The Last Round

Three days after the end of the fourth round, a grand multi-domed building stands under a clear sky. In the next scene an airship rests on the ground outside while a silhouetted figure speaks. The group has been brought to a hotel managed by the committee. The silhouetted speaker hopes that everyone has rested well. Inside the ornate lobby with double doors and decorative pillars, a voice states that until the end of the final round this place will be theirs. Large bold text declares the chapter title.

In the enormous tiled hall lined with tall pillars and arched windows, dozens of examinees stand scattered across the floor in small clusters. A large man in a striped shirt lingers near the left wall while others converse quietly. From off-panel, a commanding voice announces the final stage: "THE LAST TRIAL WILL BE IN THE FORM OF DUELS OF 1 VS 1." At the bottom of the page the chapter title is displayed in bold lettering: "THE LAST ROUND!!"

A hand yanks aside a striped curtain with a swift "スルッ" sound. An unseen voice begins, "ARE THE FOLLOWING ..." In the next panel an elderly man with a long ponytail pulls the curtain further and states, "THE GROUPS..." Below, Gon and Killua stand side by side, both reacting with wide eyes and shock as two large exclamation marks appear between them. At the bottom of the page a large tournament bracket is shown with the numbers 294, 405, 53, 99, 301, 191, 404, 44, and 403 arranged in match slots.

The examiner states that the rules for this final round are very simple. In the top panels, the group watches as the President declares the stakes. Netero appears in a dramatic close-up, raising one finger with a loud TADAN impact. He announces that one victory is all it takes to pass the exam. The candidates, including Gon, Killua, and the headband-wearing fighter, stand together listening intently. Netero continues explaining the tournament format: in this setup, winners quit the game one by one. He leans forward with a serious expression, adding that in other words the structure ensures a specific elimination pattern.

Netero explains the pyramid principle in detail: each person has at least two opportunities to win, so only the loser is eliminated rather than the winner. A candidate asks if that means only one will be eliminated. Netero confirms and asks if they understand. Another participant questions why the pyramid is unbalanced. Netero replies that groups were formed using results from previous rounds so those with good marks have a better chance. A small fighter demands an explanation of how points were counted. Killua reacts with visible displeasure, saying he does not like it.

Netero raises a hand and addresses the examinees. "HOWEVER, I CAN STILL GIVE YOU SOME EXPLANATIONS OF OUR WAYS." He explains that the way lies were counted remains absolute secret and he cannot reveal everything. A shocked voice cries "'SCUSE ME?!" while another blurts "IMPOSSIBLE." Netero continues, stating the evaluations are based on three essential points. Close-up on his eye, he declares "FIRST, THE BASIS OF THE EVALUATION." Leaning forward he announces "NOW, THE EXPLANATION" and holds up three fingers: "STRENGTH, MIND, AND CHARISMA." In the next panels he elaborates that charisma is first and corresponds to references' measures because what allowed reaching the end was charisma. He adds that in the evaluation of strength these things are taken into account: speed, suppleness, resistance, and use of the five senses. The evaluation of the mind, he says, regroups the uses of resistance, adaptation, appreciation, and creation.

Netero continues, declaring that the essential component of a Hunter is something difficult to quantify, something. Killua stares with wide eyes and a sweat drop, thinking "..." Netero concludes "THAT'S ALL" and notes the results come from all he was told. In a flashback panel a distant figure shouts that weapons are allowed and pushing the opponent to quit gives victory. Another panel shows simple fight rules. Killua stands alone under dramatic light, thinking "IS IT MY PERSONALITY THAT PUT ME IN A LOWER PLACE THAN GON?" He further wonders if the exam results should have placed him better in the pyramid. Small panels show three figures at the end of a hallway and the words "HOWEVER..."

Netero stands with the other examiners and declares the start of the final round. "ON THAT, LET'S BEGIN THE FINAL ROUND!" he announces. He then warns the remaining candidates, "IF YOU KILL YOUR ADVERSARY, YOU'LL BE DISQUALIFIED!" and adds, "SO IF THAT EVER HAPPENS, THE ONLY DISQUALIFIED CANDIDATE WILL BE DESIGNATED AND THE EXAM WILL END." A stern bald man in a suit and sunglasses steps forward, shouting, "FIRST MATCH..." In the vast arena below, the same bald man, now revealed as Hanzo, stands ready while an examiner in a black suit gestures toward the center. Gon waits calmly in his white outfit. A massive starburst graphic erupts across the hall: "HANZO VERSUS GON!!"

The examiner in the black suit confronts Hanzo. "YOU WERE THE ONE THAT FOLLOWED ME DURING THE 4TH ROUND, WEREN'T YOU?" he asks. Hanzo flips upside down in response. The examiner continues, "AND WE MEET AGAIN!" and states, "I'LL BE THE REFEREE OF THE MATCH." He adds, "GOOD LUCK!" Gon watches with wide eyes. A close-up shows an intense face declaring, "OF COURSE. YOU SAW IT?" Another panel reveals the examiner's angry expression: "I COULDN'T HAVE BEEN THE ONLY ONE TO HAVE NOTICED IT." He explains, "EACH CANDIDATE WAS FOLLOWED BY A JUROR DURING THIS ROUND." Killua appears beside the examiner and says, "I NOTICED BUT I DIDN'T KNOW IF I SHOULD HAVE TOLD YOU..." Gon looks down and replies quietly, "I DIDN'T..."

A man with slicked-back hair mutters about the talkative opponent. Another voice asks what it is, while a third declares there is something he would like to know. The reply comes simply as yes. The man in the suit and sunglasses thanks his informant, noting that his high placement in the pyramid is thanks to the report received. The bald fighter with the high collar demands to know if there is no discount and no knockout allowed. The only condition to win, he is told, is forcing the opponent to admit defeat. The suited man confirms there was never any doubt. Gon stands nearby, clicking his tongue in irritation as he watches. He hears the confirmation that the opponent is confident. In the next moment the suited man vanishes from view. The bald fighter thinks that thanks to his speed he will find a way to win, though he admits the opponent looks strong. He resolves not to lose on strength or speed. The suited man, now unseen, thinks that with this opponent he can get into trouble. A large starburst graphic explodes across the bottom of the page with the words BEGIN!!!

Gon launches forward with tremendous force, his body angled in a powerful leap. Motion lines radiate outward as the word TAP!! rings out. The bald fighter and two background observers react with shock, exclamation marks floating around them. In a close-up, Gon's spiky hair fills the frame while the bald fighter's face shows surprise, the sound SUT appearing beside him. The bald fighter speaks, acknowledging that Gon is moving in his speed. He adds that he sees Gon is pretty confident. Gon's eyes widen in a sharp reaction panel filled with exclamation marks and motion lines.

Hanzo leaps into a powerful kick, his bandaged leg striking Gon squarely and sending the boy sprawling with a loud BTAM impact that cracks across the arena. Gon hits the floor hard, limbs splayed. In close-up Hanzo looks down and speaks: "FOR A KID, YOU'RE DOING WELL." The next panel shows only blurred motion lines and debris from the force of the blow. At the bottom of the page Gon lies on his back, one arm raised weakly as he groans "AAH..." while Hanzo stands over him, the arena floor marked with impact scars.

Gon stares upward in shock, sweat flying, reacting to the earlier blow. Killua watches with wide eyes while a suited man with glasses sweats heavily beside him. Hanzo lifts the dazed Gon by the collar, saying "AAH..." as the boy hangs limp. Hanzo continues: "HEY! WAKE UP!" and "IN A CLASSIC MATCH, WITH THIS, I WOULD HAVE ALREADY WON..." A close-up shows Hanzo explaining "THAT'S NORMAL. I HIT YOU, SO YOU CAN'T REACT CORRECTLY." Gon, now standing and furious, shouts "NO WAY!" while Hanzo, crouching, tells him "YOU'RE NOT IN THE BEST SHAPE, HUH?" and "SO YOU'D BETTER QUIT NOW. IT'S ONLY MY EXPERIENCE THAT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE."

A powerful impact sends the bald fighter and Gon crashing down with a loud CLAK. The bald opponent pins the spiky-haired boy to the floor. A sharp kick follows with an OUTCH. Leorio leans in close with a stern expression and speaks firmly. 'BEING STUBBORN WON'T HELP YOU RIGHT NOW.' He continues, 'JUST THINK ABOUT IT. IF YOU STOP NOW, YOU WON'T HAVE ANY PROBLEMS RECOVERING FOR YOUR NEXT MATCH.' Gon takes a heavy blow, body jerking as impact lines and BTAM and OTCH effects explode around him. Blood sprays from his mouth while he shouts in pain. 'AARGH!!! JUST SAY IT! WHO DO YOU THINK I AM?!' Killua watches silently from the side with a concerned look.

Leorio argues passionately with Killua and another figure. 'TALKING TO HIM IS THE ONLY THING I CAN DO!' Killua replies that he would rather die than allow the current situation. A distant panel shows Leorio standing over the fallen Gon on the arena floor. Killua turns with wide eyes and shouts, 'YOU'RE RUINING YOURSELF! QUIT NOW, GON!!' From the side, a spiky-haired man notes the kid is in a bad situation while another comments that none of the candidates will easily admit defeat. The final panel reveals a close-up of President Netero with a calm, knowing gaze as he states it is clear they will never be as deceitful as the President.

A grand examination building with domed towers and arched windows stands under the open sky. Gon stares forward with wide, worried eyes and a downturned mouth. Nearby, Leorio, Kurapika, and other examinees watch tensely. A figure lies sprawled on the cracked floor amid scattered debris and dust. Hanzo glares with narrowed eyes and clenched jaw. In the final wide panel, Gon is suspended in midair, limbs outstretched and body twisted as thin lines pull at him, while Hanzo stands below looking up at his opponent.

Gon remains suspended by the threads as Hanzo stands below. Leorio shouts furiously from the sidelines, demanding the fight stop. Other examinees react with concern. Hanzo comments that the worst is still to come and suggests anyone who cannot watch should leave. Netero, wearing dark glasses and formal attire, declares that any exterior intervention will result in disqualification and confirms the match remains strictly one versus one.

Gon kneels on the ground, breathing heavily but refusing to yield. 'I CAN BEAR SOME MORE...' he insists, sweat pouring down his face. 'EVERYTHING IS OK...' Leorio stands nearby, watching with concern. Gon looks up at him and says, 'I'M FINE, LEORIO...' A close-up shows Gon's determined, bloodied face as he clenches his teeth. Hanzo's intense eye fills the next panel. Suddenly Hanzo lunges forward, grabbing Gon from behind with a 'CATCH' and a sharp '!'. He lifts the boy into the air, Gon's limbs flailing. Hanzo glares fiercely and declares, 'I'M GONNA BREAK YOUR ARM.' The impact lands with a heavy 'E!! BTAM' as Gon is slammed down.

Killua, Gon, Leorio, and Hanzo stand in tense silence, all wearing serious expressions. A close-up captures Gon's battered face as he shouts, 'SO JUST SAY IT!!' Hanzo replies coldly, 'I'M SERIOUS.' The moment peaks with a massive double burst: 'NO!!!' from Gon and a quieter 'NO...' The final panel shows a brutal 'CRACK' as the arm visibly breaks under the force.