The Last Trial

A massive explosion erupts with the huge sound effect BOOOOM, bright light and radiating lines blasting outward from a central structure. The scene shifts to a wide view of open water where a small boat sails under a cloudy sky, a thin trail of smoke rising from it. A narration box states that in a while the fourth round of the trials will end. The view then moves to a lush forest clearing with dense trees, rocks, and a small stream. Another narration box announces that all the participants are invited to come back to the starting point of the test. At the bottom of the page the chapter title appears: N°032- THE LAST TRIAL.

In a dense forest clearing, a bandaged examinee leaps through the trees with a sharp ZAT sound effect. Nearby, Killua emerges from the foliage with a TAC sound, his expression alert. Large announcement bubbles echo through the woods: the participants must make themselves known in the time of one hour. After this delay, anyone who has not shown themselves will be disqualified. The message urges everyone to pay close attention. In a wide overhead view of a rocky, open terrain dotted with small figures, further rules are declared: tags stolen from now on will not be counted. Verifications will be made, and anyone breaking this rule will be disqualified.

A grid of close-up portraits displays various examinees with their collected tag counts listed beside each face. The top row shows a white-haired boy labeled 404(3) 16(3), Gon with 405(3) 44(3), and a stern man with a tear marked 384(3) 80(1) 281(1) 118(1) under the heading NUMBER OF TAGS. The middle row features a spiky-haired man with piercings 301(3) 371(3), a bearded man 403(3) 246(3), and the bandaged examinee 53(3) 105(3). The bottom row includes a bald man 294(3) 198(1) 362(1) 89(0), a mustached man 191(3) 34(3), and Killua 99(3) 199(3). Each portrait captures distinct expressions and features as the tag collection standings are revealed.

Under a vast sky filled with drifting clouds, a wide sandy expanse stretches toward the horizon. Scattered across the open ground stand several figures in varied postures, some holding staffs or weapons, others standing alert or seated casually. A small boat floats far in the distance on the water, while a tiny airship hovers high above. The atmosphere feels tense and expectant as the group awaits the next phase. At the bottom of the scene the bold title declares the chapter's focus.

A massive airship marked with 'CRII' flies over a silhouetted city skyline filled with spires and domes. Below, an elderly bearded man with a headband laughs heartily. He declares that this year is a good year and notes that out of the nine left, six are new guys. In the next panels a hand gestures while another speaker mentions the sudden arrival of many new examinees with bright futures. A group at a table discusses how often a gap appears before this moment, with one confirming it does not happen often. A round-faced man questions whether ten years can pass without any new success.

It's been almost 20 years that he's been telling me he's about 100, but... How old is the president...? Hmmm? It's the fourth time it's happened since I've been president. By the way what are we gonna do for the last round? crunch. It's wonderful to talk of the great newbies, but the last round hasn't begun yet. That's true, we've done nothing! A large man with spiky black hair looks surprised with a question mark floating above him. I'd like to make them hold unusual fights. Yes, but... an old bearded man replies thoughtfully.

I shall begin by meeting them one after another. To set up this round... A small black object flies through the night sky above the city. Even I don't have a clue about what the president is thinking... That... What does he mean? a girl with pigtails wonders. In a long empty hallway a lone figure sits on a bench by the windows. Gon turns around in surprise upon hearing his name called. Gon! Kurapika stands nearby looking at him.

Killua stands with his back to the window, speaking calmly to Gon. "IF I MANAGED TO GET THIS FAR, IT'S THANKS TO YOU." Gon, facing the glass, replies, "WE'RE ARRIVING AT THE LAST ROUND." Gon suddenly turns with a bright, surprised expression, exclaiming, "WHAT ARE YOU SAYING?" Killua answers simply, "Yes." From the high corridor they look down over a sprawling cityscape. Gon stares out and says, "GON..." Killua's voice comes from off-panel with a single "YES?" In the lower panels Killua presses the issue, asking whether something happened during the fourth round. He notes that Gon looked a bit odd when they met up after the round. Gon sits on the floor, head lowered, and answers with a quiet "..."

Killua's hair fills the panel as an exclamation mark appears above his head. Gon, seen from behind, states, "MY TARGET... WAS HISOKA." Killua's eyes widen as he listens. He explains that Hisoka did not steal his tags and that he himself was immobilized by a poison dart while following Hisoka. Gon continues, describing how Hisoka returned the tag and said he was lending it to Killua. Killua adds that right after, Hisoka took his own tag back. In the bottom panels Gon sits with his back to the viewer, saying he was really upset and replied that he did not want the tag but Hisoka hit him hard anyway.

Gon stares upward with wide, tear-filled eyes and a trembling mouth, his face covered in bandages and small cuts, sweat and tears streaking his cheeks against a dark background. In the next panel Killua appears in profile, looking aside. A wide shot shows Gon standing with a woman carrying a bag near large windows and a bench. Gon’s backpack lies on the floor as he hunches forward. In the hallway Gon, still bandaged and tearful, speaks while clutching his backpack. Killua stands facing him. Gon says, "I HAD THE IMPRESSION THAT I DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH STRENGTH TO GO ON." He continues, "AFTER THIS, I FELT REALLY SHABBY AND ALONE..." while sniffing, with the sound effect "SNIFF SNIFF" visible beside them.

Gon continues speaking with a small smile, saying, "AND I WANTED TO BE USEFUL..." and "SO I WANTED TO HAVE SOMEBODY NEXT TO ME..." In a series of panels Gon and Killua are shown together, then Leorio appears with Gon. Killua addresses them, saying "LEORIO AND I GOT HERE THANKS TO YOU, GON." Killua adds, "THAT'S WHY I WAS LOOKING FOR THE BOTH OF YOU." A close-up shows Killua’s gentle expression as he says, "I SINCERELY THANK YOU." Gon replies, "THANKS." Killua answers, "NO, I'M THE ONE."

Candidate #44 stands quietly as an announcement echoes through the room. When you're called, please come to the first reception room of the first floor. In a while, the president will receive you for a conversation. Gon appears next, relaying the same polite instruction to come to the reception room. Outside, a large airship marked with a bold X glides through the sky above a sprawling city skyline dotted with towers and crosses. A small silhouette of the airship drifts across the darkening sky while a thought bubble wonders, A conversation...? The final panel reveals a close-up of a young man with a star tattoo on his cheek and a teardrop mark, his expression calm and enigmatic.

Inside a traditional Japanese-style room, a young man with spiky hair and a heart-and-diamond patterned shirt stands with his back to the viewer, facing an elderly bearded man seated on a cushion. The old man says Sit down. The young man replies that he would like to ask some questions to know more about the elder. The old man notes there is no relation but the young man with the star tattoo warns not to assume this is the last round. The spiky-haired man explains that holding the Hunter title provides useful advantages. The star-tattooed man admits he is not really focused on becoming a Hunter but asks why the other wants to become one. The final panel shows the star-tattooed man in profile, stating they are out of most of the responsibility and giving the example that even if someone kills another person it may not matter.

In a dimly lit room, Hisoka sits with his back to the old bearded examiner. The examiner asks which of the eight other candidates most retains Hisoka's attention. Hisoka replies that he sees the point. A close-up reveals Hisoka's star-marked cheek and the number 99 with a heart symbol. Hisoka then states he hopes someday to fight him, noting that #405 is not bad but cannot reach the level of #99. The examiner leans forward and inquires among the eight other participants, who does Hisoka want to fight against the least. Hisoka answers with a thoughtful hum, calling it the last question. The examiner chuckles with a hearty he he he.

Hisoka continues speaking with a serious expression, sweat drop on his cheek. He says he does not exclude #99 but this time he would say #405. In a close-up, Hisoka declares it is #405 he wants to fight the most, adding that with the meaning that he does not really want to fight against them now. The old examiner responds with a thoughtful hum and tells Hisoka he can go back, thanking him a lot. Hisoka walks away down a hallway, thinking that with the old guy's inattentive look he almost lost his mind. Behind him, the examiner reacts with a loud clack sound, appearing startled or annoyed.

An examinee wearing a headband stares forward with a serious expression. "I don't really want to fight against #44," he admits. "Truthfully, I don't think I would be good enough against him." Beside him another voice notes, "#404. That retains the most of my attention: at the first look, you can see that he's well balanced." In the next panel Gon looks thoughtful. "#53. I think I would be bored fighting against him," he says. A voice replies, "Gon. Well, I should say #405. We're the same age, so..." An older mustached examinee appears next. "#405 and #99, it's unthinkable for me to fight against kids," he states firmly. Another comment follows: "#44. I don't really like him, but he's inevitable." The final panel shows two figures facing each other in silence: the examinee marked #44 with dotted markings on his head and #99 beside him.

Gon appears again with a slightly frustrated look. "Pff... Choosing one is impossible. It would have to be #99, #403, and #404," he mutters. A separate voice adds, "For various reasons: it's #44 that's the most preoccupying for me." The next panel shows a bald examinee. "#44 as well," he says. Another comment follows: "#44. Without a doubt, he's the most dangerous." A short-haired examinee speaks next. "With a good reason, no matter, with no reason, I don't want to fight." A note lists: "Positively: #405, negatively: #44." In the final panel a bandaged examinee smiles slightly. "For the same reasons, I don't want to fight against him," he says. "#405, obviously, not only do I have respect for him, but I'd like him to reach the end."

The President studies a sheet of paper with intense focus, his eyes widening as he mutters to himself. "IT'S A BIT MORE PARTIAL THAN WHAT I HAD THOUGHT," he says, then nods and adds, "I SEE, I SEE..." In another panel a girl with a star headband points excitedly at the document while a spiky-haired boy leans in. "I WROTE DOWN SOME GROUPS," she explains. Someone shouts "LOOK!" as a hand with a brush circles a name on the list and declares "THERE IT IS!" The President holds the paper up for the gathered examinees to see. A suited man with slicked-back hair peers at it with a skeptical expression. The spiky-haired boy, the girl, and a round-faced companion crowd close. Sweat beads on the suited man's face as he asks nervously, "ARE YOU SURE?" The President replies simply, "PRESIDENT..."

A blimp flies over a city skyline at night. The President speaks from inside the aircraft: "WE'LL ARRIVE IN A WHILE AT THE PLACE WHERE THE LAST ROUND STANDS." He adds a note for the candidates: "NOTE FOR THE CANDIDATES! THANKS FOR YOUR PATIENCE." Two small figures react with surprise; one says "HIS EYES DON'T SEEM TO BE KIDDING..." while another exclaims "I CAN'T BE MORE SURE!" and "HE HE HE." In a close-up the President continues gravely, "YOU'LL BECOME A 'HUNTER'. IF YOU WIN..." The airship continues its flight through the clouds, engines humming with "GOGOGO" sound effects over the silhouetted city.