Regalia (
Synopsis[]
Tajao leads the three Troupe members down the dark corridor, and Phinks points out how cramped and winding it is. After telling Phinks that they're weaving through the gaps between buildings, Tajao tells Nobunaga that he will take his sword back with him, warning him that even though he gave him an authorized ID, the soldiers won't overlook a weapon out in the open. Nobunaga angrily wonders why he's being singled out and says that he went to the trouble of making it, asking if he just shouldn't go. Phinks tells him that he's the only one with a weapon out in the open, and Feitan adds that it isn't a big deal anyway since the sword was hastily made. Tajao tells Nobunaga that he won't force him to leave it behind, but warns him that since many of the soldiers on Tier 2 are young and inexperienced, they might shoot at him.
Tajao showing the Spiders how to reach Tier 2
The four eventually reach another door, and Tajao tells them that things will be somewhat rough going forward, slowly opening it to reveal an enormous room filled with large pipes and a rickety staircase. He says that it's the outermost part inside the Black Whale and that if they keep climbing the stairs, they will reach the top of Tier 2. As they begin walking up the stairs, Phinks feels nostalgic at the smell and says that it reminds him of the cesspools back home. Tajao replies that it's what happens when waste from 200,000 people is funneled in from every corner. He then explains that the processing plant for recyclable waste and sewage is located between Tiers 4 and 5, adding that Tier 5 is below even the sewage. Nobunaga asks if the Cha-R and Xi-Yu control the processing area, and Tajao confirms it, adding that it can make things very convenient to control waste disposal.
However, Nobunaga guesses that they handed off the actual work to subcontractors and left the underlings in charge of oversight, adding that even if the subcontractor changes, they wouldn't have to report every detail to the higher-ups. Tajao suddenly realizes that it could involve the Heil-Ly, and Nobunaga says that he has a reason to go back now. Phinks explains that if they're posing as waste disposal contractors, they can kill as much as they want. Feitan adds that all they have to do is stage interviews and call each victim into a separate room to kill them, turning it into assembly line work. Tajao admits that being around them makes him feel like a model citizen.
Hinrigh's transmitter reverting to its original state in the Heil-Ly's hideout
Nobunaga turns around to head back and says that if he runs into the Heil-Ly, he will get them to talk, leaving the rest to Phinks and Feitan. Phinks asks if they should watch out for anything at their hideout. Nobunaga reveals that the guy guarding it is a counteractive-type and activates some kind of invincibility switch if he's attacked. He adds that when it activates, they will get expelled by Nen dolls that look like security robots. He also reminds them that the sketch he gave them before showed that the door connecting Room A and Room B is a warp point to Tier 3. Phinks angrily wonders why he didn't tell them all that from the start and says that not being able to attack them will make things much tougher. However, Feitan believes that it should be fine if it's in self-defense, saying that they will be okay if the Heil-Ly attack them first. In the Heil-Ly's hideout, the transmitter that Hinrigh turned into a raw oyster and hid under a cabinet continues to beep and then suddenly turns back into the transmitter.
On Tier 3, Hinrigh and Zakuro are seen walking among a large crowd, with the latter noting the number of people. Hinrigh says that many are there to see Halkenburg for the last time since he was greatly respected. He then asks where Lynch is, and Zakuro replies that she must have gone back to the office since she had something to do. Hinrigh says that he was distracted by the soldiers earlier and missed the Heil-Ly members, telling Zakuro that if he finds them again, he should make sure to catch them and have Lynch make them reveal everything. As Hinrigh adds that the quickest way to find out what trap they set is to interrogate them, a Mafia member rushes toward him to get his attention.
Hinrigh and Zakuro learning about Lynch's death
The two are eventually led to Lynch's body lying in a body bag, with her head facing the complete opposite direction. With several soldiers present, one tells them that she was found during a special patrol mission for Halkenburg's funeral procession. Another tells Hinrigh that he recognized her as a Xi-Yu member and contacted his men immediately, with Hinrigh quickly thanking him and giving him some cash. The soldier then says that her neck is completely destroyed after being twisted and broken, explaining that it's the work of a professional since it was done skillfully and with no hesitation. Hinrigh guesses that since the feud has started, it's probably a hitman from the Heil-Ly, telling the soldiers that they will take care of her body and they don't need to handle it as a case.
After leaving the scene and now carrying Lynch's body, Hinrigh asks Zakuro if it was after Hisoka disappeared that he and Lynch parted ways. Zakuro says yes and adds that since both of them were knocked unconscious, Hisoka most likely would have killed him as well if he were the one behind Lynch's death. Hinrigh then wonders if Lynch went after Hisoka and got killed, but Zakuro quickly dismisses it since he would have known that the moment he woke up, explaining that how Lynch felt was always clear from the way she looked and talked. However, Zakuro suddenly remembers that after he regained consciousness, Lynch was unnaturally calm and detached, adding that after she was knocked out by Hisoka's counterattack, it wasn't like her at all to start worrying about him.
Hinrigh and Zakuro analyzing the situation
Hinrigh says "someone else" and leaves Zakuro confused, quickly explaining that it makes sense if they assume that Lynch was someone else. Zakuro is still confused, and Hinrigh explains that the real Lynch had already been killed and the Lynch who woke him up was someone else. Still confused, Zakuro asks if he's saying someone transformed into Lynch, and Hinrigh says that it's a hypothetical, asking why Hisoka would do that if it was him. Stunned and confused, Zakuro is unable to believe that Hisoka transformed into her, mentioning the difference in height and saying that he actually discussed the topic with Lynch beforehand. He then adds that the situation makes more sense if they just assume that she was affected by a Manipulation ability. Although conceding that he hasn't met anyone yet who can change their height at will, Hinrigh says that if they assume Hisoka is a Manipulator, it wouldn't make sense that Lynch was manipulated to wake him up and say, "I'm going back to the office." He adds that it would have been more effective if they had made Lynch disappear without saying anything, which would have forced them to consider various scenarios. Zakuro says that he is right, but then considers the possibility that they were trying to limit their thinking instead.
Hinrigh wonders what he means, and Zakuro explains that if they were considering various scenarios, it would put the culprit at a disadvantage, so they wanted to limit their thought process to a certain range. He adds that if that's true, it's logical and still possible that Lynch was manipulated. Hinrigh then tells him to try to remember everything Lynch said at that point since there might be a hint there. After recalling a few details, Zakuro suddenly remembers that Lynch had distinctly said, "That was definitely Hisoka." Hinrigh says that that’s what the culprit wanted them to limit themselves to, and Zakuro is left even more confused, saying that they were talking about the hypothetical that Lynch was actually Hisoka and wondering if Hinrigh is now implying that it wasn't Hisoka. He then asks who was pretending to be Lynch, and Hinrigh explains that Lynch used her ability to figure out that Hisoka was a fake and that it was the reason they killed her. He then tells Zakuro that they spared him because he didn't know they were a fake, which would ensure that he would let Hinrigh and the others know that "Hisoka was there".
Hinrigh and Zakuro vowing to avenge Lynch's death
Zakuro wonders who would do something as complicated as pretending to be Hisoka so they could manipulate Lynch to deceive him. Hinrigh says that both the culprit and their motive are clear, explaining that they’re someone looking for Hisoka and they don’t want to be hindered by them. He adds that the fake Hisoka must have thought that if the Mafia found Hisoka first, they would hide that fact and give their side permission to search for Hisoka themselves. However, Hinrigh clarifies that it’s all based on assumptions and inferences, with the only clear fact being that after Lynch and Zakuro found Hisoka, Lynch was killed by "someone". As aura swells around him, Zakuro confidently says that if the person is in the Phantom Troupe, they will have to fight the Cha-R. However, he stresses that it's not a fight that should be based on just guesswork. Now serious, he asks Hinrigh if they will avenge Lynch's death, no matter who the culprit is, and Hinrigh replies that they absolutely will.
Elsewhere on Tier 3, with hundreds of people gathered together, it's announced that Halkenburg's funeral procession will be passing by soon and that it's expected to be very crowded. The attendees are then asked to see him off with dignity and to remain orderly. Among the crowd, Chrollo opens his book to a Nen ability and conjures a cell phone to contact someone. However, he is told that the person is currently not in the area, and he’s asked to wait and try again, or to attempt the call from another location. He is also told that he has a certain number of calls left for the day.
Chrollo revealing his plan to steal Kakin's three sacred treasures
Chrollo says to himself that he still can't find the person in a crowd that large, remembering that it was the same back at Heavens Arena and wondering if he should try the same number in a different location or loosen the conditions somewhat. He then wonders if he should head to Tier 1 during the middle of the succession contest, even if it will increase the risk, guessing that countless Nen users are moving around in the shadows there. He says that in the contest, Nen abilities are conferred in a ritual, and that people say the abilities are used to fight until only one successor remains. He then mentions that Kakin's most valuable regalia are used in the contest, revealing that he has his sights set on the three sacred treasures. Each treasure is then shown and explained. The Seed Urn is a ceremonial urn used by participants in the succession contest. The Lotus Anchorite is a divine mummy that oversees the succession contest. The Sword of Good Omens is a sword of succession that is passed on to the next king.
Chrollo then guesses that the royal family has already heard about the Troupe's presence on the ship from the Mafia. He says that if he claims that their only objective is to find Hisoka, there's no reason for them to believe him, especially since they're actually after the treasures, too. He then says that it's up to Kakin whether they have the three relics together in one location or they separate them to reduce the risk. He explains that in addition to their search for Hisoka, he has decided to thoroughly look for the sacred treasures, starting from the lower tiers and moving up. However, he adds that since the army and Mafia haven't changed their movements significantly after news about the Troupe reached the upper tiers, it's unlikely that the treasures are hidden anywhere on Tier 3 and below. He then reveals that he became certain of something after realizing that Nen abilities were being used in the succession contest and the sacred treasures were connected to it: the treasures are the main system creating the powerful Nen needed to maintain the prosperity of both the contest and Kakin itself.
Chrollo says that ritual sites were possibly set up on the ship to act as spiritual focal points for the treasures, guessing that Tier 1 is the only place they would be kept. He adds that if they are the foundation of Kakin's prosperity and guarded more securely than even the King, it would be the ultimate prize for a thief like himself. He then reveals that the treasures would satisfy the conditions needed to evolve Skill Hunter, allowing him to defeat Hisoka once and for all. He adds that in order to steal such an ability and store it in his book, he has to fulfill the requirement of stealing an item comparable to a national treasure before the usual activation conditions. He then tells himself that he's struggling to balance staying patient and taking action. He worries about encountering Hisoka on Tier 1 before he is fully prepared for battle, but says that it's not a big problem for him at the moment.
The start of Halkenburg's funeral procession
Chrollo reveals that the alternative is already in place and that the Spider will go on even if he should die, adding that it's the very idea of the Spider that he designed that will instill fear. As Halkenburg's guards carry his ornate casket along the procession, many are seen bowing and weeping. Chrollo again tries to call someone, and he is told that the person has been located but that they are in an area beyond the Nen signal's range. He is then asked to change his coordinates and try calling again. Chrollo says to himself that as expected, they're up above.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
- Tajao
- Phinks Magcub
- Nobunaga Hazama
- Feitan Portor
- Yokotani (Mentioned indirectly)
- Hinrigh Biganduffno
- Zakuro Custard
- Lynch Fullbokko (Corpse)
- Hisoka Morow (Mentioned)
- Bonolenov Ndongo (Mentioned indirectly)
- Chrollo Lucilfer
- Narumi McGait (Image)
- Nasubi Hui Guo Rou (Mentioned indirectly)
- Halkenburg Hui Guo Rou (Casket; Mentioned)
- Shedule
- Yuhirai
- Guerimori
- Anesuto
- Kōbihi
- Kontasutin
- Naikēru
- Rēuen
- Gihoruto
- Deruboro
- Furichosefu
- Nikoraurusu
Trivia[]
- The page shown in Chrollo's book can be translated as such from the series' alphabet:
- McGait Narumi
- Love Dial 6700 - Disgusting Telephone
- By using a conjured cell phone, you can search for your ideal partner. After inputting the criteria, a 6-20 digit number will be displayed. When the number is dialed, guidance will be provided.
Intertextuality and References[]
- Love Dial 6700 is the title of a 1973 song by the Japanese pop group, Finger 5.
- Disgusting Telephone is the title of a 1981 song by the Japanese electronic rock band, P-Model.
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