Countdown (「命の音」, Kauntodaun) is the 143rd chapter of the Hunter × Hunter manga, written and illustrated by Yoshihiro Togashi.
Synopsis[]
As Jispa lies barely alive on the ground, Genthru tells the group that his ability is called Countdown and allows him to place a bomb on his target by saying the keyword "Bomber" while touching the target's body. Both Abengane and Puhat recall the instance where Genthru fulfilled the conditions on them, and he then explains that they have to say, "I caught the Bomber" while touching a part of his body if they want to disarm the bombs. However, as he stands beside Jispa, he reminds them that his other ability, Little Flower, will make it difficult to get close to him.
Genthru activating the bombs
As soon as Genthru wishes them good luck, everyone suddenly sees a bomb appear somewhere on their body. With many in shock, Genthru says that explaining his ability is how it gets activated and the bombs turn on. Abengane realizes that it's why he waited until everyone was assembled at the hideout. Genthru makes a simple offer: if they give him the 81 specified slot cards (since he is carrying nine of them), he will disarm all their bombs simultaneously. He tells them to think about it and says that the exchange will happen at Battera's Castle, asking them to choose someone to meet him there. Puhat and Nickes speak up and are confident that they can immobilize him, but Genthru quickly summons his book and uses a "Leave" card to exit the game.
Some members are adamant that they go after him, but others remind them that they will lose their spell cards if they leave the game now, with others telling them to transfer the cards in their free slots to someone else. As the members panic, one tells them to stay calm and that they shouldn't go after him since any of them have combat abilities (which is why they all joined the alliance). Another member guesses that he will meet up with his accomplices outside the game and the others ask if anyone among them has a chance against him.
Abengane speaks up and says no, impressed that Genthru was able to conjure more than 60 powerful bombs all at once. He continues by saying that Genthru is skilled in Emission, Manipulation, and Conjuration, with his Little Flower proving too much even if they all tried to attack him. He says that Genthru has probably had this plan for five years or more, and Puhat adds that he was killing other players as the Bomber so that using it as the keyword wouldn't seem odd.
Nickes begging his comrades to give the cards to Genthru
As Assam worries about the 
50 billion reward, Mikli notices that the numbers on their bombs are counting down at different speeds. Most begin to panic, but Abengane asks Puhat to read the lowest digit on his number, and he deduces that the bombs are linked to their heart rates. He says that they start at 6000 and will reach zero in around an hour, trying to calm the others down so the speed doesn't increase. The group begins to fight over whether to give Genthru their cards, but Nickes quickly gets their attention, pointing out that Jispa's number is already down to 3500. He begins to cry and begs them to give in to Genthru's demands.
At Battera's Castle, Genthru waits inside the room of consoles, and Puhat arrives as the group's representative. Genthru says that he expected Nickes, and Puhat counters by saying that he thought Genthru would be with his accomplices. Right on cue, two men with symbols on their foreheads suddenly appear, and Genthru says that Puhat didn't notice because both are more skilled than him. He asks for the ring, but Puhat says that they still haven't decided, with Nickes wanting to use "Angel's Breath" on Jispa. Genthru threatens to go back and finish Jispa off, ordering Puhat to go back and get the 81 cards.
Genthru killing Puhat with Little Flower
Puhat tries to act as an intermediary, reminding him that if time runs out and they all die, the data in their rings will vanish, but Genthru grabs him by the throat and understands his strategy. He says that the trick is to display one's calmness and craziness at the same time, and as Puhat tries to remind him about the data in the ring vanishing, Genthru sets off an explosion with Little Flower and decapitates him. He tells his corpse not to worry since they already made sure that the card data isn't lost if they kill a player outside the game (even though he's confident that Puhat wasn't carrying any valuable cards).
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
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