. Killua’s spiky hair frames his intense expression as he leans in close, one hand raised threateningly. A speech bubble declares, “YOU MOVE, YOU’RE DEAD.” The boy remains frozen in fear beneath him. In a sudden close-up, Killua’s face fills the frame, eyes narrowed and voice cold. He commands, “IF YOU UNDERSTAND, SLOWLY CLOSE YOUR EYES.” Another bubble warns, “IF YOU USE YOUR NEN, YOU’RE DEAD, YOU SHOUT, YOU’RE DEAD.” The boy’s body trembles but he obeys, slowly shutting his eyes while tears and sweat streak his cheeks.

The light-haired boy’s face is shown in close-up, eyes shut tight, tears and sweat dripping as he whimpers “HIC HIC.” Killua, seen from the side, continues speaking firmly. He instructs, “IF YOU UNDERSTAND, SLOWLY OPEN YOUR EYES.” and adds, “LISTEN CAREFULLY.” A further warning follows: “IF YOU DON’T KEEP YOUR PROMISE, YOU KNOW WHAT’S GONNA HAPPEN, DON’T YOU?” In a frontal close-up, Killua’s expression softens into a slight smile as he demands, “SWEAR IT.” and states, “DON’T EVER DO THIS KIND OF DIRTY TRICK AGAIN.” The final panel is stark black with white boxes announcing “WINNER BY WITHDRAWAL.” and “KILLUA.”