Hunter × Hunter chapter 189: Infiltrate — what is in it
Ngl arc · 16 pages · 38 characters
Key facts in this chapter
Chapter title page for No. 189: Infiltrate. NGL is depicted as a country with a massive central tree. Biscuit is holding an identification card. The group has just arrived at the NGL border checkpoint.
NGL prohibits all non-natural materials and machinery. Visitors must remove synthetic clothing and items. Natural clothing is provided on the second floor. The group is still at the entry checkpoint inside the tree.
The group is reduced to five members for the next stage. An examination including ultrasonic and X-ray scans is required. Past cases involved concealed electronics and weapons. The location is an entry checkpoint with strict security.
The location is the NGL Free State entrance. Horse rental costs 12,000 jeniis per day. A 5,000,000 jeniis penalty applies for horse injury. The group proceeds into an open outdoor area.
The group is searching coastal settlements in NGL for signs of giant insects. Locals in NGL view predator attacks as natural and do not report them. No eyewitness accounts of giant insects have been found so far.
The spiky-haired traveler distrusts the locals and is watching them. The spiky-haired traveler's instinct indicates the target is present in the area. Unusual bear-like creatures appear in the forest and interact with armed humans.
The suited koala remains composed while being struck. The muscular man initiates a physical attack after verbal provocation. Sound effects indicate a heavy impact during the fight.
The muscular man sustains visible facial injuries from the fight. Two new hooded lizard-like beings appear after the man's defeat. The suited koala remains standing calmly after the final blow.
Finally, the mysterious NGL!!! The massive roots of an enormous tree dominate the landscape as the Hunter × Hunter logo appears. Two robed officials stand at the entrance. A woman in a hat and coat holds up an ID and states, "A SPECIMEN OF A RESTRICTED SPECIES WE'RE LOOKING FOR SEEMS TO HAVE ESCAPED TO YOUR COUNTRY." One official replies, "BUSINESS." The other asks, "WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF YOUR VISIT?" Below, inside the hollowed-out tree base filled with natural wooden structures and computers, a guide gestures and says, "PLEASE WALK THIS WAY." Gon, Killua, and Biscuit stand among the officials and staff as they prepare to enter deeper into the facility.
The officials explain NGL rules. One asks if there are other similar establishments. The bald official replies that the facility exists for information exchange with the outside world. Gon questions the presence of machinery and computers. The official insists there is no machinery or anything unnatural within NGL. He lists forbidden items: gold, oil-based products, glass, and any manufactured goods must be left behind. Clothing with synthetic materials must also be removed. The group is told they can only prohibit such people from entering. An official offers an assortment of natural clothing from upstairs. Killua reacts with surprise at the strict rules while Biscuit questions the eye-glasses restriction.
In a rocky cavern entrance, a group stands together as a tall figure with long hair and a cap addresses them. "VERY WELL," the figure says. "WHY DON'T YOU GUYS HEAD TO THE NEAREST TOWN AND AWAIT OUR INSTRUCTIONS." "SO ONLY THE 5 OF US ARE LEFT?" asks another. "WE'LL DEFINITELY BE BACK WITHIN TWO WEEKS TO CONTACT YOU GUYS," the tall figure replies. Gon, Killua, Biscuit, and the others prepare to move. A woman with short hair appears and gestures politely: "PLEASE ENTER THE EXAMINATION ROOM." Inside the examination area, the group undergoes checks. A staff member explains, "SUCH A RIGOROUS INSPECTION." Another panel shows the process: "AN ULTRASONIC SCAN WILL FOLLOW SUBSEQUENTLY." "AFTER BEING EXAMINED, YOUR BODY WILL BE X-RAYED FOR ANY METALLIC OBJECTS." The woman continues, "ONCE WE EVEN FOUND SOMEONE WHO HAD TRAINED AN ANIMAL TO BRING HIS LAPTOP IN FROM THE OUTSIDE AFTER HE HAD ENTERED." She adds, "THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS CASES WHERE PEOPLE HAVE CONCEALED CELL PHONES OR CAMERAS WITHIN THEIR ANAL CAVITIES." "THAT'S BECAUSE PEOPLE HAVE HIDDEN WEAPONS INSIDE THEIR BODIES BEFORE," she concludes with a knowing expression.
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Gon stares at blank monitor screens while Killua gestures beside him. Nearby, Biscuit and others work at computer terminals. A bald man with a long goatee welcomes them: "WELCOME TO THE NGL FREE STATE." He adds, "THANK YOU FOR BEING SO COOPERATIVE! PLEASE COME THIS WAY." The scene shifts to a vast open landscape with a distant forest. The group stands small against the horizon as a large "HYUUUUU" sound effect fills the air. Someone shouts, "LET'S GET STARTED THEN." and another replies, "ALRIGHT!" A horse stands atop a rock formation. In the foreground, a smiling woman explains the rules: "IF ANY ACCIDENTS OCCUR THAT RENDER THE HORSE UNABLE TO MOVE AGAIN, THE PENALTY IS 5,000,000 JENIIS." A sign reads "WELCOME! THE RENTAL CHARGE PER HORSE IS 12,000 JENIIS A DAY." with a wooden rental board showing "1日 12,000 J."
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A group of riders on horseback travels through a rugged, rocky mountain pass in NGL. Narration explains that so far there have been no eyewitness accounts of any giant insects. However, even if the insects are here, the inhabitants will probably not make a commotion about it. Below, villagers work in terraced fields; they believe being attacked by predators is simply part of nature's cycle. A hand points to a map labeled NGL while a voice states they should start by searching the settlements along the coastline. If nothing is found along the perimeter, the body of the insect probably isn't here at all. In the foreground, Gon leans over a large rock while Killua and a spiky-haired traveler watch. The spiky-haired traveler says, "That's assuming the people here are willing to be upfront with us." A small disclaimer at the bottom notes this is a work of fiction.
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A bearded man in a knit cap gives a thumbs-up while speaking to a girl with long hair. Gon and Killua stand nearby with the spiky-haired traveler, who notes that even though the two are here to help, they are really keeping an eye on the locals. The spiky-haired traveler adds that he did not really expect to trust them from the very beginning. A close-up shows the spiky-haired traveler under a wide hat, eyes narrowed, declaring that his instinct tells him it is here. In a forest clearing, a large bear-like creature in a suit holds a rock and warns a small bear-like figure not to do anything foolish because it will not hold itself responsible if the figure dies. Nearby, a curly-haired man with a weapon looks terrified while another figure carries a log and laughs.
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In the top right panel the suited koala leans forward and asks the muscular man what the difference is between them. The man, visibly irritated, retorts that lesser men should not order almighty men around. The koala calmly notes the man is obviously a lesser creature. Suddenly the muscular man lunges forward with a furious shout of 'SHUT UP!', his fist connecting hard. Impact lines and the large SFX 'GO' and 'GYAH' explode across the panel as the suited koala is struck and sent reeling. In the bottom left the koala, unfazed and still holding his drink, questions whether the man's mother taught him to answer politely. He adds that nobody can save the old man now. The middle bottom panel shows the koala from behind saying 'YARE YARE' while the right panel depicts the muscular man being driven back by another powerful blow, debris flying around him.
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The muscular man's face appears bloodied and shocked, eyes wide with visible injuries. A massive strike follows, shown from behind as a huge 'BAAAN' impact erupts with radiating lines. The suited koala stands calmly in the next panel and advises the man to change his ways the next time he reincarnates. In the lower section two hooded lizard-like figures emerge from the rocky terrain with swirling eyes and a long tail visible on one. The SFX 'ZUZUZU' rumbles across the ground. One hooded figure stares with spiral eyes while the other watches. A speech bubble expresses surprise that the suited koala killed the man. The final small panel shows two wide eyes peering from behind rocks accompanied by 'ZU ZU' sounds.
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A koala-like Chimera Ant officer lounges while musing that humans do not realize how insignificant they are and that looking at them makes him mad. Nearby, another officer lies on a log and decides he must present meat to the Queen by the end of the day, noting that dead bodies cannot be preserved. In a flashback panel, a wide-eyed monkey-like Chimera Ant questions whether attacking the crying little kid who ran away yesterday was necessary, while the koala replies that if the kid had not attacked he would have shown mercy. In the forest, the small mouse-like Chimera Ant spits and the koala declares that simply saying 'don't move' is enough because he is the superior officer. He adds that if he were the other, he would not give prey a chance to struggle and has smarter ways of capturing them. The monkey-like officer, holding a coiled tail weapon, suggests the koala enlist in the feed-collection team if he likes killing so much. The koala, now wearing a suit and tie, stares forward and tells someone 'YOU'RE HOPELESS.'
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A massive rocky mountain rises against the sky with five large oval markings drawn across its midsection. Below, a map panel shows scattered dots labeled BUNKYO, FUNKYO, and BUNKYO again across a terrain. Another map section displays a large explosion marked BUNKYO with a spherical object descending by parachute. In the lower panels, two small figures stand among trees while a voice asks if grunts are getting killed. Multiple Chimera Ants with skull piles around them are shown being attacked; one large ant labeled BUNKYO carries a net-like structure while others labeled KARI, KARI KARI, and PETA lie defeated among bones. A massive ant figure with a balloon-like back and labels PETA stands amid the carnage.
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In a rocky cavern, a feline humanoid with wild hair and spotted fur stands over a small girl with a ponytail. The girl examines the body while the cat-like figure reports, "THE BODIES OF ZAZAN'S GRUNTS HAVE ALREADY BEEN FOUND." "NO, BUT I'VE ALREADY LOST ALL COMMUNICATION WITH MY GRUNT," she adds. Nearby, another voice states, "ONE OF MY GRUNTS. AND I HEARD THAT ZAZAN'S SQUAD LOST THREE." The girl asks, "ARE YOU SURE?" as they inspect the corpses. "IT LOOKS LIKE SOMETHING WAS SHOT THROUGH THEIR SKULLS," she notes. A masked, insectoid grunt with goggles appears in the next panel, declaring, "SOME TYPE OF UNKNOWN MAN-MADE WEAPON?" The cat woman replies, "HOW SHOULD I KNOW?" The masked figure continues, "THIS ONE WAS SHOT WITH BULLETS." Peggy, a bird-like humanoid, stands nearby and says, "PEGGY IS INSPECTING THEM UPSTAIRS." The girl asks, "...WHERE ARE THE CORPSES?" In the bottom panel, the cat woman gestures at sprawled bodies and says, "ON THE OTHER HAND, I JUST CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT HAPPENED TO THAT ONE OVER THERE." Peggy answers, "YOU CAN TELL BY THE BULLET HOLES."
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Peggy, the bird-like humanoid, continues speaking with a stern expression. "HOWEVER THEIR COMMUNICATION SKILLS ARE TOO POOR TO RELATE WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED." A small figure adds, "WE DID ASK THE OTHER GRUNTS THAT WERE THERE AT THAT TIME..." Peggy notes, "YEP, BUT IT WASN'T WITH A BULLET." Another character points out, "THIS ONE HAS ALSO BEEN INJURED IN THE HEAD." The girl with the ponytail holds up a small object and states, "NO BULLETS WERE SHOT OUT, BUT THE GRUNT GOT HIT IN THE HEAD ANYWAY." Peggy explains, "APPARENTLY THE HUMAN MADE SOME GESTURES TO SHOOT..." A close-up shows the girl listening as Peggy confirms, "THOSE GRUNTS DID CONFIRM THAT THEY FELT SOMETHING WAS SHOT." She replies, "CORRECT!" The girl then says, "AMONG THE GRUNTS THERE ARE SOME THAT CAN'T SEE, BUT CAN FEEL THEIR SURROUNDINGS REALLY WELL, RIGHT?" Peggy responds, "WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO ANYTHING THEY CAN DO." The girl concludes, "AS FAR AS HUMAN POWER GOES..." In the final panel, Peggy declares with a fierce expression, "IF THEY FIGURE OUT THAT OUR 'LIFELINE' IS THE QUEEN, THEY WILL DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO KILL HER!" and adds, "THE ABILITY TO LEARN AND ADAPT IS MAN'S GREATEST STRENGTH."
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A fierce close-up shows a young man with sharp features and intense eyes glaring forward, sweat on his face, as dramatic motion lines burst behind him. 'THAT'S RIGHT!' a voice declares off-panel. In the next panels, the same character’s wide eye fills the frame while another panel reveals a small spiky creature beside a short-haired figure in a dark outfit. 'THAT'S WHY WE NEED TO DO ALL THAT IT TAKES TO SAFEGUARD THE QUEEN, DON'T YOU SEE?' the short-haired figure asks. 'DO YOU STILL NOT UNDERSTAND?' The spiky creature replies with a hesitant 'UHH ...' The topknotted character, seen from behind, thinks 'I DEFINITELY WILL PROTECT ...' while the spiky creature affirms 'YES, YOU'RE RIGHT OF COURSE. UHN ...' A hand clenches tightly as the topknotted character states 'LEAVE HER SAFETY TO ME.' The scene shifts to a rocky, barren landscape where the topknotted character stands angrily, confronting the spiky creature. 'WASN'T IT YOU WHO JUST MENTIONED IT?' the spiky creature retorts. 'NO.' The topknotted character demands 'WHO? WHO'S THIS REINA YOU SPEAK OF?' while the short-haired character looks on with a puzzled 'REINA? ...?'
The topknotted character stands with arms crossed, telling the spiky creature 'LET'S FORGET ABOUT THAT FOR NOW.' Question marks hover near the spiky creature. In a wider rocky vista, distant figures stand while the topknotted character questions 'YOU PROBABLY HEARD WRONG.' and 'I SAID SOMETHING?' The spiky creature and short-haired character discuss options in the foreground. A close-up shows the short-haired character’s profile as he declares 'GIVE THEM A TASTE OF THEIR OWN MEDICINE.' and 'WE JUST HAVE TO FIGURE IT OUT!' The topknotted character, seen from behind, suggests the short-haired character is better suited as a military strategist. The short-haired character counters that the humans do not know their true capabilities. In the final panel the topknotted character sits alone, murmuring 'REINA ... ?' with a troubled expression.
High in the treetops, a massive "DOUN!!" echoes as something heavy crashes down. A reptilian chimera ant with wild hair and dual pistols leaps into view, cackling "KYAA HAHA HA" while shouting "THIS IS GREAT!" Below, a chaotic group of grotesque monsters with various weapons and insectoid features scramble across the forest floor. The lizard-like creature continues its rampage as distant "DON DON DON DON" impacts and "KYAAHAHAHA" laughter ring out across the landscape. In a separate panel, three young Hunters react with alarm. The girl in the beanie cries out, "ARE YOU ALRIGHT?" The boy with spiky hair answers "YEAH." From the left, narration boxes warn "NOT GOOD ... THESE CREATURES ... THEY'RE WAY TOO DANGEROUS!"
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Page displays the chapter title "HUNTER X HUNTER 189 INFILTRATE" in large bold letters. A hooded reptilian figure with a long tail holds a small object on the left side. Credits list RAW-PROVIDER: OU-SAMA, TRANSLATORS: PPPP, DEATHSTRIKER, PHILOTE, EDITOR: SHARRY, PROOFREADER: PATH ->W<-. Special thanks given to MRBROWN. A suited koala character stands at the bottom right holding a small object. Footer reads "MANGA-SECTION RELEASE" and "#MANGA-SECTION @ IRC.MIRCX.COM".
End of chapter16 pages
Discussion
The koala-like officer prioritizes delivering meat to the Queen. A child was attacked and fled the previous day. The koala-like officer claims superiority over other officers. The monkey-like officer carries a tail-based weapon. The scene shifts from forest to a formal suit appearance.
Five oval shapes are marked on the mountain slope. Locations BUNKYO and FUNKYO appear on the map. A parachute device is shown near an explosion site. Multiple ants are surrounded by skull piles indicating casualties. Ants bear labels such as PETA, KARI, and BUNKYO.
Zazan's grunts have been found dead with bullet wounds Communication with some grunts has been lost One body shows no clear bullet entry despite head injury Peggy is inspecting corpses upstairs Unknown man-made weapon suspected in the attacks
Grunts have poor communication skills about events Some grunts were asked about the incident One grunt was injured in the head without a bullet Humans made gestures resembling shooting Certain grunts can feel surroundings without seeing The queen is referred to as the group's lifeline Humans are noted for learning and adapting quickly
The topknotted character volunteers to protect the Queen's safety. Reina is mentioned by name in dialogue. The setting changes to a rocky outdoor area. Multiple characters display pointed ears.
The topknotted character wants to drop the Reina topic temporarily. The short-haired character advocates an aggressive response. Distant figures are visible in the rocky background. The page ends on the topknotted character alone and pensive.
Chimera ants are attacking in the forest. The lizard-like ant wields two firearms. Three Hunters are present and reacting to the threat. Sound effects indicate multiple heavy impacts nearby.
What is said, page by page
Biscuit explains the escaped specimen to the officials. Official curtly states their visit is business. Official questions the purpose of the group's arrival. Guide politely directs the group to proceed inside.
Official states the facility's purpose is information exchange. Official declares there is absolutely no machinery in NGL. Official lists forbidden synthetic and manufactured items. Official notes that metal implants and synthetic clothing are prohibited. Official offers natural clothing for visitors to change into. Killua protests the extreme clothing requirement.
Tall figure states instructions to head to town and wait two weeks. Someone questions why only five remain. Woman invites the group into the examination room. Staff comments on the strict inspection process. Examiner explains ultrasonic scan and X-ray procedures. Woman recounts past incidents of hidden items and weapons.
Bald man welcomes the group to NGL Free State. Bald man thanks them for cooperation and directs them onward. Someone calls to get started. Woman states the horse rental fee and penalty for injury.
Narration states there have been no eyewitness accounts of giant insects and locals would not cause a commotion Narration explains villagers see predator attacks as part of nature's cycle Spiky-haired traveler says they should search settlements along the coastline and that the insect body is probably not here if nothing is found on the perimeter Spiky-haired traveler says that is assuming the people here are willing to be upfront with us
Bearded man says something while giving a thumbs-up Spiky-haired traveler says forget it, he did not really expect to trust them from the very beginning Spiky-haired traveler says those two are really here to help but also to keep an eye on the locals Spiky-haired traveler says his instinct tells him that it is here Bear-like creature in suit says it suggests not doing anything foolish because it will not hold itself responsible if you die
Suited koala asks the difference between them and the man Muscular man angrily tells the koala not to order him around Suited koala calls the man a lesser creature Muscular man shouts 'SHUT UP!' while attacking Suited koala asks if the man's mother taught polite answers Suited koala states nobody can save the old man now Suited koala mutters 'YARE YARE'
Suited koala tells the man to change his ways next reincarnation Hooded figure asks if the suited koala killed the man
koala-like officer claims humans are insignificant and make him mad reclining officer states he must deliver meat to the Queen before day's end monkey-like officer questions the attack on the crying child who fled koala-like officer explains he would have shown mercy if the kid stayed quiet mouse-like figure spits while the koala-like officer boasts about his authority koala-like officer warns he would not let prey struggle monkey-like officer suggests the koala-like officer join the feed-collection team koala-like officer in suit declares the listener is hopeless
unseen speaker asks whether grunts are getting killed
Zazan reports loss of communication with her grunt and discovery of bodies Zazan confirms one of her grunts and loss of three from Zazan's squad Ponytail girl questions certainty about the squad losses Ponytail girl observes bullet wounds through skulls Masked grunt suggests unknown man-made weapon Zazan admits uncertainty about the weapon type Masked grunt identifies bullets as cause of death Peggy states he is inspecting bodies upstairs Ponytail girl inquires about location of the corpses Zazan points out one body with unclear cause of death Peggy notes bullet holes as evidence
Peggy notes poor communication skills of the grunts Unidentified speaker mentions asking other grunts present Peggy confirms the injury was not from a bullet Spiky-haired figure points out head injury on another body Ponytail girl states no bullets were fired yet head was hit Peggy describes human making shooting gestures Peggy confirms grunts felt something was shot Ponytail girl affirms the confirmation Ponytail girl mentions grunts who sense surroundings without sight Peggy states they can replicate the grunts' abilities Ponytail girl comments on the extent of human power Peggy warns that humans may target the queen as lifeline Peggy emphasizes man's ability to learn and adapt
short-haired character asks if the listener still does not understand the need to safeguard the Queen spiky creature hesitates with 'UHH ...' topknotted character internally vows to protect someone spiky creature agrees the topknotted character is right topknotted character insists on taking responsibility for her safety spiky creature questions who mentioned Reina topknotted character demands to know who Reina is
topknotted character suggests forgetting the previous topic topknotted character claims the other probably heard wrong short-haired character proposes giving the enemy a taste of their own medicine short-haired character says they just have to figure it out topknotted character states the short-haired character is better suited as a strategist short-haired character notes that the humans do not know their full strength topknotted character quietly repeats 'REINA ... ?'
Lizard chimera ant laughs "KYAA HAHA HA" while brandishing guns. Lizard chimera ant declares "THIS IS GREAT!" with excitement. Unseen voice laughs "KYAAHAHAHA" in the distance. Girl in beanie asks "ARE YOU ALRIGHT?" with worry. Spiky-haired boy replies "YEAH." calmly. Narration states "NOT GOOD ... THESE CREATURES ..." Narration warns "THEY'RE WAY TOO DANGEROUS!"