Not just any Joe can become a Hunter in the world of Hunter x Hunter. Since the job requires a special skillset, one must become a licensed Hunter by passing the daunting and grueling Hunter qualification exam. Problem is, the odds of qualifying are quite grim. In fact, less than one in a hundred thousand on average pass!

Gon Freecss, a young boy who dreams of following in his Hunter father's footsteps, applies to become a Hunter. He's on a mission to track down his elusive father Ging, who he barely remembers. And despite his youth, he defies the odds and passes the exam! And though life as a Hunter can be rough and dangerous, Gon's able to take care of himself, that is until an unfortunate incident with Chimera Ants leaves Gon in critical condition. The clash with the Ants has also greatly affected the Hunter Association, leaving it bereft of its long-time leader, Chairman Netero.

And the Next Chairman Is...

The Hunter Association suffers a great loss when Chairman Netero dies fighting the Chimera Ants. However, his life was not lost in vain, as the Ants are ultimately defeated. In the aftermath of the battle, the Association must now choose a new chairman. Chairman Netero, before his demise, had the great foresight to set in place the basic rules for electing the next chairman. The election process is left in the hands of the Hunter Zodiacs (including Gon's elusive father Ging!), the twelve top Hunters handpicked by Netero himself.

Since every licensed Hunter is eligible to become the next chairman, the race is wide open! Who do you think is the best candidate to become the next Hunter Association Chairman?

Saving Gon

While the world is busy with the current Hunter election, Gon lies unconscious and in critical condition from his life-or-death fight against the Chimera Ant Neferpitou. Modern medicine appears to be ineffective, and Gon's life hangs in the balance. Recognizing that a drastic situation calls for a drastic answer, Killua decides to rescue Gon on his own. In order to do so, he'll need the help of his family, particularly his younger sibling Alluka, perhaps the strangest and deadliest member of the Zoldyck family.

Alluka's strange power affords her the ability to grant any wish. However, there are consequences. In order to have one's wish granted, the requestor must fulfill three of Alluka's demands. And the greater the wish, the bigger her demands. Think of it as a twisted spin on the principle of equivalent exchange. 

However, and here's the catch, if the requestor refuses four of Alluka's demands in a row, at least two people (the requestor and the person he/she loves the most) will die. Because of these treacherous consequences, the Zoldyck family has Alluka sequestered inside their home, not allowing any visitors to see her. Killua though is confident that he can control Alluka, since he holds knowledge about her powers that the other family members don't know.

Killua's desire to save Gon could ultimately cost him his and his family's lives. Knowing this, the Zoldyck family is against allowing Killua to take Alluka to see Gon. However, Killua manages to escape and is on his way to save Gon. But tracking his every move is his cold-blooded brother Illumi, who wants Alluka dead! Can Killua make his way to Gon alive?!

Hunter x Hunter volume 31 is available digitally and in stores now!

by John Bae