Chapter Summaries

Morin trained Fei Jie in Nen for a month, helping her make rapid progress and prepare to develop her own ability. When he said he would leave afterward to handle his own affairs, Fei Jie struggled to accept their coming separation.

• Morin explained that Hunter Exam graduates faced a hidden test to determine whether they qualified to enter the world of Nen users.
• A month later, Fei Jie used her Nen-enhanced strength to chase a Tiger Roar Dragon through the forest while Morin watched.
• Morin praised Fei Jie's progress and credited her talent and serious study, while continuing to guide her in Nen.
• Morin told Fei Jie that he would help her develop her Nen ability, then leave once she had learned it.
• Fei Jie anxiously asked whether she could improve faster to keep Morin from leaving, but he explained that he had matters of his own to pursue.
• Fei Jie accepted Morin's explanation in principle but wondered whether she could find a way to help him.

Fei Jie ignored Morin’s suggested Manipulation ability and developed A Gift for Morin, which increased both participants’ Nen power and aura capacity through their intimate work together. Morin received the greatest gains, and the chapter ended with him marveling at the ability’s effect.

• Morin suggested that Fei Jie develop a Manipulation ability called Hundred Percent Emotional Expert, using affection to control others.
• Fei Jie asked to develop her ability alone, and Morin gave her the Canned Goods Studio to work in.
• Morin checked in with Hishito Douro and the others, learning that Rure had settled into Greed Island under Razor’s supervision.
• Fei Jie emerged from the studio and invited Morin inside to try her newly developed ability.
• Fei Jie revealed A Gift for Morin, which increased both participants’ Nen power and aura capacity, with Morin receiving the larger boost.

Morin and Fei Jie strengthened their bond and Nen through her restrictive ability, and Fei Jie resolved to grow stronger so she could keep pace with him. By 1995, Killua had reached the floors above the two-hundredth level at Heavens Arena, while Hisoka and Illumi discussed his next steps.

• Morin transferred some of his increased aura and Nen to Fei Jie as they worked together, and the two shared a quiet moment afterward.
• Morin left while Fei Jie slept, and she woke, felt her increased strength, and decided to improve so she could keep up with him.
• Morin continued meeting Fei Jie throughout the year, and their frequent training and work helped her make rapid progress.
• In 1995, Komugi won her first world Gungi championship.
• Eight-year-old Killua spent his Heavens Arena prize money buying chocolate, while Hisoka and Illumi discussed the shop clerk's interest in him.
• Hisoka asked Illumi why Killua had stopped showing interest in the floors above the two-hundredth level.

Hisoka joined the Phantom Troupe by killing Omokage, while the Kurta Clan was massacred and the Troupe was blamed. Morin and Chrollo agreed the massacre was likely carried out by the Hunter Association or V5, and Morin considered whether they should act.

• Illumi told Hisoka that the Zoldyck Family regarded the Phantom Troupe as too dangerous to accept as a normal assassination commission, and Hisoka became eager to fight its members.
• Illumi explained that Hisoka could join the Troupe by replacing a member, and Hisoka chose to target Omokage, Number Four.
• Killua returned home from Heavens Arena, met the young prospective butler Canary, and gave her a skateboard.
• Morin learned that Hisoka had replaced Omokage as the Troupe's Number Four and that the Kurta Clan had been exterminated, an atrocity blamed on the Phantom Troupe.
• Morin told Chrollo he believed the Troupe had not committed the massacre, and they suspected the Hunter Association or V5 had the power to carry it out.
• Hishito Douro contacted Morin after the Troupe was branded an S-rank criminal organization, while Morin noted that he and the Zodiacs knew nothing about the massacre.

Morin and Chrollo suspected V5 had framed the Phantom Troupe for the Kurta Clan massacre, and Chrollo began planning the Troupe’s response. After learning that Netero had kept the Hunter Association from interfering, Morin concluded that V5 had targeted the Kurta Clan for its Scarlet Eyes and their ability to alter a Nen user’s category and power.

• Chrollo told Morin that V5-linked media and officials were publicly blaming the Phantom Troupe, and he resolved to make the Troupe’s stance clear through a future operation.
• Hishito Douro told Morin that pressure was blocking the investigation, Netero had returned from visiting V5 and entered seclusion, and Netero had ordered the Earthly Branches to avoid internal conflict.
• Morin inferred that Netero’s actions meant V5 had learned something about the Kurta Clan massacre and wanted the Hunter Association to stay out of it.
• Morin considered why V5 would spend so many resources exterminating the Kurta Clan and realized it might be after more than the valuable Scarlet Eyes.
• Morin concluded that the Scarlet Eyes could change a Kurta Nen user’s Nen category and grant access to a second ability, making the clan’s special physique a likely motive for V5.

Morin confirmed that V5 had massacred the Kurta Clan while disguising its forces as the Phantom Troupe, then shared the intelligence with Chrollo. Chrollo ordered the Troupe to avoid a direct war with V5 for now and retaliate in smaller ways.

• Morin paid Ishiku Be with ideas for three new games to obtain intelligence about V5's recent movements.
• Morin reviewed Ishiku Be's files and learned that V5 had killed most of the Kurta Clan, abducted survivors for research, and taken bodies and Scarlet Eyes as specimens.
• Morin concluded that V5 was responsible for the massacre and that the Phantom Troupe would not let the matter pass.
• Chrollo convened the Phantom Troupe online and ordered its members to target V5's five countries without launching a full-scale attack.
• Feitan, Phinks, and Uvogin expressed anger over the rumors blaming the Troupe, while Franklin warned them to be cautious of V5's powerful Nen users.

Hisoka joined the Phantom Troupe as its new Number Four and learned from Illumi that Morin was a member and one of the World's Five Greatest Nen Users. Hisoka became excited at the prospect of facing Morin, while the Troupe began its next operation against the V5.

• Hisoka attended the Phantom Troupe’s first gathering as Number Four, and Chrollo told the members to attack the V5 country nearest them.
• Chrollo asked Machi to sew Hisoka’s tattoo and number, and Hisoka invited her for coffee.
• After the meeting, Illumi told Hisoka that Morin had once stopped Illumi’s father and grandfather and was recognized by Netero as one of the World’s Five Greatest Nen Users.
• Illumi named Morin as the powerful Troupe member, and Hisoka reacted with excitement at the thought of fighting him.
• Morin wondered whether someone was thinking about him, unaware that Hisoka had set his sights on him.

Morin used the Propaganda Machine to make the world believe that V5 had exterminated the Kurta Clan and framed the Phantom Troupe. V5 tried to suppress the reports and find the mastermind, but the gadget thwarted its efforts.

• Morin ordered the Propaganda Machine to publicize V5's responsibility for the Kurta Clan massacre and make the world react at the highest level.
• The Propaganda Machine made a television announcer report that V5 had killed the Kurta Clan for its Scarlet Eyes and other possible reasons.
• The report spread worldwide, shocking people and turning public opinion against V5.
• V5 tried to silence the media, but even stations it took over continued broadcasting the scandal.
• V5 officials tried to find the person behind the broadcasts, but the Propaganda Machine altered their thoughts and left them unable to pursue the source.

Morin’s campaign exposing V5’s role in the Kurta Clan massacre sparked a worldwide scandal and drew the Hunter Association’s attention. After Botobai apologized for suspecting the Phantom Troupe, Morin promised not to escalate beyond public opinion and warned Pariston to stop provoking him.

• The Kurta Clan scandal damaged V5’s reputation, while informed observers connected the campaign to Morin and his gadgets.
• Biscuit called Morin to warn that his high-profile actions could make V5 target him, but Morin said he had prepared countermeasures.
• Hishito Douro told Morin that Pariston had proposed naming him as the primary suspect, but other Zodiacs, including Botobai, opposed the plan.
• Botobai apologized for initially blaming the Phantom Troupe, reaffirmed that he would still pursue the group as criminals, and said the Association would not let Pariston act alone.
• Morin promised Botobai he would take no further action beyond the public opinion campaign, then asked him to warn Pariston that he could die if he kept provoking Morin.

Morin admitted to Ging that he caused the fishing boat explosion, rejected Ging’s request to borrow his gadget, and received Netero’s praise. In 1996, V5 moved against the Phantom Troupe, while a boy on a peaceful island was attacked by a huge Fox Bear.

• Ging called Morin about the fishing boat explosion and asked to borrow a gadget to improve his reputation, but Morin refused.
• Ging relayed Netero’s praise for Morin, while the Phantom Troupe members abandoned their own attacks after seeing how much attention Morin’s incident drew.
• In 1996, V5 suspected the Phantom Troupe of the Kurta Clan massacre and withdrew from hiring the Zoldyck Family after hearing their enormous price.
• V5’s forces began closing in on Chrollo, Uvogin, Nobunaga, Feitan, and Phinks, whose photographs had been taken at the Mosibia Royal Family.
• On a distant island, a boy holding a young Fox Bear was struck by the cub’s huge, murderous parent and survived with claw wounds.

Gon met Kite on Whale Island after Kite saved him from a Fox Bear, and learned that Kite was Ging’s student. Meanwhile, Beyond Netero took an interest in Morin’s abilities and planned to use Pariston’s future position as Vice Chairman to keep receiving information.

• Kite killed a mother Fox Bear to save Gon, then scolded him for entering its territory.
• Gon insisted on raising the orphaned Fox Bear cub, and Kite recognized him as Ging’s son and introduced himself as Ging’s student.
• Ging watched Kite explain the Hunter profession to Gon, decided his test for Kite was complete, and left Whale Island.
• Gon later raised the cub as Kuma Jetta, while Xi Kuandai’s group was defeated by Canary and Xi Kuandai became a Zoldyck gatekeeper.
• Morin took a vacation after maintaining his propaganda robot, while Beyond Netero reviewed Morin’s photograph and discussed Pariston’s expected appointment as Vice Chairman with Saiyu.
• Beyond decided to let Pariston act as he wished while continuing to gather information, and kept Morin’s abilities secret from V5.

In 1997, Morin received a call from Beyond, who invited him to join an expedition to the Dark Continent. Morin declined, saying he would assemble his own team, with Netero already in his plans.

• Morin recalled the propaganda robots after they had damaged V5’s public credibility, while Kakin intensified its international pressure on V5.
• Beyond called Morin and asked how he would react to the discovery of a New Continent, then invited him to explore the Dark Continent.
• Morin recognized that Beyond meant the Dark Continent and asked why Beyond had chosen him.
• Beyond cited his strength, preparations, and resources as reasons they would make suitable partners.
• Morin refused to join Beyond’s faction and said he would form his own team rather than rely on Kakin.
• Morin considered Netero’s experience and strength valuable to his future expedition and resolved not to let the old man retire without joining him.

At Heavens Arena, Hishito Douro met Hisoka, who judged him a worthy opponent and planned to challenge the Zodiacs after becoming a Hunter. Illumi revealed that Hishito had once been targeted by his father and grandfather, but someone had intervened; the chapter left Hishito’s mysterious protector unidentified.

• Wing welcomed Zhi Xi as his disciple and told him that Hishito Douro was his Martial Uncle and one of the world’s five strongest Martial Artists.
• Hishito arrived at Heavens Arena and noticed Hisoka’s hostile, possessive stare, but ignored him and entered the elevator.
• After Hishito left, Hisoka rated him 100 points, and Illumi appeared beside Hisoka in disguise.
• Hisoka said he planned to get a Hunter License next year and challenge the Zodiacs.
• Illumi said the Zoldyck Family regarded Hishito as a high-level target and that his father and grandfather had once accepted a job to assassinate him.
• Illumi confirmed the assassination attempt had failed because someone stepped in to stop them.

Hisoka learned that Hishito Douro was Morin’s disciple and grew eager to meet Morin. In 1999, after Hisoka was disqualified from the Hunter Exam, Morin told Hishito he planned to take the next year’s exam, and the news spread through the Zodiacs.

• Illumi told Hisoka that Hishito Douro was Morin’s disciple and said Morin might have better odds than Netero in a fight.
• Wing and Zhi Xi met Hishito Douro, while Gon prepared to catch the King of the Swamp and Killua began considering running away from home.
• Hisoka was disqualified from the 26th Hunter Exam after attacking an examiner and leaving twenty other examinees unable to continue, and Hishito Douro confronted him at the exam site.
• Morin told Hishito that Hisoka was from Meteor City and belonged to the Phantom Troupe, then declined to help manage its members.
• Morin told Hishito he planned to take the next Hunter Exam, and Hishito and Piyon reacted with excitement as the news spread through the Zodiacs.

Morin prepared to take the Hunter Exam as the Hunter Association debated who should examine him, while several future applicants made plans to enter the exam for their own reasons. Registration opened at the end of 199, and a runaway silver-haired child and a long-haired man headed toward the exam.

• Netero decided to personally choose the examiners for next year's Hunter Exam after hearing the Zodiac's divided opinions about Morin's application.
• Morin told Fei Jie he would take the exam, then visited Pakunoda and Machi before setting out.
• A man in a suit vowed at Pietro's grave to become a Hunter and a doctor, while a Kurta youth swore to find those who slaughtered his people and a boy on Whale Island waited to begin his journey.
• Hunter Exam registration opened in December, Year 199, as a silver-haired child who had fled his family decided to take the exam for fun.
• A long-haired man learned the child had escaped and planned to take the Hunter Exam himself to obtain a license for a commission.

Morin joined the Hunter Exam in the same year as Gon, promised Ging he would not interfere with Ging’s plans for his son, and then helped Gon and Leorio board the departing Sea God. After landing on the ship, Gon noticed someone on deck who caught his attention.

• Illumi and Hisoka discussed taking the Hunter Exam together, while Gon caught the King of the Swamp and earned permission to leave Whale Island.
• Ging confronted Morin over choosing the same exam year as Gon, and Morin promised not to reveal Ging’s whereabouts or arrangements to Gon.
• As the Sea God departed, Gon and Leorio arrived at the dock too late to board, so Morin threw them through the air onto the ship.
• Gon landed safely on deck, while Leorio fell face-first and drew the attention of the captain and a blond boy in traditional clothing.
• Gon looked over the examinees on deck, dismissed them as unimpressive, and spotted someone who caught his attention.

Morin used a gadget to manipulate the storm gathering around the Sea God while Gon and the other examinees watched in alarm. The chapter ended as two enormous openings appeared in the dark clouds Morin had gathered.

• Morin teased Gon by offering to trade an Effortless Fishing Rod for his father's fishing rod, but Gon refused.
• Gon caught a Flying Fish, and the red-nosed captain recognized him as Ging's son after learning he came from Whale Island.
• Saint Elmo's Fire appeared on the Sea God's mast, and a storm began as the captain warned that its witnesses were said to die at sea.
• Morin took out a Cloud Controller and began altering the storm clouds.
• The examinees looked up in shock as two human-sized openings formed in the mass of dark clouds.

Morin used a Cloud Controller to shape the clouds above the ship, first frightening the candidates and then revealing Gon’s smiling face. After the candidates stopped blaming Gon and Leorio for the supposed Sea God’s wrath, Morin said he might quit the Hunter Exam if it bored him.

• The candidates mistook eye-like holes in the clouds for the Sea God and demanded that Gon and Leorio be thrown overboard because they had boarded at Whale Island.
• Gon approached Morin, who was operating a Cloud Controller, and introduced himself.
• Morin changed the clouds into a sphere and shaped it into Gon’s smiling face, revealing that he had caused the spectacle.
• The candidates stopped threatening Gon and Leorio, while the captain and a blond candidate took note of Morin’s ability to control the weather.
• Gon and Leorio thanked Morin and said they were Hunter Exam candidates, but Morin warned that he might quit if the exam bored him.

Morin, Gon, Leorio, and Kurapika shared their reasons for becoming Hunters during the voyage to Dorry Island, and Morin helped ease the tension between Leorio and Kurapika. After arriving, they received directions toward the Hunter Exam site, where Leorio noticed Morin holding an angel-shaped doll.

• Gon said he wanted to understand why his father had become a Hunter, while Morin said he wanted to pass the time.
• Leorio said he wanted to become a Hunter for money, and Kurapika revealed that he was a survivor of the Kurta Clan seeking the people who murdered his clan.
• Morin criticized Kurapika for dismissing Leorio's goals, and Kurapika apologized to Leorio, easing their conflict.
• The Sea God reached Dorry Island on the morning of January 6, 1999, and the captain pointed the group toward a shortcut to the test site.
• Leorio questioned the route shown on the map, then noticed Morin holding an angel-shaped doll.

Morin lent Gon the Guiding Angel, which directed the group toward the giant redwood tree and rejected Matthew’s offer to travel with them. As the group continued toward the mountaintop, the gadget stopped Gon from helping Matthew after he fell, leaving Matthew to trail behind and plot against them.

• Morin explained the Guiding Angel to Gon, then lent it to him without mentioning its side effects.
• Gon asked the gadget whether to follow the captain’s directions or the notice’s map, and it chose the route to the giant redwood tree.
• Matthew introduced himself and offered to join the group, but the Guiding Angel rejected him, so Gon, Leorio, and Kurapika left him behind with Morin.
• Matthew followed the group anyway, intending to use them as stepping stones during the exam.
• After Matthew fell and claimed to have hurt his ankle, the Guiding Angel turned Gon away and told him Matthew was fine.