Hunter x Hunter Episode 104: Doubt x and x Hesitation

Welfin and Bloster discuss the King's obsession with playing Gungi, noting he even skips meals. Bloster suggests they take the food for themselves, but Welfin dismisses the idea, fearing confrontation with the King or the Royal Guard. Bloster agrees, acknowledging their superiors' power. It is revealed that Shaiapouf is granting powers to the Chimera Ants, a fact understood by all except Hagya.

In Peijin, Knov battles several puppets. Flutter observes Knov through his "Satellite Dragonflies" and reports to Leol that Knov is being cautious and only using physical attacks. Leol plans to engage Morel's Deep Purple until reinforcements arrive, hoping to learn Welfin and Bloster's abilities.

Knov enters an alleyway and activates a portal, causing him to disappear from Flutter's view. Flutter reports this to Leol. Knov continuously scouts the area using his Nen ability, Hide and Seek, which allows him to create portals from surfaces and transport himself into a Nen space. This Nen space consists of twenty-one rooms across four floors, each isolated without an entrance or exit. The entrance is always shut, and one must exit through a different door to return to the real world. While multiple entrances can be created depending on room size, Knov uses a master key to link to any portal. He exits near the palace, noting its quietness.

Morel's Deep Purple is used defensively; if it encounters a non-ally, it maintains distance. If attacked, it retreats while fighting back by throwing nearby objects, avoiding direct contact to conceal its nature as a Nen puppet. Knov spots Flutter flying nearby, deduces he controls the dragonflies, and decides to eliminate him to prevent information relay.

Elsewhere, Cheetu distracts Morel. Morel suddenly attacks with his pipe, which Cheetu dodges. Cheetu boasts that Morel cannot trick him, and Morel retorts that Cheetu's noise prevents him from sleeping. Cheetu laughs, promising to continue the distraction. Morel lies back down, stating he will not get up until five hours pass. Cheetu becomes frustrated and tries to get Morel's attention, but Morel smirks, thinking of his victory, as smoke emerges from his mouth.

As it begins to rain, Meruem and Komugi continue their Gungi game, with Shaiapouf quietly reading nearby. Meruem plays a marshal, which Komugi counters with her own. They exchange pawns. Meruem isolates Komugi's marshal, calling his strategy "Remote Concealment." He anticipates Komugi will place her archer on her right flank, which she does. Meruem counters with a new spy, expecting to lose two pieces but create an opening on her left flank. He then plays a lieutenant general to be unpredictable. Komugi pauses, and Shaiapouf notices her hesitation. Meruem feels confident he can attack through the center.

Komugi counters with another lieutenant general, surprising Meruem. He admits defeat, noting Komugi knew his strategy was a dead end but hesitated. Komugi explains that Meruem's "Remote Concealment" is actually "Kokoriko," a strategy she invented ten years prior. Her placement of the lieutenant general in the middle, called "General in the Middle," was also her invention. She then found a way to defeat it when an opponent used it against her, leading her to devise strategies outside official matches and textbooks. Komugi expresses her happiness, explaining her hesitation. Meruem calls it foolishness and leaves, telling Komugi to rest for their next match, as she will get no more breaks. Shaiapouf remarks that it is the first time Meruem has listened to someone for so long.

Four hours later, Cheetu is bored and reads a manga, laughing and kicking his feet. He notices Morel stand up and gets excited for a contest. He laughs again but stops when he sees a smoke rope tied to Morel's pipe and his own ankle. Morel walks towards Cheetu, winding his pipe. Cheetu tries to run but is held back by the rope. He punches it, but it remains attached. In frustration, Cheetu conjures a crossbow on his right arm and shows it off to Morel. He attempts to attack with an arrow, but it is easily countered. Morel suggests using the claws at the end instead. Cheetu does so, embedding the claws into Morel's chest. He laughs until he realizes the Morel in front of him is smoke, and the real Morel is behind him. The real Morel touches Cheetu's shoulder. They are transported back to the real world, and Cheetu admits defeat. When Morel asks what would have happened if he hadn't caught him in eight hours, Cheetu refuses to answer and heads back to the palace to ask Shaiapouf for a new ability.

Morel deduces that Shaiapouf is a Royal Guard, which he finds difficult given the selection process. Knov calls Morel, asking to meet. Inside Knov's Nen space, Flutter has been defeated. Knov informs Morel that reinforcements have arrived: a lobster and a wolf. Outside the Nen space, Welfin, Bloster, and Leol search for Flutter. Welfin demands a change of plans. Leol, unwilling to lose again in front of Neferpitou, uses his power. He sends out his Rental Pod, but misrepresents its capabilities. He hides while using it and employs Flutter's "Satellite Dragonflies" ability to deceive Welfin and Bloster into thinking Flutter is back online.

In the palace, Meruem is upset about his continuous losses but admits to himself that he is enjoying the game.