Hunter x Hunter 404: Death of Halkenburg

This article contains spoilers for the Hunter x Hunter manga.

Key Takeaways

• Halkenburg's Nen abilities include forced mind swapping that can potentially influence others.
• Halkenburg's death leads to a plan to take over his brother's body that lasts 10 hours after his own death.
• Members of the Phantom Troupe return, setting the stage for a potential conflict with the Mafia family.

Hunter x Hunters In the current section of the War of Succession, the story was quite intense. This story has been unfolding for several years, but the last few chapters have been the ones with the most powerful, biggest, and shocking reveals.

in heightxheight In 404, Halkenberg's unwavering determination is attracting attention, and fans are also watching the mafia plot heat up once again, becoming more exciting than ever.

Zhang Lei's Nen Spirit Beast ability revealed

Possesses quasi-coercive manipulation abilities

in heightxheight In 403, Zhang Lei, the third prince of the Kakin Empire, decided to visit Kurapika to understand the power of his spirit Nen Beast. Zhang Lei had his own theories about the coins his beasts dropped, but he believed that someone with Nen experience like Kurapika would be able to figure out what they were doing.

HxH 404 began with Kurapika and Zhang Lei observing a coin. Kurapika theorized that something could change every time a coin changed hands. It was revealed that the reverse design of the coins distributed by Zhang Lei and the coins he kept were different.

Zhang Lei then gave Kurapika ten coins, something that could have been dangerous if the effects of the coins were immediate. However, due to Zhang Lei's status, Kurapika's refusal was unacceptable and would have jeopardized their alliance. Either way, the ten coins changed the coin Kurapika was holding for the second time.

This leads Kurapika to deduce what he believes the power of this Nen beast is. Kurapika explains this ability as Cumulative Conjuration. Over 6 months, the coin's value will be 10^64 and until then, the coin's owner will be able to unlock Nen without any training.

The question is how the roles are cut out! The role that has maintained this balance for so long may seem fragile, but it is actually strong… — Kurapika

However, there is one more fact about this ability that Kurapika does not disclose. He realizes that this ability also has pseudo-manipulation capabilities. Anyone who holds it will be loyal to Zhang Lei. But how it will work is so far unclear.

Kurapika realizes that one of Benjamin's bodyguards, Koventova, stole one of the coins some time ago. If this Nen Beast's pseudo-coercive manipulation begins, Koventova will be the first to feel the effects. And now that Kurapika has received one of those coins, he too could be in danger and potentially influenced by Zhang Lei.

But beyond that, it's clear that Zhang Lei ignores Kurapika and will stay on their side as long as it benefits them. In the current situation, Kurapika has the option of locking Prince Woble in Zhang Lei's room to protect her, but Kurapika is not sure if this is a good thing since Zhang Lei is a mafia benefactor. Martial law can be used. But on the other hand, room 1014 is the least secure. Especially with the Silent Majority looming.

It's also important to note that Kakin's second prince, Prince Camilla, is planning to send one of her bodyguards to the next Nen workshop in Kurapika, which could mean quite a bit of trouble. I believe that Kurapika wants to hide or cover up his dirty secrets that he believes Kurapika possesses.

Prince Benjamin's death is on the cards

Halkenburg's body is dead, but his consciousness lives on in Might.

It's been a while since fans heightxheight I was able to see Leorio, a beloved protagonist who had not been seen for a while. Although it was only for one panel, Prince Halkenburg was seen being taken to the emergency room as his condition worsened.

This chapter of HxH details Halkenburg's abilities, giving fans a better idea of ​​how The Boy Who Shoots Arrows: Grimmel The Dissonance works.

In fact, Halkenburg was able to better understand how this ability works while experimenting with Sumidori and Shikaku. It turns out that this Nen ability is basically a forced mind swap where only one mind can be awakened at a time. Specifically, when Halkenburg shoots a target with his abilities, a random person from his group, including himself, is selected to swap bodies. It's completely random, too, and the fact that Halkenburg was able to turn into Might is pure luck.

Halkenburg reveals that when the body it was replaced with dies, its consciousness will return to its original body and coexist with other consciousnesses.

Halkenburg's body dies quite gruesomely in this chapter, with his heart stopping. This puts his plan in motion, allowing him to control Balsamilco's body for approximately ten hours before Balsamilco takes over again. During those 10 hours, he would have to remove or claim the body of his brother Benjamin.

I can only roughly control the time it takes for Balsamilco's mind to reawaken, but I can control my body for about 10 hours after it dies. I have to finish this within that time! — Halkenburg

It is also important to note that Halkenburg reveals that for someone to be counted in the War of Succession, both body and soul must die.

Either way, Benjamin fully believes that Halkenburg is dead and Balsamilco's mission is accomplished. It was revealed that Halkenburg's body would be moved from Tier 3 to a Tier 1 morgue and that Balsamilco, who was actually Halkenburg, would accompany him there.

Hunter

Nobunaga, Pinx, and Feitan are back in the story.

The Phantom Troupe reappeared after a long time. Especially in the last panel, Nobunaga, Pinx, and Feitan finally return to the story. Technically they weren't in the story for a few chapters, but that chapter came out two years ago.

The final panel is a flashback to their last appearance, showing that all events up to this point have occurred during or before the failed raid on Heil-Ly's hideout with Hinrigh, who hid the transmitter. Apparently, Nobunaga might call in other members of the Phantom Troupe first before attacking Hayley. These few members of the Phantom Troupe may meet up with two other mafia families, making their future even more exciting.

Hunter x Hunter is available to read via Viz Media. The series is officially available for fans to read for free through Shonen Jump and the Manga Plus app. The release date for the next chapter of Hunter x Hunter, Hunter x Hunter Episode 405, has been set for November 3, 2024.