Hunter x Hunter Chapter 407: Morena starts negotiations with Borksen over a game of cards

Hunter x Hunter Chapter 407, titled Negotiation, was released on Monday, November 18, 2024, in Japan. In this installment, Morena brings Borksen in to recruit her. Even though she is running out of time, she takes a roundabout approach, suggesting a card game to help her figure out her position.

Meanwhile, in the previous chapter, Chrollo was shown resolute in his plan to reach Tier 1, steal Kakin’s treasures, and acquire a specific Nen ability. His ultimate goal remains to defeat Hisoka once and for all, even if it costs him his life. Chrollo found comfort in knowing the Phantom Troupe would uphold his legacy, emphasizing his readiness to sacrifice everything for his mission.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers.

Morena explains rules of her card game in Hunter x Hunter Chapter 407

Borksen goes missing

Morena greets Borksen in Hunter x Hunter Chapter 407 (Image via Shueisha/Togashi)

Hunter x Hunter Chapter 407 starts on the twelfth day, with Halkenburg’s funeral procession still underway. Borksen’s friends grow concerned after noticing her absence, as they had last seen her about thirty minutes ago when the procession passed by.

They consider various possibilities, wondering if she has been reassigned, if she has pursued a suspect, or, more worryingly, if she has been abducted. They think that a coordinated team might have immobilized her, or that someone she knew could have caught her off guard or used Nen to manipulate her. However, they cannot search for her, as they have previously agreed that in cases like this there will be no negotiations and no rescue.

Meanwhile, at the Heil-Ly hideout, Borksen is seated before Morena, who asks her to join her. To make the recruitment process quicker she proposes a negotiation game, and then proceeds to explain the rules. She tells Borksen that if she chooses to withdraw, she will lose all her freedom and will only be able to answer yes or no.

The game of negotiation involves a series of cards: the dealer has seven cards face-up, while the player holds five face-down. The player selects one of the dealer’s cards, and the dealer must respond accordingly. That card is then discarded, and the dealer picks one of the player’s cards, which is also discarded. This process continues until the player is left with one card, which determines the final answer to the dealer’s request.

Morena explains Borksen’s cards

Borksen as seen in Hunter x Hunter Chapter 407 (Image via Shueisha/Togashi)

In Hunter x Hunter Chapter 407, Morena introduces Borksen to the player's deck of cards, which includes Yes, No, Return, Joker, and X. If Borksen ends up with the Yes or No cards, she has to respond to the request accordingly, while the Return card allows her to bring a card back from the graveyard to use as her response. The Joker card lets her answer however she wants, and the X card invalidates the game entirely, allowing Borksen to walk away without any further negotiations.

Borksen considers the cards carefully and realizes that while the Yes card seems like the only way she could be made to agree to Morena's plans, the other cards might be designed to trick her. She is especially cautious about the No card, thinking it might be just as binding as the Yes card. She worries that saying No could trigger dire consequences and questions whether the Joker card might also be a trap.

The Return and X cards seem to offer her more freedom, but she ultimately doubts that these cards matter, convinced that Morena will find a way to cheat.

Morena explains her own cards

Morena and Borksen ready to play in Hunter x Hunter Chapter 407 (Image via Shueisha/Togashi)

In Hunter x Hunter Chapter 407, Morena reveals her own seven cards: Aim, Power, Question A, Question B, Yes?, No?, and Deal. If Borksen picks the Aim card, Morena has to explain her objectives and reasons for wanting to recruit him. If Morena goes for the Power card, she will have to reveal her ability, even if Borksen might not fully understand it. However, she will only receive the truth.

The Question A card lets Borksen ask yes-or-no questions, except about Morena's motives or abilities. If she chooses the Question B card, she can find out more about the last question asked during the Question A round. If she picks Yes? and No?, she can get Morena to explain what happens if she ends up with Yes or No card at the end of the game.

Finally, if she chooses Deal, Borksen can get a card from the graveyard, but she has to do a small favor for Morena in return.

Throughout this, Borksen observes that while Morena seems completely confident in not needing to cheat, she also gives off an angry vibe. The chapter ends with Morena asking if they are ready to begin. Borksen then sets a condition: she will be allowed to pick the face-down cards, to which Morena agrees. The game is now about to start.

Final thoughts

Hunter x Hunter Chapter 407 is entirely focused on the details of a card game, something that could have been left to unfold quietly in the background. However, by giving it such detailed attention, Togashi elevates it into a pivotal moment that sets up a significant conflict. Borksen has realized that the game may not be in her favor, but she still lacks crucial information. This uncertainty creates tension and interest for readers to see how the conflict will play out.