"But I like this scar. Without it... I would have slid closer to death... With this scar... I was able to perch on the razor's edge. In order to destroy this dung heap of a world... I can keep trying just a little more..." — Morena Prudo in "Balance" |
Morena Prudo (モレナ＝プルード, Morena Purūdo) is the Boss of Heil-Ly Family.[2] Morena has seemingly suggested that she, at one point, swapped places with a Second-Track Faker, an illegitimate child of Nasubi Hui Guo Rou.[1] Morena serves as one the main antagonists of the Succession Contest arc.
Appearance[]
Morena's color scheme as seen in Chapter 401 cover
Morena is a slim young woman with almond-shaped brown eyes and long dark blue hair that descend past the small of her back, whereas the shortest ones curl upwards after reaching her collarbone. Her left ear has roughly 16 piercings running from her helix to her earlobe, all fitted with simple small hoop earrings. Her most prominent trait is a mark of her social status as a Carnival Orphan: two parallel scars running from the center of her forehead, across her left eye, ending at the left of her mouth. In her first appearance, she wore a dark, tight, long-sleeved, shoulderless dress, black boots, and a crown of thorns.[2]
Personality[]
Morena's perching on the "razor's edge"
As a result of the dehumanizing conditions she was subjected to from birth due to Kakin's unchanging caste system,[1] Morena developed a profoundly destructive behavior. She takes no interest in the succession contest, the world at large, or even her own life. Her only goal is to destroy a world she perceives as unjust and utterly disgusting, which she wishes to accomplish through indiscriminate carnage. Nonetheless, she is thankful for her scar, as she believes that without it, she would not have found her balance and will to live. She also expressed gratitude for her devoted followers, whom she ordered to kill each other until twenty-two remained. She is always seen with a faint smile on her face and appears to make many pauses while speaking.[2]
Morena showing her true wicked nature to Borksen
Borksen realized by her attitude and mannerisms that Morena was full of rage, despite not showing her anger explicitly, her anger being especially intense whenever the possibility of her cheating came up during the card game.[3][4] Her cunning and sinister behavior is emphasized on several occasions, such as when she threatens Borksen's life, or when she explains how to level up with Contagion, casting a sinister aura around her and her fellow Heil-Ly members.[5]
During the game, she occasionally expressed flattery that Borksen would ask her questions and regret that she may not be joining them, as well as at being her first kiss, in very pronounced ways blushing and cupping her hands in front of her mouth.[1] However, she would accuse her of cheating in spite of it. She also congratulated Borksen at the end of the game despite believing that she would not join their group.[4] How sincere the feelings she expressed on those occasions are remains ambiguous.
Background[]
Morena was conceived on the seventh-to-last Carne Levare in Kakin, marking her as a "Carnival Orphan". Her mother was forced to copulate with the royal entourage for days without rest; she wasn't able to realize that she had become pregnant or that she had given birth. Morena was then scarred and sent to an institution that was a front for a human trafficking organization run by the Heil-ly. She was categorized as "Flesh" rather than a Second-Track Faker, and was forced to endure that condition for around 20 years, during which she eventually became cognizant of possessing a special power and hone it.[1]
At some point, she replaced the real Second-Track Faker Morena Prudo, who was buried in "Morena's" grave,[1] and joined the Heil-Ly family. As a junior member, she staged a coup and became the new Boss about three years prior to her series debut. She then had her underlings kill each other until only twenty-two remained.[2]
Plot[]
Succession Contest arc[]
Morena eager to destroy the world
Morena boards the Black Whale with at least twenty-two members of the Heil-Ly Family. She thanks them for their devotion and kisses each of them to activate her Nen ability Contagion. She explains the rules of the ability to them, and establishes that killing a normal person will award 1 level, a Nen user 10, and a prince 50. Then, she lets her underlings loose on the ship.[2]
In a brief flashback, Luini kills enough people to reach level 21 and tells Cashew that Morena said, "Your ability will provide for you if you wish hard enough." He says he can feel that he has been bestowed with a gift and that the power will take him to where he wants to go.[6]
In the Cha-R Family's base on Tier 5, senior members Tajao and Ken'i Wang discuss Morena's sudden disappearance and suspect that the Heil-ly hitman who sowed chaos on Tier 3 came to Tiers 4 and 5 with his accomplices and together are responsible for the 300 missing workers, including 8 deaths from their family. Phantom Troupe members Nobunaga and Phinks offer to take her and the assassin out in exchange for assistance in gaining access to Tier 4 to search for Hisoka.[7]
Onior ordering Hinrigh to kill Morena
Through a call, Xi-Yu Family underboss Hinrigh updates his family head Onior about how crazy Morena is and how the Heil-Ly Family is going on a rampage, suggesting that they should crush the Heil-Ly before searching for Hisoka to control the Spiders. Onior insists on finding Hisoka first and confirms with Hinrigh that Hisoka was not on Tier 4, then orders Hinrigh to kill Morena while he searches for Hisoka on Tier 3.[8]
Hinrigh gathers two underlings and heads to Tier 3 with them. There, they encounter several Heil-Ly members who split up after noticing them arrive. Hinrigh tails the one leaving, but is forced to stop after she walks through a civilian-only area and realizes that the Heil-Ly did not list themselves on the Mafia member files. Hinrigh tells her that Morena breaks too many rules, and asks her to tell Morena to bring it on.[8]
Hinrigh reunites with his underlings and has them search for Hisoka as he tracks down footage of the female Heil-Ly member in a crowded public space with many people recording themselves and their trip on the Black Whale 1. He gets the assistance of a nearby soldier to search the recordings and eventually finds footage of the woman he tailed on one of them. He sees her walking down the only access route leading to the standard cabins, and guesses that they are monitoring movement in that hallway. He makes a mental checklist of how to identify the Heil-Ly members, knowing what Morena looks like and knowing that the others will be identifiable through their aura, but also considers identifying them as soon as possible. He keeps the camera, gives the owner of the camera some money in exchange, and parts ways with the soldier.[9]
Hinrigh uses his Biohazard to disguise the camera and uses it to record the hallway before continuing to wander around in the open in hopes of luring some Heil-Ly members out. As he meanders, he wonders what the Heil-Ly plan to do and what they are after now that their benefactor 4th Prince Tserriednich, has cut ties with them. He thinks of Morena's rebellion and sees that it gives a chance for those relegated to the shadows to settle old scores, and considers that the killing spree could have been training for what's to come.[9]
Heil-Ly members Padaille, Quorolle, and Tevelares spot Hinrigh wandering around the public areas of Tier 3 and guess that they could take him down between the three of them. They discuss how the ten levels they would be rewarded with for killing him would be split among them, and Quorolle says that Morena decides how it is split, being the one who created the ability. Padaille decides to take matters into his own hands and engage Hinrigh alone first, to create an opening for Quorolle and Tevelares to kill him. As he transforms his hand with his Fistful of Weapons, he thanks Morena for giving him a chance to fulfill his wish to become a lethal weapon and directly experience the sensation of killing.[9]
Padaille sneaks up on Hinrigh from behind but falls for Hinrigh's act and is killed, though he does manages to wound Hinrigh. Quorolle and Tevelares decide that they are outclassed and decide to leave to consult Morena for advice before they get caught and risk being interrogated on where their hideout is.[9]
Maizan offering to reveal Morena's location in exchange for a bribe
Corporal Maizan comes to address the commotion but uses it as a cover to sell Hinrigh information on Morena's location. After a short exchange, Hinrigh agrees to pay 50 million if Maizan personally escorts him, and leaves to get the money. Elsewhere on Tier 3, Ken'i learns of Hinrigh's fight with a civilian. He sends some of his men back to their base to share their findings and has the rest split up to search for Hisoka or the Heil-Ly, reminding them to be wary of both. In the Cha-R base, Luini, the Heil-Ly hitman who sowed chaos on Tier 3, sticks the upper half of his body through a Nen portal into the Cha-R base to taunt the Spiders in an ill-thought out way to get them to help the Heil-Ly[10] and is killed.[11]
After killing Luini, Nobunaga tells the returning Cha-R members that they plan to crush the Heil-Ly themselves. Feitan thanks the Cha-R for their hospitality and says that the mysterious door can wait. Phinks adds that they can take care of Morena first if they can give them her location.[11]
Several Heil-Ly members stand around in a dark, closed room surrounded by corpses and look at the severed bottom half of Luini's body, remarking on the loss of their ability to efficiently hunt for prey and level up the effects of Morena's Contagion on them. They discuss manifesting new abilities to help them continue to level up and Perigord brings up that Morena had said that everyone has innate powers they were born with and abilities they were cut out for. They come up with an alternate way to lure people to their base using member Voconte's "Door".[11]
Gelato, Tevelares, and Quorolle leave the room to consult Morena. Tevelares recounts their encounter to Morena and asks her for her thoughts on how a Nen firearm would fare against Hinrigh's Nen pigeons. Morena says that things like experience, technique, and total aura affect offense and defense, but lets them know that ingenuity can make a difference, suggesting that they create a situation where they can shoot multiple times, and points out that they do not need to be an emitter as long as they could counteract their opponents' abilities. She remarks that adding an ability that lets them find out how many shots they need to take could make it fun, like a game. Quorolle comments that she's called the game master for a reason and Gelato ponders for a moment before saying that she would take that idea if she were a conjurer. Morena offers to identify Gelato's Nen type for her, but she declines, wanting it to be a surprise.[11]
Hinrigh meets up with his underlings and gets Hisoka's location from them. He approaches Hisoka and convinces him to wait in Tier 1's VVIP area until their conflict against the Heil-Ly finishes. Ken'i comes across Maizan and forces himself into his deal with Hinrigh by telling Maizan they are on the same side and agreeing to pay the same amount. Hinrigh returns and the group go together to the Tier 3 first-class cabins. Maizan knocks on the door and an old man opens the door to receive them. Maizan steps in and vanishes.[11] From outside, Hinrigh throws a knife at the old man and exposes him as a Nen clone. His underling steps inside to retrieve his knife, but it vanishes in front of their eyes, and Ken'i suggests they leave the trap to the Spiders to investigate.[12]
Morena talking about Tserriednich with several members
In her office, Morena is briefed by Matvere, Sodom, Orarge, and Yokotani that their liaison with Tserriednich had gone quiet, making Morena suspect that Tserriednich might have realized their betrayal. She says that Gateaume's report had shown that their hideout was at risk of being discovered. She also says that she wants to "recruit" one of Tserriednich's personal soldiers and asks one of them to help Dogman do so. Matvere expresses his preference of being the "organ", and so Sodom volunteers to do so. Morena says that Tserriednich likely wants to personally deal with her, and wants to infect someone on his side with Contagion so that she can track their movements. She tells them to bring a soldier on the list to her if they see one and reminds them to enter from Door C since they cannot use Room 3101 anymore. Matvere and Sodom acknowledge her instructions and leave.[12]
Morena turns her attention to Orarge and Yokotani and instructs them to continue watching the door, warning them to expect only military and mafia members from now on. She gives them the same instructions on what to do if Tserriednich's men appear and they acknowledge her instructions. Notre and Soufflé appear and are instructed to head through Room 3131 to check on what's happening with Room 3101 from the outside. Finally, Morena tells Dogman that he has the most important role, to find what she is looking for. They agree that he should level up and Morena tells him to take priority in doing so until he is past level 50.[12]
After Hinrigh parts ways with Ken'i, he returns to check his camera. Elsewhere on Tier 3, several Kakin soldiers raid the Heil-Ly's office and find it empty. They discover the body of a Cha-R members in the abandoned hideout allowing them to justify their forced entry; unbeknownst to them, these are the bodies of the missing Cha-R warehouse guards. As they leave, their leader Corporal Gipper mentions that since the Heil-Ly did not register their members as civilians, clueless bureaucrats may declare it as a mafia hit on a civilian which would cause trouble. Gipper emphasizes the need to capture Morena before the situation comes to that, ideally handing her over without troubling Tserriednich over it.[12]
As they leave, Second-class Private Otocin suggests they prepare for the case that Heil-Ly members have Nen, which he explains is a special ability trending in Tier 1. Otocin points out that it is obvious why Morena chose this moment to revolt, saying that she would not pick a fight with Tserriednich without a plan. The soldiers continue their patrol and discuss the possibility that a war breaks out between the government and the mafia because the Hunter Association decides that getting rid of the mafia is best for the security of the Princes, in combination with the Heil-Ly's suspected goal of trying to upset the mafia balance. Otocin asks Gipper why he lets them speak instead of him, and Gipper responds that their conversation reflects his opinion, which is to capture Morena as soon as possible. Fellow Second-class Private Momolly points out that Tserriednich is likely not acting to act against Morena for her rebellion because he has started to learn Nen. Momolly suggests waiting for First-class Private Borksen before narrowing the possibilities, and says that they should assume Morena uses Nen.[12]
Later, the group reunites with Borksen, who agrees with their assessment that Morena is most likely a Nen user and that they should avoid her at all costs to protect their own lives. To protect themselves, they decide to avoid her at all costs. Borksen points out that it will be difficult to avoid her while pretending to look for her. One of the soldiers says that it should be simple since they know what she looks like, but the converse is not true. Borksen points out that Tserriednich had recruited the tattoo artist who gave them their unit tattoos and helped him avoid the massacre when Morena rose to power, meaning that they were in his client database which Morena might have access to. While making plans, Momolly asks Borksen what she would say if one of them gets caught by Morena. She decides to make a contingency plan for that too.[12]
Nobunaga and Hinrigh discussing Morena inside the Heil-Ly's hideout
Ken'i returns to Room 3101 with Hinrigh to find the Spiders and introduces Hinrigh to them. Hinrigh swallows a location transmitter and hands Feitan the receiver before stepping into Room 3101's teleportation trap. Shortly after, Nobunaga follows him, and the two explore their new location together. Nobunaga determines that they have teleported into the Heil-Ly home base by slashing the wall and noting its strength after seeing it took no damage. Hinrigh thinks about the video he watched of their travel patterns and agrees with Nobunaga's assessment. Elsewhere, Morena menacingly smirks.[13] They continue exploring the base and confront several Heil-Ly members. During the confrontation, Perigord attempts to test his powers against Hinrigh's attack, but Orarge blocks the attack for him and reminds him that he had already been chosen as the "organ" and that Morena had told him to keep his head down. They are overpowered and Nobunaga is forced out, but Hinrigh manages to regurgitate and hide the transmitter before being forced out.[14]
They exchanged some farewells, and Hinrigh mentioned the need to be careful as long as Morena's ability and the "organ" remained unknown. Nobunaga agrees, adding that whoever the mastermind is is not stupid before they part ways.[14] Nobunaga regroups with Phinks and Feitan who are trying to locate the transmitter. Phinks asks if Nobunaga knows where he is on the ship, and Nobunaga replies that he can't since their leader has made space with Nen. As the three head down to Tier 4, Feitan reacts to a change on the receiver, saying that the transmitter is getting farther away and that they can confirm the Heil-Ly's hideout is on Tier 2. Nobunaga realizes why he felt uneasy and says that it means the Heil-Ly's boss is in the upper tiers and wonders how the other two families are justifying the war. Phinks says that they shouldn't get involved in a dispute with the Mafia killing each other and one of the bosses staying in their hideout, adding that the Heil-Ly could be exploiting the ancient custom. Feitan says that they should head to the Cha-R's hideout now, but Nobunaga suggests at least taking Franklin with them, explaining that they still don't know how many Heil-Ly members there are and that he didn't expect their Nen abilities to be so refined.[15]
Nobunaga discusses how Morena operates the Heil-Ly
On the twelfth day of the voyage, Nobunaga, Phinks, and Feitan visit the Cha-R hideout, where Nobunaga, having felt that something was off about the Heil-Ly he fought, consults Tajao and Ken'i and asks them whether they think the Heil-Ly on board the ship were the same Heil-Ly their families had worked with to support Kakin. Ken'i shares that the Heil-Ly recently changed bosses in a handover ceremony attended by the Cha-R higher ups, and describes Morena to the spiders, though he caveats that they only know of her existence and do not personally know her. Nobunaga shares the differences between his experiences fighting Luini and fighting the group where the Room 3101 door teleported them to and says that Morena's style is like theirs, where the leader gives the overall strategy and leaves the specifics to their underlings. Nobunaga convinces Tajao that the Heil-Ly present were a different entity entirely and trying to destroy the Kakin Empire itself, and Tajao officially asks the spiders to crush the Heil-Ly. Tajao opens the secret door in the Cha-R hideout base for the spiders. Ken'i watches as they enter and addresses Morena as he wonders what to do, since the spiders might reach her faster than expected. He thinks that the schedule will be greatly accelerated and that they might have to play their "joker" sooner than expected.[16]
In the Heil-Ly secret hideout, Morena lets several of her underlings know of 9th Prince Halkenburg's upcoming funeral procession, and points out that it was a great chance for them since a lot of people will gather to send him off. She asks Dogman if he is ready, and he tells her that he is ready and can now identify people with several levels of accuracy depending on how close he is to them, now that he had leveled up to Level 62 with the help of the others around him. Morena says that Dogman finding the person they sought was a green light for the beginning and the end and is met with cheers from Bille and Gelato, though Gelato wonders if the person Morena seeks will still join them after hearing their goals. Morena acknowledges this and promises to try her best to make sure that they agree. Dogman and Sodom briefly discuss their plans on how to find and abduct their target then head off, and Voconte asks Morena where the others had gone. Morena tells him that Tevelares, Daemon, and Quorolle were leveling up in processing, and really want to get revenge on Hinrigh.[16]
PFC Borksen's friends gather on Tier 3 to let the group know that she is missing, and that the last contact they had with her was roughly 30 minutes before, when Halkenburg's funeral procession passed by her. They debate why and how she was abducted, and Otocin guesses that she was abducted using Nen abilities by the Heil-Ly and manipulated to assassinate "Tserri". They wonder if they should not negotiate or rescue Borksen as planned, but their discussion is cut short by a corporal who notices them standing around, and tells them to spread out and do their jobs.[3]
Borksen awakens in front of Morena and is surrounded by members of her organzation
Morena has five of her underlings around as Borksen regains consciousness. She welcomes Borksen to the Heil-Ly hideout and briefly explains their reasons for bringing her here. Borksen correctly guesses that the woman is Morena and asks Morena what she wants from her. As Morena begins a more detailed explanation, Borksen looks around and assesses the situation. Morena tells Borksen that she wants Borksen to join them and be something like a "compatible donor" for them, and would do her best to convince Borksen to join them. Borksen tells Morena that she is not ready to answer, and Morena tells her that it was wise of her to do so, but lets Borksen know that the more she explained, the harder it would be for them to back off and let her go. Borksen asks Morena if what she said was a threat, and in response, Morena tells Borksen to take her words however she likes, adding that although she cannot reveal why, the risk for both sides increases the longer their exchange takes. Borksen calls Morena out for engineering such a situation, but Morena simply concedes Borksen's point and tells her not to expect a fair perspective from a crime syndicate.[3]
Morena proposes a way to settle their negotiation quickly while also giving Borksen a chance to get what she wants to Borksen, also mentioning that it is her first and only compromise. Morena holds up twelve cards and tells Borksen that they will decide with a negotiation game, and warns Borksen that if she withdraws from the game, she will lose the freedom to do anything other than say yes or no. Borksen decides to listen to Morena's explanation of the rules before making a decision, and Morena begins explaining the setup of the game:[3]
- The game is played between a dealer and a player. The dealer makes a request of the player, and through the game, the player makes a decision about the dealer's request.[3]
- The dealer begins with seven cards with topics that the player can ask about, face up on the board, and the player begins with five cards that represent their possible final responses at the end of the game, face down.[3]
- Each turn, the player picks one of the dealer's cards and gets an answer from the dealer about the topic represented by the card, and the card is then discarded to the graveyard. Then, the dealer picks one of the player's cards to reveal and discard it to the graveyard, eliminating it from being the player's final response at the end of the game.[3]
- The process repeats, and the game ends when the player has one card remaining.[3]
Borksen preemptively guesses that she has four "Yes" cards and one "No" cards, but Morena does not bother responding to her guess and tells Borksen to turn them over from the left. Borksen flips over a "Yes" card, then a "No" card, and then flips a "Return" card over, which Morena explains allows Borksen to return a card of Borksen's choice from the graveyard to her board. If Borksen ends with the "Return" card, she can use it to retrieve the response card she wants from the graveyard. Borksen then flips over a "Joker" card, which Morena explains can turn into her choice of "Yes" or "No" if it is her final card. Borksen points out that Morena had just said she would take away her freedom to do anything besides say 'Yes' or 'No' if she refused to play and asks what the point of playing the game was. Morena does not respond and tells Borksen to flip over the final card. Morena explains that the "X" card revealed is neither "Yes" nor "No", and confirms that Borksen could void the game itself if the it is her last card. If the "X" card remains, Morena promises not to find Borksen and renegotiate after, but in exchange tells Borksen that she would take full responsibility for the consequences of her answer, if the final card were any other card.[3]
Borksen reminds Morena that she had not gone over half the rules yet, and Morena continues and begins explaining the seven cards on her side and what she will do if they are picked:[3]
- If the "Aim" card is picked, Morena will explain her goals, what they are trying to do by inviting Borksen and recruiting her.[3]
- If the "Power" card is picked, Morena will explain her ability in as much detail as Borksen wants, until she understands.[3]
- If the "Question A" card is picked, Morena will answer all the questions Borksen has for her, except questions relating to her goals or her ability. For "Question A", Morena will only answer with "Yes", "No", or "Yes and No".[3]
- If the "Question B" card is picked, Borksen can ask more detailed questions about the final question she asked when "Question A" was picked, but only the final question.[3]
Borksen asks Morena if she intends to cheat during the game
Borksen interrupts Morena's explanation, and asks a test question to properly understand the way Morena answers. Borksen asks Morena, "You will not cheat within the game at any point, 'Yes' or 'No'?". Morena sees where Borksen is confused and agrees that it is important to clear up any confusion beforehand, like Borksen has about how negative questions might cause misunderstandings. Morena says that there are some cultures that reply "Yes, I have not" and others go, "No, I have not", and suggests that those that answer in the former could be doing so because of a mindset derived from older cultures with differing mindsets surrounding the responder's consideration of the asker. Voconte gently ribs Yokotani for speaking like that, and earns a sheepish response from Yokotani where he admits not being aware he did so. As Morena speaks, Borksen guesses that the game works as both an initiation when soliciting new members and an interview, where Morena uses the exchange to observe the subject, examine their personality and intelligence, and judge their compatibility for her team. She asks Morena for her answer, and Morena says "No, I will not cheat", explaining after that when she says "No", she speaks from her own perspective. She checks that Borksen is satisfied with her response, and continues explaining the remaining cards:[3]
- If the "Yes?" or "No?" cards are picked, Morena will explain what happens in detail if Borksen is left with a "Yes" or "No" card as her final card.[3]
- If the "D" or "Deal" card is picked, Morena will ask Borksen to grant a "small request" of hers, and if Borksen does so, she can pick a card from the grave to return. However, if Borksen does not grant Morena's "small request", it becomes Morena's turn, and Morena can eliminate one of Borksen's remaining cards.[3]
Morena ends her explanation by highlighting that the game ends when Borksen is down to one card, so her last chance to use Morena's "Deal" card is when Borksen is down to two cards. Borksen asks to decide which of her cards is picked during Morena's turn, and Morena agrees, mentioning that it had been asked before, and checks that Borksen is alright if she took care of the shuffling as they prepare to begin the game.[3]
Borksen begins by picking "Aim", so Morena proceeds to explain her goal of destroying first Kakin and then the entire world. She also shares her tragic origins as "Flesh". After Borksen's "Joker" is discarded, she picks Morena's "Power", prompting Morena to explain certain aspects of her Contagion and of Nen in general. She adds that she needs Borksen specifically because she is a Specialist, although she declines to say what kind of ability she wants her to develop, and that other Specialists are likely to be on the ship, so if Borksen should not join them, they are likely to find another, a task Dogman has already set out to accomplish. She is disappointed to see that the next card to be discarded is "Yes", although takes solace in the fact that "No" and "X" are very different outcomes. This prompts Borksen to choose "Yes?" next, so Morena explains the difference between those two outcomes: "No" means that Borksen will be killed and those close to her targeted, while "X" means the Heil-ly will not interact with them until they move on to the next stage of their plan.[1]
Borksen voices her surprise at how forthcoming Morena is with information despite the risks involved, so Morena introduces her to the concept of Vows and Limitations. "X" is subsequently discarded, right before the declaration of special martial law is announced through the ship's communication system,[1] causing Morena to tense up. She is surprised by how quickly and calmly Borksen enquires about the "Deal" card, which earns her praise. She reveals that the favor she will ask for is a kiss, which is also one of the conditions of her ability. Borksen accepts, after which Morena apologizes for stealing her first kiss.[4]
Borksen then retrieves "X" but demands to see the two face-down cards before resuming the game, as they may have been tampered with while she was distracted, which seems to rouse Morena's anger, although she complies. Bork discards "X" again, earning a jab from Morena, before selecting "Question A". Morena answers all of her questions, including many about about her family and the location of their hideout. Lastly, Borksen promises to change Kakin in any way she can if she is allowed to leave and asks Morena four times if she would compromise on her goal at all, and if a middle ground is possible. Every time, Morena responds negatively.[4]
Borksen chooses her last card to discard, and insists that Morena flip the other at the same time. Morena flips the discarded card, "No", while Borksen flips "Return". Morena congratulates Borksen despite regretting the outcome, and is surprised to see her choose the "Yes" card, prompting her to ask, with a negative question, whether Borksen is making a mistake. Borksen responds that she is not[4] both times she is asked which is due to her cheating during the game and being manipulated by Morena as a result. Morena gives Borksen additional details about Contagion and warns her that while she can decide when to fulfill the final conditions to join the family, and she is free to return to her friends and even murder other Heil-ly to level up, she will be killed if not deemed of use.[5]
Abilities & Powers[]
As the Boss of the Heil-Ly Family, Morena commands one of the three most powerful forces of the Kakin underground and has authority over several underlings, all of whom are Nen users. She is in control of Tier 3 of the Black Whale.[2]
Keen Intelect: Morena managed to organize a coup to take over the Heil-Ly Family by herself, evolving the group from human traffickers to mass murderers.[2][1]
Nen[]
Morena is a Specialist who spontaneously developed the ability to use Nen.[1] She is knowledgeable enough about Nen to offer guidance to her underlings and steer them towards abilities that suit both them and her overarching goals.[11] Having reached level 45 with Contagion, Morena's aura amount and output have been increased. She may also have obtained another Nen ability.[2] Nobunaga suspects that the Heil-ly hideout was either partially created or reinforced with an ability of hers,[13][15] making it indestructible while she is in it.[13]
| Morena's Nen Type: Specialization | ||
|---|---|---|
| Type: Specialization | Contagion—With Etude of Love (恋のエチュード Saikin'osen, lit. "Etude of Love") | |
      | ||
| | Through her saliva, Morena, "Member Zero", can "infect" up to 22 people with her ability. When a member of the group thus created kills someone, they level up, increasing their aura amount and output. Upon reaching level 20, they will manifest a unique ability[2] of which they will have at least a general knowledge before using it.[17] At level 100, they also become "Member Zero", and are thus capable of using this ability to create their own community. Morena herself assigns the scores. For the voyage on the Black Whale, she decreed that the death of a non-user is worth 1 level, that of a Nen user 10 levels, and that of a prince 50 levels. Morena herself is level 45.[2]
Until all three conditions are fulfilled, a target kissed by Morena is level 0 and gains no benefit from Contagion.[5] In addition to granting and bolstering their Nen abilities, Morena is aware of the location, status, number of points, and level of any target that is at least level 0.[5] Although unconfirmed, she may also be able to perceive anything an affected target sees and hears.[12][5] The effects of Contagion persist on a target until that target or Morena dies. Comparing her ability to a game app, she mentioned that Contagion will also end once the game is cleared (possibly once the target reaches level 100).[5] Morena believes her ability to be an advanced combination of the other Nen types.[1] An example is the manipulative side of Contagion manifesting when someone cheats during the card game, or attempts to withdraw from it, forcing them to pick only between "Yes" or "No".[5] Due to its similarities with that of Prince Halkenburg's Guardian Spirit Beast, it is possible that her Nen ability is a symbiotic type ability, party form.[18] | |
Manga Appearances[]
| 340. Special Mission | Absent |
| 341. Threats | Absent |
| 342. Challenge | Absent |
| 343. Invitation | Absent |
| 344. Author | Absent |
| 345. Signature | Absent |
| 346. Options | Absent |
| 347. Inauguration | Absent |
| 348. Resolve | Absent |
| 349. Worm Toxin | Absent |
| 350. Prince | Absent |
| 351. Battle to the Death | Absent |
| 352. Troublesome | Absent |
| 353. Cold-Blooded | Absent |
| 354. Heat | Absent |
| 355. Detonation | Absent |
| 356. Unfortunate: Part 1 | Absent |
| 357. Unfortunate: Part 2 | Absent |
| 358. Eve | Absent |
| 359. Departure | Absent |
| 360. Parasite | Absent |
| 361. Withdraw | Absent |
| 362. Resolve | Absent |
| 363. Nen Beast | Absent |
| 364. Speculation | Absent |
| 365. Choice | Absent |
| 366. To Each His Own | Absent |
| 367. Synchronization | Absent |
| 368. Foul Play | Absent |
| 369. Limits | Absent |
| 370. Observation | Absent |
| 371. Mission | Absent |
| 372. Disappearance | Absent |
| 373. Inheritance | Absent |
| 374. Ability | Absent |
| 375. Persuasion | Absent |
| 376. Determination | Absent |
| 377. Scheme | Absent |
| 378. Balance | Debut |
| 379. Collaboration | Mentioned |
| 380. Alarm | Absent |
| 381. Predation | Absent |
| 382. Awakening | Absent |
| 383. Escape | Absent |
| 384. War | Mentioned |
| 385. Warning | Absent |
| 386. Hypothesis | Absent |
| 387. Recreation | Absent |
| 388. Reflection | Absent |
| 389. Curse | Absent |
| 390. Clash: Part 1 | Mentioned |
| 391. Clash: Part 2 | Pictured |
| 392. Information | Mentioned |
| 393. Plea | Appears |
| 394. Hypothesis | Appears |
| 395. Founding: Part 1 | Absent |
| 396. Founding: Part 2 | Absent |
| 397. Founding: Part 3 | Absent |
| 398. Search | Appears |
| 399. Expulsion | Mentioned |
| 400. Secrecy | Mentioned |
| 401. Moonlight | Absent |
| 402. Letter | Absent |
| 403. Results | Absent |
| 404. Speculation | Absent |
| 405. Performance | Appears |
| 406. Regalia | Absent |
| 407. Negotiation | Appears |
| 408. Negotiation: Part 2 | Appears |
| 409. Negotiation: Part 3 | Appears |
| 410. Negotiation: Part 4 | Appears |
Competitions[]
| Competitions |
|---|
Quotes[]
- (To her underlings) "First, allow me to thank you... very much. I'm deeply grateful to those of you who chose to follow me when I used the ceremony to take over the family name... as a junior member... to utter my command to kill. However, I don't care very much about anything in the world, including myself."[2]
- (To her underlings) "Let us destroy it all... just because. With the 23 of us assembled here."[2]
- (To her underlings) "Civilians are worth one level. Those with abilities are worth ten. Kill a Prince and your level will increase by fifty. Well then... I wish you luck."[2]
- "They selfishly procreate. Fear the progeny. Doubt and dread. Then scar them for life and forgive them. Hah! Makes me laugh. ... But I like this scar. Without it I would've slid closer to death... with this scar I was able to perch on the razor's edge."[2]
- "In order to destroy this dung heap of a world... I can keep trying... just a little more..."[2]
- (To Borksen) "Don't forget... we're your people too now."[5]
Trivia[]
Morena without her scar
- Morena is a pagan Slavic goddess associated with seasonal rites based on the idea of death and rebirth of nature. She is an ancient goddess associated with winter's death, rebirth, and dreams. In ancient Slavic rites, the death of the Goddess Morena at the end of winter becomes the rebirth of Spring of the Goddess Kostroma (Russian), Lada, or Vesna, representing the coming of Spring.
- Morena could be an anagram to Monera, a biological kingdom that contains unicellular organisms like bacteria, in a possible thematic link with her Nen ability.
- The Portuguese/Spanish term "morena" is commonly used in some Latin American countries to designate a mixed-race woman, mainly Afro-European (in Brazil, the word has a broader meaning), or a woman with dark hair. This name could have been picked as a loose reference to the mixed origins of the "real" Morena.
- In Brazil, the word can also be used to describe Native American mixed with Black, White, or both, and even pure Native American, in fact for Brazilians, the ambiguous term "moreno" is a word that means not only dark-skinned, as in race, and dark-haired, but also "suntanned", even if the person is racially white. "Moreno's" meaning is so broad that it includes people who self-identify not only as Black, White, and Amerindian, but even Asian.
- In four panels of Chapter 378, Morena's scar is missing; an error-corrected later in its volume version.
Intertextuality and References[]
- A crown of thorns was reported to have been worn by Jesus Christ during the Passion, in a mockery of his claim of authority as "King of the Jews". This could allude to Morena being an illegitimate child of the Kakin king. It could also suggest that she sees herself as a martyr, similar to Christ.
- Morena's Nen ability seems to have been informed by terminology and tropes of zombie stories: it is referred to as an "infection", there is a patient zero, and it spreads through contact with her saliva.
Translations around the World[]
| Language | Name | |
|---|---|---|
 Arabic
|
مورينا برودو | |
References[]
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 Hunter × Hunter - Chapter 408
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 36, Chapter 378
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15 3.16 3.17 3.18 Hunter × Hunter, Chapter 407
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 Hunter × Hunter, Chapter 409
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 5.8 Hunter × Hunter - Chapter 410
- ↑ Hunter × Hunter - Volume 36, Chapter 379
- ↑ Hunter × Hunter - Volume 37, Chapter 384
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 37, Chapter 390
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 38, Chapter 391
- ↑ Hunter × Hunter - Volume 38, Chapter 392
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 38, Chapter 393
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 12.6 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 38, Chapter 394
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 38, Chapter 398
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 38, Chapter 399
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 38, Chapter 400
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Hunter × Hunter, Chapter 405
- ↑ Hunter × Hunter - Volume 36, Chapter 379
- ↑ Hunter × Hunter - Volume 36, Chapter 375
[]
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