Succession Contest arc

Succession Contest arc
Arc Info
Manga Chapters	Chapters 340 - ???
Arc Guide
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The Succession Contest arc (継(けい)承(しょう)戦(せん)編(へん)()()()()()(), Keishō-sen-hen), also known as the Succession to the Throne arc (王(おう)位(い)継(けい)承(しょう)編(へん)()()()()(), Ōi Keishō-hen) or the Black Whale arc, is the eighth (officially seventh) story arc of the series.

The arc focuses on the Kakin Empire's decision to expand to the Dark Continent, with an expedition team led by Netero's son, Beyond. In addition to the Hunter Association and Zodiacs, Kurapika becomes involved when he learns that one of Kakin's Princes owns the last of his clan's Scarlet Eyes.

The arc takes place on the Kakin Empire's Black Whale 1 on its voyage towards the New Continent to claim new land. The Kakin Empire has sponsored Beyond Netero to lead this expedition, who plans to explore the Dark Continent and claim its treasures. Beyond is watched closely by the Zodiacs and the Hunter Association, who have been contracted by the V5 to supervise Beyond's expedition to the Dark Continent, and ordered by Isaac Netero as his final wish to lead a more successful venture than Beyond.

Unbeknownst to the public, the Black Whale 1 is where the Kakin Empire's succession contest will be held between its Princes to determine the next king of the Kakin Empire. Several of Kakin's Mafia families are on board too, fighting each other to help their sponsors and further their goals. Kurapika, now the newest member of the Zodiacs, hopes to recover the last of his clan’s Scarlet Eyes from the 4th Prince of the Kakin Empire, Tserriednich Hui Guo Rou. The Phantom Troupe, having originally boarded the Black Whale 1 to steal the riches on it, unexpectedly find themselves chasing after Hisoka, who killed two of their members after his deathmatch with Chrollo.

Summary

The Special Assignment

Nasubi making an announcement

Beans comes inside a room shouting about a big emergency. Saiyu guesses Cheadle wants to resign her seat. However, she assures him that she won't, and lets Beans talk. He shows a video in which Kakin Empire's King, Nasubi Hui Guo Rou declares his country's intention to travel to the Dark Continent. The Zodiacs are surprised, except Kanzai, who is clueless about the Dark Continent and Kakin's King. Gel explains that the Dark Continent is a place outside the world map. It is also where magical beasts are believed to originate from. Mizaistom adds that every time humanity had tried to venture there in the past, a disaster was brought back. 200 years ago, the continental V5 forum made an agreement not to go there. Cheadle explains that Kakin could technically be considered a new nation after their transition to a parliamentary democracy 30 years ago so they may have neglected to renew the treaty. Beans interrupts them with a more serious problem. The video shows King Hui Guo Rou as he introduces the person who will lead their expedition, Beyond Netero, the son of the late Isaac Netero.

Beyond making a statement

The Zodiacs are once again surprised, not knowing that Netero had a son. Gel suggests they need a confirmation. However after Beyond starts his speech, Saiyu questions if there is any need to confirm him being Netero's son, as they notice their similar attributes. Beyond promises that he will take care of everything, and that all will have an equal opportunity to join his team as he encourages everyone to come to Kakin. Everyone in the room is shaking as the video ends. Beans lets them know that there is a second DVD that the chairman had left with him, which he is only allowed to show to all members of the Zodiacs if someone claimed to be his child. Since Ging and Pariston are not in attendance, Cheadle makes an announcement.

The Zodiacs learning about their "Special Mission"

Meanwhile, people from all around the world are ready to follow Beyond, who decides to ignore the prohibitions of the V5 about exploring the Dark Continent and makes a speech to his Expedition Team (Pariston is seen there) saying that he is willing to go where no one has gone before. Cheadle tells the Zodiacs they do not need to wait for Ging and Pariston to see the DVD, as she approved both of their requests to leave the Zodiacs. She then announces the special assignment given directly from the V5: Hunt down Beyond Netero. The Director and the Deputy Secretary of the International Permit Agency (IPA) discuss the role of their agency in restricting people from traveling to the new world. The director mentions that Kakin, however, succeeded in bypassing their screening process since they haven't signed the treaty, and now are demanding unlimited access. Should the negotiations fail at the summit next month, it will be difficult to stop them. The director opens a door to the agency's basement that's filled with various atrocities and wrung corpses that were a result of humanity's attempts to colonize the Dark Continent. Discussing the importance of preparation before the venture, the director hands over a book to the newly appointed man, explaining that it contains travels that were published hundreds of years ago. He instructs him to memorize every detail of the book as they move on through the basement. As they walk along, one creature slams against the glass wall which takes the young man by surprise. The director explains that the creature is the only survivor in their facility, which used to be human, and now has been self-sustaining for almost 50 years, unable to die.

Beyond with the Zodiacs

The Zodiacs are shown a video of Isaac Netero discussing the V5's plan to explore the Dark Continent, and requests that his son be not elected as the head of this expedition. The Zodiacs debate on this assignment to hunt Beyond, and even mention Ging's possibility of joining. Beans then comes in, having received a call from Beyond himself. Beyond appears before the Zodiacs and orders them to tell the V5 that they have already captured him. The young man reviews a report on the previous Dark Continent explorations and the Five Threats that were brought back as a result of those explorations. Unnerved and anxious from the reports the young man believes that the Dark Continent is no place for humans to return. Cheadle interviews Beyond, who is locked in a prison cell, and Beyond declares that the Zodiacs will release him. Cheadle dismisses this as absurd and continues the interview. Saccho interprets the interview for Kanzai, explaining that the King of Kakin has allowed for Beyond to go to the Dark Continent provided he makes the king famous. Beyond declares war against the Zodiacs, which Cheadle accepts. Mizaistom later informs Cheadle that the V5 has authorized the voyage to the Dark Continent, and the Zodiacs will accompany Beyond even against their will.

Kurapika meeting and confronting Mizaistom about the Scarlet Eyes

In the meanwhile, the Deputy Secretary of the IPA gives a speech to the V5, making them realize the only way to stop Kakin is through military might. He recommends they invite King Nasubi to join the Modern Nation Leaders and that they endorse his project, partaking in possible profits while letting King Nasubi take the fallout. To ensure the safety of the civilians, he advises the V5 pretend one of the islands close to the waters of the Dark Continent is the actual Dark Continent.

Cheadle contacts Leorio and offers him to be a Zodiac, as he was now a popular figure in the Hunter community. At first, he declines, but then asks if there's another spot in the Zodiacs. He recommends Kurapika, who is then scouted by Mizaistom. Mizaistom deals with guards and is approached by Kurapika himself. Mizaistom uses the Scarlet Eyes owned by Tserriednich Hui Guo Rou, the Fourth Prince of Kakin, as a motive for Kurapika to join. Kurapika accepts. While traveling by car, Kurapika communicates with Leorio for the first time in a while. He inquires about Gon's condition, and Leorio asks for Kurapika's email address. Kurapika refuses to share this information. Kurapika thanks Mizaistom for the connection to Prince Tserriednich, and assures him that he can deal with the prince's dark side.

They reach the Hunter Association building, where Leorio reunites with Kurapika briefly before they are taken to the meeting. At the meeting, Cheadle informs the Zodiacs that the V5 has been changed to V6, as Kakin is now a member. She reveals the reason for the failures of previous Dark Continent expeditions: the Five Threats. The danger of these threats were level A, one rank higher than the Chimera Ants (B). Cheadle reveals their objective: to travel to the new world, capture at least one of the threats and bring it back safely, as well as deal with Beyond. Kurapika asks the other Zodiacs if they have identified a member of Beyond's team in the Association, stating that Beyond must have planned this all for when his father died. He confirms that Pariston and some Temp Hunters are allies of Beyond. Mizaistom leads Kurapika out and advises him to not inquire about a mole because the mole would be on alert. When they return, all the Zodiacs explain their roles on the voyage.

Kurapika using his Dowsing Chain to test Hunter Exam applicants

Kurapika oversees the 289th Hunter Exam, where one stage is to answer a questionnaire concerning their knowledge of Kakin's imperialistic ambitions. Kurapika uses his dowsing to see who is lying and therefore working for Beyond. Mizaistom praises his ability, but Kurapika asserts that it isn't all that powerful and that someone with a similar ability could counter this one. Mizaistom explains that there probably is not even a person within the Zodiacs like that.

Meanwhile, Ging confronts Pariston in Beyond's lair, with the double objective of joining Beyond's expedition and putting a stop to Pariston's plans. He explains that depending on what the Hunter Association will do concerning Beyond's challenge, Pariston may send in 5,000 Chimera Ants. He promises to play with Pariston if Pariston can keep up with him. Pariston demands to know what he has deduced, so Ging explains that if the Hunter Association accepts the V5's terms, Pariston will let loose 5,000 Chimeras into the world, creating chaos and forcing changes in the policies, because to him that is a boring course of action. Pariston angrily interjects that Netero would never conform but would defy both the V5 and his son and go to the Dark Continent on his own. Ging then adds that if the Hunter Association does decide to go against the V5's wishes, Pariston will use the next Hunter Exam to infiltrate his 5,000 Nen-using Chimera Ants into the organization. The members show reluctance in having Ging be second-in-command. Ging promises to double Beyond's pay to them. Pariston shows no objection. Ging educates them on the Five Threats, and how their threat level surpassed that of the Chimera Ants since there was no countermeasure for them. A member asks Ging how he knows so much, and Ging explains that the Dark Continent was being recorded by Don Freecss.

Gon attempts to use his Nen, but is unsuccessful. Ging explains that it was there, Gon just couldn't see it. He tells Gon that it could have been much worse, and advises him to go looking for "something". Gon heeds Ging's advice and returns to Whale Island and Mito. When asked by Mito if he was disappointed that he couldn't go, Gon says that he would be a burden due to his lack of Nen, and that his goal was to find Ging, not meet him.

Ging teaching the Expedition Team members

A month later, Ging continues to display his prowess in skill and knowledge with the Expedition Team, gaining their respect. Pariston suddenly shows up and divulges the failure of the assassins sent to the Hunter Exam. He acknowledges the ability of his successor, Kurapika. One of the assassins, Muherr, claims that Kurapika can read minds. He orders Ging to leave, believing him to be an agent of the Hunter Association. However, Ging assures him that his goal is to support Beyond, but stop Pariston. Usamen supports this claim, advising Muherr to wait a few days to see really why Ging should be Number 2. Just then, the other Temp Hunters arrive and reveal that Number 2 would not be in the chain of command. They force either Ging or Pariston to leave. Ging comes with with a third option: the assassins leave, whereas Pariston decided that the assassins should be killed. Muherr gets his assassins to shoot at Ging and Pariston, so they flee. Ging uses Leorio's remote punch technique to attack their assailants. He also uses his aura to produce an ultrasound which can be used to detect enemies. He uses this to find the other two henchmen and knock them out. When they find no enemies, Pariston reasons that they must have fled, but Ging corrects him by saying that their mission was complete. The entire scenario was set up by Pariston himself. He learned this when one of the Temp Hunters did not bring up both Ging and Pariston leaving as an option. Muherr wonders how they figured out his plan. Ging is more concerned about his men, stating that they are too weak for the Dark Continent. Muherr reveals that they are simply back up; shooting would be taken care of by Golem. Ging is impressed by Golem's capabilities, but Golem refuses to give any more details about their true identity. Ging asks that the soldiers take his money, but Muherr assures that the soldiers can't be bought with money. He questions Ging's motives for sponsoring the soldiers, and Ging says that he did not know the main reason, though there were a number of possible causes. He reveals that he simply wants to support Beyond but thwart Pariston, and the money would act as a gift and a convenience. Muherr finally agrees to talk to the soldiers. Ging declares himself as number 2, but asks him to lead, curious to see what he would do. Ging replies that he wouldn't hold back.

First Prince Benjamin contacting his brother

In Kakin, Prince Benjamin contacts his younger brother Prince Tserriednich to inform him that their father has accepted their offer that he who could survive the Dark Continent would be King. Overjoyed by the news, Prince Tserriednich declares that victory would be his while taunting his older brother's intelligence. His subordinates who have entered the Hunter Exam reveal their success in becoming Hunters.

After weeding out the spies during the 289th Hunter Exam, Kurapika and Mizaistom focus again on the possibility of a mole among the Zodiacs. Kurapika volunteers to test them in secret while Mizaistom gathers them to disclose details regarding their abilities. The normally politically-divided Zodiacs were working with each other to help with the mission to show their co-operation and thereby innocence. Since there was probably no risk of it failing, Mizaistom asks Kurapika to listen to the others as they state their abilities and find the liar. During the assembly, Mizaistom speaks openly of the possibility of a spy. As they speak in turns, Kurapika reveals the informant to be Saiyu.

Voyage Preparations

The Princes and the Seed Urn Ritual

King Nasubi's personal butler Nugui explains to 4th Prince Tserriednich that the Succession War would begin once the voyage began, but would be canceled if any of the participants (the King's legal children) died before. Tserriednich then participates in a Kakin Empire rite, receiving, unbeknownst to him, an "egg" which will hatch into his Guardian Spirit Beast, influenced by his personality.

The Zodiacs and Beyond

Kurapika and Mizaistom watch a recording in which the Ox interrogates Beyond on the identity of his spy in the Zodiacs, offering in exchange to let him participate in the sailing ceremony taking place in 34 days on the eve of departure. Beyond denies any knowledge of a spy and any interest in the ceremony, which Kurapika's ability confirms. Beyond predicts that V5 will most likely pressure the Zodiacs into letting him go. Kurapika and Mizaistom conclude the safest course of action would be to restrain Saiyu, identified as the spy before Beyond's interrogation, shortly before their arrival on the Dark Continent.

Kurapika infiltrates the Princes' bodyguards

As they leave the recording room, Kurapika steps aside to take a call, and Cheadle approaches Mizaistom. Kurapika learns that six of Kakin's Princes are using the Kakin government website to recruit bodyguards for the voyage, which would allow some of Beyond's spies to board the Black Whale and assist Beyond on the Dark Continent, making their efforts to weed out spies during the latest Hunter Examination to be a waste.

Kurapika decides to maximize his chances of reaching 4th Prince Tserriednich by recruiting Basho, Biscuit, Hanzo, Izunavi, and Melody to each apply as a bodyguard to one of the six listings. Kurapika lets the others know that he desires close proximity to Tserriednich or information that would help him do so, and leaves the means to the discretion of the others. Kurapika shares that if he can shake hands with Tserriednich before the eve of the voyage, the others are free to renege on their bodyguard duties at their desire.

Kurapika tries to predict the authors of the listings from their finer details (first to post, highest pay, the competitive one, the ones willing to interview, etc.) and the known details about the personalities of the Princes, deciding that a prince with maturity and confidence is the best for his goals. This narrows his choices to two, the one with the highest compensation, and the one who chooses not to change his compensation at all. Kurapika believes that these personality traits that these listings reflect align with 9th Prince Halkenburg's character profile, and chooses his listing, with the expectation that Halkenburg is most likely behind one of these listings. Kurapika immediately get a response with his interview location and timing. Kurapika reminds them to share any information learned with him immediately and to use Q in case of requests for information privacy, and the group split up.

Later that day, Kurapika meets his future employer at one of the Hotels owned by the Kakin empire, and is both surprised and disappointed to see it is Queen Oito, mother of 14th Prince Woble, still a baby. Queen Oito is relieved to see his disappointment, having tried to pretend to be Halkenburg in hopes of finding someone who could both interpret the posting details of her listing as Halkenburg and then seek to work for "Halkenburg". Queen Oito reveals the posting restrictions on the listings, to both protect princes from being easily identified and exposed to assassins, and prevent the popular Princes from dominating the applicant crowd. Halkenburg, to whom both scenarios would apply, was aware of the risks of placing a listing and so chose not to hire bodyguards through the Kakin government website. Halkenburg's supporters' investigation team worked to keep away assassins or fake supporters, who would have been convenient for the other princes to hire, since they would protect their employers while searching for an opening to attack Halkenburg. Sensing Kurapika's confusion at why assassins would proactively seek to become bodyguards, Queen Oito reveals the true nature of the succession war - a deathmatch with only one survivor. The superior Princes (Princes 1-4) would have their own private forces ready for the match. Only the younger or less aware Princes would need to resort to hiring people at the last minute to level the playing field. Queen Oito explains what it means for one to be a Prince/Queen in the eyes of King Nasubi, either a religious belief in oneself/one's child in becoming King, or a tragic fate should anyone choose to believe otherwise. She reveals the younger Princes' reliance on Halkenburg and the effect of participating in the succession war on his reputation to ensure their safety in the event Halkenburg wins.

Having explained the situation to Kurapika, Queen Oito offers Kurapika a choice between accepting her request for tenfold compensation or rejecting her request and keeping the details a secret in exchange for the original compensation. Kurapika agrees to accept her request on condition that she helps him get close to 4th Prince Tserriednich, and the Queen and Kurapika come to an agreement. The Queen reminds Kurapika about the implicit social standing between the Queens and Princes that hides behind the equal outward appearances. She reminisces about her life, letting Kurapika hold 14th Prince Woble.

The employers of the other hunters Kurapika hired are revealed - Izunavi by 6th Prince Prince Tyson; Biscuit by 13th Prince Marayam, Basho by 7th Prince Luzurus, Melody by 10th Prince Kacho, and Hanzo by 12th Prince Momoze.

Heavens Arena: Battle to the Death

Hisoka vs. Chrollo

At Heavens Arena, Hisoka and Chrollo (now a Floor Master) agree to a deathmatch. A judge signals the beginning of the fight and Chrollo stabs him with an antenna from Black Voice, borrowed from Shalnark, to manipulate the judge. Hisoka realizes that Chrollo was using the time he spent fleeing from him to prepare more abilities. Chrollo uses the judge to try and pin Hisoka down to stab him with Black Voice's second antenna and control him. Hisoka deflects, but Chrollo uses this opportunity to launch a series of stomps. Amazed by Chrollo's resolve, Hisoka figures out the purpose of controlling the judge is to tire him out and strike while he's still weak. Hisoka attempts to slash the judge, but instead, the judge detonates. Chrollo reveals his next abilities: The Sun and Moon, which allows him to imprint targets with opposing seals that explode on contact with each other, and Double Face, a special bookmark which allows him to bookmark on a page in Skill Hunter's book to maintain this page's ability without having to keep it open, letting him either use an ability with both his hands-free, or use two abilities simultaneously by having one page bookmarked and the other open. However, this brought out new limitations to Skill Hunter.

Chrollo says that he will show Hisoka three more abilities, thus setting a new record for the most abilities it has taken him to kill someone:

1. Order Stamp allows Chrollo to control inanimate objects using a conjured stamp, which he plans to control corpses with. The original owner of the skill did not recognize corpses as inanimate objects, which Chrollo circumvents by using the second ability.
2. Gallery Fake, borrowed from fellow Phantom Troupe member Kortopi, duplicates the corpses, which the owner of Order Stamp considers inanimate objects.
3. Convert Hands, allowing him to steal someone's appearance by touching them with his left hand, give someone his appearance by touching them with his right hand, or swap appearances by touching them with both.

Chrollo commanding the judge copy to break Hisoka

Chrollo demonstrates the abilities by copying the judge's corpse using Gallery Fake and orders it to kill Hisoka with Order Stamp, but Hisoka quickly defeats the copy. Chrollo reveals that The Sun and Moon belonged to a now-deceased Meteor City elder who once turned his brethren into bombs in order to purge an outside threat, and was strengthened after the death of the elder, preventing the seals from The Sun and Moon from being removed.

Chrollo predicts and declares his victory, offering Hisoka a chance to stop, but Hisoka naturally continues. Chrollo jumps into the audience and manipulates a spectator with Black Voice, hiding behind him to manipulate another and buy him time. By the time Hisoka deals with the two spectators, Chrollo is gone from his sight. He realizes that Chrollo originally bookmarked Black Voice to control the spectators, activated and changed his appearance with Convert Hands, and then shifted the bookmark to that page so he could retain it and hide.

Audience puppets attacking Hisoka

The audience starts to panic and flee the arena, and the commentator tries to direct them to exit without rushing. Hisoka notices the effects of Chrollo using Gallery Fake to duplicate several audience members and stamping the copies with Order Stamp. Chrollo commands them to rush to Hisoka and he uses Bungee Gum to pull himself towards the ceiling, away from the puppets. The puppets stack up in a wave of bodies and force Hisoka to defend himself, but this leaves himself open from behind; an opening Chrollo exploits to land a hit on him. Despite being pummeled, Hisoka enjoys the fight. He has his hands full just decapitating the puppets and Chrollo uses openings to land guaranteed hits. Chrollo tries to attack from above, but Hisoka anticipates this and attaches Bungee Gum to a decapitated head, flinging it at Chrollo who dodges it easily, having expected it, and proceeds to stomp his opponent. Hisoka, however, knew this and swung his foot with a head attached to it, hitting Chrollo while he is lying injured on the ground.

Chrollo manages to recover from Hisoka's sneak attack. Hisoka uses the severed heads to smash the still attached heads of the remaining puppets, thus incapacitating them. He launches an attack on Chrollo, who retreats again into the audience. Hisoka restrains one puppet to see which of his predictions Chrollo would choose to follow:

1. Keep the bookmark on Gallery Fake. Open Order Stamp. Command the waiting puppets to kill Hisoka.
2. Keep the bookmark on Gallery Fake. Use both hands to create more copies. After that he would either:
   1. Open Order Stamp. Command the puppets to kill Hisoka, or
   2. Open Convert Hands. Change his appearance with his left hand.

The stamp vanishes from the puppet Hisoka is restraining, which leads Hisoka to believe Chrollo chose the second option. Hisoka realizes the audience should panic at the sight of Chrollo if he plans to copy them, so he's wary that Chrollo would opt for Option B to avoid the risk. Hisoka understands that Chrollo might go where his copies are already on standby to both create more copies and stamp the previous ones. Using this logic, he spots Chrollo, pursues him into the stands, and goes on an all-out offensive to pressure him. He begins to consider a third possibility:

3. Open Black Voice. Conceal the cell phone and antennae in his left hand.

Hisoka killing Chrollo's lookalike

Hisoka makes sure to keep his distance, then flings several audience members, to whom he attached Bungee Gum, towards Chrollo who dodges them. However, Hisoka managed to attach Bungee Gum to Chrollo's leg. He drags him, and launches several strikes, apparently killing him. He finds out that it was simply a right-handed copy of Chrollo, meaning the bookmark is on Convert Hands. Hisoka is confused about why the severed head he was carrying from the start is still existing after Chrollo had removed the bookmark from Gallery Fake. He quickly realizes that it was a fake-out and that the puppets that have been afflicted by The Sun and Moon won't vanish.

Hisoka comes to the conclusion that Gallery Fake, a double-handed ability, can still be used in conjunction with another ability. Chrollo may imprint the plus mark with his left while he's opening the book on The Sun and Moon, and keeping Gallery Fake bookmarked. He comes to the final conclusion that instead of following Option 2B exactly, Chrollo added another step:

4. Open The Sun and Moon. Imprint the plus mark with his left hand. Deactivate either or both. Open Order Stamp. Command the puppets to kill Hisoka.

Hisoka decides to go on the defensive to prevent a puppet from detonating near him. Chrollo steals the microphone from the commentator to issue a "break Hisoka" command. From there, hundreds of audience members begin rushing toward Hisoka, which excites him. He uses Bungee Gum to swing the copies and smash the rest. However, the bodies cannot handle constant collisions, and the controlled puppets continue to pour in. Suddenly, Chrollo suddenly has the head Hisoka is using to detonate when he is holding it in his hand.

Hisoka's severed hand

After one of the bodies explodes, blowing off his left hand, Hisoka tries to assess the situation. He soon comes to the conclusion that Chrollo figured out which body he decapitated, imprinted a left-handed plus mark on the body with his book open, before imprinting another minus mark on a different individual, then manipulated that individual using Black Voice, making them touch the body's plus mark, and creating a maximum-power bomb. Hisoka realizes his dangerous situation and chooses to "go all-in", decapitating several puppets and climbing up the Heavens Arena walls using Bungee Gum to find Chrollo on the second floor. With the puppets in pursuit, Hisoka is faced with even more directly ahead of him, which has been ordered to self-destruct after spotting Hisoka. Due to this, a large explosion comes from the second floor, sending Hisoka flying toward more puppets on the arena floor and blowing off his left leg. Before he can use Bungee Gum on his remaining leg to escape to the ceiling, a puppet from the second floor flies into his chest due to Chrollo's intervention. Hitting the floor, Hisoka is surrounded by a crowd of puppets before a large explosion engulfs them.

Hisoka after his revival

Later, a news reporter at the scene of Heavens Arena confirms the end of the deathmatch, which resulted in several audience casualties. Hisoka's dead body is seen before Shalnark, Kortopi, and Machi in another room. Shalnark explains that the large crowd of puppets had a cushioning effect that protected him from the bulk of the explosion; however, Hisoka ended up dying from lack of oxygen due to the blast and the mass of flesh. Kortopi and Shalnark then leave after Machi says she'll stitch him up. Before she can do so, aura begins to re-emerge from his corpse, and Hisoka comes back to life; it is later revealed that he placed Bungee Gum on his heart and lungs in order to restart them after his demise. After a brief conversation in which Hisoka admits he bit off more than he could chew, he says that it will be his enemies which won't have a choice in where and who they face. He then proceeds to restrain Machi using Bungee Gum before she leaves, saying that he won't stop until he's killed all of the Spiders. He then leaves Machi, who continues to threaten him.

Shalnark and Kortopi's corpses

Shalnark talks on the phone with Chrollo, who plans to board the Black Whale of the Kakin Royal family to steal their valuables. After he hangs up, Shalnark wonders why Kortopi is taking so long in the toilet. As he receives another call, Hisoka exits the public restrooms holding Kortopi's severed head. He throws it at Shalnark, dashes forward, and delivers a powerful strike to his head, killing him before he can react. Hisoka leaves Shalnark's mangled corpse tied to a swing, with Kortopi's severed head placed at the feet of Shalnark's corpse, surrounded by crows.

The Succession Battle Begins

Departure of Black Whale 1: The First Day

Beyond and Kakin Princes during the eve of departure

The day before the voyage arrives, and the eve festival celebrations start. Announcers introduce King Nasubi Hui Guo Ruo to the crowd, who proclaims his desire to claim the New Continent. The announcers introduce the second-in-command on the Dark Continent mission, Beyond, and the 14 Princes. The Princes wave at the crowd, and have various thoughts about the upcoming succession war. The airship containing King Nasubi lands on the Black Whale, followed shortly by airships containing the other Princes and VIPs, and ferries containing general passengers. A banquet is being held in the reception hall on Deck 1 of the Black Whale, between the King's residential quarters and the Princes' residential quarters.

Balsamilco Might, captain of Prince Benjamin's Royal Guards, briefs the guards about the 5-tier structure of the Black Whale:

• Tier 1 (topmost) houses the Royal Family and V5's political VIPs
• Tier 2 has various celebrities and prominent figures, as well as the wealthy and upper-class
• Tiers 3, 4, and 5 are for the general public and regular passengers
• The pathways connecting tiers (not the tiers themselves) are placed under martial law and guarded by the royal troops
• Tiers 2 and 3 are completely cut off from each other by massive thick walls, only openable from Tier 2 during emergencies.

The guards are told that the "hunting grounds" are restricted to Tiers 1 and 2, and to act as guards for the 2 months time between the day of departure and the completion of the landfall ceremony. The guards are briefed on the security measures taken to ensure the Princes' safeties:

• Each of the Princes' residential quarters is sectioned off
• Contact with the Princes' guards are to be kept at a minimum
• The Princes have planned to meet each other and their guests every Sunday for a dinner banquet, and so the entrance and exit times of each Prince has been planned so that no two Princes cross each other's paths in transit

and that actual opportunities to assassinate the other Princes may not come.

Five Tiers of Black Whale 1

After the banquet, back in their residence (Room 1014), Kurapika discusses ways of escaping the Black Whale with Queen Oito, noting that being a higher-ranking bodyguard would be convenient and that contact between Queens and Princes was possible via phone. Oito lets Kurapika know that lower wives are unable to call wives above them, and that the phones are guarded by troops. Oito is confused by the King's motives and how he expects the princes to die, considering the Royal Troops, whom she believes to be a neutral party, are monitoring the passageways and movements of everyone on the 1st deck.

While thinking of a plan for the situation, Kurapika decides to begin by identifying the strength of the other Princes' forces as his first step, while also considering the strength of his own party in relation to the others. The results of the lax examination conducted by the Dark Continent committee resulted in around 150 temporary hunters with unknown motives outside the King's residential quarters. Kurapika tries to placate his gut feeling of a blood-drenched succession war during his (unshown) contact with Tserriednich, when he gets a call from Mizaistom briefing him on the situation going on in the lower decks. Mizaistorm lets Kurapika know that the Zodaics will likely call off their scheduled meeting, due to the unexpected levels of carelessness and unpreparedness Kakin had in dealing with the general public. Kurapika decides to give Oito a briefing with some of his findings, who reacts strongly to the new possibility of her surviving the trip, having resigned herself to dying earlier. Kurapika calls the system controls room to get more information, but senses Nen coming from Woble, surprising him.

The Black Whale 1 sets sail

The Black Whale 1 sets off for the Dark Continent. An announcer announces that the Black Whale 1 will take 3 weeks to pass through territorial waters, before refueling and venturing into the more volatile uncharted waters for 5 weeks before finally reaching the "Dark Continent". In a first class cabin on Tier 3, Gel is seen briefing the Dark Continent intelligence/research team about the Black Whale 1's real journey. Outside Beyond's cell on Tier 1, Saiyu, Kanzai, and Saccho decide to propose a guarding rotation to Mizaistom, so that one of them may help support the Royal Troops. At the medical care facility at the center of Deck 3, Cheadle and Leorio organize the medicine amidst a hectic situation. At the Kakin Royal Troop's Meeting Room on Deck 4, Mizaistom briefs the Royal Troops. At the central courthouse on Deck 3, Botobai sentences convicts aboard the Black Whale.

The departure ceremony takes place with the King, Princes, and Queens attending. While Oito and Woble are at the ceremony, Kurapika and the other guards find the exsanguinated corpse of Woble's guard Woody in one of their bathroom stalls. Kurapika demands to know if the guards can use Nen, but all of them claim they do not know about it. Kurapika's temporary investigation leads nowhere and Kurapika is forced to cut it short to prepare for Oito and Woble's return to Room 1014. Some guards chastise Kurapika for mentioning Nen, believing that their mission was simply to protect Oito and Woble.

At the banquet, the assigned time for Woble to leave comes, and she and Oito are escorted out, the first of the 14 princes to leave. 1st Prince Benjamin sees them leave and notes that all 14 princes are aboard the ship and participating in the succession war. The time comes for Kacho to leave, and she calls 11th Prince Fugetsu to come along with her. Guests observe the close and loving relationship they have, but Kacho aggressively whispers her plan to Fugetsu once they are out of earshot - to have Kacho win and get a pardon for Fugetsu when she does. Melody hears her whispers, forming the impression that Kacho has a diva-like personality, before listening to her heartbeat and realizing her outward appearances are a facade.

Multiple Guardian Spirit Beasts invading Prince Woble's living quarters

Kurapika and several guards step out of Room 1014 to receive Oito and Woble from the ceremony, but return to see four more of Woble's bodyguards murdered in a similar manner to Woody, prompting Kurapika to use his chain and interrogate the remaining people in the room. Kurapika confronts the other guards about their knowledge of the true nature of the voyage being a succession battle for the throne, and their allegiances. Two guards admit to being aware of this and also confess to not being fully aligned with Prince Woble, and are tied up. They explain that together with the five murdered bodyguards, the seven of them were chosen to keep tabs on Woble; one for each higher-ranked queen. While they are assigned to keep Woble alive, they must make sure that Woble does not become a threat to their clients. One guard divulges the Seed Urn Ceremony, which gave Woble an egg that would hatch into a Guardian Spirit Beast. Kurapika theorizes that one of the murdered guards had tried to act on his own, and Woble's Guardian Spirit Beast reacted to him. Sayird refutes this as the amount of time since Woble received the egg (one month) was too short for her to master Nen to such a degree, but Bill mentions it would be possible with parasite-type Nen, which would be possible with the Seed Urn ceremony.

Suddenly, Nen Beasts start crawling over the tied-up Nen-oblivious guards, and Guardian Spirit Beasts and Nen beasts alike flood the room. Kurapika makes an emergency broadcast using all channels and contacts his fellow Hunters, but they all state there's nothing abnormal going on. Kurapika realizes that the princes themselves are unaware of the Guardian Spirit Beasts. Bill confirms that the parasite-type Nen acts like a curse. Bill decides that he and Kurapika must be more open to each other. The Guardian Spirit Beasts and Nen beasts have disappeared, except for one sticking to Sayird, influencing him to murder the two restrained guards.

Kurapika's Stealth Dolphin

Sayird attacks Bill and Kurapika, but is swiftly restrained by Kurapika, who then asks Bill whether Sayird's Nen ability is necessary to escape the ship. Bill reveals that Sayird's ability is an Emission-Manipulation based technique that allows him to project his aura into a ball and then control any insect caught inside the ball. Kurapika uses Steal Chain to extract Sayird's aura in the hopes that it would force the parasite out of his body. A small spider-like creature creeps out of Sayird's ear and begins to escape. Hoping to use capture it with Sayird's ability, Kurapika activates his Emperor Time, upgrading Steal Chain into Stealth Dolphin to analyze Sayird's ability. He learns that Sayird's Little Eye is unable to control Nen creatures, and the spider-like Nen creature escapes. Now free from the Guardian Spirit Beast's control, Sayird explains how he was controlled. Before he is turned over to the Kakin Army, he tells Kurapika more of Little Eye's rules, that the largest creature it can control is the size of a hamster, that one can get auditory and visual information from the creature, and that it can only try once per creature to capture it. He further recommends that Kurapika not use tiny creatures like flies because they could easily be killed. Sayird is taken away by the Kakin Army, and two of Oito's servants leave, unable to take the situation any further. With only two guards left, Bill says that without Kurton, to escape, they would need either Pariston or Beyond, both of whom would be difficult to cooperate with.

In 12th Prince Momoze's residential area, Queen Sevanti orders Momoze's bodyguards and servants to be transferred to 13th Prince Marayam, claiming that Marayam is fearful and feels unsafe. The bodyguards are hesitant, but concede at Sevanti's insistence. Momoze allows her remaining guards to relax as she knits, pitying Marayam and Sevanti because of her belief that those unfit to be King are overcome by fear. Momoze continues to knit as she wonders why she feels unnaturally tired, unable to see the mouse-like Guardian Spirit Beast that had controlled Sayird sitting quietly at her back.

Halkenburg confronting his father

Back at the departure ceremony, Halkenburg receives notice of his time to depart and approaches his father for a private conversation. He announces his wishes to withdraw from the battle to his father, stating he initially joined merely to save his father's reputation and does not wish to earn the crown through bloodshed. Nasubi tells him to do as he wishes, while observing Halkenburg's Guardian Spirit Beast perched on his shoulders.

Bill discusses the key issue surrounding countering parasitic Nen beasts: the unpredictability of their actions due to parasites depending on their host's aura, which in turn influences the parasite with its host's personality and emotions. Kurapika wonders if there are Princes with personalities that might discourage them from participating in the succession battle. Oito states that there are, but the First through the Fifth Princes would never willingly opt out.

Back at the departure ceremony, 5th Prince Tubeppa approaches Tserriednich with a proposal for an alliance against their other siblings. Tubeppa states her belief that the lower-ranked Princes are either unwilling or unable to fight, and the top three Princes have massive character flaws. Tserriednich says nothing about her proposal but agrees with her characterizations, and clinks glasses with her. Tubeppa takes her leave, and Tserriednich wonders if she will be alive by next Sunday. Nasubi observes their Nen beasts, and his monologue explains the rules regarding the behavior of Guardian Spirit Beasts:

1. Guardian Spirit Beasts may not kill each other.
2. Guardian Spirit Beasts may not directly attack others with Guardian Spirit Beasts.

His monologue further explains that Guardian Spirit Beasts have these restrictions to protect the future king from fellow Princes with personalities that restrict their respective Guardian Spirit Beasts to ones with only fangs and claws. This lets Princes with talents for indirect action able to see the long path to victory have a chance at winning their succession battle. In the age of rival warlords, Nasubi's ancestor created the urn, and his children helped build the Kakin Empire to what it is today. Guardian Spirit Beasts skilled in logistical support that are attached to one with a talent for long-term vision and deep design can work wonders for the Kakin Royal Family. 3rd Prince Zhang Lei, 2nd Prince Camilla, and Benjamin are pictured with their respective Nen beasts.

Tserriednich's Guardian Spirit Beast confronting Theta

Outside Room 1004, Theta and Salkov prepare to receive Tserriednich and discuss how to best explain Kurapika's announcement of Nen beasts. Salkov eventually suggests that Theta inform him about Nen, but train him to use it in an inefficient way, such as having him use his weakest Nen type in combat. Back in their rooms, 7th Prince Luzurus and 6th Prince Tyson become aware of Nen and the Guardian Spirit Beasts that surround them through their bodyguards, with Luzurus being disinterested upon hearing that it could take a year to "see" Nen. Tyson being more concerned about the appearance of her Nen beast than its abilities. 8th Prince Salé-salé appears to ignore the ideas of Nen beasts and the succession battle entirely, more interested in partying and a life of indulgence in his room. Halkenburg is horrified as he stumbles upon the unconscious bodies of at least eleven of his bodyguards. Theta and Salkov go to receive Tserriednich, and Theta is confronted by Tserriednich and his Guardian Spirit Beast. Tserriednich asks Theta about Nen, and in fear, she chooses to admit that she is both aware of it and capable of using it.

Zhang Lei talks with his guards as they escort him back to his room and learns of the death of all but two of Woble's bodyguards. While trying to make sense of it, he remarks his surprise that someone would choose to target the infant first. His bodyguards take the opportunity to bring up the idea of Nen beasts to him, having checked among themselves and found that none of them know anything about it. Zhang Lei considers the possibility that Nen beasts may explain the incident.

Benjamin ordering his soldiers to act as royal guards for the younger Princes

At the departure ceremony, Camilla asks her father Nasubi to ensure that the only accepted way for dropping out of the survival contest is biological death. Nasubi tells her that the sole survivor will be the official successor to the throne, as he told Zhang Lei earlier, telling her that her interpretation of the phrasing is part of the contest. Benjamin arrives and tells Camilla to not be so focused on others' interpretations of the rules. Camilla retorts by arguing that she wants the other princes to die. Benjamin calls her arrogant, and she leaves. Benjamin apologizes to Nasubi for her words, and makes an oath to Nasubi to protect the great tree of Kakin and personally prune the diseased branches.

Benjamin takes his leave from the ceremony, still incensed from his conversation with Nasubi. He tears his shirt off as he walks back and asks one of his guards to have his captain Balsamilco Might bring his first target to him: Tserriednich. Benjamin meets up with Balsamilco in Room 1001, who shares with a now calm Benjamin about the Guardian Spirit Beasts and the possibility that they have unknown rules governing their behavior. Balsamilco advises Benjamin to wait and observe as the public knowledge of Nen beasts makes things more dangerous. Benjamin questions why a Hunter would leak the existence of Nen, and Balsamilco suggests it is to encourage a stalemate since the Hunters' goal is to get to the Dark Continent. After considering the intentions of his other Princes and the many unknown variables, Benjamin summons his personal bodyguards and orders them to act as royal family bodyguards, a privilege only he has due to his status as Deputy Military Adviser. They are to protect his fellow Princes, while ascertaining the abilities of the Hunters and Guardian Spirit Beasts, and have permission to kill if threatened.

Kurapika transferring the right to use Little Eye to Queen Oito

The Princes are seen reacting to their new guards. Camilla refuses to let them into her sight. Zhang Lei takes it as a chance to find out about Nen beasts. Tserriednich is seen beginning to learn Nen. Tubeppa asks her bodyguards to obtain information on Kurapika. Kurapika and Bill discuss when to best use Sayird's power. Benjamin's bodyguard Vincent shows up, killing the servant who went to receive him in feigned self-defense, and forcing Kurapika and Bill to turn their focus to him. Kurapika prepares to engage him, but decides to hold off to protect Oito and Woble. Vincent says that he wishes to co-operate with Kurapika to solve the problem (implying that the existence of Oito and Woble is a problem), but Kurapika remains on the defensive and restates his goal to protect them to Oito. He asks Oito for her trust, before transferring the right to use Little Eye to Oito. Vincent is confused when he sees Kurapika "attack" Oito with his Steal Chain, eventually choosing to interpret it as a sign of agreement. Bill takes this chance to get close to him. Vincent fires shots at Bill but chooses to switch to his Nen ability, but finds his ability won't activate, and sees Kurapika draining his aura. Bill and Kurapika manage to restrain Vincent. To avoid being forced to confess to attempting an assassination, Vincent swallows a suicide pill he had hid in his tooth. Kurapika decides not to report Vincent immediately as it would be ineffective and risky at the moment, having noticed a transmission device in Vincent's ear.

After hearing Kurapika destroy the listening bug, Balsamilco and Benjamin discuss the nature of the guards' ability. They try to understand how Vincent was restrained and why he chose to and was able to commit suicide. Balsamilco considers the possibility that Woble's guards had awareness of the eavesdroppers. Benjamin orders all guards to use Nen immediately after announcing the right to self-defense and sends Babimyna after Woble.

Kurapika decides that having Oito use Little Eye on a fly to avoid suspicion is best. He also decides not to load Vincent's ability into Stealth Dolphin to learn more about it in case it is hard to activate and force him to stay in Emperor Time, which takes an hour from his lifespan for every second it's active. The phone rings and the operator tells Shimano that Benjamin, Zhang Lei, and Tubeppa are calling. While they decide who to answer, Babimyna appears at the door. Kurapika asks Shimano to put Benjamin through and have Babimyna wait, assuming Zhang Lei and Tubeppa merely want information on Nen beasts, and asks Bill to watch over Vincent in case he is still alive and attacks. Kurapika goes to pick up the phone but unexpectedly finds Zhang Lei on the other side. Zhang Lei expresses his surprise at the fact that Kurapika chose to answer his call over Benjamin's, and invites Kurapika to his quarters to exchange information in person. At Kurapika's request, Zhang Lei extends the invitation to Oito and Woble, and then tells Kurapika to be there in fifteen minutes before ending the call. Kurapika then contacts the operator to speak with Benjamin, but finds that Benjamin has disconnected the call. Kurapika picks up Tubeppa's call, and finds Maor on the other side, who offers a truce in exchange for information on Nen beasts. Kurapika agrees and Maor prepares to head over, but Kurapika convinces him to wait an hour by letting Maor know of Babimyna's presence.

Before Kurapika prepares to meet Zhang Lei, he asks Shimano why she chose to put Zhang Lei through over Benjamin. She justifies herself by explaining her perceptions of the other princes, the motives behind their calls, and their response to not being answered first. Benjamin's call is likely from captain of his guards since the act of speaking to commoners is below Benjamin. She expects Benjamin's call is only to give them their choice of method of death as vengeance for Vincent. She perceives Zhang Lei as a reasonable individual but not one that would accept being spoken to second, and likely to not target them, at least until the number of remaining princes is low. Her perception of Tubeppa is someone critical of the higher princes, likely to be participating to prevent the higher princes from winning, and someone unlikely to take it as an insult if Zhang Lei's call were accepted before hers. Kurapika finds her judgment accurate and asks her for her opinion on how to handle Babimyna. Shimano believes that they should not refuse his entry lest they be arrested along with Oito and Woble, and that the longer he is made to wait, the more time they allow for him to fake a believable story that could cover the deaths of Oito and Woble. Kurapika thanks Shimano for her advice, and contacts Babimyna to inform him that Oito and Woble are going with him to meet Zhang Lei in his quarters. Kurapika offers to let Babimyna join them, but Babimyna decides to wait in the room while they are gone. Kurapika instructs Bill to tell Tubeppa that the situation has been dealt with if she calls.

Queen Oito in Zhang Lei's living quarters

The three enter Zhang Lei's quarters, and are greeted by him. Zhang Lei requests Kurapika not waste time, and Kurapika explains the basics of Nen and the existence of Guardian Spirit Beasts that were granted to the princes during the seed urn ceremony. Oito listens closely, understanding Kurapika's explanation as one for her as well. Before elaborating further, Kurapika then asks Zhang Lei if he is willing to have the next part of the conversation with his guards around, considering that the information could change the tide of the succession battle.

Prince Marayam's growing Guardian Spirit Beast

Four hours after departure, the Princes are seen in their rooms after the ceremony. Hanzo and Biscuit observe Marayam's Guardian Spirit Beast while guarding him in Room 1013, and note that it is growing. In Room 1012, six of Momoze's remaining guards affiliated with Queens 1 through 6 look for an opportunity to not only kill her without being caught, but also to make their work obvious to their Queens. In Room 1011, Fugetsu's guards Ryoji and Bachaem stand guard in her master bedroom and quietly discuss how they are the only two legitimately protecting her from the other, who are likely spies or assassins. In Room 1010, Kacho complains about the taste of her food and throws it on the floor, much to the annoyance of her guards and servants Melody listens to Kacho's heartbeat, thinking that her tantrums thrown to put on an act might backfire. In Room 1009, Halkenburg awakens from his slumber and immediately runs towards his living room, where he finds his guards to be alive. He wonders if him finding all his guards unconscious was a dream, but notices a pinion on the back of his left hand, and realizes that something indeed had happened. In Room 1008, 5th Queen Swinko-swinko nags her only son Salé-salé as he lies in bed with two women, various items strewn on the floor around his bed. He reassures her that he has a plan for the succession war, planning to do something at the next banquet which would change the world. In Room 1007, Luzurus smokes a healthy drug created by Basho while discussing how he could distribute the drug as a therapy for addicts if he becomes King. In Room 1006, Tyson gives Izunavi and another guard a copy of her book. They look at the book as Tyson dances away with another guard, and Izunavi is impressed how unfazed she is by the succession contest. In Room 1005, Maor informs Tubeppa and heads to Oito's room as Tubeppa contemplates how to get rid of Benjamin's guard Butch. In Room 1004, Tserriednich begins learning Nen under Theta's tutelage. She discovers that he is a Nen genius after seeing him effortlessly able to control his aura right after he starts learning Nen. In Room 1003, Kurapika wraps up his conversation with Zhang Lei, and he sends his personal bodyguards Sakata and Hashito to assist Kurapika and make up for their lost manpower. 2nd Queen Duazul's guard Slakka wonders whether he or Benjamin's man Coventoba will leave his side and go with Zhang Lei's guards, wondering if one of them will be sent since 1st and 2nd Queens Unma and Duazul expect their guards to write up surveillance reports on the younger princes. Coventoba receives orders and signals Slakka to follow Zhang Lei's guards. In Room 1002, Camilla orders her mother to get close to Halkenburg so she can kill him, telling her to help kill Benjamin and Halkenburg. Benjamin's guard Musse eavesdrops on their conversation and plans to use his Nen ability to get evidence for her assassination plot. Finally, in Room 1001, Benjamin and Balsamilco discuss Kurapika's actions, and Benjamin comments that the guards of Room 1014 are doing a good job of holding off his guards to force a stalemate. Deciding that his next course of action should be to figure out the guards' abilities, he sends Furykov to Room 1014. Kurapika returns along with the new guards. Slakka introduces himself to Babimyna and asks him to help to keep tabs on Zhang Lei's guards. Kurapika frets over the difficulty of applying Sayird's Nen ability in the presence of their new company.

Chrollo on the Black Whale

Meanwhile, on one of the lower tiers, a passenger notices Chrollo with a dark expression, remarking that Chrollo looks as if he wants to kill someone. He suggests that Chrollo should forget his worldly ties, but Chrollo insists that ties are not forgotten; rather, they are severed.

Kurapika, Oito, Bill, and Shimano search for a small insect on which to use Little Eye, which earns the curiosity of Sakata and Slakka. However, their search is cut short when Maor arrives. Agreeing to divulge the nature of Nen, Kurapika has the guards and Oito convene in the back room so that Bill and Shimano can continue their search. When pressed to explain why he moved rooms, Kurapika lies and says that it was to reduce Oito's stress.

Oito activating Little Eye as Bill pretends to be the user

Kurapika explains how the Princes acquired Nen via the initiation, and the result was a protective force. Oito notices a cockroach near the door and stares at it, drawing everyone else's attention to it. Kurapika, needing to activate the ability on the cockroach immediately, deceives the guards by pretending to showcase their capabilities of Nen. Bill quickly catches onto Kurapika's ploy and pretends to shoot aura at the cockroach as Oito activates her ability. Oito requests to rest, which allows her to control the cockroach without being noticed. Bill commands the cockroach to move in specific ways to prove that Nen was controlling it. Kurapika asks Babimyna to confirm the accuracy of his lesson, and Babimyna agrees. Kurapika tells the guards that they would be able to learn the basics in 2 weeks, allowing them to stand a chance in a Nen battle. Babimyna notices that Bill released the cockroach through a vent, and using his En, deduces that the cockroach is being used for surveillance. The cockroach enters Marayam's room, and Oito sees Marayam, his mother, and his Guardian Spirit Beast.

Momoze's death

Oito uses Little Eye clandestinely to survey the rooms of the other Princes and records the information such that Babimyna cannot read it with his En. Kurapika is concerned about the consequences of using Emperor Time for the extended period of time he did. Oito inspects Momoze's room, only to find her being suffocated by a bodyguard. Oito warns Kurapika of Momoze's plight, so he has Bill and Babimyna get in contact with Momoze's operator. They are too late, as Prince Momoze has already died of asphyxiation. Bill reveals that the guards were outside her room when the murder happened. Momoze's mother, Sevanti, is advocating for the execution of the six guards since she believes they are complicit in the assassination. Sakata asks Kurapika why Momoze's Guardian Spirit Beast did not protect her during the incident. Kurapika explains that because Momoze retired to her bedroom earlier than usual, she must have been fatigued. Because the beast draws its power from the host, it means that a significant amount of her aura was taken by the beast for some other activity, and while she was weakened, the perpetrator struck. Babimyna asks Oito why she took such an irrational approach to reveal Momoze's situation. Oito explains that while this was a survival contest, she still has the humanity to care for someone else's daughter. Babimyna leaves the room and retracts his En. Oito goes back to surveying with Little Eye. Bill returns from a phone call and tells Kurapika that they would receive bodyguards from 10 of the other princes, all of whom are likely to be stationed there to monitor Kurapika and Bill. The other Hunters have agreed to the 2-week timeline to teach Nen, although this could mean that many guards will be sent to learn Nen. Kurapika suddenly faints from the extended usage of Emperor Time, much to Bill's shock.

Hanzo affected by Momoze's death

Hanzo laments over his failure to protect Momoze, and Biscuit comforts him. Hanzo deduces that the culprit used a clone to commit the murder, and arresting the 6 guards would only help vindicate them should another murder happen. Hanzo goes on to say that the murderer likely had to focus all their attention on the clone, and Biscuit continues the logic by saying it had to be an off-duty guard. Hanzo vows to avenge Momoze and catch the criminal.

Tserriednich asks Theta about the amount of time required to learn Nen, referencing a message he heard from Zhang Lei stating that Nen could be taught in 2 weeks. He threatens her to tell the truth about the time needed to learn Nen. Theta responds that while it is possible, it is hazardous, and her method is the best. Tserriednich's Guardian Spirit Beast comes threateningly close to Theta as she promises that she is telling him the truth. Blood spatter then comes onto the ground.

Queen Oito passed out

Kurapika regains consciousness after being unconscious for 9 hours. Oito had also passed out as her condition is linked to Kurapika's. Kurapika urges Oito to survey Tserriednich, to which Oito cynically asks if Kurapika is acting out of self-preservation. Kurapika justifies himself by explaining that the first two princes likely have Nen users in their ranks, and Oito has already established good relations with Zhang Lei. Woble suddenly shows affection for Kurapika, encouraging her to obey. Oito sends the cockroach through the vents to Tserriednich's chamber, but Tserriednich's Nen beast devours the bug, forcing Little Eye to end. Oito requests Kurapika to teach her Nen, but Kurapika reveals that she has already activated Nen by using Little Eye.

Nen Lessons Begin: Assassins All Around

The next day, the bodyguards and servants of several princes convene in Oito's room to learn Nen, and each thinks about how to gain leverage in the situation. Benjamin's bodyguard, Furykov, already knows how to use Nen, but is there to learn about Kurapika, and if Kurapika tries to fight, he would exercise his right to defend himself. Unbeknownst to everyone a feminine doll easily reads Furykov by his aura and will appease his demeanor with its Nen ability: Silent Majority.

As Kurapika lays down a line of white tape, telling everyone not to cross it or they'll be asked to leave and force may be used, the still unknown person controlling Silent Majority says that the only ones who can see the marionette are themselves and Loberry (a servant of Tenth Prince Kacho), the one possessed. One of Tserriednich's bodyguards, Myuhan, crosses the line to provoke Kurapika, but the situation is quickly resolved. The user of Silent Majority, speaking to themselves, says that everyone's attention was directed at Myuhan, but he wasn't one of the ten within range. They go on to say that if the marionette is deactivated without killing anyone, the curse rebounds to them. Furykov analyzes Kurapika, determining that he's most likely a Conjurer by examining the aura around his body, particularly his right hand. While everyone begins introducing themselves in the main room, Bill is helping Oito with Nen, as instructed by Kurapika. Furykov approaches Babimyna and asks him why he released his En. Babimyna shrugs it off, but Furykov says he needs Babimyna's report of the enemy's power. Babimyna tells him that Kurapika is the key, and is most likely hiding other abilities besides forcing confessions. He still hasn't seen Woble's Nen beast and doesn't know Bill's ability, letting Furykov know that he'll form a plan after the next banquet.

Silent Majority beginning its attack

After the introductions, Kurapika asks the sixteen students to raise their hands if they already know Nen. Furykov raises his hand, as does Belerainte, a Hunter and bodyguard for the Thirteenth Prince Marayam. As Loberry wonders why they're here then, she looks back and sees the marionette, with the user of Silent Majority wanting her to attract everyone's attention. As Kurapika explains that both Furykov and Belerainte will judge his teaching, giving any advice when possible, and Furykov wonders what Loberry is looking at, Loberry begins directing everyone's attention to the marionette, but they see no one there. With everyone focused in that direction, one of the bodyguards, Barrigen, starts to act like he's choking and the others notice something white around his neck as the life is drained out of him. The Silent Majority user monologues that there are four snakes in total, and if all four attack at once, they can drain the entire body of blood in 11 seconds. Sakata draws a gun and fires at the snakes on Barrigen and then asks that the royal army be contacted. Kurapika worries about the use of firearms, and that Gyo won't be enough to stay unharmed. Loberry says the weird woman is gone, with Kurapika now focused on finding who the assassin is among them.

Given her involvement in the death of Barrigen, Loberry is restrained by Hashito while Sakata contacts Supreme Magistrate Cleapatro, asking her to charge Queen Seiko with being an accomplice to Barrigen's murder and plotting to kill the Fourteenth Prince Woble. She denies his request but says an investigator will be sent to Seiko's residence to monitor for 72 hours. It's 9:45 a.m. on the second day of the voyage. Kurapika refuses to give the bodyguards their weapons back and gives them fifteen minutes to decide if they wish to continue the training. Furykov continues pressing Babimyna on how he's handling his mission, but the latter says he'll handle it his way. As Shimano is preparing dinner, Bill and Kurapika sneak up on her, the latter with gun drawn and Dowsing Chain out. He asks her if she attacked Barrigen and if she can use Nen. She denies both, panicked, and Kurapika apologizes. Shimano wonders if it could have been Woble's Nen beast, but Kurapika explains that everyone (even those without Nen) saw the white snakes, but only a Nen user can see the Princes' Nen beasts. As the three discuss the situation, Kurapika realizes that if just one Prince was able to withdraw from the contest, there's a possibility that all Nen beasts might vanish. None of the remaining guards or servants left, and Kurapika instructs each to put their hands together in whatever way feels natural, giving different instructions to the three Nen-learning groups.

Nugui and King Nasubi standing beside Momoze's body

In Tier 5, 3 thugs working for the Buor Family are extorting money from passengers trying to get to the dining hall. They're interrupted by Franklin, Phinks, Nobunaga, and Feitan, who quickly deal with the thugs and extract information about the Mafia from them. There are three main families: the Xi-Yu supported by Zhang Lei, the Heil-Ly supported by Tserriednich, and the Cha-R supported by Luzurus. They ask the thugs how they can get to the upper tiers, planning to get involved in the Mafia's dealings. In addition, Phinks tells them to find everyone taller than 190 cm (6′3″) and to get their room numbers, attempting to track down Hisoka. Chrollo and Machi meet up in a crowd of people, and each says that they're the ones who are going to kill Hisoka. In a large, ominous room filled with 14 capsules with one more in the center, King Nasubi looks upon the deceased Momoze lying in one of the capsules and says to Nugui that she will become the foundation for the tree of Kakin.

Hanzo avenging Momoze's death

At Kurapika's Nen training, Furykov sees two of Halkenburg's guards using more aura than the others and wonders why they're being so obvious if they said they didn't know Nen. They want to talk to Kurapika alone, and he says he'll talk to them after the session. Furykov continues analyzing the situation, saying that the two aren't self-aware and are either being manipulated or it involves Halkenburg's Nen beast. He confirms Loberry's arrest by the royal army and says there's one secret Nen user remaining among the group, who is hiding this fact well, and that they must be the assassin. The investigator sent by Cleapatro is questioning Queen Seiko, but she refuses to answer anything. He assures her she's protected under royal privilege, but she still refuses. In Prince Marayam's room, his Nen beast has grown even larger, and Hanzo guesses that it's because of his sister Momoze's death. Hanzo and Biscuit end their shift, and Hanzo readies to find Momoze's killer, hoping it will calm Marayam's Nen beast. Biscuit agrees to act as his lookout since no one can touch or talk to his original body or he'll be called back. Hanzo uses his ability, Hanzo Skill 4, and enters the cell of Tuffdy, one of the arrested bodyguards for Momoze. Hanzo says Benjamin wants to see him, and that another guard is going to take the fall in a suicide note, but for court records, Hanzo needs to know the method of killing. Tuffdy reveals that his ability, The Touch, allows a doppelganger of himself to do anything within 20 meters, as long as he's lying prone and has his eyes closed. As Tuffdy then wonders how Hanzo knew it was him, Hanzo suddenly takes out a rope and begins choking Tuffdy from behind, killing him. In Prince Salé-salé's quarters, Rihan observes the Nen beast, which is closely linked to the Prince's libido, and plans to destroy it as soon as possible. In Prince Tyson's quarters, she continues to get her guards to read the Book of Tyson, and Giuliano and Izunavi wonder what the eye-wogs are on their shoulders, thinking they're related to having favor with Tyson (since Benjamin's soldier Orau has none on him).

Kurapika's Nen training ends at 12:30 p.m. and Sakata is urgent about hearing about the situation with Halkenburg's two guards. Yuhirai tells them that Halkenburg wants out of the contest, so they need more information on the Nen beasts. He shows them his left hand with the mark of the feather and tells them what happened. Kurapika says memory revision is common in Manipulator attacks and asks Yuhirai what he thinks the mark means. Yuhirai thinks it shows solidarity with and allegiance to Halkenburg. Kurapika points out that while the contest is the perfect opportunity to abolish the monarchy, which Halkenburg greatly desires, he doesn't want to achieve this by killing his own siblings. Kurapika determines that Yuhirai is only half-awakened with Nen because of his connection to Halkenburg. He's also worried that Halkenburg's ability is too risky and could have severe consequences. Sakata and Yuhirai eventually agree that the lower-ranking princes should band together, and Kurapika plans to make appeals to the other princes, also hoping that it's possible to withdraw from the battle. After dealing with Tuffdy, Hanzo returns to Marayam's quarters but finds the place completely empty except for the Prince's Nen beast, which is now smaller yet more sinister, ready to attack if Hanzo steps any closer. Outside her quarters, Second Prince Camilla approaches Musse and says she's on her way to kill Benjamin, telling him to help her or die.

Camilla's ability activating after her death

Musse immediately draws his gun, telling Camilla she's under arrest for conspiring to assassinate Benjamin, and that he's recorded her conversations. As Camilla continues to calmly walk forward, Musse worries that she's a counteractive type because she's closed off her aura with Zetsu, increasing the potential power of her counterattack. Hoping he'll be able to kill her or at least find out her ability, Musse fires three shots, two in the chest and one in the head, as Camilla falls bloody to the floor. He realizes he can't let his guard down before fulfilling his conditions, and reaches down and touches her neck. Suddenly a giant cat-like creature appears behind Musse and smashes him between its paws. It kneads him into a liquid that flows to its tail, and pours the substance into Camilla's mouth, bringing her back to life. Camilla's ability, Cat's Name, is a counteractive Nen beast that activates after death, reviving the user with the life of their attacker. Camilla says she doesn't need a Guardian Spirit Beast, and that this ability makes her invincible. Her guards rush out, and Camilla tells them that Benjamin's soldier shot her and ran off. They plead with her to not go to Benjamin's quarters, but her mother Duazul tells them to let Camilla do as she pleases. On her way, she encounters two of Benjamin's guards, Furykov and Wolfe. Benjamin radios to them to let her through and not attack her. Camilla suddenly shoots both men in the head, killing Wolfe and grazing Furykov, who used Nen to avoid a shot between the eyes.

The two, walk into Benjamin's quarters as the Prince himself sits in the middle of the room. Benjamin refuses to go along with her charade, and Camilla fires multiple shots at her brother, all stopped by his Nen beast. Out of bullets, Camilla yells at them to attack her, but Furykov calmly restrains her. They lock her in a cell, and Balsamilco confirms to Furykov that Musse's ability, Secret Window, is already active on her (a small owl-like creature hovers near Camilla). It allowed Musse to use three different birds as spies. The owl is activated by touch and can only be seen by the user, transmitting the target's every word and action to them telepathically. It's revealed that Benjamin's ability, Benjamin Baton, allows him to inherit the abilities of those who swore loyalty to him. They have to have graduated from the Kakin Royal Military Academy and be part of Benjamin's personal army. There are three stars on the palm of his right hand, below his index, middle, and ring fingers, signifying that he possesses the abilities of three of his soldiers (Vincent, Musse, and one who must have died before departure). The ability of his Nen beast is still unknown.

Hanzo attempts to enter Room 1012, but the guards stationed there inform him that if a Prince "drops out" of the contest, their residence is sealed and the phone lines cut. Hanzo then goes to Prince Woble's quarters and informs Kurapika of the situation with Marayam. Given the strict hierarchy of Queens and Princes, they can’t contact Marayam's quarters right away, but Shimano urgently tells them that Marayam's Captain of the Guards is on the line. Hanzo quickly runs over to Room 1013, but there's still no one there. Introducing himself as Seventh Queen Sevanti's Captain of the Guards, Vergei says there's something he wants to ask Kurapika.

Asked by Kurapika where they are, Vergei angrily replies that they're still in Room 1013 and that he'll be asking the questions. Kurapika would prefer to talk to Biscuit since Vergei is likely unaware of Nen, but informs him that the room is under someone's ability. Vergei takes all this as an absurd claim and asks what the situation is with the six suspects of Momoze's death. Kurapika informs him that they know the identity of the assassin, and asks Vergei to trust him and form a coalition and ceasefire agreement, which they already have with the Third, Fifth, and Ninth Princes. Vergei pretends to go along with the Nen situation, but quickly returns to his angry self, citing the violent deaths that have occurred in Woble's quarters and how deceptive Kurapika could be. Kurapika gives in and reveals the identity of the assassin, and says Tuffdy committed suicide in his cell, leaving a note behind. Kurapika provides him with even more information that isn't public yet to gain his trust, but Vergei continues his hostility, suggesting that the Hunter Association is using the Seed Urn Ceremony to destroy Kakin from within. The call ends, and Hanzo leaves, planning to look into things until he and Biscuit start their next shift (and he'll return to his body). Sakata asks Kurapika to tell him about the situation in Room 1013. Kurapika tells him what he knows, and is surprised that Babimyna isn't interfering.

Fugetsu using the ability of her Nen beast for the first time

It's been 37 hours and 30 minutes since departure. The Eleventh Prince Fugetsu lies in bed, tears in her eyes and looking at a picture of her sister Kacho. She notices a strange door on the wall―the exact one that was on the magic worm, a tunnel the twins would play with when they were younger to pretend they could go anywhere. Fugetsu enters the door and goes through the tunnel, popping up from below Kacho's bed, who was also looking at pictures and crying. Startled after seeing her sister, Kacho signals for Fugetsu to stay quiet and head back before the guards find out. Melody notices Kacho's increased heart rate, but Kacho puts up a front and Melody understands this. Melody decides to talk to her about Nen.

In Prince Salé-salé's quarters, Rihan continues analyzing the Nen beast. It's a Manipulator, diffusive induction type, able to control multiple people with the white smoke it emits from its many mouths. The more smoke someone breathes in, the more goodwill they'll have toward the Prince, with a small clone of the main body eventually appearing above their head, which also emits smoke. Rihan goes into more and more detail because it's essential for his ability, Predator. Once he chooses a target and activates his Nen, a predator begins growing inside him. The predator's effectiveness depends on the accuracy of Rihan's analysis and understanding of his target's ability. As a result, it's powerless against simple Enhancement and Emission attacks.

While eating dinner in his quarters, Zhang Lei notices a coin dropping to the ground. The two guards present say it didn't come from them. But one of the guards, Coventoba, a soldier of Benjamin, knows that the coin dropped from the mouth of the Prince's Nen beast, which dropped a coin the previous day as well.

In her quarters, Tyson preaches about the power of love and the Book of Tyson to all her guards. Giuliano and Izunavi are still unsure about the little creatures on their shoulders but figure they can't be harmful since Tyson talks so much about love. It's revealed that Tyson's Nen beast is an Emitter, diffusive levy type. If one receives a Book of Tyson, the eye-wog creature clings to them and collects aura in exchange for happiness, depending on how much they've read from the book. But if one breaks the book’s sole taboo, severe punishment follows. Camilla's Nen beast is a Manipulator, coercive type. It's able to control someone if its conditions are met. Tubeppa's is a Transmuter, collaborative type. Needing a research partner for activation, it can create a variety of drugs inside its body. And Luzurus' is a Conjurer, with a pseudo-coercive Manipulation ability. It sets a trap by conjuring what the target desires and activates once the target falls for it.

In Halkenburg's quarters, all the guards stand around the Prince in a moment of silence for Momoze. Shikaku, Benjamin's soldier stationed there, notices that each guard's aura has risen now that they're all gathered together. It's revealed that Halkenburg's Nen beast is an Enhancer, symbiotic type. The more people with the mark of the feather that gather under the Prince, the higher their potential. Once the group assembles and activates its ability, it's among the top tier of Nen abilities. Panicked by this, Shikaku thinks he should kill Halkenburg right after the moment of silence, but notices that the Nen beast is watching him carefully. He deduces the memory revision aspect and worries that it could force him to attack Benjamin. Right as Shikaku backs off and realizes it's best to wait for backup, Benjamin radios to him after he feels the spike in aura. Shikaku explains the situation, and Benjamin now has Halkenburg to focus on, in addition to Tserriednich and the assassin in Woble's quarters. Not wanting to see any more of his siblings killed, Halkenburg prepares to go see his father again, which is forbidden outside of the banquets. Back in her room, Fugetsu tries to make the door appear again, but it doesn’t work.

Vergei witnessing Biscuit's true appearance

Biscuit wakes up Hanzo, and he returns to his body, informing her about what's going on with the room and Marayam's Nen beast. They're both worried about Vergei, who doesn't want to let Belerainte go back to Kurapika's classes after Barrigen's death. Biscuit suggests that they can teach Nen here, but Vergei continues to question the existence of absurd superpowers. Biscuit changes into her true appearance and says she can't guarantee learning Nen in two weeks like Kurapika, but can at least double physical abilities in a month. Vergei is in disbelief, admiring her muscle tone and strength, and begs her to teach him Nen. He also agrees to send Belerainte back to Kurapika's classes to get information on the other Princes, not because he's accepted the existence of Nen. Belerainte opens the door, and the hallway looks completely normal. Biscuit explains the three categories of Nen space―impermeable, permeable, one-way―and they get confirmation that it's the third when Belerainte's body begins to vanish once he steps outside the door, also the room appears empty to him once he's in the hallway. Vergei is again in belief, and Biscuit begins their Nen training.

Halkenburg is denied in his attempt to see the King, told to wait until the next banquet. He says he'll keep coming back every day with a letter. Benjamin and Camilla sit in a courtroom, with one of Camilla's soldiers acting as her lawyer and Balsamilco acting as Benjamin's. The two go back and forth, with Camilla's lawyer arguing that Benjamin is harboring Musse. Cleapatro orders that the royal army will perform a search of both quarters, and both Princes will be confined to the VVIP area under surveillance until Musse is found. As they leave the courtroom, Benjamin keeps observing Camilla with Secret Window.

It's 10:05 a.m. on the third day of the voyage. Kurapika and Sakata come upon Myuhan dead in the bathroom, another victim of Silent Majority. Kurapika is worried that everyone will think they're behind these murders, given the earlier dispute with Myuhan, and that's exactly what happens. Belerainte speaks up and convinces the others to continue with their missions so the real culprit doesn't get away and they don't disappoint their respective Queens and Princes. Kurapika takes him aside and personally thanks him. In exchange, Belerainte asks if he can borrow Bill for ten minutes so he can give information to those in Marayam's quarters while not appearing to be talking to himself. Kurapika agrees, and Belerainte and Bill have their mock conversation in front of Room 1013.

Kacho coarsely asks Melody to help her with her studies, and then begins using a device called Mosquitone to send out Morse code to Melody. She directs her to a cupboard in the kitchen, where she finds another Mosquitone device. Melody realizes that Kacho is doing everything she can to survive, and swears she'll protect her. In Zhang Lei's quarters, the Prince finds another coin with a "1" on it, wondering if it's from his Nen beast and what effect it has. Coventoba provides some information about conjured objects and surmises that the coins must have an effect that's unique to Nen. It's revealed that Zhang Lei's Nen beast is a Conjurer, compound type. Someone who possesses a coin will obtain various abilities after fulfilling specific conditions. Late at night on the fourth day of the voyage, Fugetsu stays awake, still trying to figure out exactly how the door works, saying she'll save Kacho with her "magic".

Tserriednich performing the Water Divination test

​​​​​​In Room 1004, Tserriednich continues his Nen training with Theta. Danjin informs him that Myuhan has been killed, and it involved Nen. He surmises that they're teaching Nen to create a stalemate among the various groups. Tserriednich agrees, but wonders what if the act of teaching is a condition to manipulate people with a Nen ability. Theta is terrified by how quickly the Prince can consider the complexities of Nen. She has a covered wound on her face, previously inflicted by his Nen beast, and guesses that it must be a requirement of the creature. Tserriednich tells Danjin that if he continues, he'll need to bring something back to prove his innocence once the classes end, regardless of whether the Nen training is successful or not. Theta thinks to herself that she should have enough time to teach him Zetsu in the eleven days remaining before Kurapika’s Nen classes end. Tserriednich thinks he's ready for Water Divination, and Theta eventually gives in, realizing it would be beneficial to know his Nen type. After the Prince uses his aura on the water, it begins to darken and bubble, emitting a foul smell and breaking up the leaf in the center. Theta has never seen anything like this, confirming that he's a Specialist and a sinister one at that.

Kacho asks her mother about Fugetsu and her putting on a music show at the banquet. Their mother Seiko thinks that's wonderful and will make another appeal to their father. But Kacho assures her that she's willing to fight in this battle to decide the king of Kakin, bringing her mother to tears. Seiko leaves, and Kacho then starts badmouthing her mother behind her back, in front of the investigator, putting up a front. During this, she starts sending codes to Melody about the arrangements for the banquet next Sunday, where they plan to play the performance over the speakers across Tier 1 and for the King to keep it a surprise. As Melody hopes that the two will be able to escape from the ship, a fellow guard and Hunter, Keeney, approaches Melody and informs her that with his En, he detected a head pop out from Kacho's bed earlier. The two agree that it was most likely Fugetsu, and Keeney is worried that if anyone finds out that the two lack a combat ability, they'll become targets. Melody focuses on securing the route and timing for the escape, but is concerned that they haven't seen Kacho's Nen beast even once.

Mafia Tension: Hunting for Hisoka

All current Phantom Troupe members meeting on the Black Whale

In the central dining hall on Tier 5, the ten current members of the Phantom Troupe have assembled. Chrollo says they still don't know which tier Hisoka is in but discovered that the Mafia limited the movement between Tiers 3 and 5, with the three main families controlling a tier each. Multiple men with rose tattoos approach the Troupe as Chrollo asks Illumi to introduce himself to the others and tell them what he thinks Hisoka may be doing. Illumi gives a quick introduction and says he joined the Spiders on Hisoka's commission since both knew that they would end up killing the other. Illumi's commissioned target is Hisoka himself, and the two have a "prenup" where Illumi will be paid once Hisoka dies. They both take this seriously, so Illumi doesn't know where he is. One of the men with tattoos tells Chrollo to leave the table. Chrollo refuses, and the man recognizes them as the Phantom Troupe. He thanks them for the madness they caused in Yorknew City, offering to help them if they leave the table. The Spiders all stand, and Chrollo tells him they're looking for someone named Hisoka. The man says he can check the passenger list but doesn't expect he'd be on there. He asks the Troupe to join them and offers them tickets to access Tiers 3 and 4. Chrollo again refuses, and the Troupe leaves. The man asks one of his comrades, Sun-bin if they should worry about them. Sun-bin says they'll go wherever they please, and worries the whole thing will come crashing down if they reach the upper tiers of the ship.

Phinks noticed that the man gave himself away when Chrollo mentioned Tier 1 and that there must be a treasure. Chrollo says their first priority is finding Hisoka, telling them to do as they please to bring him Hisoka's head. The Spiders go their separate ways, but Shizuku and Bonolenov ask Chrollo if they can team up with him since their abilities don't work well against Bungee Gum. Chrollo agrees, but his condition is that he gets to kill Hisoka himself. Shizuku plans to look for Hisoka in disguise, and Bonolenov tells Chrollo that he can take many forms using Battle Cantabile: Metamorphosen, but isn't sure how to best utilize it. Chrollo tells him there's something he wants him to do. Shizuku then asks if Chrollo can read their fortunes again, but Chrollo says the ability disappeared from his book, insinuating that Neon Nostrade is dead.

The head of the Xi-Yu Family, Onior Longbao, and the head of the Cha-R Family, Brocco Li, both half-brothers of King Nasubi, are discussing the situation with the Spiders and how to keep them under control. They order their respective underbosses―Hinrigh Biganduffno for the Xi-Yu and Ken'i Wang for the Cha-R―to find Hisoka before the Troupe does. Hinrigh and Ken'i each brief their subordinates on the mission and say they'll take care of things once this Hisoka is found.

Morena with her 22 subordinates as they prepare to wreak havoc

Morena Prudo, the boss of the Heil-Ly Family and illegitimate daughter of Nasubi, addresses her 22 subordinates, who were forced to kill their other comrades until only this number remained. She asks each of them to come forward so she can grant them an ability. A young woman approaches, and Morena kisses her on the lips. Through her ability, Contagion, Morena uses her saliva to affect up to a maximum of 23 individuals, including herself. Each infected "levels up" as they kill, increasing their aura and power. They gain a unique ability upon reaching level 20 and can create their own community of infected at level 100. Herself at level 45, Morena informs them that killing a civilian is worth one level, those with Nen abilities ten, and a Prince fifty.

The three Mafia bosses all have scars of two slashes somewhere on their faces, and it's explained that this marks them as illegitimate children of the King, unable to become rightful heirs. This scarring is done at birth, and they are only allowed to live as long as they agree to do so in the shadows. But Morena likes her scar, and it's what keeps her going so she can tear down the cruel world around her.

Nobunaga, Phinks, and Feitan plan to head to Tier 4, leaving the bottom tier to the Buor Family. Nobunaga explains that the Cha-R controls all commodities in Tier 5, the Xi-Yu trafficking of humans and goods in Tier 4, and the Heil-Ly acts as go-betweens for the upper and lower tiers in Tier 3. But before going up, Nobunaga needs to get his katana from the warehouse. Phinks says he also needs something, and Feitan needs his umbrella, which was hidden in smuggled goods. Phinks and Feitan say they need to stay together so Hisoka has absolutely no chance if they find him. They're let in by a group of thugs, and one leads them through the warehouse to their weapons. But as the thug turns a corner, he completely vanishes from Nobunaga's En. They look around the corner and see no one. Turning back, they find the thug with his throat slit. Phinks and Feitan just move on since a corpse can't help them, and Nobunaga feels out of place. Someone's hands begin making an opening, as the focus shifts to the general passenger area in Tier 3. Mizaistom comes upon a crime scene with twenty victims. A man disguised himself as a soldier and killed them with a blade. There was one witness who said the attacker was 185-190 cm tall with a crescent scar on the left side of his face. Mizaistom plans to talk to the witness as the focus shifts back to the warehouse, where the man with the crescent scar watches the three Spiders from an opening he's created in the ceiling. A member of the Heil-Ly Family and currently level 21 after his killing spree, Luini hopes that he and the Troupe members can destroy the world together.

Mizaistom interviews the witness, who details her encounter with the killer. The man let her go and somehow escaped from a bathroom which was still locked from the outside. Given this and the fact that he was talking about levels and numbers of people, Mizai surmises that this must involve Nen. The woman gets emotional over the death of one of the victims, and Mizai tells her to go rest before they talk to her again. It's revealed that the woman, Cashew, is a member of the Heil-Ly Family (still level 1), and she planned this whole stunt with Luini because the latter wanted to find out how good the officials were at investigation. Cashew says she’ll take things slowly when it comes to leveling up. Talking to himself, Luini says if he's in a closed room with one door and impenetrable walls, he can make an opening in the walls or floor, only able to go somewhere he's been before. He's able to return to the original room at any time, but if the door to the room is opened, his ability resets, and he can never use that room again. He's unsure if he can use it to go outside the ship, concerned that the ability could get reset while he's out there.

Ken'i Wang confronting three members of the Troupe

The three Spiders return to the warehouse entrance and find all the thugs following a blood trail leading down the hallway. The three carefully consider the situation, with Phinks determining that the person doing all this wants a confrontation with the Cha-R. The blood trail ends at a locked door with security cameras. At the end of the hallway, Ken'i Wang and four Cha-R members with machine guns block the exit. He asks them if they attacked the guards at the warehouse.

At the Tier 5 cafeteria, Franklin sits alone while eating a meal. He's approached by five men, one sitting across from him at the table. Ittoku, the Cha-R consigliere of the Cha-R Family, asks him why he's not out looking for Hisoka. Franklin says that Hisoka's also looking for them, so if he waits, Hisoka will come to him. Ittoku tells him about the dead warehouse guards, but Franklin says they had nothing to do with that unless the guards themselves started it. Before leaving, Ittoku asks if the Troupe came on board just for Hisoka, and Franklin says they are still thieves, but their focus is on Hisoka first. Back with the three Spiders, Ken'i realizes they weren't involved and says that someone in the base let in a man carrying a bloody guard, the man's face too bloody to recognize, and saying that the Spiders did it. Ken'i guesses it's a hitman from another family who desires conflict. Phinks adds that maybe he needed to get inside the room to "mark" it for a teleportation ability, explicitly mentioning Nen. Ken'i asks if they would like to work together, while also thinking to himself that the Spiders can't be controlled and need to be eliminated.

Speaking to a large group of Kakin military officials, Mizaistom brings up the recent murders on Tier 3, stressing that it seems to be the work of multiple serial killers and is connected to the Seed Urn Ceremony. The officials are outraged that he would suggest that a Prince is involved. But Mizaistom explains that if a Prince were actually behind these murders, it wouldn't be a problem since the Princes are exempt from all repercussions for their actions, besides directly killing another Prince. He and the Kakin officials would need only set up someone as the true culprit. Since the Princes are well protected, others may be driven to kill in order to gain favor from them. Given the ancient nature of the Seed Urn Ceremony, it's only natural that they would believe they could gain supernatural power through ritual sacrifice, and the killers aboard the ship may hope to gain powers this way as well. Mizaistom stresses that the crimes will only increase, causing the 200,000 passengers to panic and riot out of fear. He suggests sending 800 soldiers to the lower tiers to stop the killings and calm down any panic from the passengers. The officials quickly object, but Mizai reminds them that Benjamin is the head of national defense and would agree with him. And if they don't report this to him, and he sees the issue mentioned in the minutes of the meeting, they'll all be punished. The meeting ends, and Mizai feels bad about having to phrase things the way he did, but Botobai assures him it was the best option without explaining Nen. Botobai plans to get in contact with various Hunters on the ship, as well as to issue a gag order for the Kakin officials.

In the Cha-R's base on Tier 5, Ken'i leads the three Spiders inside and shows them the security footage of the culprit, who made sure his face was kept hidden. There's an ominous door in the base which the culprit tried to enter in the footage. Ken'i asks the Spiders if they want to see what's inside, and Nobunaga offers to kill the culprit in exchange. Ken'i agrees and introduces them to some Cha-R members. The supervisor, Tsudonke, tells them that there are around 250 total Cha-R members on board, secretly hoping to chat with them one at a time since he's a big fan of the Spiders.

Prince Fugetsu is found in Tier 3 of the ship

A large overview of the Black Whale is shown, detailing the current locations of many notable characters. It's 10:00 a.m. on the fourth day of the voyage. In Tier 3, an announcement goes over the intercom that a stowaway with a weapon is on the loose, and all passengers should stay in their cabins unless escorted by the military to the dining hall. Botobai leads a group of soldiers who sweep the tier looking for anyone without an I.D. ticket. On the observation deck, they come across two individuals, holding them at gunpoint. It's Illumi and Kalluto Zoldyck. Kalluto says they were asleep and didn't hear the announcement. Illumi offers his ticket, and a soldier wonders why a VVIP is down on this tier. Illumi says he has business down here. The soldier informs him that the passage between Tiers 2 and 3 may be closed for the duration of the voyage, but Illumi is adamant about staying in Tier 3. Mizaistom and Botobai take it from here, as the former asks if the Spiders are on the ship. Illumi says they're all on board, and Kalluto wonders why he told him that. Illumi says he'll stay quiet from now on, and Mizai offers the two a room at the central police station. Mizaistom had known that Kalluto had joined the Spiders, but didn't know about Illumi and wondered what they could be plotting. He remembers their connection to Kurapika and worries that the Troupe may be here to exact revenge on him. As Mizai considers whether he should tell Kurapika about the Troupe, an official approaches him and says they found someone without a ticket. Mizaistom is startled and quickly returns to HQ, leaving the Zoldycks with Botobai and Ginta. The female passenger without a ticket is mentioned, one that several soldiers recognized. Mizaistom orders a gag order be imposed on the soldiers and that they are to be put into custody for now. Mizaistom approaches the person, and it's revealed to be Prince Fugetsu.

In the central police station on Tier 3, they confirm with those in her quarters that Fugetsu isn't there, discussing how she got here through no existing corridors. Mizaistom tries to question her, assuring her of confidentiality and that they're here to help her but Fugetsu says she'll only talk to Kacho. The Hunter working with Mizaistom contacts Melody and informs her about the situation, telling her the twins are most likely plotting an escape and to continue assisting Keeney in preventing this. An exchange is shown between Melody and Keeney, with no words given. Melody seems startled, but after Keeney walks away, she says to herself that they still have to proceed. As Mizaistom escorts Fugetsu back up to her quarters, she thinks to herself about her ability. She creates the initial door, and once she reaches her destination, the return door appears which only Kacho can open. As long as they close the door, they can use the return door to go somewhere else, resembling one of their favorite games when they were younger. The investigator tells Fugetsu she'll have an escort for 72 hours, and can still attend the Sunday banquet. In Kacho's quarters, Melody plays a piece on the flute for Seiko and the investigator. Seiko hopes to hear more of her playing at the banquet and says she'll arrange for the broadcast they discussed earlier. Melody and the investigator walk off together, with the latter offering to protect Kacho until landing. Melody says it could draw suspicion, and the investigator agrees. However, he continues to offer his support in keeping both Kacho and Melody safe, saying he feels like he has to do something. As he leaves, Melody reads his heartbeat, describing it as if he's trying to suppress his emotions while on the job, and not ruling out the possibility of him being manipulated. She says 76 hours are left until the banquet.

Predator devouring Salé-salé's Nen beast

In Salé-salé's quarters, Rihan notices that Koroabde has become a supporter of the Prince, now affected by the Nen beast. Rihan has all the information he needs, describing the Nen beast and how it works in thorough detail, the necessary conditions for his ability. He calls forth the Predator, and a four-legged creature with long black hair and a giant mouth full of razor-sharp teeth appears. It first destroys the clone above Koroabde's head, ending his infatuation with the Prince. As Salé-salé lies in bed with two women, his Nen beast floating above them, the predator leaps toward it and devours it whole. Once his predator finishes a mission, Rihan is unable to use any Nen for 48 hours. He radios to Benjamin's quarters that he's disposed of the Nen beast, requesting to sub out for Yushohi. Rihan will now go to Fugetsu's quarters. Yushohi's ability is the best among Benjamin's soldiers for assassination, and it should be easy to take out Salé-salé without his Nen beast. Yushohi radios to Rihan, informing him of Fugetsu's translocation ability and telling him that she may be able to become invisible as well. Rihan is slightly upset since his ability is predicated on he himself finding out the information on another's ability, worrying that Predator could get neutralized.

Yushohi's ability, How to Get Away with Murder, involves the use of a stinger ball that must go unnoticed by the target, taking longer on those who aren't Nen users, while Yushohi remains close (within 20 meters). If the ball is found and removed, it will never work on that target again. It's also a good way of detecting Nen users since they'll react to the buzzing near their ear. Yushohi is contacted about switching with Rihan now that Salé-salé's Nen beast is gone. He enjoys taking his time but enjoys the moment his target dies even more. It's announced over the intercom that they have caught the stowaway, and the lockdown order is lifted, allowing the passengers to move about the ship again. It's 8:00 p.m. on the fifth day of the voyage. There are 72 hours left until the Sunday banquet.

Halkenburg's Nen beast preventing him from taking his own life

Halkenburg once again attempts to see the King, with the soldiers expecting yet another letter. But he and his five guards draw their guns, holding the soldiers at gunpoint as the Prince makes his way, gun still is drawn, into his father's chamber. Nasubi says it's too late since he's already consented to the ritual. But Halkenburg was never told the siblings were going to kill each other. He orders him to suspend the contest or he'll shoot, but Nasubi refuses, saying that Halkenburg needs to participate and take action. Halkenburg fires one shot at Nasubi, and a bullet appears suspended in mid-air inches from his face. Nasubi says one must fire three shots when trying to kill, telling him that he can't die until the ritual ends. Nasubi's butler enters, informing Halkenburg that he and his guards won't be punished for their actions since this was all expected. But suddenly Halkenburg turns his gun on himself, firing one shot. His Nen beast stops the bullet inches from his head, and Nasubi asks him if he's awake now, bringing up the prisoner's trolley problem. Halkenburg wonders if he means that he has to choose either the citizens of Kakin or his siblings. His binary way of thinking disappoints Nasubi, who stresses that the country and its people are what matters most, with the question being who pulls the lever. The only way for him to change the country is to become King, and Nasubi challenges Halkenburg to tell him he doesn't need a king 'after' he becomes one.

In Halkenburg's quarters, Benjamin radios over to Shikaku about the situation with Halkenburg and the King. Shikaku normally wouldn't be sleeping when Halkenburg's away, so he thinks the Nen beast must've attacked. Benjamin tells him that Halkenburg failed to kill the King, but he's now resolved to go all-out in the contest. Halkenburg and his guards return, and Benjamin orders Shikaku to obtain his ability. Aura swells around Halkenburg, and it's revealed that his followers' aura turns into armor for the Prince as well as an arrow. Halkenburg's own aura becomes a bow to fire the arrow. When the arrow is shot, it pierces any manner of defense and steals the enemy's will in exchange for the body of one of his followers. During the shot, Shikaku attempted to use his own ability, Culdcept, which apparently turns another's ability into a card to use, but since the arrow is unblockable, it broke the card and pierced Shikaku. Benjamin's soldier rises from the floor, addressing Halkenburg as "your highness" and asking for his orders. Behind Shikaku there stands a specter of Halkenburg’s sacrificed guard (insinuating that this guard's consciousness now inhabits Shikaku's body).

Kurapika feels this second spike and rumbling of aura (the first was when Halkenburg and his guards had their moment of silence for Momoze's death). The assassin hasn't attacked in a while, but Kurapika worries about this new threat, especially if it's only one person with that much power. In Salé-salé's quarters, the Prince lies asphyxiating in bed, with one of his girls attempting CPR as Yushohi looks on and radios to Benjamin. It is now 8:00 p.m. on the eighth day. Nasubi, Melody, Kacho, and Fugetsu are all shown in a large ballroom as the Sunday banquet begins.

As the attendees take their seats and pick up refreshments, it's announced that the first Sunday banquet will feature a concert hosted by the royal family, but Prince Salé-salé isn't feeling well and will not perform. Kacho and Fugetsu are told about the program changes, but it doesn't change the order of performances. Melody is confident about their plan, glad that Benjamin and Camilla are not present since both are probably Nen users. As various groups perform on stage, the focus shifts to Marayam's quarters, where an unnamed Hunter is worried that the servants at the banquet won't be able to return to the Nen space. Vergei assures them that it's for the best, and thinks that the Prince and others will be able to stay safe in the "fake" Room 1013 until they land. Biscuit agrees, though suggests sending the Hunters assigned to Marayam to the "real" 1013 in order to lessen any suspicions. She says she'll stay there since the Prince has taken a liking to her. Vergei watches on as Marayam plays on Biscuit's shoulders.

Melody entrancing everyone at the banquet with her music

Back at the banquet, Keeney finishes up his piano solo, and Melody bows in front of the King before her flute solo. Both Kacho and Fugetsu put their earbuds in, telling a soldier that they were preparing for their act. Melody says that for three minutes, she can entrance everyone who listens. She begins playing the flute, and a wide vista of mountains, flowers, and butterflies surrounds everyone. The music plays over the speakers, and even the guards outside the banquet hall are entranced. Keeney leads the twins to the lifeboats, explaining to them that they should only use their ability when they think they're going to get caught. The ability should work on the lifeboat, and he tells them to imagine Kakin. But if the door doesn't appear, they should go back to their bedroom, assuring them that they'll find another way. Once the twins are aboard the boat, Keeney cocks a handgun, and the missing dialogue from the earlier exchange between him and Melody is given. Keeney had a wife and daughter who died two years ago in an accident. He had been looking for a place to die, saying that if it's found out that a Hunter helped two Princes escape, the entire Association would be affected. He hopes to see his family again, glad that he can help save the twins' lives. Melody continues playing, saying she couldn't stop him once she heard his heartbeat, and Keeney shoots himself in the head.

The lifeboat races down the escape tunnel, and right, as it nears the exit, a swarm of shadowy hands surrounded the two. Kacho realizes that for the Princes, trying to escape from the ship only leads to death. They hurry away from the hands, and Fugetsu summons a door to return to the ship. They race toward it, the door slamming shut, and Fugetsu finds herself alone in the tunnel, crying for her sister. But the door suddenly opens, and Kacho appears, the two embracing and deciding to lay low before trying another plan. The Nen beasts of both Princes are cooperative, with Fugetsu's being the tunnel and Kacho's indeterminate. Fugetsu's Guardian Spirit Beast ability, Magical Worm, allows her to control the journey outward, with Kacho controlling the return. As the two enter one of their bedrooms and lie down beside each other, it's revealed that the ability of Kacho's Nen beast, Without You, activates if either of the two dies, taking the form of the deceased to protect the other until her death. The body of the real Kacho is shown still on the lifeboat as it drifts out to sea.

A flashback, twenty-one hours and thirty minutes (Saturday, 10:30 p.m.) before the Sunday banquet. The Cha-R's second search for the hitman (Luini) was again unsuccessful, Ken'i Wang tells another man as they enter the Cha-R base through the ominous door mentioned earlier. They're worried that the army may suspect the Mafia soon, which would lead to a search of the Heil-Ly's hideout as well as of their own. The man Ken'i was talking to, Tajao, is revealed to be the assistant to the Cha-R boss, as well as the military advisor for Luzurus' army. They describe the situation to him: the Heil-Ly hitman can use something called Nen, eight members of the Cha-R and Xi-Yu families each have gone missing, and 300 workers are missing in total. Ken'i thinks the man who went on a killing spree in Tier 3 has come down to Tier 5 with accomplices to continue the murders. Tajao wonders how that involves the Spiders, and Phinks tells him about their search for Hisoka and that they want to search for him on the higher tiers. If the Cha-R can get the Xi-Yu in Tier 4 to let the Troupe search there, they'll eliminate the hitman for them. Phinks tells him about the likely Nen ability that the culprit is using, and that he probably wants access to the ominous door, which he guesses is a shortcut to the upper tiers. Tajao says the Heil-Ly have their own door through Tserriednich, but Phinks says maybe the hitman wants to kill the Cha-R's boss. Ken'i asks Tajao to check with Boss Li to see if Morena is in Tier 1.

Tajao then tells the Troupe that if Morena isn't up there, it will be an all-out war. Ken'i explains that the Kakin Mafia has a code: If a member wishes to make a hit or raid on another family, they have to inform their boss before doing so, who then contacts the boss of the other family within 24 hours to make a deal. Tajao adds that it's key that the boss was away from their turf when the initial incident occurred. Nobunaga surmises that on the ship, only Tiers 1 and 2 are considered away from their turf. Tajao confirms this, saying that if Morena was in Tier 3 and doesn't make contact, there’s nothing they can do to stop the war. And if the Troupe were to take out the hitman, they would also be at war with the Heil-Ly. Upon hearing this, Nobunaga decides it makes the most sense to go after Morena herself as well. Phinks asks them about verifying her location, saying they'll contact the rest of the Troupe and hunt down the hitman first. Both Ken'i and Tajao realize how dangerous the Spiders are. The bosses of the Xi-Yu and Cha-R are shown in their respective quarters on Tier 1, but Morena's room has no one in it. All three are known as "second-track fakers," having lavish accommodations, but this is only allowed if they maintain absolute obedience to the Kakin monarchy system.

Rapid Development of the 4th and 9th Princes

Tserriednich's two Nen beasts looming around him

Someone calls Tserriednich about Morena's location, and he confirms she's not in the VVIP area. He tells them that she's most likely been on the lower tiers since boarding, hidden with help from her butler. He says they can do as they as please, and he'll address the issue when he's free. As his guards mop up a pile of blood and guts, with bloody weapons sitting nearby, he orders them to get the soldiers in the lower tiers to search Morena's hideout. Tserriednich resumes his Nen training, creating a mass of dark aura behind him that turns into another Nen beast. Theta is horrified by the aura, saying that his Guardian Spirit Beast was created through ritual, but this Specialist Nen beast was conjured without intent and that it represents his own alter ego created through instinct. Extremely worried that she'll miss her chance if she waits too long, she applauds his progress and decides to move on to teaching him the four major principles: Ten, Zetsu, Ren, and Hatsu. He'll have to practice each one every day to strengthen his Hatsu, but she stresses that Zetsu is the key to mastering Nen. She tells him to close off his aura in sections, and then to do so for his whole body for more than an hour. The Guardian Spirit Beast becomes suspicious of Theta, who says to herself that this training is necessary for learning Nen and she hasn't told a lie. The Nen beast backs off, and Tserriednich works on his Zetsu. Theta says she can do "it" tomorrow if she has to.

Another flashback to 25 minutes before the Sunday banquet. Theta works with Tserriednich on his Zetsu, telling him to close his eyes, focus, and maintain it for 60 minutes while ignoring all sounds and disturbances. She says there's something on his shoulder, and he lets a little aura slip, but Theta says the enemy will be harsher. Tserriednich refocuses as his Nen beast slowly disappears behind him. Theta talks to herself, detailing her plan to kill the Prince. She considers the possibility that his Nen beast may hold a reserve of aura that it could use even when he's maintaining total Zetsu, so she thinks she must have him maintain it for at least 40 minutes. As she drops a mug to the floor, shattering it, two guards rush into the room, but she orders them to not interrupt since it's part of the Prince's training.

Theta appearing to kill Tserriednich

Tserriednich starts over and gets serious this time, saying he won't open even one pore. Theta begins by flicking a small ball of aura at his forehead. It pops upon impact, and the Prince appears to open his eyes, closing them again. More time passes, and Theta quietly draws a handgun, but there’s an announcement that a surprise performance from the banquet will play over the speakers, the first act being a flute solo by Melody of the Hunter Association. The Prince's eyes remain closed, and as she wishes that he were the type to use his talent for others, Theta fires one shot at his head, saying that she will follow him soon. Tserriednich falls to the floor, blood and brain splattered behind him, but suddenly the two are surrounded by a vista of mountains, flowers, and butterflies. The Prince's body no longer lies on the floor, and Theta is in disbelief. The two guards rush back in after hearing the gunshot and order her to freeze. As she wonders if it's his ability, the Prince appears behind her, assuring the guards that this was part of training and telling Theta he was unfazed by the gunshot. She falls to her knees, looking ill, and Tserriednich's Nen beast bends down near her, telling her that if she lies to the Prince again once asked a question, she will no longer be human. Theta falls down to the floor, passing out.

One of the Prince's guards tells him about hearing the gunshot, and then immediately seeing a beautiful landscape. They were unable to move as time passed, guessing it was due to the performance of this person named Melody. Tserriednich says to call her over, and to make it sound like an invitation rather than a summons. As Theta sleeps, she has a nightmare of the Prince's head on his Nen beast, a bullet hole through his head as he asks her if he can trust her, referencing a question that the Prince actually asked her. Salkov sits by her bed as she wakes up, saying she was only asleep for fifteen minutes. He says he'll take things from here and that she should rest, as what looks like an infection covers the left side of her face, around the area where the Nen beast first attacked her. Salkov says that the Nen beast marked her for the first lie, and now this is a warning. He guesses that it's giving those who lie so many chances because it plans to add them to the Prince's pawns by turning them into something inhuman. He assures her he'll figure something out, and Theta wonders what, with Salkov hoping she could figure it out while she rests.

Theta is still in disbelief over the incident, and Salkov tells her that there was no blood when he tested the spot with luminol. But she did fire the gun and tries to figure out what was real and what was an illusion. It's the ninth day since departure. In the Justice Bureau on Tier 2, the still-unnamed investigator is questioning Melody about the banquet. He tells her that Keeney left a suicide note explaining that he alone was involved in the twins' escape. The investigator adds that a few of the Princes were impressed by her performance and have invited her to their quarters. Melody realizes that she's being held to protect her from the more dangerous Princes. She asks about the twins, and he says they are also answering questions, having said that Keeney tried to force them to board the lifeboat. He isn't exactly sure about the situation and will continue his questioning with them. Melody decides to use her time in custody to plan out her next moves.

In Halkenburg's quarters, the guard (named Sumidori) who was "sacrificed" so that the Prince could shoot an arrow lies on a table, wearing a device on his head to monitor brain waves. There's nothing unusual and he's apparently just asleep. Their understanding is that Sumidori's soul has possessed Shikaku's body, which Sumidori-Shikaku confirms, saying it doesn't feel too different from his own body. But they wonder where Shikaku is, with Halkenburg suggesting four options:

1. Shikaku's soul is gone and he's dead.
2. His soul is in Sumidori's body.
3. The two coexist within Shikaku's body.
4. It's somewhere (or in someone) else.

Sumidori (controlling Shikaku's body) shooting him in the head

They plan to learn what's going on with Shikaku's soul. Halkenburg tells them that after the confrontation with his father, he gained the resolve to do what he has to, and the ability awakened within him. Halkenburg shares his hypothesis with them, saying he'll have to contact an expert on Nen to see if it's possible. He asks Sumidori-Shikaku for his help, and he gladly obliges. In Luzurus' quarters, Basho feels a rumbling of aura from Halkenburg's room, and the doorbell then rings. It's Sumidori-Shikaku, and they ask him what he wants. He salutes and exclaims, "Long live his highness!! First Prince Benjamin!!!" Putting a gun to his head, he pulls the trigger and falls to the floor. In disbelief, the Royal Bodyguard watching the monitor says he killed himself. Basho feels the rumbling stop. Balsamilco informs Benjamin that Shikaku has committed suicide, most likely due to Halkenburg's Guardian Spirit Beast ability. The two agree that he's now their top priority, and Benjamin orders that Kanjidol return from Luzurus' quarters to report everything he witnessed. Back in Halkenburg's quarters, they've tied Sumidori's body to a chair as he wakes up. Halkenburg asks him for his post and service number to confirm whether Sumidori's soul has returned or not.

In Woble's quarters, both Kurapika and Bill felt the rumbling of aura, the latter guessing it was from the Ninth, Seventh, or Fifth Prince. Sakata asks if it could've been from Zhang Lei, but Kurapika says it wasn't his Nen beast's aura. A large amount of energy disappeared instantly, like a balloon popping, and Kurapika says this is common with Emission abilities, which can often go through physical barriers. There's one week left for the Nen training, and Sakata tells them that the others are starting to question whether this will actually work. Kurapika says they'll move to the next step tomorrow, bringing everyone together as he performs the Water Divination test. The water changes color and the leaf starts spinning, with Kurapika explaining that this determines their Nen type and telling them that his ability is of the Specialist type. It can only be done if one can produce enough aura, and Kurapika chooses to start with Ladiolus, who has been the quickest to learn. Babimyna notices that in an attempt to spur on the others, Kurapika picked someone smaller and weaker to show that gender and physical strength aren't related to Nen talent. Kurapika plans to perform Water Divination behind closed doors so that everyone's Nen type is kept confidential. Satobi objects to this, and Danjin is also suspicious. Kurapika explains that to achieve learning Nen in the two-week period, they'll be performing the test in a way that requires assistance from him and Bill. In addition, Kurapika and Bill learning their Nen types is the payment given the risks. Lastly, he assures them that they’re teaching them Nen in order to empower the guards of the lower-ranked Princes so a stalemate can be created, telling them to quit right there if they disagree with the terms. Furykov and Babimyna stand off to the side, glad to learn that Kurapika is a Specialist. They discuss Rihan's ability, saying that after dealing with Salé-salé's Nen beast, he's now monitoring Tubeppa, whose Nen beast isn't showing itself. Furykov asks him about Woble's Nen beast, but Babimyna says it still hasn't revealed itself, whether because Woble is too young or it's a counterattacking type.

In Tserriednich's quarters, Salkov is now helping the Prince with his Nen training, shocked that he's working on the four major principles in only a week. Tserriednich is working on entering Zetsu as quickly as he can, telling Salkov to time him, and when he can do so in less than a second, the two will spar. He tells Salkov that he's had a change of heart, and he now finds two-faced women cute.

Tserriednich witnessing how powerful Nen can be

Flashback to 25 minutes before the Sunday banquet, this time with events from Tserriednich's perspective. Once he closes off all his aura, he suddenly sees an overhead view of himself and Theta, with static all around like he's watching a television screen. He and Theta talk in the exchange he's watching, and wonders if it's a dream. He loses Zetsu, and Theta repeats the exact lines she said in the vision, even when he changes his own dialogue. The vision lasted ten seconds, and he guesses it was some sort of precognition. It starts once he closes his eyes and achieves Zetsu, but he worries that he can't move during the dream, being defenseless for ten seconds so he can see ten seconds into the future. He enters Zetsu again, and maintains it past the previous point, realizing he can move now and that he can stay ten seconds ahead of actual events. Theta sees him as he was in the vision, and he realizes that he's the only one who can change what he does within those ten seconds. He wonders if it will reset once he opens his eyes while in Zetsu and talks to her, then closing his eyes again. Theta still sees him with his eyes closed and doesn't react to his comments. He closes his eyes and confirms he can do it in a row.

He sees Theta draw her gun and shoot him in the head. He quickly opens his eyes, darting to the side and falling to the floor. But he realizes that Theta will think he's still standing there and that she shot him. Theta fires, and the beautiful vista from Melody's playing suddenly surrounds them. Tserriednich is confused at first but realizes this is another person's ability, excited by how fun Nen is. The aftermath plays out exactly as before, and he thinks that he'll ask Theta later why she tried to kill him. After she's led away, he goes over in great detail how he thinks his ability works, and that he needs to test it more before addressing the issue with Theta. In addition, he realizes that the time it takes to enter Zetsu and being able to maintain it will prove essential to perfecting the ability. Once he can control Zetsu at will, he declares that he'll dominate not only the contest for succession but the world itself.

Maor seeing Bill's ability

At Kurapika's Nen training, the guards still worry about the test being conducted behind closed doors, but Furykov assures them that he and Babimyna can tell if anything suspicious is going on, like manipulation, once Ladiolus comes back out. Babimyna thinks it's possible for Kurapika to semi-coercively open nodes, but then Kurapika's aura would be mixed in, and Furykov will be able to tell if someone is being controlled by it. They also worry that Bill's ability could be a factor, impressed by how intelligent Kurapika is. Ladiolus comes back out, and Furykov can't believe the volume of aura around her (as if she'd been practicing the basics for three hours every day for a year). He can't be entirely sure with just one case, but he doesn't think she’s being controlled. Kurapika informs them that there will be a gag order on all their results until everyone has taken the test. Maor is next and walks back with Kurapika and Bill. Kurapika informs him that they'll be using a Nen "attack" to force the process to speed up. Maor is rightly cautious, but Kurapika assures him he won't be harmed at all. Bill then puts his hands around the glass of water, which has a seed in it, causing the seed to sprout. Kurapika says he's an Enhancer whose ability allows him to cause the growth of his target. Maor asks if that ability will be used on him to awaken his own, but Kurapika says he will borrow Bill's ability and then lend it to him, which will semi-coercively awaken Nen in someone (just as he did with Oito). Maor exits with aura surrounding him, and Furykov again confirms that there's no manipulation here. Babimyna is now convinced that Kurapika is using his Specialist ability to awaken Nen and that this is likely only one of his abilities, possibly having one for each of his chains. Maor tells Longhi that everything Kurapika said was true, and he can feel himself brimming with vitality, as he focuses his breathing and works on maintaining it. Babimyna considers that Kurapika will only continue these classes to make as many Nen users as he can, wondering if there's any plausible excuse to stop him.

Yuri goes through the process next, and Kurapika explains that by learning Ten and Hatsu, she'll then be able to perform the Water Divination test confidentially on her own. He also tells her that they're planning more classes, asking her if she can talk to Kacho and Seiko about sending more people. Bill thinks to himself about the benefits and risks of Kurapika's stalemate strategy, worrying that some could become power-hungry and use Nen offensively. But he knows Kurapika inevitably has more to his plan to counteract this. Kurapika thanks him for allowing his ability to be disclosed, especially since it's rare for male Enhancers to have a supportive ability. He asks Bill if he's sure he wants to continue. He says maybe, explaining that Beyond ordered him on board to travel to the New Continent, but he's the one who chose to be a guard for Woble since he thought there wouldn't be much combat protecting a baby. When Vincent appeared, it really angered him, and after hearing Kurapika's conversations with Oito, even though he's a coward, he says he finally gained the resolve to prepare for the worst. But Kurapika assures him that cowards don't gain this level of resolve. Hashito and Sakata interrupt the two, with the former asking if he can do the Water Divination test as well, since Tenftory will be the last to do it and he'd feel better if one of Zhang Lei's guards could use Nen sooner. But Kurapika denies his request, saying that he hasn't practiced the basics like the others and would be much more fatigued.

In Tubeppa's quarters, Maor informs her that the training worked and they should send more of their guards, with Tubeppa allowing him to choose. Rihan wonders if he shouldn't be going after Halkenburg's Nen beast instead since Tubeppa's isn't showing itself, but that doesn't mean that hers is less dangerous. He also notices Maor's aura, understanding the stalemate that Kurapika is trying to create. He would prefer to eliminate Kurapika first but knows that's not realistic for Predator given the number of abilities he could have. Since Halkenburg is already making moves, Rihan decides he should go after him first before Tubeppa. Even with Balsamilco's experience and telling them to be patient, he worries that they're being too cautious after Shikaku's suicide. The focus shifts to Balsamilco, who desperately wants Rihan to figure out the situation with Halkenburg and Shikaku, but can't give him any information since that condition is the crux of Predator. He wonders if Shikaku committed suicide in an attempt to guarantee Benjamin's safety, given the power of Halkenburg's ability, but realizes that Shikaku knows Benjamin despises begging for one's life the most. Now from Tubeppa's perspective, she says that Salé-salé wouldn't have backed out of the concert just because he was sick, guessing that he was killed by Benjamin's men since they've started changing their shifts. She focuses on finding out Salé-salé's cause of death and whether Nen was involved, so she can develop countermeasures. She gives a flash drive to one of her researchers, Heisen, hoping the mission will in some way affect any emerging abilities, which was a concern of Rihan's. Tubeppa tries to come up with numerous ways to access the shift logs and find out what happened in Salé-salé's room, but realizes it would draw heavy suspicion. Maor isn't skilled enough with Nen to defend her, so she considers enlisting the help of Kurapika. It's 11:30 a.m. on the tenth day of the voyage. Kurapika, Bill, and Oito feel the fourth rumbling of aura, as the time between them is getting shorter.

Flashback to 10:00 a.m. on the ninth day. Kanjidol is relating the incident at Luzurus' quarters to Benjamin and Balsamilco. He was in the Prince's bedroom with the Prince and four other guards. He tells them about the rumbling of aura and Shikaku's suicide, saying the two must be linked and that it may have been forced in some sort of deal to keep Benjamin from harm. Balsamilco agrees with the evaluation overall but has three problems with the theory. First, Halkenburg would have to have shot the Emission ability through the rooms of the Eleventh and Thirteenth Princes in order to strike Benjamin in the VVIP area. It's not in Halkenburg's character to force suicide or sacrifice the lower-ranked Princes to get to Benjamin. Second, if Halkenburg was able to order Shikaku to do something, he would have had him go after another Prince, not commit suicide. Third, Balsamilco theorizes that in this contest, Princes can't kill one another, and their Nen beasts can't harm other Nen beasts or the Princes themselves. Since killing a royal is a capital crime, even for a Prince, Balsamilco thinks it makes sense that the Nen beasts would follow this law. So Halkenburg's Nen beast would never support an ability that could kill a Prince directly. But Balsamilco is still unsure about the reason for Shikaku's suicide, telling Kanjidol that the key is that it happened in front of Luzurus' quarters. He orders him to remember whatever he can and to observe everything that happens there from now on.

Steiner and Peuckert arriving to arrest Halkenburg

Back to 11:30 a.m. on the tenth day, Benjamin and Balsamilco feel the fourth rumbling of aura, and the former wonders what's going with Vict, who's now stationed with Halkenburg. Vict radios them using an emergency signal, saying something about Halkenburg and a bow. And as he mentions that the Prince is invincible and that "attacks won't...", he screams and the radio goes silent. Benjamin hoped that Vict's ability, Tackle Shield, would be able to keep Halkenburg in check, but realizes that Halkenburg's aggression and strength are greater than he thought. The two guess that it involves all his guards, and that he must sacrifice one of them for every shot. Benjamin's hand is shown with four stars below the four main fingers on his right hand. After Shikaku's death, he now possesses the abilities of four of his soldiers through Benjamin Baton, saying that Vict is still alive, but worries about wasting any more of his men. Benjamin asks Balsamilco if they should transfer Musse's owl from Camilla onto one of his guards, but Balsamilco says they know even less about her ability, advising to keep it on her. He thinks that given the death of Shikaku and now what's happened to Vict, Halkenburg can be arrested on suspicion of premeditated murder, which has the added benefit of separating him from his men. Steiner and Peuckert, both from the Restricted Voyage Permit Agency's special task force, now working with the Kakin Justice Bureau, arrive at Halkenburg's quarters and take him into custody. He will be unable to contact his men until after the trial, and since Vict's status and location are still unknown, he'll be put under surveillance just as Camilla was. But Balsamilco declares that the trial is their golden opportunity, and they'll make their move there.

In Tyson's quarters, Izunavi tells Giuliano it's time for his shift, but the latter is enraptured by the Book of Tyson, saying that he was wrong about the Prince and would love for her to be King. But that would be in complete contrast to her principles, and describes the book as a sort of parting message. Izunavi reminds him that his real job starts after he’s protected the Prince, once they reach the "New Continent." Giuliano knows this but is unsure if he'll be able to just move on when he can see, as he describes it, the tragedy to come. He makes his way to the main room, and everyone is waiting for him, suddenly surprising him with birthday wishes. It's not his birthday, but Tyson, who's made him a cake, knew that they would have to say goodbye in two months anyway. She says she's so glad to have met him, and Giuliano begins crying with happiness.

In Luzurus' quarters, Kanjidol tries to get information from the other guards, but they're hesitant or unwilling to do so. Kanjidol thinks Shikaku's suicide was done in order to create a diversion, turning everyone's attention to the hallway while Halkenburg had Queen Duazul's men do something in the room itself, possibly attempting to assassinate Luzurus. Besides Satobi, five of the guards belong to Duazul, and two of them may have tried to do something to two guards not affiliated with the Queen (Macne and Scairt). Kanjidol thinks about what to do, worrying that he may draw suspicion, and thinks that Duazul's men may be trying to manipulate Macne to kill Luzurus, but wonders how feasible that is with everyone else around. In addition, he believes that going after Halkenburg should be Benjamin's priority, rather than investigating Luzurus' quarters. Lastly, he approaches Basho to ask him if he'll help with the investigation. Basho also thinks Duazul's men are involved, and suggests that Macne and Scairt be put under surveillance as suspects. But he says Luzurus disagrees with this, and that Duazul's men don't help any Prince. Even though none of her men know Nen, they could be pretending in order to throw them off. Kanjidol agrees and walks off. But Basho was just feigning that opinion, and actually believes that Benjamin's men are behind all this and that Shikaku's suicide was necessary for an ability to activate, citing the power of Nen after death. He thinks they may have done it to put suspicion on Halkenburg, while they actually go after one of the higher-ranked Princes.

With Camilla still under surveillance in the VVIP area, the focus shifts to her guards, one of whom has a picture of Benjamin in her shirt pocket. Moswana says she'll curse him to death so Camilla can take the throne. It's revealed that ancient Kakin had an unusual burial practice known as afterlife companions. They were taken from the lowest of the caste system, the Have-Nots, and were used to supervise, in the land of the dead, those Princes who couldn't become King, so that they wouldn't turn into vengeful spirits and curse the King or Kakin itself. The custom is no longer practiced, but Kakin's caste system remains, with these Have-Nots unable to hold public office or join the military and gain rank. Camilla, however, allowed them to join her personal army, giving them the same rights as Kakin's soldiers. With Camilla now supporting them, they called for the practice of afterlife companions to be brought back and combining this with their Nen abilities, these Have-Nots became curse assassins. There are soldiers assigned to curse each of the remaining Princes. They must carry the target's name, a picture of them, a piece of clothing, or something from their body at all times and curse them as much as they can. The longer this goes on and the closer they are to their target when they themselves die, the stronger the curse becomes, with the strongest being committing suicide right in front of the target. Sarahell, Camilla's captain and assigned to curse Prince Woble, says that Shikaku wasn't a Have-Not, but that he still could've used a similar curse. If this affects Camilla, they have their own exorcist ready to deal with it. The soldiers formerly assigned to curse Momoze and Salé-salé will now investigate whether the enemy has any exorcists.

The ability of the Have-Nots, Yomotsu Hegui, is explained in further detail. One carries a dagger and something connected to the target. After cursing the target every day, on the day of the curse, they burn the object and drink a tonic of the ashes, then commit suicide with the dagger to activate the curse. The curse puts the target into a state of forced Zetsu, and the strongest of curses can take effect and be fatal within a couple of hours. Sarahell worries about the Princes' Nen beasts as well as the Hunters, hoping to curse one of the Princes so they can find out if the Association has an exorcist with them. She summons Fukataki, the Majordomo, who explains how much time each curse would take before being able to activate. Another soldier informs Sarahell that Kacho and Fugetsu are being held in custody for an escape attempt, and Fukataki says it would now take much longer given their current location. She also explains that with the Nen beasts as a factor now, the curses won't be successful unless they're close enough to touch the Princes, looking into their eyes when they curse them. Even though she hasn't been cursing her for a while, Sarahell thinks that Woble is the best target, especially since the Hunters there are still offering Nen classes. Fuktaki asks her if she's aware of the risks, and Sarahell says even if she fails, she has nothing to lose as a Have-Not.

In Zhang Lei's quarters, Tenftory informs the Prince that the Nen training was successful, now able to see his Nen beast. Zhang Lei gives him a coin as a reward, thinking that it's the first one he's given to someone. Coventoba, however, still has the coin he secretly picked up but notices that the coin's number has gone from "1" to "10".

Coventoba thinks it may be a different coin, but realizes it has the same aura as the one he initially picked up, guessing that it has something to do with the Nen beast's ability. He asks to see Tenftory's coin, and it also has a "10" on it. Zhang Lei thinks to himself about the ability, saying that the Nen beast drops one coin a day, and it would be pointless to keep them himself. He's unsure about the purpose of the coins and thinks they will be more useful after he becomes King than for the contest itself. Now with renewed resolve to win the throne, Zhang Lei goes to meet with the boss of the Xi-Yu Family, telling him that three of his siblings are already dead. He asks Onior about Nen beasts and Nen, with Onior oblivious to both, but he does know that some of his younger members have weird powers. Onior tells Zhang Lei that Nasubi won his succession contest by being patient and waiting, saying that he'll look into what happened back then. Zhang Lei leaves, saying to himself, "I'm counting on you... father."

Mafia War: Hunting the Heil-Ly

Hinrigh contacts Onior about the worsening situation with Morena and the Heil-Ly and the killing of and several members of both the Cha-R and their own family. Onior gives the Troupe permission to search Tier 4, and instructs Hinrigh to kill Morena and crush the Heil-Ly as Hinrigh searches for Hisoka on Tier 3. Hinrigh meets up with Zakuro Custard and Lynch Fullbokko and updates them on their new goals. Hinrigh bribes a soldier to let them up to Tier 3, where a Heil-Ly man and woman notice the trio arriving. The woman leaves to let Morena know of their arrival but is spotted by Hinrigh who tails her, after directing Zakuro and Lynch to confront the man. Hinrigh is forced to stop after she crosses into a civilian zone protected by the military and realizes that the Heil-Ly's intentions on the boat, having never listed their members as mafia members and so breaking the unspoken rules between the families.

Hinrigh using his ability to dispose of two soldiers

Zakuro and Lynch approach and begin to question the man, but a third Heil-Ly member appears behind them and cuts Zakuro's neck. The first Heil-Ly man kicks Lynch to the ground, and starts to question her, but realizes his partner is caught up in Zakuro's Bloody Mary. Zakuro slams his opponent to the ground distracting Lynch's opponent, and Lynch uses this opportunity to use Body and Soul to learn about the Heil-Ly's manpower and powers. Hinrigh returns to Zakuro and Lynch, escorted by the guards earlier guarding the civilian area. Hinrigh pretends to bribe the guards to ignore their commotion and secretly uses Biohazard on their guns before walking away with Zakuro and Lynch, pretending to be heading back to Tier 4. Biohazard kills the guards, and the Xi-Yu members resume their search for Hisoka.

Hinrigh splits off from Zakuro and Lynch and lets the two continue searching for Hisoka while Hinrigh tries to find some more Heil-Ly men and tracks the Heil-Ly woman that he was forced to stop following. He returns to the crowded general passenger area, and checks the camera rolls of people taking photos in the area for signs of her, managing to find a picture of her walking into a "C:31" corridor on an elderly couple's camcorder. He seizes the camcorder from the couple and uses Biohazard to turn it into a cat to record people using the corridor. As Hinrigh walks away to search other areas for more signs of the Heil-Ly, he mentally prepares for the possibilities of what the Heil-Ly could be planning, especially with Tserriednich not being around to monitor them.

In Area E, Hinrigh is spotted from a distance by three Heil-Ly members: Padaille, Quorolle, and Tevelares. They make a loose plan to have Padaille go in first and make an opening for Quorolle and Tevelares to kill Hinrigh. Padaille uses Fistful of Weapons to turn his right hand into an hammer while approaching Hinrigh from behind, but is himself caught from behind by a set of handcuffs Hinrigh reinforced with Nen and turned into pigeons with Biohazard that he had follow him in case of attacks. Quorolle and Tevelares shoot at the pigeons to no avail due to the Nen reinforcement, getting Hinrigh's attention, and Padaille takes this chance to attack Hinrigh, having changed his arm into a drill bit to free his right hand from his handcuffs. Padaille manages to stab Hinrigh's hand, but Hinrigh manages to kick him away and handcuff his left hand to his left ankle with another pigeon-handcuff. Desperate, Padaille turns his right hand into an axe, but Hinrigh catches his arm and pushes it into the back of his head, killing Padaille. Quorolle and Tevelares abandon Padaille over fears of being captured and tortured into revealing the location of their hideout and decide to report back to Morena.

A crowd gathers around Hinrigh and Padaille, and several military members approach them to manage the situation. Misha Hao appears and uses Zombie Girl to possess Padaille, answering the military's questioning to cover for Hinrigh. Corporal Maizan comes to check on Padaille, and lets and Misha walk away to dispose of Padaille's corpse after confirming that Padaille is a civilian. Maizan walks close to Hinrigh and gives him a warning to not draw attention and attack civilians as a guise to offer him information about Morena's location. Hinrigh offers 50 million jennys and agrees to the 30 million up-front payment after confirming the source of the information. He leaves to fetch the money.

Zakuro and Lynch continue their search for Hisoka, Zakuro using Bloody Mary to spot passengers matching their given information about Hisoka, and Lynch using Body and Soul to confirm their identities. They find Hisoka, but Hisoka reflexively knocks Lynch out as she uses Body and Soul. Intimidated by his aura, Zakuro explains the family's search for Hisoka and asks Hisoka to follow him back to Hinrigh for a better explanation.

Having heard rumors about a fight between a Xi-Yu man (Hinrigh) and a member of the public (Padaille), Tsudonke approaches an information center to gather more information. He learns that Tier 1's general store has the ability to request items to be delivered to the Black Whale, via various methods depending on item, time, and offered price. He rejoins Ken'i Wang and several other Cha-R family members, who are roaming Tier 3 in search of Hisoka but also looking for information about the rumored fight. They agree Hinrigh was involved and Ken'i decides to split the team up. He will accompany some of them to Area E, and tells the others to search for more intel before reporting back to HQ and letting the Phantom Troupe know about their findings. He tells his men to prioritize searching for Hisoka above the Heil-Ly family, but to be cautious due to his battle capabilities and desire to fight uphill battles.

In the Cha-R headquarters, a Cha-R member watches the security cameras as Feitan rests on a bunk bed above another Cha-R member, and Nobunaga and Phinks debate bringing Franklin along to help their search. A knock comes at the main door, and Vic, another Cha-R member, opens the door, expecting the return of the Tier 3 search team, but is stopped by the one watching the security camera. The Spiders and Cha-R members go to the computer monitors and see Luini's arm knocking on the door through a gap in the wall from his Nen space. Phinks looks back and sees the resting Cha-R members missing. The Cha-R member watching the cameras comes to take a look as well, but is told by Nobunaga to bolt himself in the monitor room and let them know if anything happens to the search team. Luini pulls open from his Nen space into the door, and jokingly chastises the Spiders for betraying his expectations by working with the Cha-R instead of attacking them as he earlier tried to engineer.

Luini, realizing he has unintentionally angered the Spiders, peeks the top half of his body into the Cha-R headquarters and proposes to work together with the Spiders to destroy the world, but is quickly stabbed through the forehead by Nobunaga before he can react. The Tier 3 search team returns to find their underlings missing, and Nobunaga explains that Luini had killed them, pointing to Luini's dismembered body right behind them. Nobunaga formally announces their intent to crush the Heil-Ly while they look for Hisoka, while Phinks and Feitan thank the Cha-R for their hospitality and make plans to return in the future.

Back at the Heil-Ly hideout, several Heil-Ly members discuss how to proceed with the loss of Luini, while standing in a closed room around Luini's lower half and several corpses. Daemon, Gelato, Perigord, Bille, and Matvere, all about to reach Level 21, debate the best way to continue hunting for prey, having lost access to the strategy of simply capturing and transporting victims to level up through Luini's ability. Voconte proposes using his Nen ability as an alternative way to proceed, but mentions that they will have to wait for victims as opposed to forcing them to be transported. A voice asks if the door can be opened, and Quorolle and Televeras step in, asking about the possibility of anyone being an emitter or have firearms, in order to defeat Hinrigh. Gelato, Quorolle, and Televeras head to Morena, and ask her for her opinion on their proposals on how to deal with Hinrigh. Morena highlights the many possible ways to deal with the situation, and offers to let Gelato know her Nen type, but Gelato declines, preferring to keep the surprise.

In a dumpster, Zakuro, having been knocked out by Hisoka, is woken up by Lynch, who asks if he had spoken with Hisoka after she was knocked out. They decide to let Hinrigh know that Hisoka was on his way to see a movie. After bringing Hinrigh to the cineplex, Hinrigh sends Zakuro away to prevent suggesting their meeting with Hisoka as predicated by revenge and resist communication. Zakuro rejoins Lynch in the search for Chrollo, and Hinrigh finds Hisoka in screen 8 of the cineplex. Hinrigh approaches Hisoka, and lets him know that the Cha-R is working with both the Phantom Troupe and the Xi-Yu to target the Heil-Ly. He asks Hisoka to keep to Tier 1 so that the Phantom Troupe might not find him and force the Xi-Yu and Cha-R to attack him, offering him a room in the VVIP area. Hinrigh makes the fact that neither mafia family intends on interfering between Hisoka and the Troupe clear, and Hisoka accepts his offer while letting Hinrigh know that he does not plan to refuse a fight if they chase him.

In Area E, Ken'i observes Corporal Maizan waiting around for Hinrigh to bring him the agreed money, and Maizan offers to cut Ken'i into the location of the secret base. Connelly, a Xi-Yu lieutenant, returns with the money for Maizan, and they wait for Hinrigh to return. Hinrigh returns, and Maizan brings them and several Xi-Yu and Cha-R underlings to rooms 3101, 3102, and 3100, three cabins in the Tier 3 first class area. Maizan asks the occupant of 3101 to open the door using his authority as Kakin army, and Gateaume opens the door. Maizan asks Gateaume to sit on his bed and keep his hands up before heading into his room, checking the toilet, and closing the door behind him. Hinrigh and Ken'i notice Maizan has vanished, and Gateaume feigns ignorance, inviting them in. They stay outside the room, and Hinrigh throws a knife between Gateaume's head and hand to threaten him, and check for a trap. Hinrigh asks Gateaume to step toward them, but Gateaume insists on using the bathroom, so Hinrigh throws a knife into Gateaume's leg. Gateaume immediately screams and falls to the ground, but Hinrigh notes the lack of blood and calls him out for faking his injury. Gateaume gives up the act, and vanishes into Nen.

Hinrigh and Ken'i discuss how to proceed, and Ken'i proposes leaving the Heil-Ly to the Phantom Troupe. Tassi, a Xi-Yu underling, goes into the room to retrieve Hinrigh's knife. Hinrigh tells him not to, but Tassi vanishes as he steps into the room, confirming Hinrigh's suspicions that entering the room was a trap. Hinrigh incorrectly guesses that this is the way Luini abducted the other mafia members and is refuted when Ken'i explains that Nobunaga had killed Luini, elaborating that the troop had said they would crush the Heil-Ly, and deciding to leave the trap to them. Ken'i walks off as Hinrigh decides to continue investigating the trap, returning to the general passenger area to retrieve the cat-camcorder and review its footage.

Tassi teleports into the Heil-Ly base facing a door and is momentarily confused by the change in his environment. Before he can react, he's killed by Bille, who reaches level 21 and discovers he is a Conjurer. Matvere (newly a Transmuter), Terebellum (newly an Emitter), Gelato, and Orarge (an Enhancer), congratulate him on leveling up. Terebellum picks up Tassi's corpse and throws it to Montblanc and Chiffon Toto, both low levels but already Conjurers, to dispose of Tassi's corpse.

Matvere, Sodom (a Manipulator), Orarge, and Yokotani (a Conjurer), report to Morena that their liaison on with Tserriednich has gone silent. Morena suspects that Tserriednich might be aware of them and so is running out of time before he confronts them, and so decides to have Sodom work with Dogman (an Enhancer) and try to abduct one of Tserriednich soldiers to infect with Contagion, to keep a tab on Tserriednich's whereabouts. Matvere and Sodom leave to find Dogman, and Morena decides to abandon the entrance from Room 3101 and instructs Orarge and Yokotani to take turns guarding an alternative entrance, Door C. Notre (a Conjurer) and Souffle (a Transmuter) are instructed to return to Room 3131 and report back on the situation in Room 3101 from there. Morena and Dogman agree to prioritize him at the new disposal plant to quickly get him to Level 50.

A group of soldiers (and Tserriednich's friends and former classmates in the Kakin Military School) storm a Heil-Ly hideout while looking for Morena and discover a Cha-R body, letting them retroactively justify the forced entry. While resuming patrol, Otocin, a second class private with the Kakin Royal Army, suggests the possibility that the Heil-Ly has Nen users to Corporal Gipper, having learned the information from first-class private Borksen, a member of the Royal Living Quarters Guard Association. Gipper dismisses Otocin's suggestions. The other soldiers on patrol note the corpse being a few days old and agree that the police and army are likely to overlook the matter due to their leniency towards Mafia disputes that do not involve civilian casualties, but worry about the Hunter Association getting involved and eliminating the Mafia families in order to protect the Princes, creating a looming threat of a war between the Kakin Empire and the Mafia. They worry about the Heil-Ly's intent to upset the balance, demonstrated by Morena's eradication of old members and registering her remaining crew as civilians instead of Mafia, and about the threat of the Mafia families rallying citizens on Tiers 4 and 5, outnumbering the military. Momolly theorizes that Tserriednich's lack of action is due to him learning Nen, and the group make contingency plans on how to avoid working as much as they can. Borksen meets up with the group and confirms Tserriednich's learning of Nen, having learnt that from Theta. Borksen remarks that Theta and Salkov started acting strangely after Kurapika's emergency broadcast about Nen, and the group agreed to avoid Morena. One of the other soldiers brings up the fact that Morena does not know their faces, but Borksen shares that the tattoo artist that marked them as private soldiers used to be part of the Heil-Ly family but was rescued from Morena's naming ceremony by Tserriednich. The group agree to reach out to either the Xi-Yu or Cha-R families and make contingency plans in case they get caught by Morena.

Hinrigh sees Perigord and Bille on the cat-camcorder recordings walking through the hallway but not coming out, and returning later from a different direction. He rejoins Ken'i and the other Mafia members, and they review the information they know. Ken'i shares that the Phantom Troupe were headed to deal with the trap. Nobunaga, Phinks, and Feitan head to investigate the trap, and make their way into Room 3102. They decide to begin with Room 3101's bathroom, and cut through the back of Room 3102 to get to Room 3101's bathroom via the construction hallway. Feitan forces Room 3102's occupant through the hole Nobunaga cut into the chamber in case of traps, and the Phantom Troupe follow him to discover some signs of recent inhabitation in the construction hallway. Trying to make sense of their facts, Nobunaga theorizes that the Heil-Ly are a lot like the Phantom Troupe, where the loss of a companion has a big impact on them. He has a flashback to his younger days in Meteor City, before the Phantom Troupe existed.

Running through mountains of rubbish, a young Franklin catches a cassette tape, and together with a young Shalnark and young Chrollo, runs away from a young Uvogin, having been spotted by a young Machi. Uvogin hits Shalnark with a rock, and Franklin fights Uvogin to hold him off, while Chrollo escapes with the cassette tape. A young Phinks and young Feitan cut him off with a motorcycle, and steals the cassette tape from Chrollo before driving off, but Chrollo pulls out the actual cassette tape, having passed Phinks a fake. Back at the local church, Lisores, a Meteor City elder welcomes Chrollo back, but warns him against visiting the city outskirts alone due to the raiding parties in the inner-city neighborhoods. Chrollo takes the cassette tape to the screening room, where he finds a young Pakunoda, and the two try to watch it, only to be greeted by static. Lisores calls the Meteor City elders, and suggests Chrollo's creativity may be of use to them.

The next day, Chrollo shows the cassette tape recording of the Clean-Up Rangers in a foreign language to Pakunoda, having simply forwarded through the static previously seen. Pakunoda offers to get everyone in, but is stopped by Chrollo, who suggests dubbing the recording instead. Pakunoda calls Sheila and Sarasa over to help record the dubbing, and return to find Chrollo already finished with the translation. As Meteor City residents get abducted in another part of the city, the four begin recording their dubbing.

A few days later, an announcement of Chrollo's dubbing is to be shown at the day's congregation. Chrollo helps Linores distribute snacks to the other children in Meteor City, while Uvogin comes and intimidates him for stealing the recording and showing it. Phinks and Feitan come by, and invite Chrollo to play soccer after his meeting with Uvogin, but Sarasa convinces them to help give out snacks instead. During the screening, the children are amazed to hear the show in their language, but Shalnark recognizes the voices of Chrollo and Pakunoda. Suddenly, the audio cuts off, and Chrollo quickly begins a live dubbing, pretending that the audio was delivered live from the very beginning. The audience realizes that Chrollo has been voicing all the male characters, and Chrollo resumes the dubbing with Pakunoda, Sheila, and Sarasa, entrancing the audience with his intensity and realism. After the screening, Chrollo and his friends see Uvogin waiting for him, ready to confront him for stealing the tape, but Sarasa "dubs" Uvogin and gives Chrollo his approval, denying Uvogin the chance to pretend otherwise. Uvogin, Nobunaga, Feitan, Phinks, Shalnark, and Franklin ask to be in the next recording, and Uvogin gives Chrollo his real approval, shaking his hand.

While searching for more people to dub the recordings, the group asks Machi to voice a character, but she refuses. As the group begin considering recruiting more people, Pakunoda suggests that they're more of a troupe than a group. Uvogin expresses his desire to perform everywhere, to be the world's greatest villain. Chrollo notices Sarasa missing, but Phinks dismisses Chrollo's fears, explaining that it was Sarasa's turn to sort the trash. Unbeknownst to them, Sarasa was running off by herself, to search for more tapes in a new dump that others had not learned about.

Sarasa is uncharacteristically late for the next showing, so Sheila brings Chrollo to Sarasa's nannies in search of her. The Troupe search for her to no avail, and reconvene before the showing begins. Chrollo steps onto the stage, and apologizes to the gathered children, explaining and taking responsibility for Sarasa's disappearance and the show's postponement as a result. The crowd eagerly volunteers to help, cheered on by Uvogin and Phinks, and Chrollo is moved to tears. Having searched through the city, the Troupe decide to search the city's outskirts, where they unknowingly come across the forest where Sarasa ran off. They see a black garbage bag hanging from a tree, and a note pinned to a tree. Uvogin asks Chrollo to read the note, not being able to read it himself, and cuts the bag down for Chrollo to catch. Chrollo opens the bag, to find Sarasa's dismembered body, and another note nailed to her forehead. Chrollo refuses to reveal the notes' contents, and the troupe bring Sarasa's body back to mourn.

At Sarasa's funeral, Machi is impressed by how well Sarasa is presented, and Lisores explains that Renko had embalmed her. Machi asks Renko to teach her embalming, and Renko agrees after realizing Machi can see her aura, leaving her directions to meet her in the Misty Forest Valley. The Troupe leave Sarasa gifts in her casket. At her gravesite, Uvogin sets out for revenge, but Chrollo asks him to wait three years for Chrollo to turn 14, by which time Chrollo plans to sort a proper system for the city and his own power out. He convinces Uvogin to wait by sharing his expectations that Sarasa's murderers had done so for enjoyment, and so were likely to post a recording of the murder, which Chrollo could then use to track them down. Chrollo explains his desire to make Meteor City a safe haven for criminals given his expectation of new borders and regulations in the near future, and Shalnark explains this is so that the criminals could be easily found by them. The rest of the Troupe join them, but Sheila quietly leaves, and Chrollo explains his desire to become a villain that makes the world tremble with fear so that no criminal would want to approach Meteor City. Chrollo asks Uvogin to lead the Troupe, but Uvogin refuses, insisting that Chrollo be the leader, and promises to follow Chrollo till his death. The flashback ends when the Troupe reconvenes several years later, now as the Spiders.

Feitan forces the resident of Room 3102 to unlock Room 3101's back door and step into its bathroom. He safely steps through to the bathroom, and Feitan, Phinks, and Nobunaga follow him through. They theorize that the bathroom door doesn't activate the trap, and force the resident through, confirming their hypothesis. They then ask him to leave Room 3101 from the back of the main door, and the resident safely does so, but runs off without coming back in. He is quickly chased down by Feitan, but vanishes as soon as he steps through the door. Feitan chases another resident through the door to test the trap's workings, and the troop confirms that the trap can be used multiple times without needing to be reset. Hinrigh and Ken'i approach Feitan from the corridor as they prepare to enter the trap, and Hinrigh proposes bringing along a location transmitter with them before they do, using Biohazard to transform it into a raw oyster. Nobunaga and Feitan refuse to swallow it, but Hinrigh swallows it, never expecting the Phantom Troupe to do so themselves, and hands the receiver to Phinks before stepping through the trap himself.

Hinrigh finds himself teleported to the same position Tassi was, but quickly drops to the ground in anticipation of attack. The base appears to be abandoned, and Hinrigh plans his next course of action when he senses a malicious aura behind him. He jumps forward and turns around to see Nobunaga behind him, having chosen to teleport as well to assist Hinrigh. Nobunaga confirms that they are in the hideout by slashing at the walls, which resists his attack, having been reinforced by Nen. Opening a door, they see a washing machine whirring, indicating the recent presence of another party. Nobunaga realizes that their methods of testing the trap by sending civilians through might have given the Heil-Ly a heads up when Hinrigh opens the door to reveal eight Heil-Ly members sitting around, continuing their conversation as though Hinrigh and Nobunaga are not there.

Hesitant about other doorway traps, Hinrigh throws a knife at Terebellum's head, but he uses Sweet Home to transfer the blade out through his left hand, into his drink can. Terebellum stands up to face Hinrigh, but Souffle grabs him, reminding him of their orders not to fight. Hinrigh takes this chance to throw another knife at Terebellum, who dodges it, pushing Souffle away in the process. Perigord, now in the knife's trajectory, raises his hand and tries to use this chance to experiment with his Nen, but Orarge blocks the knife with a book, asking him to be more careful as the 'Organ'. Yokotani stands up, far enough from the door to avoid any slashes from Nobunaga, but is caught off guard when Nobunaga unexpectedly throws his katana through his forehead, and is saved by Terebellum's Sweet Home. Yokotani uses LSDF to conjure Nen puppets, which capture Nobunaga and force him through the doorway, teleporting him back to Room 3101. Hinrigh quickly runs away, regurgitating, and hides the oyster before being forced through himself. Hinrigh decides to regroup, having run out of resources for the day, and Nobunaga searches for Feitan and Phinks to search for the transmitter.

Nobunaga rejoins Feitan and Phinks as they debate whether the hideout is on Tier 2 or Tier 4. They head to the passageway between Tiers 3 and 4 and are let through without resistance by the guards, having received notice from the Cha-R and Xi-Yu families to let them through. As they descend, Feitan notices that the transmitter is getting further from them, confirming that the Heil-Ly base is on Tier 2. Nobunaga realizes the source of his uneasiness - the Heil-Ly are instigating a fight without 'just cause', breaking the rules of conflict between the families. They once again debated whether to find Franklin before continuing their search for the Heil-Ly.

In Room 1006, Izunavi observes Tyson's Guards' changes in behavior after reading Tyson's bible. He theorizes that Tyson's Guardian Spirit Beast's power is linked to Tyson's bible and propagates devotion, and that it might be possible to get King Nasubi to read it and call off the war, and asks if Tyson has given copies of his book to other Princes. Tyson reveals that her mother Queen Katrono had been the one to give copies of the book to the other Queens and Princes, Tyson having made distributing the books as a condition for her to join the succession war. Izunavi encourages Tyson to get her mother to get King Nasubi to read the book.

In Room 1010, Queen Seiko demands to be let off her observation, demanding to meet her daughter, 11th Prince Fugetsu. She makes a scene and offers to talk if she is allowed to see Fugetsu, but simultaneously tries to think of a way to convince the others that Kacho is not dead and to make up for the fact that Fugetsu is not strong enough to win the war.

In an interrogation room in the Ministry of Justice, Melody starts to panic, having been an accomplice in Kacho's death, but is consoled by Without You in the form of Kacho (hereon referred to as Kacho). Kacho plans to make Fugetsu the victor, capitalizing on the fact that she is presumed dead but still appears among them, but does not want to yet reveal her death to Fugetsu. Kaiser, an investigator from the Ministry of Justice, agrees with Kacho and encourages Melody to help Kacho. Kaiser reveals that 3rd Prince Zhang Lei and 4th Prince Tserriednich have invited her to perform in their private quarters, and 1st Prince Benjamin, 5th Prince Tubeppa, and 7th Prince Luzurus have offered amnesty in exchange for another show by Melody. Kaiser mentions that these Nen-aware Princes have caught on to Melody's involvement in Kacho's escape and are trying to get Melody's help for their various schemes. Lowering the amount of Princes sounds ideal to Kacho, but Kaiser points out the risk of acting while many higher-ranking Princes remain, leaving a high chance of making a mistake by acting without knowing who is targeting who. Kaiser proposes fooling all the Princes who made requests of Melody and removing them by poisoning them while unconscious. Melody wonders why Kaiser would help them, and Kaiser confesses his infatuation with Melody, but Melody hears his heartbeat betraying his true, workmanlike intents and wonders about the possibility of him being manipulated and having a hidden benefactor. Kacho returns secretly through the walls, and Kaiser joins her, letting her return to the Prince's residential area after a short courtesy meeting.

Kaiser calls Steiner over and hands him a memory stick containing a contingency plan in case martial law is declared. Kacho makes her way to Room 1011 and discovers Fugetsu missing. She pulls the blanket from Fugetsu's bed away to reveal Magical Worm's door. Right as she wonders where Fugetsu went, Fugetsu pops up through the door, pale and delirious, acting in contrast to her usual meek manner. Fugetsu tells Kacho of her discovery that she can now use Magical Worm multiple times a day, and expresses feeling overflowing with power. Kacho convinces her to rest, and lets Melody know about Fugetsu's state, who contacts Kaiser to organize a situation where Melody can hear Fugetsu's heartbeat. On her way to a meeting with 3rd Prince Zhang Lei, Melody walks past Fugetsu in a state of near-Zetsu, sees evil spirits hovering around her, clinging to her body, and decides that Fugetsu needs an exorcist.

3rd Prince Zhang Lei compliments Melody's performance, and asks her for two requests - to perform again, and to hold on to a coin from his Guardian Spirit Beast. Vantaine, Captain of 4th Prince Tserriednich's private guard, invites Melody to Tserriednich's room. Melody declines citing her contract as a bodyguard for Kacho, but expresses her willingness to perform for anyone given enough time to prepare. Melody tests Vantaine's intentions by hinting at negotiations and rules out both Zhang Lei and Tserriednich as the person behind Kaiser's possible manipulation.

In her next meeting with Kaiser, Melody informs him about Fugetsu's condition and suggests holding off on the performance. Melody asks for herself to be bailed out, but Kaiser refuses, explaining that it would mean their inability to refuse a Prince's summons. Melody asks Kaiser to inform Kurapika of their findings and wonders who is behind her situation, not having discerned any of the princes as being behind the situation during her conversations with their representatives. Back in Room 1014, Longhi reveals their ability to use Nen prior to Kurapika's lessons, and explains the details of 5th Prince Tubeppa's proposed contract. Kurapika agrees to ally with 5th Prince Tubeppa.

Notable Characters

• Hunter Association
  • Zodiacs
    • Kurapika
    • Leorio Paradinight
    • Cheadle Yorkshire
    • Mizaistom Nana
  • Other Hunters
    • Hisoka Morow
    • Basho
    • Biscuit Krueger
    • Hanzo
    • Izunavi
    • Melody
    • Keeney
    • Giuliano
    • Belerainte
• Kakin Empire
  • Kakin Royal Family
    • Nasubi Hui Guo Rou
    • Benjamin Hui Guo Rou
      • Balsamilco Might
      • Babimyna
      • Furykov
      • Rihan
      • Shikaku
      • Vincent
      • Musse
      • Yushohi
    • Camilla Hui Guo Rou
      • Sarahell
    • Zhang Lei Hui Guo Rou
    • Tserriednich Hui Guo Rou
    • Tubeppa Hui Guo Rou
      • Maor
      • Longhi
    • Tyson Hui Guo Rou
    • Luzurus Hui Guo Rou
    • Salé-salé Hui Guo Rou
    • Halkenburg Hui Guo Rou
    • Kacho Hui Guo Rou
    • Fugetsu Hui Guo Rou
    • Momoze Hui Guo Rou
    • Marayam Hui Guo Rou
    • Woble Hui Guo Rou
      • Shimano
    • Oito Hui Guo Rou
  • Kakin Mafia
    • Xi-Yu Family
      • Onior Longbao
      • Hinrigh Biganduffno
      • Connelly
      • Lynch Fullbokko
      • Zakuro Custard
    • Heil-Ly Family
      • Morena Prudo
      • Luini
    • Cha-R Family
      • Brocco Li
      • Ken'i Wang
      • Tsudonke
• Other Groups
  • Beyond's Dark Continent Expedition Team
    • Beyond Netero
    • Bill
    • Theta
  • Phantom Troupe
    • Chrollo Lucilfer
    • Nobunaga Hazama
    • Feitan Portor
    • Machi Komacine
    • Kalluto Zoldyck
    • Phinks Magcub
    • Franklin Bordeau
    • Shizuku Murasaki
    • Bonolenov Ndongo
    • Illumi Zoldyck

Major Battles

• Ging Freecss & Pariston Hill vs. Muherr's soldiers
• Hisoka Morow vs. Chrollo Lucilfer
• Hisoka Morow vs. Kortopi & Shalnark
• Kurapika vs. Sayird
• Kurapika & Bill vs. Vincent
• Camilla Hui Guo Rou vs. Musse
• Halkenburg Hui Guo Rou vs. Shikaku
• Theta vs. Tserriednich Hui Guo Rou
• Halkenburg Hui Guo Rou vs. Vict
• Lynch Fullbokko & Zakuro Custard vs. Bille & Perigord
• Hinrigh Biganduffno vs. two soldiers from Kakin's Royal Army
• Hinrigh Biganduffno vs. Heil-Ly members Padaille, Quorolle, and Tevelares

Story Impact

• The V5 is introduced and revealed to have signed a treaty 200 years ago agreeing not to travel to the Dark Continent.
• Beyond Netero, the son of Isaac Netero, is introduced.
• Ging and Pariston both leave the Zodiacs.
• The book titled Journey to the New World is introduced.
• In a video message, the late Netero tells the Zodiacs to explore the Dark Continent before Beyond does and to return with hope.
• The Five Threats of the Dark Continent are introduced.
• The Kakin Empire is invited to join the V5 and eventually does, making it the V6.
• The Black Whale is introduced.
• Leorio and Kurapika join the Zodiacs as the Boar and Rat, respectively.
• It’s revealed that Kurapika has recovered every pair of Scarlet Eyes except those owned by Fourth Prince Tserriednich.
• Don Freecss is mentioned and revealed to be the author of Journey to the New World.
• Gon learns that he can no longer use Nen and returns to Whale Island.
• Kurapika and Mizaistom discover that Saiyu is working as an informant for Beyond and Pariston.
• The Seed Urn Ceremony and Guardian Spirit Beasts are introduced.

• After being defeated and killed by Chrollo at Heavens Arena, Hisoka uses post-mortem Nen to revive himself and subsequently kills both Kortopi and Shalnark.
• Kurapika's Steal Chain and Stealth Dolphin abilities are introduced.
• It’s revealed that every second Kurapika spends in Emperor Time shortens his life by one hour.
• Kurapika loses five years of his lifespan after spending 12 hours in Emperor Time.
• The numbers and full names of every current Phantom Troupe member are revealed.
• Illumi Zoldyck is revealed to have joined the Phantom Troupe on Hisoka's commission and that his target is Hisoka himself.
• Chrollo reveals that Neon Nostrade's fortune-telling ability disappeared from his book, indirectly confirming her death.

Trivia

• The concept of "Nen after death", "post-mortem Nen", or "Nen becoming stronger after death" is very prevalent in the Succession Contest arc, as in:
  • The Seed Urn, a conjured object that outlives its creator.
  • The Sun and Moon, a Nen ability that continued to exist in Chrollo's book even after the original owner died.
  • Hisoka's use of his Bungee Gum to reanimate his body after he died.
  • Benjamin's Nen ability, Benjamin Baton, that allows him to inherit the Nen abilities of his soldiers when they die.
  • Camilla's counteractive Nen ability, Cat's Name, that activates after she is killed.
  • The Nen ability of Kacho's Guardian Spirit Beast, Without You, whose activation is triggered by the death of Kacho or Fugetsu and starts to work from then on.
  • The Have-Nots' Nen ability, Yomotsu Hegui, a Nen curse triggered by, among other things, the user's suicide.
  • Misha Hao's post-Mortem Nen ability Zombie Girl, activated upon her death, which enables her to manipulate corpses and dispose of them.

Intertextuality and References

• This arc is characterized by a plethora of references to songs or performances by the Japanese idol group Keyakizaka46:
  • The Silent Majority Nen ability has the same name as Keyakizaka46's debut single. The doll's hairstyle may also be considered reminiscent of the center girl of the song.
  • The name of Camilla's ability, "Neko no Namae", is also the title of a song by the idol group.
  • The sound made by Camilla's Nen Beast, "neru", is the onomatopoeia for kneading, but it is also the name of one of the group's members, Nagahama Neru.
  • In Chapter 378, the item numbers "Silent Majority" (SRCL 9041) and "Masshiro na Mono wa Yogoshitaku naru" (SRCL 9488) can be seen on a sign in Tier 3.
  • Halkenburg's pose when notching his arrow in Chapter 382 is taken from the music video of "Fukyouwaon".
  • The servants dancing in Chapter 383 are seen striking a pose similar to one from the concert "Keyaki Kyowakoku 2017", a similarity which is reinforced by the fact that the flag in the background is identical to the ones waved by the group.
  • The second name of Kacho’s Guardian Spirit Beast's ability, "Season of Two" (Futari Saison), is a reference to their third single and the main name, "Without You", comes from the fourth track (Kimi ga Inai) from the "Masshirona Mono wa Yogoshitaku Naru" album of the same idol group.
  • Bill's Nen ability, Erigeron, is named after a song by Nogizaka46, Keyakizaka46's associated group.