Hunter x Hunter Episode 14: Hit x the x Target

Twenty-four candidates have passed the third phase of the Hunter Exam, escaping Trick Tower. They are Hisoka, Gittarackur, Hanzo, Geretta, Pokkle, Goz, Agon, Ponzu, Ryu, Siper, Shishito, Kyu, Sommy, Umori, Imori, Amori, Bodoro, Kenmi, Bourbon, Kurapika, Killua, Gon, Leorio, and Tonpa.

Lippo congratulates them and announces that the fourth and final phase will take place on Zevil Island. The examiner from Trick Tower presents a box, explaining that the candidates will draw lots to determine their targets. There are 24 cards, each with an ID number. Candidates draw in the order they exited the tower. Hisoka draws 384, followed by Gittarackur with 371, Hanzo with 197, Geretta with 405, and Pokkle with 105. Other candidates, including the Amori brothers, Bodoro, Shishito, Agon, and Kurapika, also draw their cards. Killua draws 199, Kurapika draws 16, Gon draws 44, Leorio draws 246, and Tonpa draws 403.

Lippo instructs them to remove the seal on their badges to reveal their target's number. Many candidates immediately cover their badges. Gon is surprised to see that he drew Hisoka's number. Lippo explains that the box recorded who drew which card, and candidates can remove their ID tags. The objective is to steal their target's badge. Imori expresses relief that they don't have to kill each other. Lippo clarifies that any method, including killing, can be used to steal ID tags. A target's ID is worth 3 points, a candidate's own ID is worth 3 points if kept, and all other badges are worth 1 point. Six points are needed to advance.

A small steamboat heads for Zevil Island. The new guide, Khara, introduces herself and commends their performance, stating the trip will take two hours. She tries to lighten the mood by saying all 24 candidates are automatically qualified for next year's exam if they fail, but no one responds. She becomes depressed by the lack of reaction. Kurapika tells Leorio that the battle has already begun, and Leorio agrees, noting that everyone has already hidden their badges. Khara tells them they are free to do as they wish for the next two hours. Leorio asks Kurapika if he is his target and if he would show mercy. Kurapika replies hypothetically that he would say the same thing if Leorio were his target. Leorio presses him, and Kurapika confirms he is not Leorio's target. Kurapika walks away, and Leorio shouts that Kurapika isn't his target either.

Killua approaches Gon and asks about his number, but Gon asks Killua first. Killua says it's a secret. They laugh, and Killua assures Gon he is not his target, and Gon says the same. They agree to show their numbers simultaneously. Killua immediately recognizes 44 as Hisoka's number and tells Gon he has bad luck. Gon acknowledges this and asks who 199 is. Killua doesn't know and says he didn't bother to memorize everyone's numbers, finding the game "lame." Gon expresses excitement about stealing Hisoka's tag. Killua asks if he's happy or scared, and Gon replies both, admitting he can't beat Hisoka in a straight fight but believes stealing his tag offers a real chance. Killua agrees, tells Gon to do his best, and to stay alive. Gon tells Killua the same.

The boat arrives at Zevil Island. Khara thanks them and instructs them to exit in the order they left Trick Tower, which annoys Leorio. There is a two-minute wait between each candidate's disembarkation. Killua realizes they will have to wait a while. Khara explains they will be on Zevil Island for a week and must accumulate 6 points before returning to the landing site. Hisoka is the first to exit. Kurapika comments that those who disembark earlier have an advantage, and Leorio agrees, noting they can hide and monitor targets. Gittarackur exits next, startling Khara. Hanzo is third, Agon is seventh, Shishito is eleventh, one of the Amori Brothers is fifteenth, and Kurapika is twentieth. Killua is next, telling Gon he'll see him later. Killua decides to scout the area. Khara calls Gon, who tells Leorio he'll see him later before running off the boat, determined to find Hisoka's location.

Gon wonders how to get Hisoka's tag. He recalls confronting Hisoka in the Milsy Wetlands. Hanging upside down from a branch, Gon concludes he cannot steal Hisoka's tag head-on. He spots Kyu with a sword in a grassy area below and then notices Pokkle behind Kyu. Kyu senses a presence. Pokkle aims his bow and fires an arrow. Kyu senses the attack and dodges, but the arrow grazes his arm. Kyu tells Pokkle it was close, and Pokkle stands up. Kyu warns him he won't be easy, but suddenly loses control of his body and falls, wondering what happened. Pokkle explains the arrow was coated with a fast-acting tranquilizer that will incapacitate Kyu for a week, but assures him there's water nearby. Pokkle rummages through Kyu's backpack and takes his tag.

Gon is amazed by Pokkle's stealth and his opponent's ability to sense the arrow. He now understands how to approach Hisoka. Gon grabs his fishing rod and jumps from the tree, realizing he can use it to steal Hisoka's tag. He practices by knocking apples off logs with one swing. He knows he needs to sneak up on Hisoka without being noticed and wait for an opportunity. He acknowledges that Hisoka will be moving, unlike an apple, and he will only have one chance. Gon ties an apple to a tree, letting the wind move it, and successfully catches it. During this time, Geretta watches Gon.

Gon continues to train, but finds it too easy to calculate a swinging target's movement. A frog jumps from bushes, and Gon tries to catch it but fails. He realizes Hisoka will try to evade his attack. He decides to try catching a bird to observe its movements. He tries and fails the first time, but tells himself he won't succeed on the first or second try and continues.

Meanwhile, Leorio walks through a dark forest, wondering whose number he has. Kurapika, on a cliff overlooking the sunset, decides to stay in one place. Gon, exhausted, lies on the grass, looking at the night sky. He shouts that he didn't think it would be so hard. It's too dark to see, and the birds are gone, so he decides to try again tomorrow. Geretta continues to watch him.

The next day, Gon washes his face in the river and resumes training with his rod. Still unable to catch a bird, a tired Gon lies on the grass at midday, thinking it's impossible to catch a bird in flight with pinpoint accuracy. He then sees a bird catch a fish from the river. He observes the bird watching a fish, which is watching a fly. At the moment the fish goes for the fly, the bird swoops in and catches the fish. Gon realizes there might be a moment when his opponent is targeting another, allowing him to intervene. He finally manages to catch a bird that is about to catch a fish, which is about to catch a fly. Gon is overjoyed, having discovered a method to get his target. Geretta, who has been watching, is surprised by Gon's mastery of hunting, but notes that Gon's intense concentration will be his undoing.