Gotoh

Gotoh (ゴトー, Gotō) was a butler in service of the Zoldyck Family. All contact from outsiders first went through him before reaching the main house. He had served the Zoldycks for a couple of years, and the Zoldycks entrusted their Killua Zoldyck in his care. Gotoh originated from Meteor City.

Appearance
Gotoh is a tall man with sharp eyes that looks to be around his early or late thirties; he is well groomed — from his black formal suit to his combed-back black hair. He has a trimmed beard and wears glasses with pointed frames.

Personality
An enigmatic and intimidating character, Gotoh is courteous as a butler should be, but is strict regarding the family's security and secrecy protocol. Despite his cool exterior he can be as hotblooded as Leorio, but typically keeps his temper under control. He's loyal and protective of his masters. According to Killua, Gotoh hates to use tricks and cover-up even during a game. Gotoh was also shown to be sympathetic to the feelings of Kikyo Zoldyck when her husband allows Killua to leave with Gon and his friends. Gotoh cares for Killua as if he was his own son. Killua once expressed to Gon his recurring nightmares of Gotoh chasing him with a knife.

Zoldyck Family arc
Gotoh first makes an off screen appearance from the Zoldyck Residence and talks to Zebro on the phone. The moment Zebro mentions that Killua's friends have arrived to see him, Gotoh apparently disregards the fact Killua has any friends and to not continue to wasting his time and hangs up. Gon then tries calling the Zoldyck Residence and when Gotoh picks up the phone he addresses himself as the Zoldyck attendants. Gon then introduces himself and says that he's a friend of Killua and asks if he's there, but Gotoh coldly responds that Killua has no friends and hangs up. Gon then redials the number and Gotoh again picks up and addresses himself as the Zoldyck attendants again. Gon then screams into the phone who does he (Gotoh) think he is to know such a thing and then Gon demands that Killua be brought out. Gon's outburst made Gotoh stay silent briefly and then inquires if his name is Gon, to which Gon responds yes. Gotoh then brings up the fact that even if Killua had a friend by his name, is there any proof of which saying that he really is whom he says he is.

Gon then tells Gotoh, "Make Killua come and he'll tell you!" Gotoh then states that if Gon means Killua will recognize his voice, that won't work. Gotoh then plays back a recording of what Gon just said and states that the recording was simple magnetic kind and that there are numerous ways to counterfeit the voice and then next he'd say if Killua sees him he'd surely recognize him. However even if the ways of someone altering their appearance is limited, it's still a possibility and can also imagine that the ones who wish to kill Killua will use the one called Gon to to reach their goal. So while there's a risk of harm coming towards Killua. they won't let him out. Gotoh is then shown within the Zoldyck residence on the phone with Gon appearing serious yet enraged and he then states that the Zoldyck Family practice assassination and consequentially the number of their enemies naturally increases over time. So it's an intendant's duty to protect their masters from exterior attacks. Gotoh then apologizes and states that maybe he'll call him back later and then hangs up. Less than a month later after Gon and company enter through the Testing Gate and manage to get past Canary whom leads them to the attendants room at the Employee Residence, the group is greeted by Gotoh and his associates outside the residence.

Inside the residence Gotoh apologizes for the incident that happened a short while ago, as Gon patches himself up from Canary's attack from previously in the day. Gotoh then states that the Madame has contacted them and has ordered them to welcome Gon and company as guests. Gotoh also offers Gon and group to make themselves at home. Leorio while thankful for the hospitality states that they really just wish to see Killua and for them to please take them to the Zoldyck Residence. Gotoh however calmly states that won't be necessary, because Killua is on his way. Gon then asks if Gotoh really means it, to which Gotoh confirms it. Hearing this excites Gon and company, Gotoh then states that since inactivity makes the wait even longer, so then proposes they play a little game. Gotoh then indulges Gon and company in a game of coin toss and after flipping a coin in the air and catching it with one of his hands, he asks Gon and group which hand did he catch it in? Gon and group all answer the left, which was correct. So Gotoh says he'll do it faster and thus flips the coin and catches it even faster with one of his hands than before.



Gon confidently answers the left again, which was correct and Gotoh congratulates him as his associates all clap for him. Gotoh then states that it's time for him to get serious and this time Gotoh juggles the coin with both hands with lightning speed that baffles Gon and company. When Gotoh finally stops, he asks which hand. Leorio unsure thinks it's the right hand, but Gotoh then says that he saw Killua's birth and then states that he has paternal feelings towards Killua. Gotoh then proclaims with a furious look on his face that Gon and friends whom are trying to take Killua away from him, he hates them all. This comment by Gotoh makes Gon and company nervous as Gotoh then asks, which hand is the coin in now. Kurapika answers that it's in the left hand, which it is, but now crushed. Gotoh then states that the Madame when she contacted him had a weak voice and easily sensed that she was heart broken. Gotoh with a serious and furious look on his face states that he cannot accept the fact. Gotoh then holds up a new coin and say that before Killua comes, they'll finish it, but he'll judge it his way. All of Gotoh's associates then all draw swords and takes Canary's life as a hostage.

Gotoh then states that if they're mistaken once, Canary will be killed. Also if Gon and group are eliminated one by one before Killua arrives, then they'll tell Killua that they all left and will never see Killua again. Gon intervenes to try and reason with Gotoh, but he tells Gon to be silent and then states that they're alive, because he chooses to be and it's useless and idiotic to think they try and refuse his preposition. Gotoh then juggles the coin with his hands far faster than he did before and when he stops inquires which hand. Gon thinks that he doesn't know as he then looks at the clock, but Gotoh then states that Gon not look at the clock and had three seconds to answer or else Canary will die. Leorio yells for Gotoh to stop and chooses left, while Gon and Kurapika choose right. Gotoh then reveals the coin was in his right hand and states that one has already been eliminated. Gotoh then juggles the coin at a blinding speed and then asks again what hand is the coin in. Kurapika answers right, while Gon chooses left, Gotoh then reveals it was the left hand the coin was in and that another person has been eliminated.

Gotoh starts to leer at Gon whom calmly looks at him back. As Gotoh says he's going to throw the coin, Gon stops him. Gotoh then states that if he wants to win some time, then he'll kill someone. Gon then requests Leorio to give him one of his knives, which confuses Leorio, but Gon tells him to trust him as he takes off a gauze pad off his left eye. After Leorio gives Gon his knife, Gon slices his swollen wound over his left eye, which surprises Gotoh, as Gon's wound spurts out blood. Kurapika then thinks that it was to make Gon's eye less swollen. Gon tapped up the eye, while stating he can see better and that Gotoh can now begin. Gotoh then proceeds to juggle the coin with both hands and when he stops asks which hand it is, to which Gon replies it's in his left hand, which was correct. Gotoh then gets off his seat and inquires if Gon is ok without the help of his friends. Gotoh then along side two of his associates juggle a coin at a blinding speed and Gotoh then asks, which one of them has the coin. Gon with a smile says the man behind him does. Gotoh and his associates all clap loudly for Gon and Gotoh praises Gon for his magnificent job.

Killua then enters the room as Gotoh then states that the bad joke has lasted long enough and apologizes for his rude behavior, but also states that didn't they all have a good time. Leorio looks at his watch and is surprised by what time it was, which Gotoh simply smiles. Killua then greets Gon and company and after talking with them for a bit Killua orders Gotoh not to listen to anything his mother says, to which Gotoh bows stating he understands and wishes him a safe trip. As Killua heads off with Leorio and Kurapika, Gon approaches Gotoh. Gon then asks Gotoh if he'll miss Killua while he's away. However Gotoh still bowing his head replies that he won't, since the Zoldyck employees don't have any feelings towards their masters. Gon then calls Gotoh a liar and sticks out his tongue at Gotoh. As Gon walks away Gotoh calls for Gon's attention as he then flips a coin in the air and catches it with one of his hands. Gotoh then asks which hand he catches it with, which Gon answers left, however it was really in Gotoh's right hand. As was Gon baffled by this Gotoh then explains that not everything in the world is honest, so he should be careful. Gotoh then bows his head again and pleads that he take good care of Killua.

Heavens Arena arc
Far out of range of the Zoldyck Residence, Gon states that Gotoh tricked him. Kurapika then states that when you're explained something it's common that it gets on your nerves. Kurapika then shows an example of how Gotoh did the trick, by flipping a coin in the air and asks Gon which hand it was in. Gon chooses the left, but it turns out it was in the right. Baffled by this Gon inquires how Kurapika did it, to which he explains that Gotoh had two coins, since he keeps one coin hidden in his right hand and throws the other one and retrieves it in a visible way. Kurapika then explains that the trick starts when Gotoh asks, "Which hand is the coin in?" He raises his wrists a little higher than the eyes of the player and while keeping his hands closed lets the coin slip into his sleeve, while still having the other coin, in his other hand. Gon then notes how annoying that is, while Killua agrees with Gon, but states that Gotoh probably did it in the last round, because he hates to trick people even in games.

13th Hunter Chairman Election arc


As Killua is talking with Morel Mackernasey on the phone from Zebro's booth. Killua insinuates something from about his younger sibling Alluka, which makes Gotoh intervene the call. When Gotoh does intervene the call he apologizes, which makes Killua asks if it's Gotoh. Gotoh then states that anything more that Killua had explained to Morel would be classified and has to stop him at that. Killua argues however he didn't say anything insinuating anything about Alluka's ability. Gotoh however refutes that and states that when Killua said, "I'll definitely let Gon recover" hints heavily about Alluka's abilities. Gotoh then states that the administrative wing he's at currently, is just barely still on the Zoldyck Estate, so since Killua's movement has been restricted to level 4, he advises to take care. Killua then thinks that Gotoh waited for him to intervene when he was going to give a hint to Morel. Killua then comments that Gotoh treats him well, to which Gotoh inquires what he means by that. Killua however changes the subject and inquires what's the break down. Gotoh then explains that the reason for the movement restriction is unauthorized removal of a classified item, as well as his rebellious and threatening attitude towards his parents. Killua then exclaims that Alluka isn't an item.

Gotoh then states there are three specific restrictions.


 * 1) Protect classified information, the target is not to speak with or transfer the object to any third parties without prior approval. In accordance with this cellphones and other communication devices are prohibited
 * 2) To protect classified information the target is to stay within a 1 meter radius from Alluka.
 * 3) To protect classified information as long as it relates to Alluka's abilities, not even the slightest hint can be revealed to outside parties.



For rule 1 Killua argues that they already took his cellphone and he assures Gotoh for rule 2 that his hands and eyes won't move away for an inch and understands the rules enforced out for him. Soon Gotoh accompanied by Canary are shown standing outside the Testing Gate with Killua and Alluka. Killua then states that now that he has Gotoh and Canary around he doesn't have to be bothered by getting permission for everything and he can leave them with all of the Misc. details. While Gotoh understands why he's coming along, he doesn't understand why Canary has to come along as well. Killua then scolds Gotoh, and tells him it's because Alluka is a "girl" after all, and old guys like him wouldn't be able to give her any delicate care. At that moment in time, another senior butler appears named Tsubone, whom is more strict than Gotoh whom is more lenient to Killua accompanied with her granddaughter, Amane and when Tsubone appears Gotoh noticeably becomes very nervous and starts to sweat. As Tsubone intimidates Killua with her statements towards him, Gotoh thinks while still sweating, of all of the people in the Estate, the only one that dares call Killua, "Killua-chan" is Tsubone-sensei alone. After Alluka defends Tsubone from Tsubone's intimidation, Alluka requests Tsubone's fingernail from her pink, which shocks Gotoh and his associates. Tsubone appeals to Alluka's demand and gives her pinky fingernail, but then leaves in order to avoid having Alluka give her any more requests and then she disappears in front of Gotoh and company.



While Gotoh and company are going to Gon's hospital in a limousine car with Canary driving, he receives a call from Killua's cellphone and answers it. Gotoh doesn't address himself, but states that the phone he's using is Killua's Cellphone and tells the person on the cellphone twice that he can't explain any information he's requesting. After the person on the other line supposedly says something like "Who the hell are you anyway?!" Gotoh becomes annoyed by this, but keeps his cool and states that if he were to ask something like that he should identify himself first and then Gotoh apologizes and hangs up on the person. Although moments later, Killua's cellphone rings again and Gotoh picks it up again only to have Leorio scream his name and request to speak to Killua into the cellphone, which sets back Gotoh, while Killua thinks of how nostalgic it was. Gotoh then calmly replies that it's been quite sometime, while Leorio proclaims that it was the "Coin Bastard" on the other line. Gotoh confirms that Killua's on his way to help save Gon, along with himself and associates. However Gotoh then states that it's under strict conditions. Leorio then questions Gotoh saying that since Killua's helping a friend, how can their be restrictions being placed on him and if he's day dreaming can he wake up a little now.



Gotoh enraged demands Leorio to shut that underling mouth of his, to which Leorio questions what did it he say, but Gotoh continues with that Killua is risking his life. Hearing this annoys Leorio as Gotoh continues to explain that Killua is doing what he's doing against his family's will and even he should know how special the Zoldyck family is. Gotoh then states that he's going to counting on him as far as the conditions go, so he better shut up, listen up, and calls Leorio a bastard. Gotoh however regrets loosing his temper saying that he was terribly rude. Killua then offers to talk to Leorio saying that it'd be faster, even though Gotoh gives him a concerned look. Killua assures Gotoh that he won't reveal anything unnecessary and he understands if he says anything against the rules he understands he'll be sent back home. Killua then talks to Leorio on his cellphone and says to Leorio that it's been quite sometime since they last talked. Leorio then states that when Killua gets to the hospital finally let him talk to Gotoh personally and then inquires if he's alright. Killua assures he's fine and to trust Gotoh, Leorio understand and then asks to have Gotoh, be put back on the phone.

Morel then says he'll listen to the conditions they want upon their arrival, to which Leorio refuses, so after some talk Morel mentions that at some point Leorio will say "There's no way I can do that!" calmly hand the phone over to him. Leorio not paying attention to Morel, talks to Gotoh again and says he'll listen to his conditions. Gotoh then explains that once they arrive at the hospital he'll have to arrange it so that Gon is the only person is in the hospital building. Leorio inquires if that means the doctors and other patients, to which Gotoh replies yes. Leorio then yells that there's no way he can do any of that and then reluctantly he gives the phone over to Morel. Morel then talks with Gotoh and tells him that he understands the conditions and to leave it to him. Gotoh then inquires about the specifics, to which Morel details that the hospital and it's parking lot is enormous, so he'll construct a private room for Gon in the parking lot and he'll make it so that he'll be able to enter and leave by car. Morel however mentions that whatever they do in there, he'll make sure that nobody will know. Gotoh pleased with Morel's negotiations says that's good enough as far the hospital goes, and Gotoh inquires Morel's name, to which he gives it, and Gotoh then requests that for now on he'd like to communicate with Morel instead of Leorio.



After the nominees for the Fourth Election for the 13th Hunter Chairman are announced Gotoh gets a phone call and when he answers it he immediately announced Illumi's name, which raises tension and anxiety within the car. Gotoh is then ordered to hand the phone over to Killua, to which he complies to. As Killua receives his Cellphone from Gotoh, he thanks him in his thoughts and contemplates the relationship pattern he has with his family. Gotoh along with Canary are vigilant towards Amane and Tsubone whom in turn are to them as well, Zeno Zoldyck supervises them, and they both trust Killua. Also it's mentioned that his father trusts him and that's why he let him send Gotoh, rather than stop him by force. It's also explained that the reason, why Gotoh said his brother Illumi's name out loud was, because he was probing Amane for a reaction, however if Tsubone was in the limousine with them and she noticed Gotoh's slight change in attitude then she'd signal Amane to hide all traces of her emotions. After Killua talks with Illumi and when he tell his brother to bring it and that he'll beat him at his own game, Gotoh is shown staying calm and poised. Illumi then begins the game by sending a car and a truck with people he has Manipulated behind the wheel causing Canary to lose control of the limousine. As Canary tries to regain control, Gotoh warns Killua to stay close to Alluka and Killua says to leave it to him. Gotoh then states that if Killua is away from Alluka for more than one meter, than he'll have to be sent home by Tsubone while Amane will take Alluka home.



Canary while trying finally gaining some control back into the car gets hit by a truck carrying steel bars and sends them off a cliff. Gotoh along with everyone else in the car are shown struggling to try and stay safe as the limousine crashes at the bottom of the cliff. At the bottom of the cliff everyone is shown to be alright and Gotoh apparently is shown making a phone call most likely to Tsubone. They all then start to run into thick forest in order to lose his brother, but when Amane tries to reason with Killua in order for him to assure Killua that her, Tsubone, his father, and grandfather only want him to have a safe convenience. However Amane pisses Killua off by not mentioning Alluka's name, since if Alluka's not in her convenience as well, then they're enemies, as he activates his Kanmaru Hatsu. After Killua escapes with Alluka using his Kanmaru ability. Gotoh calls someone on his cellphone informing the person the situation's changed a bit and that they've gone astray from Killua. Gotoh then states that they'll take 4 cars instead and use the same route as before and if Killua gets in touch with them, as long as he doesn't touch taboo topics against the restrictions then listen to his orders. Gotoh also informs the person that Illumi has found out their movements and has an ally among the butlers or within the family, so the person should monitor the situation closely. The person on the cellphone, understands and then hangs up.



When Gotoh, Canary and Amane try to chase after Killua, they encounter Hisoka whom confronts the group. As Hisoka approaches the group of butlers he activates his Ren and Gotoh inquires whom Hisoka is, to which he answers he's just a magician that wishes to stay anonymous. Hisoka then hangs 15 Nen infused playing cards in the air, making Canary and Amane grow tense, but Gotoh stays perfectly calm as he then flings the cards towards the group. As Canary and Amane assume battle positions, Gotoh pulls out two fist full of coins and shoots them at the incoming cards knocking them to the ground. Gotoh then tells Canary and Amane that they don't have to deal with Hisoka so earnestly and to get out of his way and go after Killua so they can save up their energy for the mission. Amane and Canary understand and go on ahead, leaving Gotoh behind to deal with the "Magician". With the other butlers gone, Gotoh then tells Hisoka that he'll be the one that will play with him. As Gotoh carefully observes Hisoka, he notices that he caught all of his coins and has them between his fingers. Hisoka then claims that his ability to rapidly fire off coins with more power than bullets, must be a power that he uses to keep his subordinates under control.



Gotoh then contemplates that Hisoka was able to stop all of his coins without a scratch and since his coins aren't easy to counter, it must be related to his ability. Gotoh then spots Hisoka swinging one of his coins in mid air with his finger, only to use Gyo to see that it's attached to his aura. Hisoka then states that his aura simultaneously possesses the quality of stickiness and elasticity of gum, Hisoka's Hatsu Bungee Gum. Gotoh then states that Hisoka has revealed too much and he better not regret now and calls Hisoka a sham of a magician. Hisoka comments that there's no point in giving out his name to the "Dead", since even though his ability is known it doesn't matter at all. Gotoh irritated with Hisoka flings a barrage of coins, but Hisoka manages to catch every single one of them with his Bungee Gum. Hisoka playfully comments how his eyes must be getting more used to his coins a second time around, since they were slower than before. Gotoh confirms Hisoka's speculation as the coins start to rotate and spin uncontrollably in Hisoka's Bungee Gum. Gotoh details that they had the power of rotation infused within them. The coins are then able to not only neutralize Hisoka's Bungee Gum, but also both of his arms and hands as well. Gotoh then states that if Hisoka doesn't disengage his Nen ability he'll then be spun to death, by his own Nen. Gotoh then flings a bunch of coins at Hisoka and inquires if he'd rather be shot full of holes, so he pick his favorite way to die. As Gotoh's fired coins head towards Hisoka, he released the Bungee Gum he had attached to his feet and sends him flying out of the way from Gotoh's coins. With Hisoka gone, Gotoh is distraught as he looks for where he could have gone. However he can't keep his eyes on him, because he's going so fast.



Hisoka then states that he threw out some Bungee Gum, with his first set of cards, so that if he was to release the gum attached to his legs, he'd be able to fire whenever he so pleased. Gotoh's tension seemingly increased as Hisoka then proposes a riddle for him, "Of the twenty-two coins he fired at him, how many should he return?" Gotoh then contemplates that Hisoka plans on sending his coins flying back to him? When Hisoka was going to give the answer he states that why doesn't Gotoh just let his body figure it out and Hisoka then releases his gum. Gotoh now agitated by Hisoka's taunts, thinks that Hisoka shouldn't underestimate him, even if the answer is more than twenty-two, as he thinks this his coins are all fired back at him in different directions, he continues to think that he's still going to strike them all down. Gotoh then fires back at all of his coins being fired at him, only to fall into Hisoka's trap, as Hisoka appears from above him and has his throat slit and dies. Hisoka then tells him the answer was Oshimai~ (The End~). Later after Canary manages to get on an airship from the Pallister Airport, Canary tries to contact Gotoh, but to no avail. Also during a conversation Morel had with Killua, he mentions that he also can't get in contact with Gotoh, so Killua tells him that he'll try to get in touch with him.

Sometime during the Sixth Election for the 13th Hunter Chairman, Killua calls Canary and tells her that he too can't get in touch with Gotoh. After the incidents regarding the Election and Gon's recovery, Canary and Amane are seen on Gotoh's grave, confirming his death. The Kiriko's son is seen posing as Gotoh. It is implied that the Zoldycks recruited the beast in order to keep his death a secret from Killua and Alluka.

Equipment


Coins: Gotoh carries a great number of coins in his pockets, firing them with his bare hands with more power than bullets. He also used them to test Gon, Leorio and Kurapika when they came to the mansion.

Abilities & Powers
Due to Gotoh being born in Meteor City, his existence is not recorded in any database, which makes obtaining information about him nearly impossible. As one of the most trusted butlers of the Zoldyck family, Gotoh has authority over many of the employees at the estate. He is an expert fighter that has shown to be extremely fast both in hand movements and reflexes. He also has a certain degree of superhuman durability, taking no damage when a truck crashed into the car he was in. His weapon of choice are coins that he can throw at the opponent with a flipping motion that makes them faster and more powerful than gun bullets. His accuracy and quick reactions allow him to strike down potentially fast-moving projectiles coming from multiple directions at the same time. He managed to put Hisoka in a tight spot, although the latter had revealed his Nen ability and quickly changed the tides of the battle.

Nen
Gotoh's Nen type is unknown. In the manga, the coins can be seen glowing with aura when he fires them, suggesting he is a proficient Shu user, while in the anime, the coins do not appear to be infused with Nen, possibly suggesting he is using Enhancement.

Trivia

 * The Hunter × Hunter character guidebook published in 2001 reveals Gotoh originated from Meteor City.
 * Gotoh shares the same voice actor whom also voices Ikalgo and Koala in the 2011 anime.

Quotes

 * (To Gon) "The world isn't made only of honest things. Be careful."