Chapter Summaries

Oboro’s Hero Island game drew the chairman and the Zodiacs, while Ging warned Netero that Oboro’s ambitions and strength were growing. Ten months later, Oboro became a Two-Star Ancient Script Hunter and noted that only one year remained before the story began.

• The Zodiacs and Netero arrived on Hero Island and tried Oboro’s game, while Ging’s loophole let them limit the energy they gave up.
• Pariston’s account was banned, and Mondel’s group escorted him off the island as Pariston decided to target Oboro another way.
• After the chairman and Zodiacs left, Ging warned Netero that Oboro had great ambitions and might head to the Dark Continent, but Netero chose to guide him with benefits rather than force.
• Ten months later, Oboro received approval for promotion to Two-Star Ancient Script Hunter while standing atop the World Tree.
• Oboro checked his status and reflected that one year remained until the story officially began.

Oboro assessed how his Nen, physical strength, and abilities had advanced, concluding that he was formidable in the human world but still unprepared for the Dark Continent. He resolved to push his body beyond its limits through acupuncture and medicinal baths, then leaped down from the canopy.

• Oboro attributed his second-tier superhuman constitution to years of martial arts and breathing techniques, while Damnation had raised his Nen level to sub-world-class.
• Oboro judged his Nen Attribute Cloud to be gifted and believed he could defeat Hisoka, though reaching the ultimate tier remained a future possibility.
• Oboro reflected that he could survive in the human world but would be vulnerable on the Dark Continent, where powerful lifeforms might grant him enormous gains.
• Oboro decided to use acupuncture and restorative medicine to surpass his body's natural limits.
• Oboro leaped down through a gap in the canopy from over a thousand meters above.

Oboro reunited with Menchi and the rest of his team, then led them on a Three-Star investigation mission near the Dark Continent with Zodiacs Saiyu and Gel. As the group headed toward a suspected incursion site, Oboro concealed that the reported new life forms were Chimera Ants already spreading through NGL, while the Association and V5 remained unaware of the full danger.

• Hero Island's popularity surged after the mafia promoted it, and Ging left after helping improve the game and promising to return when its players had advanced.
• Oboro met Menchi, Anthony, Fante, and the others at Association headquarters and told them they would take on a mission to help the team grow stronger.
• Saiyu and Gel arrived as temporary support, and Oboro's team set out to investigate a possible Dark Continent creature on the tenth island of Route Three.
• On the vessel, Gel explained that V5 had issued the confidential mission, and Oboro raised the possibility that Kakin was investigating new life forms.
• Oboro privately recognized the new life forms as Chimera Ants reproducing in NGL and considered Gyro's plans, Pariston's interference, and the coming conflict between Netero and Meruem.

Oboro reflected on Netero, Beyond, and the danger Gyro posed before confronting the Zodiacs Gel and Saiyu about their motives and warning them not to interfere with his team. After the tense exchange, the team arrived at Unnamed Island No. 10 and began its investigation.

• Oboro considered Beyond’s plot against Netero and concluded that Gyro could pose an even greater danger to humanity than Meruem.
• Oboro hinted that he knew Saiyu’s secret and said Netero already knew about it, leaving Saiyu silent.
• Gel revealed that Yorkshire had sent her and warned Oboro that his missions would be monitored and that he would not be allowed into Association leadership.
• Oboro warned Gel and Saiyu that he would not tolerate interference with his team or mission, and his teammates sided with him.
• The team stopped pretending to get along with the two Zodiacs and arrived at Unnamed Island No. 10 to begin its investigation.

Oboro’s team found no trace of Dark Continent creatures on Island Ten, and the telepathic link suddenly failed. Saiyu confronted Oboro and revealed that Beyond wanted him to join his future expedition, but after Oboro refused, Saiyu moved to kill him as part of a plot involving assassins from Kakin.

• Oboro’s team split up to survey Island Ten while Gel warned Saiyu against acting on Pariston’s orders.
• The hunters reported finding only ordinary wildlife, and Oboro waited in the forest because he suspected the mission had been arranged by people.
• The team lost telepathic contact, and Saiyu approached Oboro, who confronted him about his ties to Pariston and Beyond.
• Saiyu invited Oboro to join Beyond’s future Dark Continent expedition, but Oboro refused.
• Saiyu summoned See-Monkey, Hear-Monkey, and Speak-Monkey and threatened to kill Oboro, while Oboro deduced that Beyond’s Kakin team had been sent to help eliminate him.
• Oboro welcomed the coming fight and challenged Saiyu to attack, eager to test his strength against a powerful opponent.

Saiyu fought Oboro, whose speed and strength far exceeded Saiyu’s expectations. Oboro left Saiyu alive and urged him to fight harder, while Saiyu realized he was facing something inhuman.

• Saiyu relied on Ging’s earlier assessment and attacked Oboro cautiously, trying to test him with his speed.
• Oboro vanished from Saiyu’s sight and slashed open his chest, then gave him time to recover and demanded that he use his full strength.
• Saiyu unleashed his aura and sent three Nen monkeys to attack Oboro, who killed Hear-Monkey with blade-like strikes.
• Saiyu landed a heavy staff blow on Oboro’s head, but Oboro remained unharmed, bent the staff, and asked Saiyu to try harder.
• Saiyu grew terrified as he sensed that Oboro was not human.

Oboro overwhelmed Saiyu in their fight, revealing a lethal five-meter attack and his Ghost Mist ability. After Saiyu realized Oboro had brought a hero’s abilities from the game into reality, he fled, and Oboro sent the ghosts after him to prevent him from escaping with the secret.

• Oboro easily overpowered Saiyu’s staff assault and saw through his attempt to use Nen monkeys to create an opening.
• Oboro destroyed Saiyu’s Sight Monkey with an invisible attack, then severed Saiyu’s neck artery when Saiyu tried to strike back.
• Oboro explained that his attacks could transmit Nen through airflow within five meters, then revealed the Ghost Mist ability he had developed from the hero Thresh.
• Saiyu recognized Oboro’s connection to the game’s heroes and fled after Oboro warned him to stop thinking.
• Oboro ordered the ghosts to pursue Saiyu because Saiyu had discovered his secret.

Saiyu died after realizing Pariston had manipulated him into confronting Oboro, who absorbed his soul and chose to keep Pariston alive for political advantage. Oboro then killed a Beyond operative who attacked him and continued searching for his companions.

• Saiyu succumbed to his injuries and the Ghost Mist after concluding that Pariston had used him to test Oboro and gather information.
• Oboro arrived beside the dying Saiyu and promised to send Pariston to keep him company before beheading him and absorbing his soul.
• Oboro decided to leave Pariston alive because he expected Pariston to support his bid for Hunter Association chairman after Netero stepped down.
• Oboro searched the island for Menchi and the others, then encountered a muscular operative in a combat suit.
• The operative attacked Oboro with Nen and spiked iron rings, but Oboro dismembered him in a single exchange and absorbed his soul.

Oboro and his team survived the island mission, where Oboro admitted to Gel that he had killed Saiyu and was later placed under Association supervision. After the ship returned, Mizaistom, Kanzai, and Biscuit took Oboro in for a formal meeting with the Zodiacs.

• Oboro reunited with Menchi, Anthony, and Gabe Vich after they fought off attackers, then told them Saiyu was dead.
• Oboro admitted to Gel that he had killed Saiyu and urged her to report the death as she saw fit, while claiming the truth involved secrets that justified the killing.
• Oboro’s team regrouped and left the island; Oboro collected lingering souls, then returned to his cabin and continued his acupuncture training during the voyage.
• Yorkshire ordered Gel to supervise Oboro around the clock, and Gel stayed in his cabin until the ship reached port.
• Mizaistom, Kanzai, and Biscuit met Oboro at the port and ordered him to come with them; Oboro admitted to Biscuit that he had killed Saiyu.

Oboro faced questioning over Saiyu’s death, but evidence linked Saiyu to the Kakin Empire and Netero cleared Oboro of violating Association rules. Netero moved to appoint Oboro as a Zodiac, but Oboro refused, leaving the Zodiacs stunned and Ging wary of his ambitions.

• Netero and the Zodiacs questioned Oboro about killing Saiyu, while Wing waited outside.
• Oboro argued that Saiyu had attacked him and revealed that Kakin investigators had targeted him after the mission was leaked; Gel supported his account.
• Netero presented evidence of Saiyu’s ties to the Kakin Empire’s royal family and declared Oboro innocent of breaking Association rules for now.
• Oboro traded pointed insults with Pariston, while Yorkshire realized the Chairman and Oboro knew more about Saiyu’s death than they were revealing.
• Netero began to appoint Oboro to Saiyu’s vacant Zodiac position, but Oboro refused, surprising the assembled Zodiacs and worrying Ging.

Oboro rejected a Zodiac seat while Ging suspected he was positioning himself to succeed Netero if the chairman fell. As Oboro expanded the Fills Family’s influence and saw Wing off, he left open the possibility of returning to Heavens Arena for fun.

• Oboro refused the Zodiac position again, and Netero agreed to respect his decision after Oboro hinted at an exchange involving the Dark Continent.
• Ging confronted Oboro in the elevator, deduced that Oboro was building support among Hunters in case Netero’s seat became vacant, and warned that the chairman might be in danger.
• Stories about Oboro’s strength, his killing of Saiyu, and his care for younger Hunters spread through the Association, boosting his standing with its members.
• Oboro instructed David to dispose of an exposed Honey Trap in the Kakin Empire, continue the family’s infiltration efforts, and step down from his underworld position before the Ten Dons died.
• Biscuit brought Wing to say goodbye to Oboro, and Wing explained that he preferred guiding younger Hunters to pursuing greater strength.
• Oboro told Wing he might return to Heavens Arena for fun, despite no longer holding his Floor Master title.

Oboro became a three-star Ancient Text Hunter after V5 approved his application, and he assessed the limits of his human strength and the growth of his Nen. At Association headquarters, Netero tried to persuade him to slow down rather than pursue the Dark Continent, leaving their uneasy agreement intact for now.

• Oboro deciphered inscriptions from an ancient ruin, earning recognition as a three-star achievement, while he completed the conversion of his Nen abilities through Hero Island.
• V5 approved Oboro's three-star Hunter application, and he returned to Association headquarters for Netero's commendation.
• Oboro checked his system panel and found that his human physical potential and martial arts rating had reached their limits, though his Nen abilities could still strengthen him passively.
• Oboro considered developing Damnation further and recognized that the Dark Continent was the only path the system offered for major growth.
• Netero asked Oboro what he intended to do next and urged him to slow down and enjoy the scenery, and Oboro agreed before leaving the room.

After becoming a Triple-Star Hunter, Oboro stepped away from his team and volunteered to examine the second stage of the 287th Hunter Exam. He met the other examiners at Association headquarters, where the exam plans were finalized with his test left undecided.

• Menchi returned with the team as a Double-Star Hunter, and Oboro made her vice-captain before temporarily leaving the group to continue its training.
• Menchi refused the committee’s request to examine the Hunter Exam, so Oboro offered to take her place.
• Oboro met Satotz, Lippo, Kara, Mashita, and the other examiners at Association headquarters and reassured them.
• The examiners settled the test plans, while Oboro said he would devise his second-stage test after reaching the site.
• Satotz felt pressured by Oboro, while Mashita celebrated after Oboro encouraged him on his way out.

Oboro waited near the Hunter Exam registration site and met Hisoka, whose strength had grown dramatically. After Hisoka revealed that Chrollo and the Phantom Troupe had begun retaliating against the Fills Family, Oboro proposed joining forces with Hisoka and Illumi for a game.

• Oboro watched candidates arrive in Zaban City and spotted Tonpa secretly observing them near the registration site.
• Hisoka found Oboro beneath a parasol, and the two compared their strength and discussed how much they had changed.
• Hisoka told Oboro that Chrollo and the Phantom Troupe were in the Republic of Padokea and had gathered to kill him.
• Oboro suggested that he, Hisoka, and Illumi join forces for a game once Illumi arrived.

Oboro turned the second Hunter Exam into an arbitrary massage contest, letting Tonpa and Hanzo pass while the examinees scrambled to please him. The main group arrived, and Kurapika recognized Oboro as the chapter ended.

• Oboro explained his plan to Hisoka and Illumi, then waited for the Hunter Exam to begin.
• As examinees reached the cabin, Oboro recognized several familiar faces and Tonpa recognized him as his benefactor.
• Oboro declared Tonpa the first to pass, prompting the other examinees to crowd around and massage him in hopes of passing.
• Oboro failed Illumi and Bodoro, while Hanzo knocked out Shishito and earned the second passing mark.
• Hisoka arrived carrying an unconscious Leorio, and Gon, Kurapika, and Killua later reached the cabin.
• Kurapika finally recognized Oboro as the examiner.

Kurapika confronted Oboro over the Kurta Clan’s ancient book, and Oboro promised to return it after the exam. After Satotz revealed Oboro was a Triple-Star Hunter, Oboro began the second round with a test of will that left many examinees collapsing under his killing intent.

• Kurapika recognized Oboro as the man who had taken the Kurta Clan’s ancient book and demanded its return.
• Oboro promised to give the book back after the exam, while Gon offered to help explain things to Kurapika and Killua warned Gon that Oboro was dangerous.
• Satotz introduced Oboro as one of the Hunter Association’s few Triple-Star Hunters, quieting the examinees’ complaints about favoritism.
• Oboro announced that anyone who crossed a line within an hour would qualify, then released killing intent as the examinees charged toward him.
• Many examinees collapsed, convulsed, or passed out under Oboro’s killing intent.

Oboro’s killing-intent test pushed the candidates to their limits, but Gon, Kurapika, Leorio, and Killua crossed the finish line together. After only twelve candidates passed, Oboro spoke with Gon about Ging and encouraged him to believe he could surpass them both.

• Killua resisted Oboro’s killing intent, then joined Gon, Kurapika, and Leorio in moving forward together.
• Hisoka and Illumi crossed the finish line, and Hisoka recognized Oboro’s influence on Gon’s abilities.
• Gon’s group crossed the finish line just before time ran out, and Oboro eased the pressure so the remaining candidates could finish.
• Oboro announced that twelve candidates had passed, including Gon’s group, Hisoka, Illumi, Hanzo, Tonpa, Bodoro, Bourbon, Geretta, and Pokkle.
• Oboro offered Gon Ging’s contact information, but Gon declined because he wanted to meet his father through his own efforts.
• Gon asked whether Oboro or Ging was stronger and said he wanted to surpass them both, so Oboro urged him to believe in himself.

Oboro gave Kurapika the Kurta Clan text and revealed the Phantom Troupe’s connection to the clan’s massacre and Scarlet Eyes, then shared the troupe members’ names and abilities. That night, Kurapika asked Oboro to take him as a disciple, but Oboro refused and offered to help him hunt the Spiders instead.

• Oboro gave Kurapika the Kurta Clan’s ancient text and said many Scarlet Eyes were held by a Kakin Empire prince.
• Oboro told Kurapika that the Phantom Troupe had sold the Scarlet Eyes and revealed Sheila’s ties to Chrollo and Meteor City.
• Oboro listed the Phantom Troupe members and their Nen abilities, warned Kurapika that he was not ready to face them, and urged him to get his Hunter License.
• Hisoka spoke with Oboro afterward, while Killua overheard them and hurried to warn Gon, who dismissed his suspicions.
• Kurapika visited Oboro at night, begged to become his disciple, and promised to give everything to avenge his clan.
• Oboro declined to take Kurapika as a disciple but offered to help him hunt the Spiders.

Kurapika learned that Oboro could help him hunt the Phantom Troupe, while the Troupe gathered in Padokea to plan an attack on the Fills Family. The chapter left Chrollo suspicious that Hisoka might be connected to Oboro and ordering Pakunoda to investigate him.

• Kurapika spent the night with Oboro, learned secrets about Hunters, and accepted that Oboro was helping him partly for his own amusement.
• Gon, Killua, and Leorio met Kurapika outside Oboro’s room, then joined Oboro as the airship reached Trick Tower for the third phase of the exam.
• Oboro told Netero that Gon and Killua were exceptionally talented, and Netero showed particular interest in Ging Freecss’s son.
• Shalnark reported that Hisoka had seen Oboro at the Hunter Exam, and Chrollo warned the Phantom Troupe not to underestimate Oboro or assume Hisoka was trustworthy.
• Chrollo explained that the Troupe had hired two Zoldycks to hold Oboro back while they attacked the Fills Family, then ordered Pakunoda to question Hisoka about when he first met Oboro.

Shalnark briefed the Phantom Troupe on the Fills Family, Hero Island, and Oboro’s abilities as they prepared a coordinated attack. Chrollo delayed the operation until the Hunter Exam ended, leaving the troupe to study their target and await the right moment.

• Shalnark revealed that Hero Island was a Fills Family game that used Nen-sensitive consoles to reveal the coordinates of its offshore entrance.
• Shalnark explained that Nobunaga and Uvogin would attack the offshore bases while the rest of the troupe targeted Oboro’s palace, but Chrollo postponed the plan until after the Hunter Exam.
• Shalnark said that he and Pakunoda had contacted Chiko, a loyal but foolish Fills Family member designated as its next head, without being exposed.
• Shalnark described Oboro’s past at Heavens Arena and analyzed his Nen ability, Endless Fantasist’s Treasury, for the gathered troupe.
• Shalnark concluded that Oboro was a formidable individual, but the troupe believed they could find an opportunity to kill him.