This article contains spoilers for the Hunter x Hunter manga.
Summary
Hunter X Hunterhas maintained its weekly release schedule so far, with no sign of slowing down. Togashi has been dropping info-packed chapters, one after the other, every week, and this week withHxH403 was no exception.
Indeed, this chapter sets up the deaths of multiple of the Kakin princes, and their fates are to be observed, depending on the steps they take during the upcoming events of the Succession War. Halkenburg specifically takes a major focal point in this chapterwith his incredible Nen ability.
Halkenburg Makes Use of His Nen Ability
HxHchapter 403 opens up with Balsamilco Might, Benjamin’s right-hand man who had plans to kill Halkenburg, as seen in the last chapter using TSK-17.
InHxH403, he reaches the justice department to do just that. His plan was to get close enough to Halkenburg during the cross-examination to unleash his Silent Killer on him. He bet that without Halkenburg’s personal guards, Halkenburg wouldn’t be able to use his Nen ability. This assumption, however, quickly put Balsamilco Might in a very tough situation.
Indeed, as he walked in, he spotted Vict, his vanished fellow bodyguard, under Benjamin. Upon spotting Balsamilco Might, Vict uses signs to give out Might’s exact location. This allows Halkenburg, who had previously recruited some new supporters from the crowd, to use his Nen ability, which finally has an official name now - The Boy who Shoots the Arrow: Grimmel the Dissonance. Halkenburg shoots this straight at Might.
To angle the shot at 26 degrees… I need to step 60 cm forward. The Boy Who Shoots The Arrow: Grimmel the Dissonance! Fire!! — Halkenburg
The timeline of the events so far have happened before the events of last chapterHxH402 where Fugetsu gave the letter to Benjamin.
Might is seen calling Prince Benjamin and informing him about his inability to kill Halkenburg so far. However, Benjamin has his doubts and feels that something is off with Might. So much so that he threatens Martial Law if Might isto leave without killing Halkenburg.
Benjamin’s suspicions are, however, confirmed to readers by the end ofHxH403. It is revealed that Prince Halkenburg has indeed taken over the body of Might, Benjamin’s most trusted man. Meanwhile, Halkenburg’s real body remains in a coma-like state.
These bad moves from Benjamin and his men could soon mean the end of the First prince Benjamin, or the possibility of a Martial Law being invoked, which could lead to the execution of Kakin princes as Benjamin abuses his power.
The Truth About Halkenburg’s Birth Is Finally Revealed
Halkenburg is the son of first Queen Unma
In last week’sHxH402, something interesting was dropped at the end of the chapter, hinting at Halkenburg hiding details surrounding his birth. Fans thought this could mean that he isthe secret child of Beyond Neterohiding among the princes, and while this theory isn’t out of the picture yet, this wasn’t touched upon in this chapter. In chapter 403, it is revealed that Halkenburg is not the son of the second Queen Duazai, but instead the son of the first Queen Unma.
InHxH403, Halkenburg was seen on a call with Unma, showcasing that he is very much aware of who his real mother is. This truth was also revealed to Benjamin through the letter that was given to him by Fugetsu from her deceased sister. The letter revealed that Halkenburg is the son of Unma, and that the first Queen Unma did what she did to protect her youngest son from possible assassinations from his older siblings.
It doesn’t seem like Benjamin believes much in what the letter contains, and shrugs it off as an internet rumor, but this will probably linger on his mind at the very least. This is especially because Unma might be pulling the strings to help her youngest child, Halkenburg, over her other kids. In this chapter, Kaiser also meets up with Worio, one of Halkenburg’s supporters, and reveals that Halkenburg will soon die.
Melody, Kocho, and Kaiser Plan To Save Fugetsu
The Assassination Plan Against Luzurus Will Unfold Soon
In the last chapter,HxH402, readers see Fugetsu and Kaiser distribute letters to the other princes that are supposedly from Fugetsu’s deceased sister, Kocho. However, that isn’t true and it is simply a tactic to get Fugetsu to enlarge her range with her ability to the princes’ rooms, as well as a way to spread some discord among the Princes by spreading some rumors.
Out of all the Kakin princes, only 3 princes didn’t get the letter. 13th Prince Maryam did not get his letter, and that is likely due to his Nen beast making his room inaccessible to anyone from the outside. 4th Prince Tserriednich also did not take his letter and simply asked them to toss it out. 9th prince Halkenburg also did not receive his letter, but for different reasons; He is under medical treatment after transferring his consciousness into Might’s body, making him unavailable for now.
Besides those 3, Fugetsu now has access to the rooms of all those princes. Fugetsu herself, however, is in a very bad state. With Basho’s ability, the spirits stay away from her, but that is only a temporary solution and the group has to act fast.They will attempt to assassinate Luzurus on the night of the next day.
Kurapika Plans A Huge Reveal
Kurapika wants to reveal the content of Oito’s Letter
Both Kurapika and Queen Oitohave received letters from Melody’s group, and Kurapika has a plan for Oito’s letter. He previously announced that he would make it private during the next Nen workshop, which will happen on the next day. If this goes as planned, then Kurapika can perhaps expect a high-ranking prince to contact him. This letter could also accelerate the events of the conflict unfolding.
Powerful Nen envelops the ship, creating a condition that prevents escape. This makes it seem as if nothing but death is allowed. But on the contrary, I think there’s hope instead! — Kurapika
A high-ranking prince, specifically Zhang Lei, already wanted to contact him. That is due to his Nen beast, which remains a huge mystery to him. He believes that Kurapika could crack the mystery behind those odd coins.
Kurapika also has an idea of how to stop the Succession War without too much bloodshed. This will shape the arc as it continues to unfold.Hunter X Hunterfans can hope that the princes aren’t doomed to dieso one of them rises as the next Kakin ruler.
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 404, is set to be Jul 07, 2025.
