Hunter x Hunter 404: Halkenburg's Death

This article contains spoilers for the Hunter x Hunter manga.

Key conclusions

• Nen's Hulkenburg ability involves a forced mind alteration that can potentially affect others.
• Hulkenburg'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 potential conflicts with mob families.

Hunter x hunter the story was pretty intense in this chapter of the succession war arc. Although this arc has been going on for quite a few years now, the last few chapters have been some of the most intense, with huge and shocking revelations.

U Enter 404, Hulkenburg's unwavering determination takes center stage, while fans also get to see the mob storyline heat up again, making things more exciting than ever.

Zhang Lei's Nen Spirit Beast ability is revealed

Possesses pseudo-compulsive manipulative ability

U Enter In 403, the third prince of the Kaqing Empire, Zhang Lei, decided to visit Kurapika in hopes of understanding the power of his Nen Beast Spirit. Zhang Lei had his own theories about the coins being dropped by his beast, but he believed that someone with nen experience like Kurapiko would be able to understand what they were doing.

HxH 404 started with Kurapika and Zhang Lei observing the coins. Kurapika theorized that whenever a coin changes hands, something is likely to change. The coins Zhang Lei gave away and the ones he kept were shown to have different designs on the reverse.

Zhang Lei then proceeded to give Kurapika ten coins, something that would be dangerous to do if the coins worked at once. However, due to Zhang Lei's status, it would be unacceptable for Kurapiko to refuse, and it would jeopardize their alliance. Anyway, the ten coins replaced the second Kurapika.

This led Kurapika to conclude what he believed the power of this Nen beast to be. Kurapika describes this ability as Cumulative Conjuration. Coins will be worth 10^64 for 6 months, until then the coin owner will be able to unlock nen without training.

The problem is how the role is cut! A role that has held this balance for so long may seem fragile, but it's actually strong… — Kurapika

However, there is another thing about this ability that Kurapika doesn't advertise. He realizes that this ability also has the power of pseudo-coercive manipulation. Whoever has it will somehow be forced to become loyal to Zhang Lei, though it's unclear how that will work.

Kurapika realizes that Kaventoba, one of Benjamin's bodyguards, stole one of these coins some time ago. When the pseudo-coercive manipulation of this Nen beast begins, Kawentoba will be one of the first to feel the consequences. And now that Kurapiku has been given one of these coins, he too may find himself in danger, potentially falling under Zhang Lei's influence.

However, aside from that, it's clear that Zhang Lei looks down on Kurapika and will stay on their side as long as it's to their advantage. In the current situation, Kurapika has the option of leaving Prince Wobble in Zhang Lei's room to protect her, though Kurapika isn't sure if that will be a good thing since Zhang Lei is a mob benefactor – someone he thinks Benjamin might come after be able to use martial law. On the other hand, though, room 1014 isn't the safest, especially with the silent majority looming over it.

It's also important to note that Prince Kamilo, the second eldest Kakin Prince, is planning to send one of his bodyguards to Nen Kurapiko's next workshop, which could mean big trouble. Kurapika believes that she wants to hide or cover up some dirty secret of hers that she thinks Kurapika has.

Prince Benjamin's death on the cards

Hulkenburg's body is dead, but his consciousness lives on in the Power

After a long time fans Enter were able to see their favorite main character, who has not been seen for a long time – Leorio. Although only one panel saw him taking Prince Hulkenburg to the emergency room due to his deteriorating condition.

This HxH section further explains Hulkenburg's abilities, giving fans a better idea of ​​how The Boy Who Shoots Arrows: Grimmel Dissonance works.

Indeed, by experimenting with Sumidori and Shikaku, Hulkenburg was able to gain a better understanding of how this ability worked. It turns out that Nen's ability is basically a forced mind swap where only one mind can be awakened at a time. Specifically, when Hulkenburg shoots a target with his ability, a random person from his party, including himself, is chosen to swap bodies. It's also completely random, and the fact that Hulkenburg was able to switch with Might is pure luck.

Halkenburg points out that if the body the target was swapped into dies, then the consciousness will return to its original body and co-exist with another consciousness.

Hulkenburg's body dies rather gruesomely in this chapter, of cardiac arrest. This would set his plan in motion where he would be able to take control of Balsamil's body for about 10 hours before the latter would take it back. During these 10 hours, he will have to eliminate or take over the body of his older brother Benjamin.

The time I will have until Balsamylk's mind awakens may be limited only slightly, but I will be able to control this body for about ten hours after the death of my own body. I have to finish it in that time! – Halkenburg

It is also important to note that Halkenburg shows that in the war of succession, both body and soul must be dead in order for one not to count.

In any case, Benjamin fully believes that Hulkenburg is dead and that Balsamylko's mission is accomplished. It is revealed that Hulkenburg's body will be moved from Level 3 to the Level 1 morgue, and that Balsamilka, who is actually Hulkenburg, will accompany him there.

Return of Phantom Corpse in Hunter X Hunter Chapter 404

Nobunaga, Finks, and Phaeton return to history

After some time, the Phantom Troupe was finally seen again. In particular, the last panel of Nobunaga, the Finks and Phaeton are finally back in the story. Technically they were only missing a few chapters in the story, but that chapter came out over 2 years ago.

The last panel is a flashback to their last appearance, showing that all the events so far have taken place during or before the failed raid on Heil-Li's hideout with Hinrig, where they hid the transmitter. From the looks of it, Nobunaga may call the other Ghost Corps members first before attacking Hale-Lee. These few members of the Phantom Troupe may be dating two other mob families, making the future even more exciting.

Hunter x Hunter is available to read through Viz Media. Fans can read the series officially and for free on the Shonen Jump app and Manga Plus. The next Hunter x Hunter chapter, Hunter x Hunter Chapter 405, is scheduled for release on November 3, 2024.