Hunter x Hunter Episode 27: Arrival x at the x Arena

An airship carries Gon and Killua towards a massive tower, which Killua identifies as Heavens Arena. He explains it has 251 floors and is 991 meters tall, the fourth tallest building in the world. Killua reveals he spent all his money on the trip and they need to earn more inside the tower. They decide to register for the tournament to make money and train. Gon is surprised by the long line, and Killua clarifies that unlike the Hunter Exam, Heavens Arena has no conditions to participate beyond defeating an opponent.

After registering, they enter a crowded arena. Killua remarks that it's been a while and the place hasn't changed. Gon asks if he's been there before, and Killua explains he competed at age six after his father left him there with no money, telling him to reach the 200th floor before returning home. It took him two years, which surprises Gon. Killua then tells Gon that to fight opponents of a certain level, he needs to reach the higher floors.

Gon's number is called, and he nervously prepares to fight. Killua assures him it will be easy since he could open the Testing Gate. Gon enters the ring, facing an enormous opponent. The referee explains the rules and starts the match. The large man promises to end it with one punch, but Gon easily dodges and uses a simple palm strike, as Killua instructed, sending the man flying into the wall. Gon looks at his hand, wondering when he became so strong. The referee gives him a ticket, telling him he can proceed to the 50th floor. Killua also easily defeats his opponent and is told he can go to the 180th floor since he's been to the 200th floor before, but he politely declines, choosing to start at the 50th floor with Gon. Another young boy beside Killua also easily wins his match and prepares to go to the 50th floor.

As the three boys head to the 50th floor, an elevator attendant explains how moving up the tower works. The other boy adds that he heard they get their own room if they reach the 100th floor, introducing himself as Zushi. Gon and Killua also introduce themselves as they reach the 50th floor. Zushi tells Killua he was impressed by his match, but Killua points out that Zushi also made it there in one fight. Zushi humbly replies he has a long way to go, asking the two about their martial arts discipline and revealing he uses the Shingen-ryu fighting technique. Gon and Killua reply they don't belong to any school, and Zushi is surprised by their strength without formal training.

Zushi's master suddenly appears, praising his student. After Zushi introduces Gon and Killua, his master introduces himself as Wing and expresses surprise at seeing other children, asking why they are there. Killua states they hope to get stronger and make money. Wing acknowledges their skill to reach the 50th floor but advises them to pay close attention to their opponents. The three boys then go to a kiosk and receive their prize money of 152 Jenny. Killua immediately buys a canned drink and reveals that a win in the 50s rewards 50,000 Jenny. He adds that wins in the 100s are worth 1 million Jenny, stunning Gon and Zushi. Killua continues, stating that wins past the 150th floor are worth 10 million Jenny each. Gon remembers Killua reached the 200th floor when he was younger and wonders how much he made. Killua replies that he quit once he reached it, but he had around 200 million Jenny in the 190s and spent it all on snacks in four years, leaving Gon and Zushi speechless.

The three then go to a crowded waiting room for their next match, with Killua confidently stating they will easily win. It is announced that Killua and Zushi will fight each other on the 57th floor. Killua bluntly tells Gon he will wait for him above, confident in his victory. The announcer introduces the two fighters, showing highlights from their previous matches and asking the crowd to bet. The odds favor Zushi, frustrating Killua. The referee explains the rules and starts the match. Killua calmly walks towards Zushi, avoiding his punch, and swiftly strikes the back of his neck. Killua earns two points as the referee checks on Zushi, who suddenly rises to his feet, surprising Killua. Zushi unleashes a barrage of punches, but Killua easily dodges them all and again strikes the back of his neck. Zushi recovers again and adopts a new stance that terrifies Killua, causing him to quickly leap back. Watching from the crowd, Wing suddenly screams Zushi's name, causing spectators to cover their ears. He sits down with a stern expression, and Zushi appears visibly shaken before the announcer restarts the match.

Killua eventually meets up with Gon, who reveals he won 60,000 Jenny and asks what took Killua so long. Killua tells him that while Zushi wasn't strong, he has potential and will keep improving. He reveals that while he could easily knock Zushi around, he couldn't defeat him, admitting he had to win by TKO from points. He then reveals that Zushi's aura during his new stance reminded him of his brother's, and while he didn't know what it was, he was confident it was dangerous. He guesses it's a technique and tells Gon that Wing called it Ren. In a flashback, Killua sees Zushi on his hands and knees apologizing to Wing, who reminds him he wasn't supposed to use Ren yet. Zushi says he couldn't resist against such a strong opponent. Wing tells him that while wanting to win is good, he needs to remember his true goal of reaching the top floor. He adds that focusing on a single win will reduce his potential and that he needs to be willing to lose a thousand times.

Back in the present, Gon wonders if Zushi isn't supposed to use Ren until reaching the top floor. Killua reveals he now plans to reach the top floor as well, and Gon happily agrees, telling himself it was his original goal anyway. Gon and Killua continue to easily defeat all their opponents over the next few days, both reaching the 100s. They each receive a private room. Gon is happy they don't have to worry about finding a place, but Killua points out that if they drop below the 100s, they have to check out. He warns Gon that the competition will become more difficult since every opponent wants to keep their spot. However, the two continue to easily win and receive more prize money, both noting that Zushi is still in the 50s. Gon again wonders about the technique called Ren, and while Killua thinks about encountering it with opponents on the higher floors, Gon suggests simply asking Zushi about it.

The two do just that, and Zushi explains that Ren is one of the four major principles for training one's mind and body. He adds that one must know Ten, learn Zetsu, achieve Ren, and reach Hatsu, which are all part of Nen training. Killua angrily points out that he didn't understand any of what Zushi said. Wing suddenly appears and wonders if Zushi should be teaching them. Killua tells him he is eager to know what it is since it's connected to the secret of his brother's power. Wing asks if his brother can use Nen, but Killua points out that he doesn't even know what Nen and Ren mean, agreeing to go through the complete learning process. Wing tells the two to join him and Zushi at his house as they prepare to learn about the secret technique of Nen.