Palm: Thank you, killua.
I owe it all to you.
It was like that ever since I woke up.
It was you, killua.
Don’t ever think that you’re powerless.
( Killua gasps )
Palm: If it means helping gon,
i’m ready to do anything in my power.
But please don’t forget,
out of all the people gon needs in his life,
he needs you the most.
( Killua gasping )
♪
( Singing in Japanese )
♪
Narrator: Upon seeing how killua felt about gon,
palm miraculously returned to her old self.
Meanwhile on the second floor of the western tower,
knuckle had ultimately chosen
to ignore meleoron’s heartfelt protests
and appeared before them in the room
to force a confrontation with pouf.
Knuckle: Pouf.
( Sighs )
Let’s take this fight outside.
Shaiapouf: Oh, very well.
I’ll take you on.
But first I have something that I would like to say to you.
The body that stands before you is merely a shell.
My true core is on its way to the king as we speak.
( Knuckle sighs )
( Neferpitou gasps )
♪
Narrator: Having recently escaped from the cage of smoke,
pouf confirmed that knuckle and morel
had indeed made contact exactly as he suspected.
He assumed that his enemies already knew of his ability
to create segments and acted accordingly.
This was the right call.
Knuckle: The boss already told me
that you could make segments. You’re not lying.
Narrator: It was solely for gon’s benefit
that knuckle said this aloud.
By telling the truth first,
pouf was attempting to gain the mental advantage,
and his plan was a success.
Knuckle: Hang on.
Why are you telling me all this, anyway?
Narrator: Pouf’s primary concern was youpi.
Since knuckle was there,
that could only mean that youpi had spared his life
and had chosen not to share this information with pouf.
Shaiapouf: Depending on his reason...
Knuckle: Answer me, damn it!
Shaiapouf: My aim was to satisfy him.
( Knuckle gasps )
Narrator: Pouf wanted to persuade knuckle
to tell him the motive
behind the transformation he had sensed in youpi,
and, for that, he needed to leave the room peacefully.
Shaiapouf: I thought it might put the boy’s mind at ease.
He made it perfectly clear
that I was not to leave this room for any reason.
If we are to engage in a duel, he must withdraw his demand.
Only then, can I leave with you.
I am only a segment and cannot use my scales.
That aside, I am still willing to fight you,
but what I seek is a discussion and nothing more.
That is why I revealed the truth.
Narrator: Pouf knew that when dealing with opponents
who would call him from behind to challenge him,
appearing to tell the truth
would be far more effective than relying on deception.
Gon: You’re lying.
( Shaiapouf gasps )
Gon: Earlier...
You tried to sneak up from behind and kill me.
You even admitted it.
Knuckle, don’t let him fool you.
( Knuckle gasps )
Gon: First off, you keep saying
that you’re only a segment, right?
Is there any way that you can prove it?
( Knuckle groans )
He’s right.
♪
Shaiapouf: This child, he’s trouble.
Out of all of our enemies,
I dare say that he possesses the strongest will of all.
But now he’s preoccupied with pitou.
Perhaps I should be pleased by this.
It may yet work in our favor.
It’s because of his iron will and his incredible focus
that he’s sitting there.
Shaiapouf: If I were to prove to you that I was a segment,
I would be putting myself at a disadvantage,
so I can say nothing.
I’m afraid you will have to use your own judgment.
Think it over.
What happens next will be up to you.
I patiently await your decision.
( Neferpitou gasps ) No, pouf.
You don’t mean...
( Knuckle gasps )
Neferpitou: No, please stop!
( Crunching )
( Segments laughing )
Shaiapouf: I’ll wait at the front gate for ten minutes!
Whether you come or not is up to you!
( Knuckle groans )
Shaiapouf: Please wait!
Look! I’m still right here!
I am so sorry about pouf.
I’m the only one you need, right?
Gon: Ten minutes.
( Shaiapouf gasps )
Gon: You’re just gonna have to heal her ten minutes faster.
Narrator: Pitou began to tremble.
The fact that pouf chose to leave
with no apparent concern for the consequences
was incredibly disturbing,
but even more disturbing was how gon so coldly
ignored pouf’s provocation and slashed pitou’s deadline.
Gon: For how long? How long should we wait?
( Neferpitou gasps )
Uh, I estimate it will take
three to four hours to heal her completely.
Gon: Sorry. Too long.
Neferpitou: Then give me one hour,
and I can heal her most critical injuries.
Narrator: Originally pitou had asked
for a greater amount of time than was necessary.
This was to protect komugi
and allow time for her to heal completely.
Gon did not comply.
After a brief negotiation, they agreed on one hour,
the actual amount of time pitou believed
was necessary for komugi to make a full recovery.
However, as a direct result of experience,
Dr. Blythe had improved significantly.
It may have been possible
to speed up the treatment by ten minutes,
but having considered this, pitou realized something.
Perhaps it was coincidence,
but it was likely that gon had only chosen ten minutes
to conform with pouf’s parting words.
Despite that probability,
pitou could not shake a feeling of dark foreboding.
Neferpitou: It seems that I must risk my own life,
because if I don’t...
( Tiger roars )
His fangs may yet reach the king’s throat.
I understand.
Knuckle: Hmm.
Gon: Knuckle...
I’ll be fine here by myself.
I know I said that pouf was lying,
but he may have told the truth about one thing--
his true core is headed for the king...
And the king is to the south.
♪
Narrator: Gon and killua had seen everything
that had transpired up to this point,
but since pitou had no way of knowing this,
it was only natural to assume that gon
had seen through pouf’s scheme and already knew his plans.
It was what pitou feared most, and it had just been confirmed.
Now, more than ever, pitou was fully resolved
to complete the mission at hand.
Shaiapouf: I have to kill him, no matter the cost.
I must, for the king’s sake.
Do I move as soon as komugi is healed?
No, that won’t work. I can’t expose her to danger.
First I must entrust her to someone else.
Pouf and youpi don’t like komugi,
so that won’t do.
Think, pitou!
If i’m gone,
who will take komugi to the king?
Knuckle: Gon, I can tell what you want to say, believe me,
but it doesn’t matter,
because i’m still gonna do things my way.
Youpi was--
( gasps )
No. No, never mind.
Narrator: Suddenly knuckle realized that if what he said
made gon hesitate even for a moment,
it could quite easily result in his death.
Knuckle: See you.
Narrator: At the last second, knuckle managed to stop himself.
( Wind blowing )
King: How is it that you have come into possession of my name?
Netero: Simple, really.
My subordinates were present at your mother’s deathbed.
She uttered your name with her dying breath.
I bet i’m the only one who knows now
those same subordinates probably died fighting your royal guard.
( Wind blowing )
Are you interested in fighting me now?
I’ll make you a deal.
If you can force me to admit defeat,
i’ll tell you your name.
King: Force you, but without killing you?
( Scoffs )
So i’ll be playing without a rook and bishop.
Fine then. I’ll checkmate you shortly.
♪
Narrator: The instant the king responded, netero leapt.
Netero: When?
When did I start waiting
for my opponent to make the first move?
Now whenever you’re ready, come.
( Man scoffs )
( Yells )
Hah!
( Thump )
( Blow cracks )
( Man #2 yells )
Hah!
( Thump )
( Blow cracks )
Man #3: Yah!
Man #4: Hyah!
♪
Netero: One hundred-type guanyin bodhisattva.
Ninety-ninth hand!
( Blows pounding )
When indeed?
When did I stop hesitating and start graciously accepting
the hands of my vanquished opponents...
As they bowed their heads in defeat?
As if that was what I wanted!
That’s not the height of perfection
that I sought for so long!
( Boom )
I have always dreamt of giving my heart and soul
to battle an unstoppable adversary.
( Chorus vocalizing )
Netero: This is a tomb.
Yours, as a matter of fact.
( Chorus continues )
( Chorus ends )
I’m grateful.
Grateful for everything that’s led me to this point
and to you.
♪
( Singing in Japanese )