"He wouldn't have lost in a fair fight. The chain dude must've trapped him with a dirty trick!! He won't get away with it. I'll find him no matter how many people I have to kill." — Nobunaga to Gon, in "September 3rd: Part 7" |
Nobunaga Hazama (ノブナガ゠ハザマ, Nobunaga Hazama) is member #1 of the Phantom Troupe.[6] His physical strength ranked ninth among the group.[7]
Appearance[]
Nobunaga usually wears a classic Japanese-style robe and short pants, while his midsection is wrapped in a sarashi (with wrappings also around his lower legs). He has long black hair that he ties into a single topknot. He also has a pencil moustache and a small patch of hair on his chin. His sword almost never leaves his side.
His spider tattoo has the number 1 on the spider's abdomen,[6] but the tattoo location has yet to be revealed.
He is mostly seen with a sullen and cold facial expression. During his youth days in Meteor City, it is brighter and happier.
Personality[]
Nobunaga caught off guard
Nobunaga is typically calm, but can be brash and get into conflicts with the other Troupe members. While he demonstrates good fighting speed and capacity for reason, he does seem to struggle with impromptu decision-making. This is first seen when Owl traps the car the Troupe members were riding in; every occupant of the car was able to escape except for Nobunaga. However, this was mostly due to the fact that he was sitting in the middle back seat and had the worst position.[8] Furthermore, when Gon and Killua announce their plan to attack him together, Nobunaga activates his En and prepares himself for the attack instead of pursuing either of the boys, ultimately giving them the chance to escape.[9]
Nobunaga trying to befriend Gon and Killua
Nobunaga is one of the friendlier members of the Troupe. He frequently smiles at the sight of Gon and Killua, asking them to be friends and even asking Chrollo to make them Troupe members. This is especially the case for Gon since he has the same Nen type, and attitude as Nobunaga's late best friend, Uvogin.[10][11] During his youth in Meteor City, it is shown that he is a happy and friendly person. He enjoys dubbing Mighty Morphin' Power Cleaners and had a good time rehearsing with his fellow Troupe members. He is also less inclined towards arguments and violence during this time, unlike his present-day self, who will not hesitate when a situation calls for it, showing better control of his emotions and self-restraint. This can be seen when Uvogin, Machi, Phinks and Feitan confront Chrollo after the show, he simply watches and remains silent.[12] When Uvogin becomes violent towards Chrollo following the discovery of Sarasa's dead body, he reacts just the same. He shows a genuine concern upon the discovery of Sarasa's mangled body, being the first to inquire Chrollo about it.[13]
He is extremely loyal to Chrollo, which he showed when he was willing to fight Phinks to prevent him from going after Pakunoda.[14] Like the other members of the Troupe, Nobunaga is also cold-blooded, ruthless, and not above inhuman mass murder, most notably when he brutally massacred the Kurta Clan alongside his teammates. The gruesome murder of their dear friend Sarasa and their thirst for revenge against the perpetrators have desensitized him to such atrocities.[13]
The inhabitants of Meteor City are also stated to share remarkable bonds that have been described as "thinner than water, and yet thicker than blood".[15] This was also proven by the fact that the Phantom Troupe is a major asset in the defense of the city.[16]
Nobunaga threatening Gon and Killua
Nobunaga hates when hostages speak without permission, and will coldly warn them against it at least twice. He tells them to answer all the questions truthfully whenever they are under interrogation by any members of the Troupe. In such a situation, Nobunaga warned Killua that if he spoke without permission, he would kill him.[17] He is willing to kill hostages swiftly and unhesitatingly if they don’t follow his repeated warnings, as he did to Squala.[18]
Despite being a samurai, Nobunaga doesn't seem to adhere much to the code of Bushido, since he uses a chained katana to allow him to strike from a distance. This is even pointed out by an incredulous Yokotani.[19]
Background[]
Nobunaga in his youth
Nobunaga is a founding member of the Troupe,[20] all of whom hail from Meteor City, a junkyard city inhabited by outcasts of the world. People who live there do not exist in any official records, and the existence of the city itself is known to very few people.[15]
About fifteen years prior to his series debut, during his childhood in meteor city, he was present at the dubbing of Mighty Sweepin' Power Cleaners and took part in the rehearsals to play as the green power cleaner.[12] After one of his co-actors, Sarasa, who dubs the Orange Cleaner, is found dead in a forest, Nobunaga, Uvogin, and the six others pledge a loyalty to Chrollo in order to avenge their dear friend. He was present at the official founding of the Phantom Troupe three years later.[13]
As a founding member of the troupe, he took part in the massacre of the Kurta Clan.[2]
Nobunaga stated that he and Uvogin were friends before the Troupe was founded and that he knew him better than anyone.[17] At one point in the past, he and Uvogin worked together to fight several opponents. Franklin stated that Uvogin was at his strongest when he fought alongside Nobunaga, who was better at fighting one-on-one and always complained when the two were paired together. However, Franklin added that Nobunaga actually didn’t seem to mind that much.[11]
At some point, he had a bad case of food poisoning after consuming a shellfish. Since then, he developed an intense disgust toward them.[21]
Plot[]
Yorknew City arc[]
Nobunaga clashing with Franklin
On August 31st, Nobunaga is seen with Franklin, Feitan, and Machi as they walk through the Gordeau Desert to Yorknew City. When Nobunaga asks how long it’s been since the entire Troupe has gathered together, Feitan quickly replies with three years and two months, adding that members #4 and #8 have been replaced. When Hisoka is mentioned, Feitan says that he doesn’t like him and wonders why Chrollo allows him to do as he pleases. Nobunaga says that it’s because he’s good, praising Hisoka’s Bungee Gum and his strength. Feitan tells him to apologize for implying that Chrollo is afraid of Hisoka, but Nobunaga replies that he didn’t say that. Franklin adds that Nobunaga gives Hisoka too much credit, and when Nobunaga replies that anyone can talk big, the two suddenly slam their forearms together and begin sparring as Machi and Feitan talk. After they are all gathered at the hideout, their leader Chrollo reveals that they will steal all the items at the Underground Auction.[22]
After Franklin, Feitan, and Shizuku slaughter all the auction attendees, Nobunaga and the others find the safe empty and escape in a hot-air balloon. Suspecting the Shadow Beasts to be involved after they learn about Owl, Chrollo tells the Troupe members to lure them out with a big disturbance.[23] After the group is shot down by the Mafia in the Gordeau Desert, Nobunaga and the others watch from afar as Uvogin massacres dozens of Mafia members.[24] As he prepares his Big Bang Impact, Nobunaga states that he is getting serious and praises the power of the attack. When Uvogin kills Porcupine with a scream, Nobunaga covers his ears in time and yells at Uvogin for not giving him a warning, eventually realizing that Uvogin was right not to let Porcupine know what he was about to do.[25]
Nobunaga and the others rescuing Uvogin
When Uvogin is captured Kurapika, Nobunaga and four other Spiders chase the culprits by car. Because he was sitting in the middle back seat, Nobunaga is the only one unable to jump out of the car when Owl envelops it in his Fun Fun Cloth, shrinking in size and trapped in Owl’s ability.[8] He is returned to normal when the other Spiders defeat the Shadow Beasts. He then disguises himself as a Mafia member and infiltrates the building where Uvogin is being held captive, freeing him in the process.[26] Uvogin then leaves to kill the chain user that restrained him. When he doesn’t return the following day,[7] Chrollo has Nobunaga and Machi roam the streets of Yorknew to lure out the chain user and take him to their hideout.[27] While the two sit at a table in a square, they are spotted by a couple who act as informants for Gon, Killua, and Leorio.[28]
Nobunaga and Machi trying to lure out the chain user
Nobunaga wonders if Uvogin is really dead, claiming that he isn’t stupid and can hold his own even if outmatched. However, he trusts Machi's hunch that he’s probably dead and resolves to find and kill the chain user. Although they sense that they are being watched, they cannot pinpoint their exact location. Machi asks him if he thinks it could be their target, and Nobunaga replies that if it is, they will follow Chrollo's orders and do what they want with him. Machi suggests that Chrollo might want him to join the Troupe. Nobunaga reminds her of the unspoken rule, which states that they can use any means to bring him back dead or alive, ordering her to stop telling him what to think. Machi then points out that he is the one telling her what to do. After a moment of heightened tension, Nobunaga suggests that she flip a coin to determine whether they should take the chain user dead or alive, with Nobunaga calling heads and Machi tails.[27]
After the two leave the square, they sense multiple skilled Zetsu users tailing them. They walk to the courtyard of an abandoned complex and wait for their pursuers to show themselves. When no one does, Nobunaga tells Machi that it isn’t the chain user following them since there are multiple pursuers and he probably works alone, having fought Uvogin by himself and not reported it to the Nostrade Family. He concludes that he must have a personal grudge against them and that their pursuers are unrelated. Vexed by Machi's skepticism, he asks her what she thinks. She says that she has a feeling their pursuers are somehow related to the chain user. Nobunaga protests that hunches have nothing to do with logic. He then receives a call from Phinks, who tells him where to find their hidden pursuers. Nobunaga jumps to the fourth floor of the building, where he finds Killua and Phinks. He greets the latter, asking him what he is doing. Phinks replies that Chrollo had he and Pakunoda tail Nobunaga and Machi without their knowledge so they could deceive anyone who came after them as well. After Nobunaga comments that he knew there were many skilled Zetsu users around, he prepares to interrogate Killua.[29]
Nobunaga first asks him why he was following them, and Killua tells him about the bounty put on their heads by the Mafia. Nobunaga then asks who taught him how to shadow, and Killua says that they were just using Zetsu and that his teacher was the assistant master of Shingen-ryu kung fu. Nobunaga asks him if he knows a Nen user with chains who is a Conjurer or Manipulator, but Killua replies that he doesn’t know and that his teacher was an Enhancer who only taught them the basics. Nobunaga finally gives him two choices, asking if he wants to die now or later, with Phinks giving him three seconds to decide. After Killua surrenders, the four Spiders drive Gon and Killua back to their hideout. Hearing Gon's exclamation of surprise, Nobunaga asks him if he knows any of them. Killua cuts in and recognizes Shizuku as the girl beaten by Gon in arm-wrestling, prompting Nobunaga to challenge Gon to a match. He repeatedly beats him without effort and has the others remind him of his arm-wrestling ranking in the group, with Franklin saying that he is seventh or eighth.[17]
Nobunaga tells Gon that the strongest was Uvogin, who the chain user probably killed. When Killua protests that they don’t know a Nen user with chains, Nobunaga threatens to kill him if he speaks out of turn again. He states that Uvogin was an Enhancer who loved fighting more than anything else, but who was also a stickler for punctuality. As he reminisces about knowing Uvogin since before the creation of the Troupe, Nobunaga tears up and angrily says that the chain user must have used a dirty trick since Uvogin would have never lost a fair fight. He then vows to find him no matter how many people he has to kill along the way. When Nobunaga mentions that the chain user has a vendetta against them and that he was recently hired by the Nostrade Family, Killua works out that it must be Kurapika. Nobunaga wonders if Gon has heard any rumors, but Gon replies that he wouldn’t tell them even if he had heard anything. Asking Nobunaga why he doesn’t share that emotion with the people he has killed, Gon activates his Ren and slams Nobunaga's hand down against the table.[17]
Feitan restrains Gon and tells him that he's getting too cocky, again asking if he knows the chain user. Gon responds that he has nothing to tell them, and when Feitan chuckles in reply, Nobunaga tells him to stop. Feitan wonders why he has to obey his orders, and Nobunaga slams his fist down as the tension rises. Franklin, Machi, and Shizuku intervene and remind them that there’s no actual fighting within the Troupe. They settle the dispute with a coin toss, and Feitan releases Gon after Nobunaga wins. The other Spiders are willing to let Gon and Killua go, but Nobunaga stops them and insists that Gon should join the Troupe and become his partner. Gon refuses and angrily replies that he would rather die. Nobunaga asks him if he’s an Enhancer and bursts out laughing at Gon’s confirmation. He tells the others that he wants to keep them at the hideout until Chrollo returns and that he plans to nominate Gon as a Troupe member. The others are left confused by Nobunaga’s decision and tell him that he has to watch the boys on his own. He then takes the boys to another room and sits in front of the only exit.[30]
Nobunaga keeping watch
As Killua appears ready to fight, Nobunaga prepares to draw his sword and warns him not to move any closer. Killua begrudgingly backs down, but a few minutes later, he tells Gon that he will buy time for him to escape. Nobunaga hears him and warns Killua that he’s skilled enough to understand that the gap in their abilities will make it impossible. Killua replies that he won’t know until he tries, causing Nobunaga to shake his head. Nobunaga then bursts out laughing at Gon's illogical reasoning when he stops Killua, telling the latter that it’s impossible to reason with an Enhancer. He acknowledges Killua's determination and assures them that he will allow them to leave as long as they wait for Chrollo to return. His words jog Gon's memory, who begins a conversation about ostomy that leaves Nobunaga confused. As the two suddenly activate their Ren, Nobunaga warns them that they will end up dead, but the two charge toward him and suddenly move to the side, with each kicking a hole through the wall.[11]
Believing that Killua is close to the stairs, Nobunaga chases after Gon from the corridor. He locks the door to the next room, forgetting that he can kick through walls. He hears Killua running down the stairs and follows Gon through the holes he has made, but ends up in an empty room. He then hears the boy's voice behind him as he tells Killua that they will Nobunaga on together. Nobunaga realizes that Gon made the last hole and then backtracked to trick him. He kicks down the door and, unable to feel their aura, guesses that they plan to ambush him. He activates his En and waits for them to make their move. Unbeknownst to him, however, the two have already left the building.[9]
Chrollo writing out Nobunaga's fortune
When the other Spiders return to the hideout from the attack on the Cemetery Building, they all celebrate their successful plan to take over the auction. Nobunaga, however, is shown to be still upset about the boys escaping.[31] The following morning, Chrollo announces that they will leave Yorknew that same night after taking the rest of the items. Nobunaga protests that they have not yet found the chain user and insists on staying. When Franklin steps in, Nobunaga asks Chrollo if he is ordering him to leave as the leader.[15] Opening his book, Chrollo tells Nobunaga to answer his questions.[32] Nobunaga is perplexed when the questions are about his name, date of birth, and blood type. At Chrollo's request, he writes them on a sheet of paper. Chrollo then writes out his fortune with Neon’s stolen ability, explaining its mechanics. Upon reading the poem, all Nobunaga can decipher is that five more Spiders will die the following week. He hands his fortune to Shizuku, and when she has her own fortune written and announces that she is among those who will die, Nobunaga asks her how she figured it out. Chrollo states that the fortunes won’t come true if they leave without a fight, reminding Nobunaga that he and Uvogin volunteered to defend the others with their lives and that it’s his job to protect Shizuku, Pakunoda, and Shalnark. Asked which one of them is being selfish, Nobunaga concedes that he has nothing else to say.[2]
After Chrollo writes out the fortunes for the other Spiders,[33] Hisoka seems to insinuate that he sold out Uvogin to the chain user, Nobunaga draws his sword and asks him if it’s true. He takes the ensuing silence as confirmation and prepares to attack, only to be stopped by Franklin and Shalnark. The two pose their own questions to Hisoka, but his evasive answers do not sway Nobunaga, who pretends to give up and then dashes toward him. Before he can unsheathe his sword again, Chrollo teleports him away from Hisoka and orders him to stay quiet. As Chrollo interrogates Hisoka, Nobunaga grows more and more furious until Chrollo speculates that Hisoka was affected by the chain user’s ability and forced to keep silent about him. Since his fortune appears to predict his death if he leaves the hideout, the Spiders decide to stay in Yorknew City[34] until the end of the following week.[35]
Chrollo divides the Troupe into four groups so that none of them will be alone, putting himself in a team with Nobunaga and Shalnark. Machi informs him that two boys know the location of their hideout, which prompts Nobunaga to nominate them for membership. After they explain, Chrollo comments that they sound like they would never become Spiders, but Nobunaga replies that he will convince them. He offers to bring them to the hideout, but trusting Machi's hunch, Chrollo has Kortopi make more dummy hideouts so the boys can’t relocate the real one.[35] Chrollo then deduces that the chain user is a survivor of the Kurta Clan, telling Kortopi track down the copied pair of Scarlet Eyes. They eventually determine that the chain user is at the Hotel Beitacle. After Nobunaga begs Chrollo to let him go, Chrollo says that he is coming with him and that he can’t wander off by himself. He then tells Pakunoda, Machi, and Shizuku to join them and tells Shalnark to switch teams with Kortopi before the group of six leave the hideout.[36] After Killua and Melody track the group as they make their way to the city’s downtown, Kurapika warns Squala to leave the hotel after he realizes that the Troupe members are heading there, with Squala making sure to take the Scarlet Eyes with him. Kurapika then spots the six members leaving the train station.[37]
Nobunaga and the others making their way to the Hotel Beitacle
Kortopi senses the copied eyes moving, and Chrollo states that Nobunaga can have the chain user after Pakunoda asks about Uvogin. As they quicken their pace, they amaze passers-by with their speed and acrobatics. Chrollo then tells the others that they are being followed. Nobunaga prepares to draw his sword, but Chrollo tells him to go on ahead with Pakunoda and Kortopi. As the three reach Squala stuck in traffic, they recognize that he’s not the chain user, but Nobunaga points out that he is one of Neon's bodyguards on the list Shalnark gave them. He then orders Squala to exit the car as the Nostrade bodyguard lets his dogs escape.[1] Nobunaga warns Squala that he will kill him if he moves. Pakunoda begins interrogating him, and Nobunaga repeats his threat after she breaks Squala's arm. When she finds out about Eliza, Squala turns around and shouts at her. Nobunaga swiftly decapitates him, stating that he told him twice not to move. Nobunaga calmly agrees to have Pakunoda shoot the information she obtained into him using her Memory Bomb. He thus discovers Kurapika's name and appearance, vowing not to forget either one until he kills him. Chrollo then tells them to meet up with his group in the hotel’s lobby.[18]
Nobunaga and the others realizing that Chrollo is missing
After Gon and Killua are captured, Nobunaga is delighted to see the two of them again and guesses that they changed their minds about joining the Troupe. Killua responds that he didn’t know the bounties on their heads had been canceled, and Nobunaga comments that they shouldn’t have tried to tail them again, adding that it must be fate and asking them to be his friends. Their refusal only fuels his enthusiasm, causing him to tell Chrollo that they are just like Uvogin. At seven o'clock, the hotel’s power goes out, and the two boys make their escape attempt. Nobunaga activates his En and restrains Gon, praising their attempt. He dodges a knife, which he believes to have been thrown by the guy with the radio as he fled. Content with having Gon and Killua, Nobunaga refrains from giving chase. However, Shizuku is the first to notice that Chrollo is missing.[10]
Noticing a message tied to the knife, Nobunaga leaves Gon to Shizuku and reads it with a lighter in his other hand. When Pakunoda is about to reveal what she found out from the boys' memories, Nobunaga stops her and hands her the message, in which Kurapika threatens to kill Chrollo if she shares her discoveries. As Pakunoda wrestles with her decision internally, Nobunaga snaps her out of it and tells her not to say anything. He suggests that they wait for the chain user to contact them, using Gon and Killua as hostages. He then calls Phinks and tells him that Chrollo was taken, asking him to hurry. In Pakunoda's flashback remembering the formation of the Troupe in Meteor City, Nobunaga can be seen among the founding members listening to Chrollo's speech about the importance of the Spider.[20] After Phinks, Feitan, and Shalnark finally arrive at the hotel, Nobunaga becomes frustrated with their questions as he tries to explain why they didn’t go after the chain user, adding that he was gone by the time they could see and stressing the importance of the hostages. Kurapika calls them, and after Phinks answers, he lies by saying that Gon and Killua broke some bones before they arrived, causing Kurapika to hang up. After Phinks calls back and then hands the phone to Pakunoda, she and Nobunaga punch him in the back of the head for his mistake, with both of them reminding him that Chrollo’s life is on the line. After she talks to Kurapika, Nobunaga is handed the phone and instructed to return to the hideout with all Spiders except Pakunoda. On Kurapika's orders, Pakunoda leaves without a word. A quarrel breaks out among the Spiders and escalates to the point where Nobunaga prepares to draw his sword against Phinks if he follows Pakunoda. However, he is knocked unconscious from behind by Shizuku[14] and carried back to the hideout after the group agrees to obey Kurapika’s instructions.[38]
Nobunaga receiving Pakunoda’s memories
Nobunaga is shown awake once Pakunoda returns to the hideout without Chrollo after successfully carrying out the hostage exchange. When she raises her gun and prepares to give her memories to six Troupe members, Phinks worries that she’s being manipulated, but Nobunaga tells him to trust her and assures him that it’s Pakunoda. After Pakunoda uses her Memory Bomb on Nobunaga and the other five, she quickly collapses. Shizuku checks her body and confirms that she's dead, asking the others what happened. Phinks then explains everything to the others.[39]
Greed Island arc[]
Nobunaga, Machi, and Hisoka spying on Abengane
Nobunaga is teamed up with Machi to tail a Nen exorcist that the Troupe plans to hire to remove Kurapika’s Judgment Chain from around Chrollo’s heart. After following Machi’s thread, Hisoka meets up with them to spy on the disguised exorcist. He then senses Kalluto skulking in the shadows and realizes that it was his ability that allowed the Troupe to find the exorcist. After they introduce Kalluto as Hisoka’s replacement and Hisoka seems interested in him, Nobunaga and Machi warn Kalluto to be careful since Hisoka will go after anything. Nobunaga becomes serious and tells Hisoka to make things work. Hisoka assures him that he will negotiate with the exorcist since it’s the only way he will be able to fight Chrollo.[40]
Chimera Ant arc[]
After several Troupe members defeat multiple Chimera Ants including Zazan near Meteor City, Nobunaga texts Shalnark and asks for their help, with Phinks left disappointed that it wasn’t Chrollo contacting them.[41]
Succession Contest arc[]
On the second day of the Black Whale’s voyage, Nobunaga, Phinks, Feitan, and Franklin are seen aboard the ship confronting three members of the Buor Family in Tier 5. They force them to talk about Kakin's three Mafia families, with Nobunaga asking one of the men how they get above Tier 2. He replies that movement between tiers is impossible, and Phinks guesses that there's a middleman between the boss and the henchmen. Franklin tells the Buor Family members to call over the person who takes the cut, and one of them replies that the next meeting is planned for Saturday. Phinks then tells the Mafia members that their new mission is to find everyone taller than 6'2" and get their room numbers.[42]
The Spiders splitting up to find Hisoka
On the fourth day of the voyage, the Troupe gathers together in the crowded central dining hall and discusses the situation regarding Hisoka. When the Cha-R Family claims the table for themselves, the Troupe leaves without a fight. Chrollo states that they will meet again at that table and orders them to bring him Hisoka's head, with the Troupe members going their separate ways.[6]
Nobunaga tells Phinks and Feitan that they will leave Tier 5 to the Buor Family and search for Hisoka on Tier 4. He plans to retrieve his weapon from the warehouse, and Phinks says that he needs to get something as well, with Feitan adding that his trick umbrella was smuggled in with the black market goods. Nobunaga wonders if the two are babysitting him, but Phinks and Feitan stress that they don't want to give Hisoka any chance to kill them. After arriving at the warehouse, the three encounter some henchmen of the Cha-R Family, one of whom leads them inside. As the man turns the corner, Nobunaga stops Phinks and Feitan, stating that he suddenly vanished from his En, with Phinks noting that he can no longer feel his presence. They walk down the corridor, which turns out to be a dead end, and then hear a thud from behind them. They find the man lying dead on the floor with his throat cut open. Phinks and Feitan nonchalantly keep searching for the items on their own, ridiculing Nobunaga's concern and telling him that his priorities are weird. As the three continue to talk, the hit man Luini watches them from his portal in the ceiling and describes them as his idols, hoping that they can destroy the world together.[43]
Nobunaga, Phinks, and Feitan discovering that the warehouse guards are missing
After retrieving their weapons, the three return to the entrance and find that the other Mafia members are gone, but Phinks points out that one got away, noting a trail of dry blood and worrying that it's a trap. He then remarks that the first corpse would have been enough if someone had wanted to frame them as enemies of the Cha-R Family. When Nobunaga replies that the murders may be unrelated to them, Phinks asks him if he believes multiple parties are involved. From Nobunaga's answer, he surmises that the culprit ran into them by chance and decided to use them, but switched back to his original plan when a fight didn't break out. They begin to follow the trail and surmise that Hisoka isn't involved, guessing that the culprit's target is the Cha-R Family. The trail ends at a locked door, and Phinks notices the two security cameras nearby, which he finds odd for Tier 5. After Nobunaga tries to open the door and finds it locked, the Cha-R underboss Ken'i Wang appears behind them with four armed subordinates. He asks if they are the ones who attacked the warehouse guards. Still, after the Troupe members say that they weren't involved, Ken'i receives a call from his subordinates about a man who entered their hideout with a wounded warehouse guard and yelled that the Spiders did it. Ken'i is annoyed that someone tried to manipulate the two groups into fighting and guesses that he was a hitman from one of the other families. Phinks speculates that they did so to fulfill an ability condition to teleport into their hideout later, explaining the process in great detail and even mentioning Nen by name. When Ken'i asks the three Troupe members if they want to work together, he tells himself that they are dangerous and must be eliminated.[44]
Nobunaga meeting Tsudonke
Inside the Cha-R's hideout, after Ken'i and the Troupe members watch the surveillance footage, Nobunaga points out that the hit man will come to open the other door. Ken'i asks if they want to see what's inside, and Nobunaga refuses to do so for free, offering to kill the hit man. After Ken'i agrees, he introduces the Spiders to the other Cha-R members present. After telling them that the Cha-R has around 250 members on board, the supervisor Tsudonke recognizes the Spiders and keeps it to himself, wondering if he should ask them for an autograph.[45]
Tajao discussing Morena with the Spiders
On the seventh day of the voyage, Tajao, the assistant to the Cha-R boss, emerges from the locked room in the hideout, escorted by Ken'i. Phinks objects to the way Ken'i introduces them, making it sound like the Spiders are the ones who requested cooperation. After Ken'i gives Tajao his report, Phinks explains that they are looking for Hisoka, who was nowhere to be found in Tier 5. He says that the Troupe members will kill the hit man if they get permission from the Xi-Yu Family to allow them to search Tier 4. He is confident that the hit man will eventually return to access the passage leading to the upper tiers, perhaps in order to kill their boss. Tajao warns the three Spiders that an inescapable war might occur depending on where Morena is. He informs them of the rules that the families must follow, exasperating Nobunaga and Phinks. After the two surmise that the most convenient course of action would be to kill Morena, Nobunaga adds that the Heil-Ly Family’s benefactor may even thank them if their relationship with Morena was bad. Phinks urges Ken'i and Tajao to find her and assures them that the Spiders will come together to hunt down the hit man.[46]
On the tenth day of the voyage, after Onior confirms with Hinrigh that Hisoka isn't in Tier 4, he says that he can give the Spiders permission to search that tier.[47]
In the Cha-R's office on Tier 5, Nobunaga and Phinks are seen sitting across from each other while Feitan reads a magazine in a nearby bunk bed. As a Cha-R member watches surveillance footage, Nobunaga suggests getting Franklin and splitting into teams of two to search outside in shifts. Phinks guesses that he would turn them down since he hates cramped places, but Nobunaga replies that he will team up with Franklin while the two of them stay there. Feitan says that even though the enemy will be reluctant to attack the three of them together, they shouldn't lose their patience. In the front room, several Cha-R members hear a knock on the door and wonder if the search team is back, but the member watching the surveillance footage tells Vic not to open it as he quickly asks the Troupe members to come to look at the monitors.[48]
Nobunaga drawing his katana against Luini
An arm is seen coming through an opening as the person knocks on the door. Phinks notes that he's toying with them when he could have taken them by surprise. The member points to another monitor and sees that the search team is returning. However, when they open the door to the front room, they find no one there, with Phinks guessing that they must have been taken. Nobunaga notes that it doesn't matter how many grunts are around if they can't use Nen. The member nervously wonders where his comrades are, but Nobunaga quickly orders him to stay in the other room and bolt the door, telling him to look for the search team on the monitors and let them know if anything happens. An opening suddenly appears on the front door, and Luini slowly reveals his face, telling the Troupe that they are acting so out of character since they should be betraying the Cha-R and using their door to the upper tiers so that they can kill all the rich scum. As Luini continues to voice his disappointment, both Phinks and Feitan react with utter disgust at his maniacal rambling, with the latter asking the extent of the Heil-Ly hitman's knowledge of their organization. Luini wonders if he should edit their wikipedia page since it currently says that they are diabolical thieves. Nobunaga quickly draws his katana and tells him to also add the line that they show no mercy to idiots that annoy them.[48]
After assuring the three Troupe members that he doesn't want to fight them, Luini proposes working together so that they can eliminate the Cha-R Family, the Xi-Yu Family, and Kakin's royal family before taking control of the Black Whale and returning to the old world to destroy it. However, Nobunaga suddenly lunges forward with his katana and stabs Luini in the head, saying that he isn't making sense and criticizing his pointless antics at the warehouse. He removes his katana and says that he will destroy him if he wants to destroy the world, striking Luini with his katana once again.[49]
The Troupe vowing to destroy the Heil-Ly
Tsudonke and his men return to the office, with Nobunaga opening the door for them. Hiding his excitement at Nobuanga's gesture, Tsudonke asks what happened to the other Cha-R members. Nobunaga reveals that they were all killed, leading them to Luini's decapitated and bisected corpse. With Tsudonke unable to believe the carnage, Nobunaga explains that they found the hitman who killed the guards at the warehouse, holding up his head and adding that they have decided to destroy the Heil-Ly Family. Feitan thanks them for their hospitality and says that the other door can wait. Phinks adds that while they plan to continue their search for Hisoka, any information on the Heil-Ly and the location of their boss will let them take care of that problem first.[49]
In the first-class cabins on Tier 3, Nobunaga and Phinks stand behind Feitan as he knocks on one of the doors. A man tells them that they should hand over their woman if they don't have the money, but as soon as he opens the door, Feitan draws his sword and holds it inches from his face. The three Troupe members enter the room, and while Nobunaga suggests starting on one wall, Phinks suggests another and says that the door might not be the only trigger, adding that they should start with the bathroom. He explains that since they were told the hidden room was much larger, all the rooms must be connected. A small map shows the three members in Room 3102 next to the trap in Room 3101. Nobunaga repeats that he doesn't care about the Heil-Ly's trap, but Phinks warns him that it could possibly throw them out into the ocean. Although Nobunaga counters by saying that the Heil-Ly wouldn't waste the chance at a direct kill, he agrees with Phinks' suggestion to start with the bathroom, unsheathing his katana and swiftly cutting a rectangle-shaped hole out of the wall. Feitan tells the man to enter first, but he nervously wonders what's inside and asks to get someone younger.[50]
The Troupe investigating the Heil-Ly's trap
After Feitan moves the blade closer to his throat, the man begrudgingly enters the room that's only lit by two orb-shaped lamps on the floor. The three Troupe members enter behind him, and Feitan guesses that there were people there recently based on the food and drinks left behind. Phinks says that something doesn't add up if the Heil-Ly were competent enough to detect them and escape, wondering why they let a member who was a complete amateur confront them without warning him. Nobunaga guesses that they used him as a scapegoat to make sure the others stay on their toes, adding that they are similar to the Troupe and wondering if they were affected by the member's death. Phinks quickly replies that they are nothing alike since they don't allow amateurs and don't want to destroy the world. However, Nobunaga reminds them that they used to be that way in the beginning, saying that resignation and anger caused them to search for a purpose.[50]
In a flashback at Meteor City, during the screening of the Mighty Sweepin' Power Cleaners, Nobunaga is just as enamored by Chrollo's performance as the other Troupe members. However, he is the only member to not appear frightened by Chrollo's villain performance, looking more impressed than surprised. Later, he grins when Sarasa pretends to dub Uvogin. When the members choose their parts, Phinks volunteers to be the Green Cleaner. He is then seen performing on stage and practicing fights with Feitan and Phinks. As the members discuss what kind of group they are, Nobunaga says that it feels more like a touring company, and Pakunoda suggests calling themselves a troupe. Phinks wishes that they could find the rest of the episodes, and Uvogin comments on his fruitless search, wondering if any more tapes are out there. Nobunaga suggests that Chrollo could write an original script for them to perform like a regular play, pointing out that the audience enjoys watching them more than the screen now. [12]
The Troupe members wait for Sarasa, Nobunaga, and Franklin so that they can have another performance. Sheila says that Nobunaga and Franklin are always barely late, but she worries about Sarasa. When the group is unable to find Sarasa in her hamlet, Nobunaga joins the rest of the members as they search for her in a dense forest. He is then present both when they find her body and when she rests in her casket. Later, he is present when the group decides to avenge Sarasa's death and nominates Chrollo as their leader. Like the other founding members, Nobunaga is present years later when Chrollo explains the concept of the Spider to them, now wearing his traditional hairstyle and outfit.[13]
The three Troupe members discussing the Heil-Ly's trap
Back in the present, the Mafia member is still held hostage by Feitan and asks if he can go back to his room after he opens another door. Phinks says no and tells him to go inside once he opens it. He then tells Nobunaga that an old man should be inside, but if he isn't, they're safe. Nobunaga remembers that the Mafia said the old man had a teleportation ability, and Phinks says that if they get within a certain radius of his double, they will be forced to teleport, guessing that it's a lookout and trap ability. Nobunaga disagrees by saying that teleportation uses Emission, not Conjuration, unless the old man is there in person instead of his double. He adds that while Conjuration works for creating a room with complex rules in a special space, it's nearly impossible to use it with the ability to send a person somewhere else. He concludes that the old man is just the lookout and that the trap is a different ability, but Phinks says that it could involve Specialization and tells him that he's rambling.[21]
As the two argue over the details, the Mafia member says that the door is locked on the current side, but Feitan tells him to unlock it, threatening to give him another butthole if he keeps asking stupid questions. The member unlocks it and slowly opens the door to find no one inside the small bathroom. He finds that the next door is also locked and quickly says that he will open it once Feitan begins to move his sword behind him. With the second door open, Phinks wonders who locked it since it's the only entrance to the hidden room. Nobunaga says that if the old man does have a double, he could have easily locked the doors to the bathroom and hidden room and then disappeared.[21]
Feitan wonders what the point of it is, and Phinks guesses that they needed to stall for time, noting that they knew about the old man's ability and the hidden room beforehand. He says that if they had broken in through the front door, they would have been cautious and guessed that someone was hiding in the bathroom. However, Feitan points out that they couldn't have entered since the front door is the trap, and Phinks comments on Feitan also talking back.[21]
The Troupe confirming the trap's activation
Nobunaga then realizes that the bathroom setup buys them time if someone figures out that the front door is a trap and decides to break through the wall of the next room like he did. Phinks says that it makes sense, and Feitan realizes that breaking through the wall won't trigger the trap, with Phinks adding that they can also enter from the bathroom. Nobunaga tells the Mafia member that he can go inside with no worries, and after saying to himself that he has no idea what the three are talking about, he walks inside the main room, with nothing happening. Phinks then tells him to walk out the front door, and the member again asks if he can go back to his room afterwards, but Feitan tells him to come back inside if nothing happens after he walks out.[21]
The member walks out, but when Nobunaga tells him to come back inside, he makes a run for it down the hallway. Feitan instantly appears in front of him and blocks his path, brandishing his sword and telling him to pick right or left. With the member left terrified, Nobunaga tells him to come back before both his ears get cut off, with Phinks adding that no one loses just their ears once Feitan starts. The member quickly returns to the room and immediately disappears once he enters. Feitan says that it activated even without the old man's double, and Nobunaga notes that there are no support objects in the room, guessing that it's a land mine type instead of a barrier. The two types are then explained: the barrier type involves setting up multiple traps over a wider area by supporting the ability's activation with Nen-imbued objects such as ropes or paper talismans. The land mine type involves setting up an activation switch directly with Nen at a specific location, and its strength limits it to two or three locations.[21]
The Troupe using another hostage to test the trap
Phinks adds that the stronger a land mine type is, the closer the user has to be to the entry or exit point, guessing that the user must be near the place where the victims are teleported and that it's most likely their hideout. Nobunaga says that while they could deliberately fall into the trap to reach the hideout, there are more enemies and most likely more traps waiting for them. Phinks suggests confirming whether the trap can be activated continuously or just once, pointing out that they can simply wait for the user to appear if they have to reactivate each time. Feitan then knocks on the door of a nearby room and takes another Mafia member hostage. The man threatens to kill Feitan and warns them that he will say something to the Cha-R, but Feitan eventually forces him into the room where he immediately disappears. Nobunaga confirms that it's continuous activation, and Feitan says that Nobunaga's suggestion is the fastest way, volunteering to enter the trap first.[21]
However, Ken'i suddenly appears in the hallway and introduces Hinrigh as the Xi-Yu's underboss, revealing that he has a proposal for them. Hinrigh offers to help them locate the enemy's hideout and tells them to postpone their suicide mission until after listening to him. Ken'i explains that the Cha-R are following two suspected Heil-Ly members, revealing that they can trust Hinrigh since he found them and Room 3101. Hinrigh assures the three that the Xi-Yu have no issue with the Troupe and that the Kakin] Mafia values balance most of all, gladly offering to help them if they can destroy the Heil-Ly.[21]
Hinrigh revealing his ability to the Troupe
Thanking him for the offer, Nobunaga says that they are ready to leave, but Phinks doesn't agree with his decision, and Feitan asks how he knows where the enemy is. Hinrigh reveals a transmitter and explains that he can attach it to a decoy to find out where it goes, but Phinks points out that it's a massacre on the other side of the trap, adding that it would take less than five minutes for them to kill a civilian passenger, search their body, and find the transmitter.[21]
Hinrigh replies that it's why he will use his own ability, revealing that he can turn tools and machinery into living things before changing the transmitter into a raw oyster. He explains that if the decoy swallowed it whole, it wouldn't be found even if they stripped and cavity searched the body. He adds that it will turn back once the aura is depleted and that it all depends on the size of the object, guessing that the oyster will last around two hours. Phinks praises Hinrigh's idea since he doesn't want to join Nobunaga and Feitan, but when he turns around to see which of them wants to swallow it, both appear to want no part in the plan. Nobunaga reveals that just the taste of shellfish makes him vomit after a bad case of food poisoning, and Feitan says that he won't eat food that someone has touched or breathed on.[21]
Hinrigh volunteering to be the decoy
After telling them not to worry since he didn't expect them to trust him immediately, Hinrigh reveals that he already has a decoy and swallows the oyster himself, surprising all three Troupe members. He pulls out the beeping receiver and explains that it will give the distance to the transmitter and a rough direction. He adds that if they get closer to the transmitter, the sound intervals will become shorter and higher-pitched, and the bar's light will get redder, showing them the screen at zero distance. He emphasizes that while the maximum radius is one kilometer, it doesn't take altitude into account, explaining that if the direction is unclear, the transmitter is most likely above or below them. He hopes that he isn't killed and dissected but says that he will do his best to save the transmitter first. He then hands the receiver to Phinks and tells the group that he's counting on them, walking into the room and disappearing.[21]
Nobunaga says that he likes how straightforward Hinrigh is, and Phinks notices that the receiver changed, guessing that the transmitter is between 500 and 1,000 meters away. One of them wonders how big the ship is, and another says that the length is 1,500 meters and both the height and width are 800 meters. Feitan suggests heading to the center of Tier 3 since the bar will get redder if their hideout is there. Phinks wonders if the color won't change if the hideout is on the opposite side of the ship, but Nobunaga quickly replies that it would be over one kilometer and it wouldn't even pick up the signal. As the two begin to argue again, Feitan becomes annoyed and says that one of them needs to disappear.[21]
As soon as Hinrigh arrives at the Heil-Ly's hideout, he expertly crouches down, turns around, moves to his left, pulls out a small knife, and thrusts it forward. Shocked to find no one there, sounds from a nearby door and fresh blood on the floor cause him to stay vigilant, and he worries that they questioned the other victims and found out about them. He suddenly feels a presence behind him and leaps back. Nobunaga says that he didn't expect no one to be there, and before Hinrigh can finish addressing him as Nobunaga-san, he wonders why he came. Nobunaga jokingly says that he's playing co-op and that Hinrigh's chances of survival increase when he's not by himself. He adds that Phinks and Feitan were skeptical and against the idea, having told him to immediately kill Hinrigh if he had said, "I knew you would come," adding that the phrase has a double meaning. However, he assures Hinrigh that he never thought he was trying to trick him since a trap that required them to trust someone they had just met would be too good to be true.[21]
Nobunaga asks Hinrigh if he wants to look or move, leaving the decision up to him and asking for his name again since he couldn't be bothered to remember it earlier. Hinrigh tells him his name and suggests that they move, even though he has no basis for it, and Nobunaga agrees with his choice, walking to the wall with just one door and placing his finger on the former. He is confident that it's the Heil-Ly's hideout, but Hinrigh wonders how he knows.[21]
Nobunaga testing the strength of the hideout
Telling him to watch, Nobunaga draws his katana and strikes the wall several times. However, the damage quickly disappears, and Hinrigh realizes that it's protected by Nen. Nobunaga says that Conjuration, Transmutation, or even Specialization could be involved, explaining that a stage prepared by a Nen user can't be easily destroyed. He adds that the usual contract involves the stage being stronger if the user is closer, saying that even his katana couldn't cut it and guessing that the user is inside. Elsewhere, Morena is seen with a menacing smirk on her face. Hinrigh explains that from the footage he watched, the Heil-Ly seemed to use the place as a passageway, saying that it would make sense for their main hideout to also be there. Nobunaga guesses that it will be well defended and suggests searching for their leader.[21]
Hinrigh suggests opening all the other doors before going inside the main one, and Nobunaga offers to open them from there. However, Hinrigh says that he will do it himself and tells Nobunaga to stay vigilant, explaining that he doesn't want one of them to disappear while the other doesn't see it and hoping that Nobunaga can figure out what the trigger is. After Nobunaga understands his reasoning, Hinrigh begins to push open the doors one at a time, finding a shower room, a bathroom, and three toilets as he comments on how large the group must be. Nobunaga wonders if they should wait there for the members to do their business, but Hinrigh wants to keep moving, confident that Nobunaga will protect the transmitter even if he dies. Nobunaga tells Hinrigh to call him just "Nobunaga" without the honorific, and Hinrigh understands, using his knife to push open the main door as the two look inside to find a room filled with laundry.[21]
Looking inside the laundry room, Hinrigh says that while it looks abandoned, he has a feeling people were there just a moment ago. Nobunaga adds that it was the same with the hidden room and then realizes something, leaving Hinrigh confused. Nobunaga explains that if the Heil-Ly were expecting intruders to break through the walls, he should have assumed that their neighbors were working with them. He adds that they used them to check for traps but blames himself for letting the Heil-Ly know that intruders were after them.[19]
Nobunaga and Hinrigh analyzing the situation
However, Hinrigh reassures him by saying that even though there were no fresh bodies or bloodstains in the laundry room, the Heil-Ly might have restrained the civilians and taken them somewhere else. He explains that they may have decided to hide first and kill them later after questioning them and learning that intruders were after them, adding that they might also have a rule where they evacuate if one of their neighbors is teleported to the hideout. Lastly, he says that it would be safer and cheaper to use one of their oblivious neighbors to alert them than to leave their companions behind. Nobunaga wonders if he's just trying to make him feel better, but Hinrigh stresses that he won't get an answer even if he thinks about it, adding that they should keep their focus on the doors.[19]
The two walk toward one of the doors, and Nobunaga says that it seems to be the main one, adding that it's the correct one and will be dangerous if it doesn't open. Hinrigh finds that the door is unlocked and wonders what it means if it does open. Nobunaga replies that it's definitely the correct answer and will be even more dangerous, as aura swells around him. Hinrigh slowly pushes the door open with his knife, and the two find nine Heil-Ly members sitting and talking together. As Gelato, Soufflé, and Terebellum have a conversation about something, Hinrigh eventually gets their attention by yelling and asking them to confirm that it's the Heil-Ly's hideout and they are all members. After pretending to be scared by Hinrigh, Soufflé and Terebellum continue the conversation as if the two weren't there.[19]
Hinrigh suggests using one of his knives, and Nobunaga agrees since the door is most likely trapped as well, guessing that the members are so relaxed because they know the two of them can't go inside. Grasping his katana, Nobunaga says that he prefers to clean up trash as soon as he finds it, and Hinrigh reminds him that he was the one who suggested moving, agreeing with his trash comment and adding that he has plenty of knives to say hello. Later, Nobunaga says to himself that Terebellum is a bad match for him since he can't narrow down his ability, explaining that he could be an interceptor-type and that there are too many options for his conditions.[19]
Nobunaga attempting to kill Yokotani
Yokotani speaks up and confirms Hinrigh's identity, introducing himself as the Heil-Ly Family's lawyer. Terebellum then tells him to call the military and police since a crazy person is throwing knives and going on a rampage. Yokotani explains that they have committed both trespassing and bodily harm, which is as close as they can get to attempted murder. He asks if it's okay to report it to the police, and Hinrigh says that it's convenient since they're lost, wondering where they are. Yokotani replies that he can't reveal that and agrees to keep things civil if they follow his instructions. Nobunaga then gets his attention, and Yokotani recognizes him as a member of the Phantom Troupe, saying that it's a big deal for them.[19]
Before Yokotani can finish asking a question, Nobunaga uses a chain attached to the end of his katana to reach the Heil-Ly member and stab his head. However, Terebellum is seen with his right hand on Yokotani's shoulder, and when Nobunaga pulls back his katana, he sees that the tip is missing, realizing that Terebellum can move the damage from other people as well. Blood begins to stream down Terebellum's left arm as he tells Yokotani to stay back. Nobunaga says that if Terebellum doesn't transfer the damage he receives with his right hand to something else with his left hand, he will receive the damage himself. He describes the ability as unselfish and adds that it doesn't suit his appearance at all. It's explained that Terebellum's Emission ability, Damage: "Sweet Home", allows him to displace damage along with the attacking object. The damage to something touched by his right hand is taken into Terebellum himself, and it can be transferred to something when he touches it with his left hand. It only works if he is touching it the moment the damage is received.[19]
Yokotani activating his ability
Nobunaga tells Terebellum to step back and tells Yokotani to come closer again, promising to skewer all of them as aura surrounds his katana. Yokotani apologizes and says that he didn't expect Nobunaga to abandon the spirit of a samurai, and Terebellum criticizes him for getting close to the enemy so carelessly. Yokotani realizes that he's the reason why Terebellum's ability was exposed and wonders how he can apologize, explaining that the samurai of his homeland were against the use of projectile weapons. Terebellum wonders if he will keep making excuses, and Yokotani quickly apologizes before saying that he will disappear for a while. However, Terebellum tells him that he will make the intruders disappear, reminding him that he identified himself to them and that he is a guard.[19]
Yokotani then activates his Conjuration ability, A Battle of Wits: "LSDF", which is explained to be a defensive ability that can only be used at the hideout where Morena is located. It activates when Yokotani identifies himself to an intruder who has broken the law, and while the guards he conjures cannot harm the criminal, the criminal's attacks are also ineffective. The more serious the opponent's crime, the higher the level of guards Yokotani can create. With aura swelling around them, seven puppets appear behind him and identify the two criminals, charging them with trespassing and attempted murder as they reach alert level 4. Yokotani confirms the sentence and orders them to be expelled from the premises. As the puppets run forward, Nobunaga readies his katana and strikes one of them, but it takes no damage and reaches the maximum alert level as its aura increases. Nobunaga realizes that its aura has been enhanced and tells Hinrigh that the puppets are most likely invincible since the two of them already met the conditions of Yokotani's ability.[19]
Yokotani's puppets restraining Nobunaga
The puppets swarm and restrain Nobunaga, with one of them confiscating his katana. Nobunaga tells Hinrigh to run since the puppets are on autopilot and won't stop until they remove him as well. The puppets carry Nobunaga out, and he is eventually teleported away, with Yokotani confirming his expulsion and adding that they have one more target. As the puppets sprint toward Hinrigh, Yokotani tells him that he also has two attempted murders with willful negligence and that he will be expelled, asking him to give up and leave. Based on the teleportation traps and invincible-type users, Hinrigh is confident that it's the Heil-Ly's main base, returning to the laundry room and closing the door behind him. As the puppets pound on the door, Hinrigh tells himself that he will use Nobunaga's advice and hide the transmitter there since the puppets are on autopilot and the user won't be able to see what he's doing in the room. He then puts two fingers in his mouth so that he can vomit up the transmitter.[19]
Back in Room 3101, Nobunaga realizes that entering from the front door teleports someone to the hideout and entering from the door of the hideout teleports someone to Room 3101. He adds that the Heil-Ly can kill two birds with one stone since it acts as a trap and a secret passageway. However, he says that there has to be a jump point that only members can use, wondering if it's somewhere in the room. Hinrigh then teleports back, and Nobunaga wonders how it went. Hinrigh replies that the enemy probably won't notice the transmitter thanks to his advice, telling Nobunaga that he will support him since he (Hinrigh) won't be able to use his ability anymore that day and adding that he used all his knives.[19]
Nobunaga and Hinrigh splitting up to find the Heil-Ly
Hinrigh explains that he will first get an idea of where the hideout is located on the ship's floor plan before creating descriptions for the members, looking for witnesses, and narrowing down their area of activity. He adds that he will gather together every Xi-Yu member to get the information, and Nobunaga says that the Troupe will handle the search for the transmitter. In the hideout's laundry room, the transmitter (still in the form of an oyster) is seen under one of the cabinets as it beeps twice. Hinrigh tells Nobunaga that he's counting on them and that even though the Heil-Ly looked like amateurs, they have to be cautious since they don't know what Morena can do and what one of the members meant when he said "organ". Nobunaga agrees and adds that whoever is moving the pieces isn't stupid.[19]
Nobunaga rejoining Feitan and Phinks
On Tier 3, Phinks and Feitan continue to use the receiver to look for the transmitter. Nobunaga eventually meets up with them and is surprised to see them still wandering around. Phinks wonders why he came back so quickly, but Nobunaga says that they will talk about it later, asking if the transmitter is working. Feitan confirms that it is and adds that they have to find out if it's above or below them. Phinks tells him that he only left around 10 minutes ago, and Nobunaga is surprised. Phinks explains that they think the Heil-Ly's hideout is on Tier 2 and says that they can use the Cha-R Family's hidden door once they confirm it. A soldier gives the three Troupe members permission to pass, and Nobunaga tells him to let Hinrigh know that they went to the Cha-R's hideout. With his mind lingering on Tier 2, Nobunaga feels uneasy about the situation with the Mafia. Phinks then asks if he can figure out where the hideout is located on the ship, but Nobunaga replies that he can't since their boss created the space with Nen, adding that they need to stay alert.[51]
As the three head down to Tier 4, Feitan reacts to a change on the receiver, saying that the transmitter is getting farther away and that they can confirm the Heil-Ly's hideout is on Tier 2. Nobunaga realizes why he felt uneasy and says that it means the Heil-Ly's boss is in the upper tiers and wonders how the other two families are justifying the war. Phinks says that they shouldn't get involved in a dispute with the Mafia killing each other and one of the bosses staying in their hideout, adding that the Heil-Ly could be exploiting the ancient custom. Feitan says that they should head to the Cha-R's hideout now, but Nobunaga suggests at least taking Franklin with them, explaining that they still don't know how many Heil-Ly members there are and that he didn't expect their abilities to be so refined.[51]
As his mind lingers on exploiting the ancient custom, Nobunaga adds that while they seem like a group of punks, the Heil-Ly can be dangerous depending on their advisor's ability. Phinks then reminds him that the Mafia issue is just a sideshow until they find Hisoka. Nobunaga points out that they need to secure a route to the upper tiers so they can complete their search, adding that Franklin joining them will improve their chances if they happen to find him. Phinks realizes that his reasoning makes it more likely that he's obsessed with the Heil-Ly, and Nobunaga admits that one of the members seemed interesting, with Feitan telling Nobunaga that he likes the enemy too much. An emergency broadcast suddenly plays over the intercoms and asks everyone to pay attention to sad and unfortunate news.[51]
Equipment[]
Nobunaga's katana
Katana: Nobunaga uses a katana as his preferred weapon. It is portrayed differently in each adaptation of the series. In the manga, its grip is wrapped in white bandages and sheathed in a dark scabbard. In the 1999 anime adaptation, the hilt is similar, but the scabbard is light brown. In the 2011 anime adaptation, the bandages are dark green, the scabbard black, and the blade slightly curved. In all three depictions, the katana lacks a tsuba, the grip is wrapped in the hineri maki way, and the tassel is rectangular. To disguise his weapon, Nobunaga sometimes wraps it in grayish-purple canvas, tied with a twine thread at the top. He carries it on his left hip in his obi sash. When fighting alongside Uvogin in the past and at the time of his arrival in Yorknew City, Nobunaga also carried a second katana, identical to the first.[11] During the time in Black Whale, he installs a chain at the hilt of the Katana so he can throw the katana for long-range attacks and retract it.[19]
Abilities & Powers[]
Due to Nobunaga being born in Meteor City, his existence is not recorded in any database, which makes obtaining information on him nearly impossible.[15] He is very confident in his abilities, having attacked Hisoka without hesitation.[34] In addition, when Gon and Leorio were unable to grasp the extent of his and Machi's strength, Killua compared it to that of Hisoka.[29] Nobunaga is so skilled a swordsman that Killua guessed he would be unable to get close to him without getting sliced in half, and Nobunaga would still have time to strike a second time and kill Gon before the latter could pass him.[11] According to Franklin, Nobunaga was better at fighting one-on-one and while he complained whenever he was paired up with Uvogin, he actually didn’t seem to mind it.[11] Nobunaga is also rather observant, understanding that he and Machi were being watched by professionals.[27]
Preternatural Perception: Nobunaga has been shown to possess what some may refer to as a sixth sense, gathering information from his surroundings outside of his rudimentary senses. He knew that multiple people concealed with Zetsu were tailing him and Machi, and that they were being observed by Gon, Leorio, and Killua, though he was unable to pinpoint their locations and number in both instances.[29]
Enhanced Strength: Nobunaga is ranked ninth in arm-wrestling among the Troupe. He was able to defeat Gon several times in arm-wrestling without apparent effort,[17] losing only once, when Gon began to use Ren.[30]
Nobunaga quickly killing Luini
Immense Speed and Reflexes: Nobunaga is an Iai master, allowing him to react extremely quickly. After he unleashed his deafening howl and the other members asked why he didn’t warn them, Uvogin replied that they were fast enough to cover their ears before the sound reached them.[25] With his katana sheathed, Nobunaga was able to behead Squala in an instant.[18] He was also able to block a sudden strike from Franklin.[22] According to Kurapika, he and the other Spiders could avoid an attack that lasted 0.5 seconds.[37]
Enhanced Agility: Nobunaga can run on the sides of buildings and easily jump horizontally from one to another.[1] He can also easily reach a window located on the fourth floor of a building.[29]
Keen Intellect: Although Nobunaga often lets his emotions get the best of him, he can be fairly analytical when calm, as seen when he explained to Machi why he believed that the chain user was acting alone.[29]
Nobunaga's Iaidō
Master Swordsman: Nobunaga is very skilled in the use of edged weapons. His blade of choice is a long katana, though when fighting beside Uvogin in the past and then on his way to Yorknew City, he was seen wielding two swords.[11]
- Iaidō Master: Nobunaga stated that anyone who entered his attack range would be instantly killed. He is skilled in the art of Iaidō, which is a set of controlled movements involving the drawing of a sword from its scabbard, the striking or cutting of an opponent, the removing of blood from the blade, and finally the placement of the sword back in the scabbard, as stated by Killua. He employs his kenjutsu both standing still (e.g., when watching over Killua and Gon)[11] and moving (e.g., when he decapitated Squala).[18]
Nen[]
Nobunaga using his En
Nobunaga is an Enhancer leaning toward Transmutation.[5] He seems to possess a powerful aura, as the clash of his hostility with Machi's frightened Gon, Killua, and Leorio.[27] Little is known about his proficiency in Nen, but as a member of the Phantom Troupe, it must be quite high.
Nobunaga using his En
Nobunaga has some skill in En, stating that his maximum range is four meters, which corresponds to the reach of his blade and complements his fighting style. His working command of the technique implies that he also knows at least Ten and Ren.[9] His Nen ability has yet to be shown, but Shalnark stated that it could easily be replaced along with his own (in contrast to Shizuku and Pakunoda’s abilities).[2] He has also demonstrated proficiency in Shu.[19]
Battles & Competitions[]
| Battles |
|---|
|
| Competitions |
|---|
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Quotes[]
- (To Franklin) "Anyone can talk big, I guess."[22]
- (To Machi) "Uvo... isn't stupid. Even if he's outmatched, he can handle himself."[27]
- (To Machi) "We're gonna track the guy down and kill him without fail."[27]
- (To Machi) "All Chrollo said was, find the chain dude and bring him back. Have you forgotten the unspoken rule? Use any means to bring him back, dead or alive. I don't care how you interpret that. Just stop telling me what to think."[27]
- (To Killua) "You have two choices. Choose wisely. Do you want to die now or later?"[17]
- (To Gon) "Look, kid... why don't you join the Spiders? You could team up with me."[30]
- (To Killua) "Reason never works on Enhancers."[11]
- (To Gon and Killua) "Are you sure? You'll only get yourselves killed. I don't have the skill or the mercy to prevent it!"[11]
- (To Chrollo) "Are you really speaking as our leader, Chrollo?"[15]
- (To Hisoka) "Forget it. You're a pain to fight. Yeah, like that would stop me!!"[34]
- (After receiving Squala’s memories) "So that's what you look like... Kurapika. I'll remember your name and face until I kill you!!"[18]
- (To Gon) "Even if I can't see... I can still tell where you are."[10]
- (To Pakunoda) "Don't say a word. Got it?"[20]
- (To Hisoka) "Tch. You're a freak...!"[40]
- (To Phinks and Feitan) "It's just speculation. Like you said, it could be two killers. Maybe he failed to kill and went after him. But that first corpse... was totally messing with us..."[44]
- (To Ken'i Wang) "I won't ask for it for free. How about in exchange for the killer's head?"[45]
- (To Ken'i Wang and Tajao) "If the Heil-Ly boss is down here, it'll be quickest for us to kill her. If the new boss is a troublemaker, get another one. If the relationship between the benefactor and the boss was bad, they may even thank us."[46]
- (To Luini) "If you're going to talk about destroying the world, then I'll destroy you."[49]
Trivia[]
- Nobunaga is likely named after Oda Nobunaga, the famous Japanese daimyō.
- He is the only Phantom Troupe member whose Nen ability has not been shown.
- Nobunaga has implied that he is familiar with Hisoka's personality test, or that he has reached similar conclusions regarding Enhancers.[30][11]
- Nobunaga is also the only Spider whose appearance was known to the Mafia[52] but whose corpse Kortopi did not forge,[31] due to the swordsman not taking part in the attack on the Cemetery Building.[53]
- In Chapter 371, Nobunaga made his first appearance since Chapter 170, a gap of exactly 200 chapters and almost exactly 15 years. However, he was mentioned when he texted Shalnark during the Chimera Ant arc.[41]
- Nobunaga and Machi appear at a ramen shop in a Volume 32 extra.
- Despite being widely known as Nobunaga Hazama, it should be noted that in Japanese names, a person's surname is placed before their given name in contrast with a Westerner's. This applies to Korean names as well, such as Ming Jol-ik's, who hailed from a country that is based on North Korea.
- Though it's unlikely that his name is actually Hazama, as he gets consistently called Nobunaga by people who are supposed to call him by name, and "Nobunaga" is a real-life Japanese first name. At the same time "Hazama" is a last name (Japanese last names are never used as first, unlike English names).
- People of Japanese origin who live outside Japan do sometimes adopt the Western name order. Since Nobunaga spent many years in Meteor City, he says his name is in Western order, as does the entire rest of the Phantom Troupe. Feitan Portor, whose name is of Chinese origin, and Shizuku Murasaki (whose name is Japanese too) also say their name in Western order due to the same circumstances. Hisoka too has a Japanese name but says it in Western order.
- It is interesting to notice that in his youth, Nobunaga dubs the Green Cleaner, equivalent to Tommy Oliver the Green Ranger. Both of them are well-versed in Eastern martial arts.
Miscellaneous[]
- Kagawa Kouji portrays Nobunaga in the stage play, Hunter × Hunter: Real Stage.
- In the second character popularity poll, Nobunaga placed 14th with 133 votes.
- In the third character popularity poll, Nobunaga placed 21st with 89 votes.
- The scene in the Yorknew City arc where he confronts Chrollo for deciding to leave Yorknew without having killed the chain user is the only time in the 2011 anime adaptation where any member (except Hisoka) addresses Chrollo by name, which he does twice here.[54] More members address him by name in other media, however.
Translations around the World[]
| Language | Name | |
|---|---|---|
 Arabic
|
نوبوناغا هازاما (Nubunagha Hazama) | |
 Chinese
|
信長•哈察馬* | |
 Greek
|
Νομπουνάγκα Χάζαμα [Χάαζαμα] (Nompounánka Cházama [Cháazama]) | |
 Korean
|
노부나가 하자마 (Nobunaga Hajama) | |
 Russian
|
Нобунага Хазама (Nobunaga Khazama) | |
 Thai
|
โนบุนากะ ฮาซามะ (No bu nā ka Hā sā ma) | |
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 12, Chapter 111
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 12, Chapter 104
- ↑ Hunter × Hunter - Volume 13, Chapter 124
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Hunter × Hunter Hunter Association Official Issue: Hunter's Guide; Character & World Official Databook (pg. 120)
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Exhibition: Togashi Yoshihiro -Puzzle-
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 36, Chapter 377
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 10, Chapter 84
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 9, Chapter 77
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 11, Chapter 94
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 12, Chapter 113
- ↑ 11.00 11.01 11.02 11.03 11.04 11.05 11.06 11.07 11.08 11.09 11.10 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 10, Chapter 93
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Hunter × Hunter, Chapter 396
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 Hunter × Hunter, Chapter 397
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 12, Chapter 115
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 11, Chapter 102
- ↑ Hunter × Hunter - Volume 22, Chapter 224
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 17.4 17.5 17.6 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 10, Chapter 91
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 18.4 18.5 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 12, Chapter 112
- ↑ 19.00 19.01 19.02 19.03 19.04 19.05 19.06 19.07 19.08 19.09 19.10 19.11 19.12 19.13 Hunter × Hunter, Chapter 399
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 12, Chapter 114
- ↑ 21.00 21.01 21.02 21.03 21.04 21.05 21.06 21.07 21.08 21.09 21.10 21.11 21.12 21.13 21.14 21.15 Hunter × Hunter, Chapter 398
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 8, Chapter 71
- ↑ Hunter × Hunter - Volume 9, Chapter 74
- ↑ Hunter × Hunter - Volume 9, Chapter 75
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 9, Chapter 76
- ↑ Hunter × Hunter - Volume 8, Chapter 78
- ↑ 27.0 27.1 27.2 27.3 27.4 27.5 27.6 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 10, Chapter 89
- ↑ Hunter × Hunter - Volume 10, Chapter 88
- ↑ 29.0 29.1 29.2 29.3 29.4 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 10, Chapter 90
- ↑ 30.0 30.1 30.2 30.3 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 10, Chapter 92
- ↑ 31.0 31.1 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 11, Chapter 101
- ↑ Hunter × Hunter - Volume 11, Chapter 103
- ↑ Hunter × Hunter - Volume 12, Chapter 105
- ↑ 34.0 34.1 34.2 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 12, Chapter 106
- ↑ 35.0 35.1 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 12, Chapter 108
- ↑ Hunter × Hunter - Volume 12, Chapter 109
- ↑ 37.0 37.1 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 12, Chapter 110
- ↑ Hunter × Hunter - Volume 13, Chapter 117
- ↑ Hunter × Hunter - Volume 13, Chapter 119
- ↑ 40.0 40.1 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 17, Chapter 170
- ↑ 41.0 41.1 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 22, Chapter 229
- ↑ 42.0 42.1 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 36, Chapter 371
- ↑ Hunter × Hunter - Volume 36, Chapter 378
- ↑ 44.0 44.1 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 36, Chapter 379
- ↑ 45.0 45.1 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 36, Chapter 380
- ↑ 46.0 46.1 Hunter × Hunter - Volume 37, Chapter 384
- ↑ Hunter × Hunter - Volume 37, Chapter 390
- ↑ 48.0 48.1 Hunter × Hunter, Chapter 392
- ↑ 49.0 49.1 49.2 49.3 Hunter × Hunter, Chapter 393
- ↑ 50.0 50.1 Hunter × Hunter, Chapter 395
- ↑ 51.0 51.1 51.2 Hunter × Hunter, Chapter 400
- ↑ Hunter × Hunter - Volume 9, Chapter 80
- ↑ Hunter × Hunter - Volume 11, Chapter 96
- ↑ Hunter × Hunter — Episode 54 (2011)
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