Two Identical Choices

The chapter title "N°017- TWO IDENTICAL CHOICES" appears at the top. A wide panel shows a stone pillar rising against a cloudy sky. Speech bubbles read: "JUST SOME KIND OF EXCITEMENT..." and "I'M NOT LOOKING FOR QUALIFICATION IN THIS EXAM." Sound effect "Viiiiiiiuuuu" echoes near the pillar. In the next panel a man in glasses speaks to another: "AS VETERANS, WE MISTRUST NEWBIES, AND WE HAVE WAYS TO APPREHEND DANGERS WHICH ALLOW US..." while the listener replies "TO PROTECT OURSELVES BETTER." Below, three men gesture animatedly as one says "YOUNG PEOPLE WITH THEIR DREAMS THAT GET MESSED UP..." and another continues "IT'S LIKE A SCENE, THAT WHILE WE PROTECT OUR OWN LIVES, WE LOOK AT OTHERS FALLING ON THE VERGE..." A flashback panel shows a cloaked figure kneeling in a tunnel: "I ENDED WITH ACTING ACTIVELY IN THAT, AND BEGAN DESTROYING THE DREAMS OF 'NEWBIES.'" The final panels depict the same man running desperately with wide eyes: "FINALLY, OBSERVING THIS KIND OF STUFF BECAME MORE INTERESTING THAN THE REST." and "FLEETING EXPRESSIONS OF AMBITIONS AND HOPES THAT GO AWAY FOREVER..."

A large title banner reads TWO IDENTICAL CHOICES across the top of the page. Below it, a close-up shows a heavyset man with spiky hair and a prominent square nose, sweat beading on his forehead as he looks sideways with a resigned expression. A large speech bubble beside him states, "I DON'T HAVE ANY INTENTIONS OF BECOMING A HUNTER ANYMORE." The man wears a light shirt and rests his hand near his chin, his face filling most of the panel against a textured dark background.

A wide panel shows several figures tumbling down a staircase with motion lines and the large SFX FIIUUUUU. A speech bubble reads, "I DON'T HAVE THE INTENTION OF GOING ON. IT'S ALREADY QUITE GOOD THAT I ARRIVED HERE." In the next panel applicant #16 smiles with eyes closed, flanked by two speech bubbles: "AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER, I KNOW I'M GONNA LOSE, BUT I REALLY DON'T CARE." and "FROM THE THIRD ROUND, WE'RE LESS NUMEROUS, AND THE TRIALS ARE GETTING DIFFICULT." Below, a narrow panel shows a distant group on stairs with the SFX HE HE HE. Adjacent panels feature Gon, Killua, and Kurapika looking forward while applicant #16 continues, "BUT NOW, WE'RE IN THE TRIAL CALLED 'OF THE MAJORITY'. IF YOU STAY AT FOUR VS ONE, NOTHING WILL PREVENT YOU FROM MOVING FORWARD... THERE'S NO REASON TO BE DISCOURAGED." On the far right Leorio reacts with shock, shouting "WHAT?!"

Hooded prisoners discuss their sentences in a stone-walled cell. One states they had all been condemned to long punishments of at least one hundred years of forced work. Another notes the time they are losing shortens as much as their time in prison. A third adds that discord is perfect for them and there is nothing better. In a dark panel, Leorio cracks his neck with a loud CRACK, a confident smirk on his face. Below, the control room shows dozens of monitors displaying prisoners moving through chambers. Gon stands watching the screens from behind. Text explains that slowing down the candidates shortens the prisoners' punishment proportionally. A box identifies the jury for the third round as Rippo, a bounty hunter and also director of the jail who decided that one hour lost would mean one year won for prisoners.

Close-up shows hands gripping metal bars with a loud CLANG. Bendotto, a bald prisoner, speaks while chained, noting that is good but everything is not going as planned. He identifies himself as Bendotto, thief and criminal with 199 years punishment. Hooded prisoners reply that only two more victories are needed and there is no problem, claiming they are less clever than planned. A panel shows door number 1 with hooded figures and Bendotto nearby. Another shows door number 0 where Leorio, Gon, Killua, and Kurapika stand. A hooded prisoner declares that while they win 72 years, the others are going to stay here. In the monitor room, Leorio shouts for someone to take the turn away from him. Gon yells it is his turn. On screen, a hooded prisoner is seen. Bendotto grins and points, saying there are two kids among them and it sounds like an easy victory.

Inside the tower, Leorio stands with a bandage on his face and questions the long punishment ahead. Kurapika, holding food, firmly declares that is enough. Killua notes he heard what the others were saying and knows what they are looking for. Gon listens nearby. A close-up shows Killua's wide eyes as he warns that if they cannot get out of this tower their 72 hours will become 72 years less for them. Leorio suggests the old guy did it quite well, while Killua adds that if the only thing they want is to make them lose time, all they want is to slow them down. In the next panel Gon looks serious as Leorio explains that the bald guy was certainly an ex-soldier or something like that. Leorio continues that next the bald guy would have done as he wished, but he wished to hit Gon so that Gon would not be able to say he quit. Gon stares ahead with a determined expression.

Gon suddenly raises his hand and shouts that he is going first. Killua turns and asks who is next. Leorio comments that Gon looks quite good while the spiky-haired applicant smiles. Gon stands confidently in his jacket and declares yes when asked if he is sure. Killua places a hand on Gon's shoulder and notes that the next one does not seem to be spiteful. Leorio adds that what the bald guy said should have scared Gon but he does not lack courage. In the large lower panel the group stands before a heavy door marked with symbols. Gon and Killua face the door while Kurapika watches from behind. Gon reassures everyone not to worry because the opponent is not a tough one. Killua looks back with a slight smile as the door looms ahead.

In a dark chamber lit only by two flickering torches, Gon stands with his back to the viewer while the slender boy Sedokan faces him from the left. Large white SFX "FiUUUUuuu" and "ヒュゥゥゥ" dominate the upper space as the torches emit "SHOO". Sedokan places a hand on his chest and gestures outward, declaring "Hitting, running, jumping, that kind of stuff is not my thing..." A close-up of his eye appears as he adds "I'm not a fighter. As you can see..." Gon, seen from behind, replies "I thought so." Sedokan continues with a slight smile, "I'm not really gifted with thought games. I prefer the opposite." A small surprised Gon head pops up beside him. Sedokan concludes, "So I prepared an extremely simple game." A boxed label reads "SEDOKAN, BOMBER, PUNISHMENT: 149 YEARS."

A massive impact SFX "TADAN" explodes across the page as Sedokan holds up two lit candles, one in each hand, against radiating speed lines. He stares forward with a neutral expression. In the next panels Gon excitedly agrees "That's OK for me!!" and "Yeah!! It's easy!" while clenching a fist. Sedokan explains the rules from off-panel: "Each one lights a candle at the same time. It's not dynamite." Gon reacts with shock "!?" and "Well..." as Sedokan finishes "The one whose candle's light goes off first has lost." Small figures of both boys are shown standing with their candles in separate panels.

A character with short black hair holds up a long candle in one hand and a short candle in the other, presenting the choice. Small inset panels show close-ups of Gon, Killua, and other applicants reacting with surprise. The black-haired character asks, "WHICH ONE WILL YOU CHOOSE?" A profile view continues the explanation: "O IF YOU WANT THE LONG ONE, X FOR THE SHORT ONE." The group debates using majority rule. One applicant says, "CHOOSE USING THE MAJORITY!" Another notes, "NORMALLY..." and "NORMALLY, WE SHOULD CHOOSE THE LONG ONE." Realizing the trick, someone shouts, "BUT COUNTING ON THIS 'NORMALITY', IT WOULDN'T BE SURPRISING IF THE SHORT ONE IS A TRAP." The group concludes, "THE LONG ONE IS TRAPPED FOR SURE!!" and "IT'S A TRAP...!!" At the end of the hallway, Gon, Killua, Leorio, and Kurapika stand together facing the decision.

Gon sweats nervously and says, "NEITHER OF THE CHOICES ARE REASSURING..." Leorio rubs his head and replies, "YEP, WE CAN'T KNOW..." and "WELL, IN THAT CASE..." A bald applicant laughs "HO HO" while holding up two cards and states that when forced to choose between two very different answers, people naturally mistrust and cannot decide quickly. Another applicant raises a hand and insists, "WE HAVE ALL THE TIME WE NEED!" and "IT'S A MAJORITY DECISION, SO DON'T HESITATE TO CONSULT OTHERS." The black-haired character sits on the floor with arms crossed, saying, "DON'T RUSH WITH YOUR DECISION." Leorio turns and shouts, "WHICH ONE SHOULD WE CHOOSE?!" and "DAMN!" The final panel shows Gon looking down with a worried expression and an empty speech bubble.

Gon stands determined as Killua and the others urge him to choose. "Pick the good one!" someone calls. "We'll follow your decision," another adds. A dramatic panel shows Killua pointing at Gon with intense speed lines: "It's you who's gonna decide! Gon!!" Kurapika explains their trust: "We trust in your instinct. Instead of torturing our minds..." Gon smiles confidently and declares "OK!" then questions "I decide?" The long-haired applicant leans in with a sly grin and asks "The long one? Are you sure?" while others react with surprise "Is he...?" Gon points firmly and announces "I choose the long one!" He grins with certainty, raising a finger: "No doubt!! Yep! Since it's bigger, it will take more time to burn! That's logic!"

Gon stands shocked under a massive radiating impact effect, thinking "He didn't even think about...?" with dramatic SFX "DOOOON" and "と~ん!!" Other applicants watch from the side with varied expressions. A digital display shows "05" with a "BIP BIP" sound as the group discusses the trap. "Anyways, it was impossible to know which one is a trap," one says. "Whatever!" another replies. In a dark room, a figure in a jumpsuit points at the glowing "05 XO" sign and says "OK" while another voice calls "This way." Gon and the long-haired applicant stand before the sign. The long-haired applicant holds up a short candle and says "Short one's for me." Gon holds a long candle and replies "The long one is for you..."

In a dimly lit arena, Gon stands holding a lit candle while a short-haired girl does the same nearby. They both raise their candles toward separate torches. "LET'S LIGHT AT THE SAME TIME..." the girl suggests. Flames ignite with sharp "SHUUU" sounds as both candles catch fire simultaneously. "OUR CANDLES," Gon notes. The two face each other across the space. In a dramatic wide shot with radiating speed lines, Gon thrusts his candle forward and shouts, "MAY THE FIGHT BEGIN NOW!!!" The girl stands ready with her own lit candle.

The short-haired girl holds her flickering candle as strong wind gusts through the arena, marked by large "FUUUUUU" and "SHUUU" effects. Gon watches with wide eyes, his candle also affected. A wide view shows the arena platform with multiple torches and distant figures. The wind continues blowing fiercely. Elsewhere, Kurapika and Leorio observe a timer reading 08:55:00 and discuss how long the candles might last. Gon reacts with surprise as Leorio warns about the strong wind, advising against bad moves. The girl remains composed amid the gusts.

Leorio points sharply to the side and shouts, 'LOOK... !' Gon stands holding a lit candle, reacting with a puzzled '...?' as 'SHUU' sounds emanate from the flame. The candle suddenly flares violently with massive 'SHUUUUU' and 'G O O O O' effects, sending up thick smoke and sparks labeled 'PIK' and 'SPAK'. Heavy black smoke billows outward with repeated 'FRUUU' sounds filling the panel. A short-haired woman stands beside a small candle, murmuring 'HE-'. Gon stares at his rapidly melting candle as 'SHUUU' rises from it. Leorio yells in alarm, 'GON'S CANDLE IS BURNING MUCH FASTER! LOOK AT GON'S CANDLE!!'

The candle continues to flare with 'SHUUU' effects as Leorio declares, 'THERE MUST BE SOMETHING INSIDE THE WAX SO THAT THE CANDLE BURNS MUCH FASTER!!' Gon touches the flame and exclaims 'IT'S HOT!' while noting 'IT BECAME THAT SHORT SO FAST!!' Killua watches from behind. Leorio concludes, 'JUST AS WE THOUGHT, THE LONG ONE WAS A TRAP!!' and adds 'AT THIS RATE, IN 2 OR 3 MINUTES, HE WON'T BE ABLE TO HOLD IT ANYMORE!!' The short-haired woman stands with her back partly turned, saying 'HE HE' and 'NOT COMPLETELY!!!' A close-up shows a long-haired man with a sly expression. Large text declares 'BECAUSE I PREPARED... FOUR OTHERS!!!'

The black-haired applicant smirks as he reveals his plan. "THIS 'DIFFICULT' CHOICE HELPED ME TO HIDE MY TRICK!" he declares. Narration explains the trap: "YOU NEVER THOUGHT THAT BOTH COULD BE TRAPS. YOU HESITATED ON WHAT TO CHOOSE, BUT..." He continues, "THE ONE I WOULD HAVE GIVEN HIM WOULD BE THE ONE THAT BURNS FASTEST. EVEN IF HE HAD CHOSEN THE SMALL CANDLE..." Gon stands nearby holding a lit candle, flames flickering. Suddenly the applicant’s eyes widen in shock with a "!?" as Gon grins mischievously and chuckles "Hihi". The applicant gasps "OH!!" while Gon points at the candle and reasons, "IF THE CANDLE BURNS THAT WELL... THERE'S NO WAY IT CAN GO OUT WITH THAT BREEZE." Impact lines and "TAP" and "TAC" sound effects punctuate the moment as the candle stays lit despite the breeze.

Gon leaps forward and slams the black-haired applicant to the floor with a massive "SLAM !!!" impact. The defeated applicant lies sprawled as Gon stands victorious. In a small panel Gon flashes a peace sign and shouts "I WON!!!" The applicant stares in disbelief with "EHH". A close-up shows the applicant’s wide eye and sweat as he thinks "HOW FAST !!!". Leorio, adjusting his glasses, comments "HE'S AGILE!" and "OH." while Killua watches silently from the side with a neutral expression. The page ends with an arrow labeled "Fin".