Hunter × Hunter Chapter 85: Greed Island

Outside a massive multi-story office building with reflective glass windows and a central fountain, Leorio, Gon, and Killua stand on a paved plaza. Leorio, in his suit, stands with one hand in his pocket and smiles toward the boys. Gon and Killua look up at the imposing structure. Trees and landscaped areas frame the scene under a bright sky.

Inside the opulent Southern Peace auction room, the most famous in York Shin, narration states that the catalogue, which also serves as the entrance ticket, costs the trifling sum of 12 million Jenis. Leorio strides forward across the patterned floor while Gon and Killua trail behind him. Gon says, "I SEE." Leorio replies, "YOU SEE, HUH..." Further narration explains that the sale lasts for 5 days, from the 6th to the 10th of September, but it is impossible to know what is sold without buying the catalogue. In a closer view, Leorio turns slightly and declares, "IT'S THE MINIMUM TO KNOW BEFORE COMING!" From below, Gon and Killua both respond, "OF COURSE!"

A female receptionist in a dark uniform greets the group with "GOOD MORNING!" in the elegant lobby of the auction house. At the counter, Gon leans forward while staff react with surprise, one thinking "THIS KID?" The receptionist asks, "HOW WILL YOU BE PAYING?" Leorio answers, "SURE. WE'VE COME TO BUY A CATALOGUE." The staff confirm, "WITH A BANK TRANSFER." The receptionist is shown holding a box. In the final panel, a hand presents the catalogue with the word "YORK" visible on the cover as the receptionist says, "HERE'S THE CATALOGUE."

A woman in a dark suit holds open a thick auction catalog and points to its pages while speaking to Gon. She explains that all objects for sale are indexed inside and that the catalog also contains the ticket allowing entry to the sale room. In the next panel a hand holds up a special black ticket marked with a large white triangle containing a circle and cross; the woman continues that involvement in the sale is nominative for only one person and one group, yet this single ticket permits five people to enter and exit freely between the 6th and 10th of December. Leorio, Killua and Gon stand together as the woman asks under which name she should register them. Gon’s eyes suddenly widen in shock; large speed lines radiate outward as the caption declares “GON FREAKS!”

Gon’s face fills the frame, eyes bulging and mouth open as a massive “BAM” sound effect erupts beside him; the catalog pages flip violently with motion lines. The view cuts to the open book revealing a black page marked “GT” with a white crescent and small dots. A hand points at the page while a speech bubble exclaims “HERE!” and another whispers “GREED… GREED ISLAND…”. In the final panel Gon, Killua and Leorio stare in astonishment, Gon’s mouth forming a small “OH!”

A large black panel displays the Greed Island logo beside a white text box explaining the game: 'GREED ISLAND: Specialized game for Hunters. Only 100 copies have been sold, each for 5.8 billion Jenis in 1987. There is no precise information concerning the contents of the game. To understand why, the fastest way is to read the notice. We advise people who wish to purchase it to refer to the explanation given on the next page.' Below, another text box details verification methods: 'For several years, no trace of the game was found. However, the sale room currently has 7 copies. The following three points allow us to tell if the games are original or counterfeit. - checking the origin of the manufacture (manufacture code, certificate of authenticity) - checking the path of the object (registration of the sale of the game, official certificate of exchange guarantee) - status of the object itself. Our company takes responsibility of conditions 1 and 2. Condition 3 is the most probing. An original can be recognized with the naked eye without any hesitation. Consequently, we invite buyers to seriously look at the game themselves.' A vertical panel shows the word 'Slap' with motion lines. Leorio, wearing round glasses, stares forward with a serious expression. In smaller panels, Gon looks up with wide eyes and an open mouth while Killua glances sideways with a neutral face.

An open book illustration fills the upper half, showing on the left page a detailed drawing of an ornate golden console with a cup-like device labeled 'console' and Japanese text, while the right page displays the Greed Island logo, blank rectangles, and small character diagrams. Below the book, a black panel split into two columns lists game rules. Left column: '*This game is for Hunters only. *The number of players is unlimited. *A console Joystick is needed to activate the game. The start-up is executed with the "ren" as shown in FIGURE 1.' A diagram labeled FIGURE 1 shows two hands positioned beside a central console with a joystick. Right column: '*When you start the game, it's impossible to interrupt it. so, we only recommend it to people able to keep their attention for one week starting from the beginning of the game. *This game contains a risk of real death. *There is also a risk of being unable to leave the world of the game. *Our company declines all responsibility concerning the possible damages caused by the game.' Page number 34 appears at the bottom right.

Leorio, Gon, and Killua huddle over an open book. Leorio speaks first. "NOW WE ONLY HAVE TO MAKE ENOUGH MONEY." "FINE, HERE WE ARE," he adds. The next panel shows details of an auction: "THE BID WILL START AT 8.9 BILLION JENIS EACH..." followed by sale rules for the copies: "ONE COPY WILL BE SOLD EACH DAY ON THE 6TH, 7TH, AND 8TH OF SEPTEMBER. ON THE 9TH AND 10TH, DURING THE AFTERNOON, TWO COPIES WILL BE SOLD EACH DAY." Gon and Killua react below. "BAH, THERE'S STILL LEORIO'S LICENSE," Killua mutters. "AND THAT'S OUR LAST CHANCE," Leorio replies. Gon counts the remaining funds: "COUNTING THE JEWEL, WE HAVE 90 MILLION JENIS LEFT." The bottom panel shifts to a bustling city street lined with market stalls and crowds. Leorio suggests, "TO SEE IF THERE'S ANY GOOD INFO. FINE, LET'S BEGIN BY REGISTERING ON THE ANNOUNCEMENT SITE, AND WE'LL JUST HAVE TO CHECK BACK LATER..." Gon agrees, "YEAH." An unseen vendor asks, "ARE YOU SURE YOU WANNA GIVE 15 MILLION FOR ANY INFORMATION ON THE RYODAN?"

Killua warns, "OF COURSE, WE'LL GET INFO INTENTIONALLY FALSE AS JUDGEMENT MISTAKES BY INFORMANTS." He continues, "EVEN IF WE DETAIL OUR DEMAND WELL, THE MAIN PROBLEM WILL BE THE NUMBER OF BAD INFORMATION THAT WILL ARISE." In the stairwell, someone suggests, "USING BAIT ISN'T A BAD IDEA, BUT..." Killua concludes, "WE SHOULD USE BAIT!" Leorio considers the logistics: "DEPENDING ON THE PLACE WHERE THE INFORMANT'LL AFFIRM HE HAS SEEN THE RYODAN, I THINK WE'LL HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO SORT THE REPLIES..." A close-up shows Leorio recalling, "PLUS, IF WE'RE TOLD, 'I SAW THE RYODAN IN YORK SHIN,' THERE'S STRONG CHANCES IT'S TRUE." He adds they can verify locations on the net. The bottom panels show a city overlook and crowded square. Someone remarks, "I CAN'T BELIEVE THEY WOULD SUCCEED IN LEAVING THIS TOWN IN YORK SHIN WITH THEIR BOOTY WITHOUT GETTING CAUGHT." Leorio notes the mafia controls circulation. Killua replies, "RIGHT, BUT IT'S VERY LIKELY," and adds, "YEAH, BUT WE DON'T HAVE ANY PROOF THAT THE RYODAN IS STILL HERE..."

A vast cityscape stretches across the horizon under a bright sky, with buildings, highways, and distant hills filling the view. In the foreground on the right, a stern man in a dark suit, white shirt, tie, and sunglasses stands holding a stack of papers, his expression serious as he gazes toward the city. A large speech bubble above him reads: "THEY'RE HIDING SOMEWHERE IN THE TOWN....!!" Below, two smaller panels show Gon and Killua from behind, looking out at the sky. Gon asks, "SHOULD WE RETURN TO THE HOTEL AND POST THE ANNOUNCEMENT?" Killua replies simply, "YES." The page number 37 appears at the bottom left.

A crowded outdoor market bustles with people under trees and buildings, including a sign for "PUBLIC MARKET." In the next panels, the man in the suit speaks to Gon, explaining the tag bid market rules: "YOU WRITE ON THE PAPER THE PRICE YOU'RE READY TO PAY FOR THE OBJECT." "WE'RE ON THE TAG BID MARKET." A small panel shows stuffed animal toys with papers stuck on them and a question mark bubble. An overhead view reveals many tiny figures on a large white surface. In the bottom section, the suited man continues: "LOOK! FOR THE MOST WANTED OBJECTS, THE PAPER FILLS UP QUICKLY." "WHEN TIME'S UP, THE PERSON WHO PROPOSED THE HIGHEST PRICE WINS THE OBJECT." A bald man in glasses replies, "YES, THAT'S TRUE!" Gon looks on with an open mouth. Small text credits appear at the bottom.

In a bustling open-air market filled with stalls and crowds, voices discuss the nature of the place. "It's a 'popular' market," one explains. "It makes me think of a market where everyone brings the objects they have at home... nothing more... A flea market or second-hand dealing..." Laughter echoes as "Brouhaha" sounds ring out. Another voice adds, "I've been told that if we propose a price that satisfies the seller, they often don't wait for the end to give up the object." "As far as I know, it's an infamous market," comes the reply. "It's as if the auction and flea market were rolled up into one." Gon stands alone in a dark space, then appears crouching on the ground, igniting a small knife with a burst of flame. Nearby, a group gathers around tables of goods; someone calls out "GON ?" with a question mark hovering above.

A bald man with a book looks up and responds "Yes?" to Gon, who holds the knife and says, "Say, mister... If you want to buy it, write your name down on the sheet." Killua watches closely, thinking "Could it be... That knife..." while hidden behind a tree, overhearing "If nobody comes before noon, it's yours. Yeah..." Leorio, in a suit, urges someone, "Do all you can to get it right now," while addressing another figure: "Leorio, you know how to bargain, right?" Killua muses, "Maybe it's a treasure." In the market crowd, Leorio gives a thumbs-up and declares, "Okay, count on me," after Gon insists, "Yeah, but I like this one," despite suggestions of better knives farther down.

Inside the cluttered shop, the bald shopkeeper leans forward and states, "IT DEPENDS ON THE PROPOSITION." The spiky-haired man replies, "THERE'S NO OTHER BUYER, SO..." A close-up captures his surprised expression with "..." and "HUH?" The shopkeeper presses on, saying "SAY, WE HAVE TO LEAVE SOON, SO... WOULD YOU SELL IT TO US RIGHT NOW?" The man with sunglasses and a goatee raises one finger and declares, "I'LL GIVE YOU 100 JENIS FOR IT!!" while adding, "IT LOOKS A BIT OLD, YOUR KNIFE..." The spiky-haired man turns and counters, "HOW ABOUT 500 JENIS?" The bald shopkeeper reacts with shock, exclaiming "WAIT!" The buyer dismisses the offer with "TOO BAD, LET'S GO." and firmly states, "NO... I WON'T GIVE IN FOR SUCH A PRICE." In a dramatic close-up, the buyer thrusts three fingers forward and shouts "300 !!"

Gon and Killua stand beside the man with sunglasses as he examines the knife. The shopkeeper asks, "IT'S A BENZ KNIFE." The buyer responds, "WHAT DO YOU MEAN?" and asserts, "THERE'S NO DOUBT IT'S AN ORIGINAL." Killua reacts with surprise, questioning, "A BENZ KNIFE?" In a large panel, the ornate knife is displayed with dramatic shading. The buyer explains, "'BENZ' IS THE NAME HE GAVE TO HIS KNIVES." He continues, "BENNI DORON WAS A SERIAL KILLER WHO LIVED ABOUT 100 YEARS AGO." A portrait of the historical figure appears alongside text detailing how Benni Doron, a sabre blacksmith, forged exactly 288 knives as souvenirs, each engraved with a number, and how the cries of his victims inspired the expressions on the blades. The text notes he sold them in his shop and gained fans from a book written in jail.

Kurapika kneels on the tiled floor and stares at the ornate knife Gon holds up. "WHAT?!" he exclaims as the value discussion begins. "The value changes a lot depending on the number, but at least 5 million..." he estimates. In the next panel Killua leans in close, noting, "On another note, we'll have good luck finding an interested collector. It's famous, though hidden." He adds, "Since it's the work of a murderer, it's not easy to name its value, but..." A close-up shows wide-eyed surprise as someone asks, "What's your estimation?" Gon looks puzzled and replies, "So..." The scene shifts outdoors under clouds where Gon admits, "Actually... I didn't know." Kurapika asks, "How did you know, Gon?" Back inside, Gon explains with a raised finger, "It's a sub-category of Nen. Basically, it consists of watching something very, very carefully." Killua reacts with "Gyo?" Gon continues, "And I saw a tiny aura. I used my Gyo... When I saw it... I felt something strange. But, then... why?"

Killua questions the idea while holding the knife near his face. "If you develop your Nen, you'll see it," Gon explains. Killua answers, "Pff...! I don't see anything." Gon persists, "Hm?" and Killua concedes, "Yeah... we can search this way." A close-up shows Gon’s excited face as he declares, "A way to find rare objects!" The boys continue planning: "We only have to bring them to superior ranking auctions, and sell them at better prices!" Gon adds, "Yes! If we do that, even without a lot of knowledge, we can find ignored objects with high value!" He elaborates that finding an object with an aura increases chances of discovering genius-made items. Killua points out, "In each activity section, it happens that some extraordinarily talented people use Nen without doubting it. Like the one with glasses, right?" Kurapika stamps his foot with a loud "DOM" and they decide, "We'll call this operation 'FINGERS OF THE NEN'!!" Three small figures are shown running across a dark landscape.

Against a dark treeline silhouette, unseen speakers finalize their plan. "AS FOR US, WE'LL GO IMMEDIATELY TO HUNT DOWN OTHER RARE OBJECTS!" one declares. Another replies, "IF I FEEL WE HAVE A SERIOUS ONE, I'LL CALL YOU." The response comes firmly: "FINE! IN THAT CASE, I'LL TAKE CHARGE OF SORTING INFO FROM THE ANNOUNCEMENT SITE." In the next panel, motion lines burst outward as Gon sprints forward with a backpack, shouting "GO !!!" Killua stands nearby giving a thumbs-up, while Leorio dashes ahead clutching papers and yells "OK! OPERATION START!" The scene shifts to a wide view of a modern multi-story building with trees and railings. Inside, a chubby boy in a collared shirt munches loudly with "CRUNCH CRUNCH" sound effects and states, "I'D LIKE TO BUY A CATALOGUE." In a small inset, a tiny masked figure in black taps on the floor with "TAP TAP" effects and says, "HELLO, SIR."

Leorio stands alone against a stark white background in a dynamic forward-leaning pose. His suit jacket flares behind him, one leg raised, and he wears round glasses while flashing a wide, confident grin with spiky hair.