Author (著者, Chosha) is the 344th chapter of the Hunter × Hunter manga, written and illustrated by Yoshihiro Togashi.
Synopsis
Ging with the expedition team
Kurapika recalls how he acquired the previous sets of Scarlet Eyes that are now in his possession. Back in the lair of Beyond Netero's expedition team, the members are still doubtful of having Ging as the second in command behind Beyond. Two members decide to fight against him, but Ging offers them money instead. He promises to double Beyond Netero's pay to the members. Another member gives Ging his account number, and only a few moments later, the member leaves the lair. Ging asks Pariston if he has objections, in which Pariston answers otherwise.
Gon without his Nen
In the Hunter Association building, Leorio comes in contact with Kurapika, who is currently traveling by car with Mizaistom Nana. Kurapika asks about Gon, and Leorio answers that he is fine at the moment. Leorio inquires about Kurapika's e-mail address, but Kurapika does not give him the information. He thanks Mizaistom for the connection to Prince Tserriednich Hui Guo Rou, though he knows his abilities will not help much. Mizaistom warns Kurapika that the prince has a darker side, and that he should be mindful. Kurapika reassures him that he has dealt with monsters in human shells. Elsewhere, Gon tries to activate his Nen, but is surprised when he finds out he cannot access it any longer.
Ging Freecss explains about the Five Great Calamities of the Dark Continent to three of the members from Beyond Netero's expedition team. He explains that these calamities are stronger than the Chimera Ants and people have no countermeasure against them. He continues that the victims of Ai and Papu have been found, and a sixth calamity might return. Ging tells them that the Hunters Association has previously allied with Netero during an expedition in the Dark Continent. According to Netero, the Dark Continent is gigantic, and during that expedition, he was accompanied by Linne Hors-d'oeuvre and Zzigg Zoldyck. In order to prevent Beyond Netero to travel to the Dark Continent, Isaac and the V5 placed a ban over the place. The member who received money from Ging earlier returns, and tells them that all his money was spent to save his younger sister in the hospital. He agrees that Ging is now second place within the team.
Ging explains about the book
A member with curly hair and glasses asks Ging about the reference of all the information about the Dark Continent. Ging explains that only one person has explored the place and kept a journal three hundred years ago. Though the journal is named after the "East" and "West", he confirms that there are still no information about the western part of the continent. Ging gives three guesses why, but settles to the answer that the book is still being written as they speak, by none other than Don Freecss.
Summary of the Five Trips
| Begerossé Union | United States of Saherta | Federation of Ochima | Mimbo Republic | Kukan'yu Kingdom | |
|
Direction |
Northeast shore of Lake Mobius. | North shore of Lake Mobius. | Far southeast shore of Lake Mobius. | Southeast shore of Lake Mobius. | South shore of Lake Mobius. |
|
Location |
In a steep mountain range. | In the ruins of an ancient labyrinthine city that lies 400KM in a forest. | Swamps | - | - |
|
Resources |
Unmanned Rock | Certain Herb | Nitro Rice | Trinity Elixir | Metallion |
|
Use |
An ore that generates electricity when placed under water. One small bead can generate 20,000 KW a day. | Can cure all kind of diseases. | The ultimate secret of longevity. | The mother solution for all sorts of liquids. | An alchemy plant. |
|
Threats |
Pap | Brion | Hellbell | Ai | Zobae |
|
Returning Survivors |
7 out of 1000 (0.7% survival rate) | 2 | 11 (99% fell prey to Hellbell) | 3 | 6 including Beyond Netero and the Hunter afflicted by Zobae |
Chapter Notes
- Ging offers the team double what Beyond Netero paid them upfront in order to be No. 2 instead of Pariston. He says he doesn't care if they kept doing what Pariston tells them as long as he is the No. 2 of the team. Ging also gave them a choice to accept now or later until they're satisfied.
- Pariston didn't receive any money from Beyond for this mission.
- Gon tries to activate his Nen, but is surprised when he finds out he cannot access it any longer.
- Ging says the Guide might have made V5 take the five threats back home as a "lesson."
- All five threats are classified to be more dangerous than the Chimera Ants.
- The best and only way to deal with the five threats is to lock them up and stay away from them.
- Of the five threats, there has been victims of Ai and Pap on the side of the known world.
- The threats are all sorted off-record in the International Environmental Agency's basement.
- Beyond wants to take an unexplored route, so there's a possibility of ending up with a sixth threat.
- Isaac Netero, Zzigg Zoldyck and Linne Hors-d'oeuvre went secretly in an undocumented trip to the Dark Continent.
- Beyond's trip succeeded in bringing back the alchemy plant Metallion but it died eventually, and by going off-route, they brought back the worst disease.
- It was Beyond's trip that drove Isaac Netero to convince V5 to make travel to the Dark Continent a taboo for the Hunter Association.
- The author of the book "Journey to the New World" is Don Freecss.
- There are 2 editions of the book: "East" and "West" editions. But only "East" edition has been found.
- Don Freecss has been trying to explore the entire shoreline of Lake Mobius 300 years ago.
- Ging theorizes that Don Freecss is still writing the "West" edition of the book, by using the longevity rice and the herb that can cure all diseases.
Characters in Order of Appearance
- Tserriednich Hui Guo Rou (Image)
- Kurapika
- Pairo (Flashback)
- Ging Freecss
- Pariston Hill
- Mascher
- Marione
- Usamen
- Pekotero
- Curly
- Golem
- Leorio Paradinight
- Mizaistom Nana
- Gon Freecss
- Isaac Netero (Flashback)
- Zzigg Zoldyck (Flashback) (First appearance)
- Linne Hors-d'oeuvre (Flashback)
- Don Freecss (Mentioned)
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