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Hunter x Hunter’sstory has been quite intense in this current section of the Succession War arc. While this arc has been unfolding for quite a few years now, the last few chapters have been some of the most intense, with huge and shocking reveals.
InHxH404, the unwavering determination ofHalkenburg is placed under the spotlight, while fans also get to see the mafia plotline heat up once again, making things more exciting than ever before.
Zhang Lei’s Nen Spirit Beast Ability Revealed
Has a Pseudo Coercive Manipulative Ability
InHxH403, the third Prince of the Kakin Empire, Zhang Lei, had decided that he wanted to pay Kurapika a visit in hopes of understanding the power of his Spirit Nen Beast. Zhang Lei had his own theories concerning the coins his beast drops, but he believed someone with nen experience like Kurapika will be able to figure out what they do.
HxH 404 started with Kurapika and Zhang Lei, observing the coins. Kurapika theorized that whenever the coin changes hands, something probably changes. It was shown that the coins that Zhang Lei had given away and the ones he had kept, each had different designs on the back.
Zhang Lei then proceeded to give Kurapika a ten coin–something that could have been dangerous to do if the effects of those coins were immediate. However, due to Zhang Lei’s status, it would have been unacceptable for Kurapika to refuse, and would’ve put their alliance in jeopardy. Either way, the ten coin changed the second Kurapika held it.
This led Kurapika to deduce what he believes the power of this Nen Beast is. Kurapika describes this ability as Cumulative Conjuration. Over a period of 6 months, the coins will be worth 10^64, and by then, the owner of the coin will be able to unlock nen without any training.
The problem is how the role gets cut! The role that held this balance for so long may seem fragile, but is actually strong… — Kurapika
However, there is one more thing about this ability that Kurapika does not make public. He realizes that this ability also has a pseudo-coercive manipulation power. Whoever has it will be somehow forced to become loyal to Zhang Lei, although it is unclear so far how that would work.
Kurapika realizes that Coventoba, one of Benjamin’s bodyguards, had stolen one of those coins a while back. If the pseudo-coercive manipulation of this Nen Beast kicks in, Coventoba will be one of the first to feel the effects. And now that Kurapika has been given one of those coins, he could be in danger as well, potentially falling under Zhang Lei’s influence.
Besides that, however, it is clear that Zhang Leilooks down on Kurapika, and will only stay on their side as long as it benefits them. With the current situation, Kurapika has the option to keep Prince Woble in the room of Zhang Lei to protect her, although Kurapika is unsure if that would be a good thing as Zhang Lei is a mafia benefactor – someone he believes Benjamin might come after to be able to use Martial Law. On the other hand, however, room 1014 is not the safest, especially with Silent Majority looming over.
It’s also important to note that PrinceCamilla, the second-eldest prince of Kakin, has plans to send one of her bodyguards to Kurapika’s next Nen workshop, which could mean quite some trouble. Kurapika believes she wants to hide or cover up some dirty secret of hers that she believes Kurapika is in possession of.
Prince Benjamin’s Death Is On The Cards
Halkenburg’s body died, but his consciousness lives in Might
After a long time, fans ofHxHwere able to see a beloved main character that hadn’t been seen in some time – Leorio. Although just for one panel, he was seen taking Prince Halkenburg to the emergency room due to his worsening state.
In this chapter of HxH, the ability of Halkenburg is further explained, giving fans a better idea of howThe Boy Who Shoots The Arrow: Grimmel The Dissonance works.
Indeed, while experimenting with Sumidori and Shikaku, Halkenburg was able to get a better idea of how this ability works. It’s revealed that this Nen ability is basically a forced mind swap, where only one mind can be awake at once. Specifically, when Halkenburg shoots a target with his ability, a random person from his group, including himself, is chosen to swap bodies. It’s entirely random as well, and the fact that Halkenburg was able to switch with Might is pure luck.
Halkenburg reveals that if the body the target was swapped into dies, then the consciousness will return to its original body and coexist with the other consciousness.
Halkenburg’s body dies in this chapter pretty gruesomely, with his heart stopping. This puts into action his plan, where he will be able to take control of Balsamilco’s body for about 10 hours before the latter takes back over. In those 10 hours, he will have to eliminate or take over the body of his older brother Benjamin.
The time I’ll have until Balsamilco’s mind reawakens can only be loosely finessed, but I’ll be able to control this body for about ten hours after my own body’s death. I have to finish this within that time! — Halkenburg
It’s also important to note that Halkenburg reveals that the Succession War needs both the body and soul to be dead to count someone out.
Either way,Benjamin fully believes that Halkenburg is deadand that Balsamilco’s mission has been accomplished. It’s revealed that the body of Halkenburg will be transferred from Tier 3, all the way to the morgue in Tier 1, and that Balsamilco, who is actually Halkenburg, will be accompanying it there.
The Return of The Phantom Troupe In Hunter X Hunter Chapter 404
Nobunaga, Phinks, and Feitan are back in the story
The Phantom Troupe has finally been seen again after some while. Specifically, in the last panel, Nobunaga, Phinks, and Feitan were finally back in the story. Technically, they have only been absent from the story for a few chapters, but that chapter came out over 2 years ago.
The last panel is a throwback to their last appearance, showcasing that all the events until now had happened during or before the failed raid on the Heil-Ly hideout with Hinrigh, where they hid a transmitter. From the looks of it, Nobunaga might first callthe other members of the Phantom Troupebefore attacking the Heil-Ly. These few members of the Phantom Troupe could be meeting up with the other two mafia families, making things even more exciting for the future.
Hunter x Hunter is available to read via Viz Media. The series can be read by the fans officially and for free on the Shonen Jump and theManga Plusapp. The release date for the next chapter of Hunter x Hunter, Hunter x Hunter chapter 405, is set to be November 3rd, 2024.
