By the Skin of Their Teeth... (
Synopsis[]
As dozens of snakes slither inside the cave from the entrance and the crevices above, Kurapika wonders how Bourbon set the trap if he's dead. While Ponzu reveals that she killed him, she refuses to elaborate further. After Kurapika tells Gon to take the paralyzed Leorio and approaches Bourbon's body, numerous snakes suddenly appear on and around the corpse when he reaches to touch it. Ponzu notes that it's impossible to examine Bourbon's body, explaining that the snakes will attack anyone who tries to leave the cave or touch his body. Kurapika notices Bourbon's swollen hand and comments that it's a sign of serious anaphylactic shock, deducing that Ponzu attacked him with a neurotoxic bee. It's then stated that anaphylactic shock can occur when a person is stung by a bee, and antibodies are created against the toxin. If the person is stung by the same type of bee, they will have an allergic reaction; severe cases are known as anaphylactic shock, which can be fatal.
Ponzu revealing her bees
Ponzu quickly confirms Kurapika's deduction and reveals that Bourbon was her specified target. She explains that she stalked him to the cave and then used sleeping gas after he entered, going inside once it took effect and finding Bourbon asleep. However, she reveals that he had already set his trap and when she reached for his badge, the snakes fell down on his body, guessing that the gas was unable to reach them in the cave's crevices. She adds that even though she jumped back before touching him, her own defenses were activated. Shen then taps the side of her hat and causes several bees to fly out, surprising both Gon and Kurapika. Ponzu explains that if she is startled or moved about, the bees come out and prepare to attack. She stresses that while she didn't mean to kill him, she couldn't have known that he was allergic and was unable to help him because of the snakes.
Telling her bees that they can go back inside her hat, Ponzu continues by saying that Bourbon's death didn't deactivate his trap, guessing that his snakes protect him as long as they're alive. She admits that she has failed and resigns herself to being saved by the Hunter Association, pointing out that all the badges have transmitters that allow them to be tracked and saved if they are unable to pass a phase. She adds that they are lucky since there's only one day left for the Fourth Phase and that they only need to wait for help to arrive. Kurapika quickly reminds her that Leorio needs immediate medical attention to survive, but Ponzu notes that the committee only arrives once a phase ends, reminding the two that it's the same committee that allows the examinees to murder one another.
Gon enduring the barrage of snake bites
Ponzu then stresses that Leorio ignored her warning and approached the exit to warn them about the snakes, causing several to strike him at once. She tells them that their only hope is that Leorio can hold out until help arrives. Kurapika realizes that while they have another option, it could result in another victim if they are wrong. Gon suddenly turns to Kurapika and tells him to take Leorio, walking toward Bourbon's body and leaving Ponzu in disbelief. As soon as Gon reaches out and grabs Bourbon's collar, several snakes leap toward him and sink their teeth all over his body. Even though more snakes bite down and cover his entire body, Gon holds firm and continues to examine the corpse, eventually finding an antidote with two needles and tossing them to Kurapika.
As Gon falls paralyzed to the ground, Kurapika is left worried about his condition, but Gon tells him to give the antidote to Leorio first. Kurapika administers it to Leorio, and Ponzu is left stunned that Gon was looking for an antidote, pointing out that he couldn't have known that Bourbon had one. Kurapika tells her that it was more likely than not since it's necessary when poison is used as a negotiating tactic. As Kurapika administers the antidote to Gon, he says to himself that it was still incredibly courageous of Gon to take the risk. Gon quickly recovers from the venom and asks Ponzu if she has any sleeping gas left. She confirms that she does, but then wonders why he wants it. Gon reveals that he was also able to grab Bourbon's #103 badge, holding it up and offering to exchange it.
Gon rescuing Kurapika, Leorio, and Ponzu
While Ponzu agrees that releasing the gas inside the cave would be more effective and put all the snakes to sleep, she stresses that it will take five minutes to take effect and wonders who can hold their breath for that long. Gon stretches his arms and reveals that his personal best is nine minutes and 44 seconds, promising to get them all out safely. With the others left speechless, he tells Ponzu to release it on his signal, taking a big breath of air and then giving a thumbs-up. After Ponzu activates the gas, every creature inside the cave eventually falls asleep as Gon counts the seconds to five minutes. He then carries the three examinees on his back outside the cave and lets out an enormous exhale. He sets the sleeping Ponzu against a tree and gives her Bourbon's #103 badge so that the committee will find her. He rummages through her things and eventually finds her #246 badge, taking it as his rescue fee and playfully apologizing.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
- Gon Freecss
- Ponzu
- Leorio Paradinight
- Kurapika
- Bourbon (Corpse; Flashback)
Translations around the World[]
| Language | Name | |
|---|---|---|
 Brazilian Portuguese
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In Extremis | |
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