Hunter x Hunter chapter 402: Kacho, Melody, and Kaiser set their plan into motion on the eleventh day

Hunter x Hunter chapter 402, titled Letter, was released on Monday, October 14, 2024, in Japan. In this installment, the Succession War becomes even more complicated as various factions maneuver for power. Amidst the chaos, Kacho collaborates with Kaiser and Melody in a desperate attempt to help Fugetsu.

In the previous chapter, Kurapika discovered that Longhi is a Nen user who also happens to be Beyond Netero's daughter. She is involved in his scheme to dominate the Succession War. Moreover, it was revealed that one of the Princes is also Beyond's child, though their identity remains a mystery.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers.

Kaiser chooses to help Fugetsu in Hunter x Hunter chapter 402

Tubeppa’s plans regarding Zhang Lei

In Hunter x Hunter chapter 402, the story continues on the tenth day at 1:30 PM. An agreement is reached: if the third, fifth, and fourteenth princes are the last ones standing, Woble and Tubeppa will withdraw.

On top of that, Woble asks Sakata and Hashito to keep supporting them indefinitely; Kurapika asks Tubeppa to let Oito and Woble tag along with him during his visits, which she agrees to; and Zhang Lei requests his security team to be present during his visits.

Next, Tubeppa figures Tserriednich's absence from the banquet means he will not collaborate with her. She is worried about Benjamin's guards targeting her, so she plans to redirect them to Zhang Lei by telling Benjamin about her new alliance. Rihan, who is present, sees Tubeppa's Nen Beast appear after she signs the treaty and realizes it is a conditional type.

In the meantime, Zhang Lei expresses doubts over the surrender clause.

A plot to kill Halkenburg

Balsamilco as seen in Hunter x Hunter chapter 402 (Image via Shueisha)

In Hunter x Hunter chapter 402, Balsamilco is shown in possession of vials of a weapon of mass destruction. Though initially thought to be a failure, the weapon is effective under certain conditions.

It can cause symptoms similar to the stomach flu, leading to multiple organ failure and death within half a day. The body decomposes in a short time, leaving no trace for autopsy. Balsamilco intends to use this silent killer to eliminate Halkenburg.

Day eleven begins

Tserriednich as seen in Hunter x Hunter chapter 402 (Image via Shueisha)

In Room 1004, on the eleventh day, Wednesday at 8 am, Tserriednich manages to enter Zetsu in under ten seconds and sustain it while multitasking, which makes Salkov envious. Salkov remembers Theta's testimony, according to which Tserriednich activated a rare ability while in Zetsu.

This leads him to theorize that Tserriednich's Zetsu might trigger his Nen Beast to release all the stored aura. However, he is skeptical about whether Theta was under control when she made these statements.

Kacho formulates a plan

Kacho as seen in Hunter x Hunter chapter 402 (Image via Shueisha)

Earlier, on the eleventh day at 6 am, Kacho shows Melody a photograph of a mark on Fugetsu's back. Melody speculates that the mark is likely caused by Nen, indicating that Fugetsu fell into a trap. Melody advises Kacho to have Fugetsu use her ability, which will make two doors appear.

Fugetsu will then need to choose the door that is not a trap. However, Melody expresses concern that Fugetsu might become addicted to using the enemy's ability, which could lead to her death

Kacho suspects that Prince Luzurus is behind Fugetsu's condition and decides to defeat him or his Nen Beast. The plan involves Melody incapacitating Luzurus and then transporting him through a tunnel created by Fugetsu's Magic Worm ability to a lifeboat. Kaiser assists with the cover story: they will claim that Luzurus had a heart attack after overdosing on drugs and trying to escape using a lifeboat.

Fugetsu and Kaiser carry out the plan

Kaiser and Fugetsu as seen in Hunter x Hunter chapter 402 (Image via Shueisha)

In Hunter x Hunter chapter 402, the focus shifts to figuring out how to access Prince Luzurus' bedroom to abduct him. For Fugetsu to create a door, she must have previously visited the location.

Thus, a new plan is devised: Fugetsu, along with Kaisen, visits all the Princes to deliver letters that Kacho wrote before her death. Each letter is unique and provokes different reactions from the Princes. Luzurus, for example, becomes wary, questioning Kacho's intentions in criticizing the other Princes in her letter.

Later, Fugetsu runs into Basho, who gives her a charm to ward off spirits.

A letter for Halkenburg

Melody as seen in Hunter x Hunter chapter 402 (Image via Shueisha)

In Hunter x Hunter chapter 402, at 8:50 am on the eleventh day, Kacho suggests having a backup plan in case Luzurus is not the culprit. This prompts Melody to consider the rumbling in the second tier, where only Halkenburg was present, implying that either he or his Guardian Spirit Beast caused it.

It is revealed that the letter to Halkenburg discloses Benjamin's secrets, Tserriednich's depravity, and the truth about Halkenburg's birth. This could potentially disrupt the succession contest, and Melody hopes Halkenburg will use the intel wisely.

The chapter concludes with a letter to Kurapika, informing him that the Princes cannot leave the boat while the war continues. Kurapika must find a way to prevent further bloodshed.

Final thoughts

Luzurus as seen in Hunter x Hunter chapter 402 (Image via Shueisha)

Hunter x Hunter chapter 402 is quite dense and packed with action. Kacho’s carefully crafted complex plan is in action while the rest of the Princes also strategize to gain the upper hand.

The chapter is filled with dialogue and can feel a bit messy, but it is gripping as the dynamics in the Succession War shift rapidly. It will be exciting to see if Kurapika and Melody can achieve their respective goals in time.