Did Togashi Just Reveal the Winner of the Succession War? Hunter x Hunter Chapter 403 Spoilers!!

In the previous Hunter x Hunter chapter, Team Fugetsu, comprising of Guardian Spirit Beast Kacho and Melody, together with Kaiser, send a letter to every Prince but Halkenburg’s letter contains the complete truth about Tserriednich’s crimes, Benjamin’s secrets and his own origins.

Chapter 403 is titled, “Results”

This chapter has 19 pages.

Day 11 (Wednesday) 6:45 AM

Second Floor, Judicial Building Entrance to the Prosecutor General’s office and counroom , where Balsamilco gets searched by security.

Balsamilco looks around and sees that no one is guarding 9th Prince Halkenburg.

Last chapter, Balsamilco intended to kill Halkenburg with the TSK-17 virus (a reference to COVID-19 that has been erased upon release) but considers the possibility that this virus could spread into a pandemic within the entire Black Whale.

However, rather than worry too much about it, Balsamilco seems to be intent on proceeding with using the pandemic as a way to justify special martial law without arousing opposition from the Justice Bureau.

As he gets across the hallway, Balsamilco walks through one of the building’s corridors and sees two elderly people in front of him

Suddenly, Balsamilco sees someone from behind and it is his fellow Benjamin bodyguard Vict, who if you remember was attacked by Halenkburg’s Possession Arrow in Chapter 389: “Curse”.

This means that Vict is actually possessed by one of Halkenburg’s subordinates.

With a legion of subordinates, both those in their own bodies and possessed, Halkenburg comes forward and fires his arrow at Balsamilco, Benjamin’s second in command but we do not know the outcome.

If it lands, this is a crucial step in Halkenburg’s seemingly and somewhat non-lethal war against his siblings.

Day 11 (Wednesday) 7:50 AM

In Room 1001, Benjamin is informed by Balsamilco that the hearing has been postponed based on both parties’ conditions, The plaintiff’s side (Vict) is rejected by the judge for their lack of preparation while the defendant’s side because the defendant’s physical condition is poor.

The trial will resume once the defendant recovers. 

Balsamilco explains that when Haleknburg fired a Nen arrow at him, it missed and Halkenburg passed out, likely from exhaustion.

Hearing this, Benjamin leaves all decisions regarding the court building to Balsmico while the latter decides not to return until his mission is complete and submits his final report today.

In Room 1001, 1st Prince Benjamin talks to his bodyguards through a telecommunications device, with the men concerned about the risks involved in attending the upcoming royal hearing but the prince assures his men that there are security measures in place and attending the hearing could boost his chances in the succession contest.

In the Royal Wing, Room 1, 1st Queen Unma, the first wife of Nasubi and mother of Benjamin and Tserriednich, calls someone on the phone and informs them that she will not be able to make it to dinner tonight.

As it turns out, the person Unma is talking to is Halkenburg and states that she is proud of him.

Because…Halkenburg is her son!

This…is interesting.

If you look carefully, Halkenburg resembles the square-faced 1st Queen more than the gentler 2nd Queen Duazal.

This explains why the pacifist Halkenburg is so close to the Dionysian Tserriednich, aside from being educated Renaissance men of culture.

However, why would Unma favor Halkenburg over Benjamin or Tserriednich?

Benjamin has the military advantage and while she may not know it yet but Tserriednich has advanced to an even higher proficiency in Nen, with not only acquiring his own Hatsu but even creating a second Guardian Spirit Beast.

Perhaps Unma was not even informed about Nen

Most importantly, this seems to dispel the immediate impression from fans that Halkenburg is Beyond Netero’s child.

However, I also think this is not completely conclusive.

The mere fact she favors Halkenburg at this stage could either be a momentary play, strategic to end the War more efficiently or that she is ensuring her children, primarily Benjamin, Tserriednich, and Halkenburg are at the top.

Another layer to this revelation is that we might consider the possibility that the other Princes might not be related to their supposed mothers.

Tubeppa does have that square-like face, which would make sense for a sibling of Halkenburg but with Halkenburg revealed as the 1st Queen’s son, who could say that the 2nd Queen’s many children were planted there for their own reasons.

Another one could be Momoze since her mother seems to favor Marayam, the youngest of her two children.

However, it is strange that Halkenburg’s relation to his biological mother had to be hidden away.

After Unma’s call, we cut to Balsamilco, who has finished his call with Benjamin…

Or was that what really happened?

We return to the delivery of Kacho’s letter to 1st Prince Benjamin, where the letter reveals Halkenburg is the son of Benjamin’s own mother, the 1st Queen.

Considering the coming events, there is something strange afoot with regards to Unma and Halkenburg’s plans.

Kacho’s letter has already been sent to 2nd Prince Camilla, 3rd Prince Zhang Lei, 5th Prince Tubeppa, and 6th Prince Tyson

4th Prince Tserriednich & 13th Prince Marayam refuse their letters.

The 4th Prince probably knows that his crimes have been spread or because of one other reason, which we will learn about soon.

Marayam likely did so under his mother, Sevanti’s, orders and for the same reasons as Luzurus, which is obviously for safety.

Melody and “Kacho” (the Guardian Spirit Beast) work together to execute their plan on On Thursday’s night to rat out the culprit behind Fugetsu’s condition.

11th Prince Fugetsu is still in the infirmary after being attacked by an unknown party last chapter.

In Room 1014, Kurapika explains to the 8th queen Oito that withdrawing from the succession war means death for her and 14th Prince Woble and so asks her for permission to participate in the Succession Contest to ensure their survival

In Room 1003, The 3rd Prince Zhang-Lei’s Guardian Spirit Beast Dropped 7 coins and gave 3 to others.

But one coin’s value changed from 1 to 10, leading to some confusion among Zhang-Lei’s ranks.

The judicial section discusses 9th Prince Halkenburg’s condition and informs the prince he will die soon. He then appears bedridden with his guards gathered around him and Kaiser observes everything. 

Balsamilco contacts Prince Benjamin to give his final report.

As it turns out, Halkenburg is possessing Balsamilco.

That is because right now, Halkenburg’s body is unconscious, lying down with IV’s attached.

This is such a risky play.

Can Halkenburg return to his body and, more importantly, can he still use his Nen abilities to somehow defeat his own eldest brother Benjamin?

Halkenburg would also need to pretend to be Balsamilco, someone who Benjamin has known for a long time and any odd patterns could be sussed out.

The chapter ends with Kurapika, 8th Queen Oito and 14th Prince Woble in Room 1003 to meet with Zhang Lei.

Hunter x Hunter Chapter 404 will be released on October 28, 2024.

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