Name (名前, Namae) is the 290th chapter of the Hunter × Hunter manga, written and illustrated by Yoshihiro Togashi.
Synopsis
Morel, despite his mortal injury, refuses to accept help from Knuckle and exhorts him to resume the extermination mission against Youpi and the Chimera Ant King. Knuckle admits that he cannot continue as is, because- in line with a theme that recurs throughout the arc- he has begun to see his opponents as fellow people who have acknowledged and respected him as the same and insists that he has no reason to defeat them now. However, Knov arrives suddenly and looking worse for wear than ever, asserts that the soldier ants' humanity doesn't matter when the King can order them howsoever he pleases. Knov then also drops the bomb that Netero has succeeded in sequestering the King; no matter what the Royal Guards do, they will be too late. He takes away a still-resentful Morel and mentions that Shoot is safe as well, and asks in passing after Palm. Before he leaves for the final time, he also asks Knuckle whether he wants to go with him or stay and fight- Knuckle, refusing to acknowledge that he is redundant, declares that Youpi is not the only Royal Guard he can pursue.
Meanwhile, Youpi has caught up in both locations and in events transpiring with Pouf, who- each guard having noted the character development that occurring in each other- tests Youpi's new mindset, and obliquely they both agree that despite Youpi's new maturity and Pouf's deepening madness, what matters most is the King's well-being.
On their chosen battlefield, the King has just taken a direct hit from Netero. He nevertheless continues to insist on debate over battle. Netero muses that he cannot back down, and strikes again, only to be brushed off by the King's power. The King tells him that the only thing that Netero can hope to exchange with him is words. Netero believes that if such a small thing were enough, he wouldn't be forced to do this, and curses the King's naivete. However, he suddenly realizes a word that might achieve the upper hand.
Netero asks the King if he wouldn't like to know his own name. The question unsettles the King, and Netero grins malevolently as he sees his bait is taken. He explains the circumstances of the Queen's death, and insinuates that he is the only one left who knows the King's name. In a move that calls back the final round of the Hunter Exam arc, he challenges the King to force him to admit defeat and the King's name with it- impossible if he is dead, of course. The King compares this challenge to a handicapped board game, and declares his intent to checkmate the Chairman.
Characters in Order of Appearance
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