Hunter x Hunter chapter 409: Borksen makes her final decision regarding the Heil-Ly Family’s offer

Hunter x Hunter chapter 409, titled Negotiation: Part 3, was released on Monday, December 2, 2024, in Japan. The chapter continues the intense card game between Morena and Borksen, more or less unaffected by Benjamin's martial law declaration. After several unexpected twists, the game finally concludes, revealing Borksen's ultimate fate.

In the previous chapter, the Negotiation game began, during which Borksen learned about Morena's past and her deep-seated motivation to destroy Kakin. By the end of the game, Borksen was left with two crucial cards: one that ensured her death and another offering a chance at survival, depending on which she held onto at the very end.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers.

Morena and Borksen's negotiation comes to an end in Hunter x Hunter chapter 409

The consequences of the declaration of the Special Martial Law

Borksen as seen in Hunter x Hunter chapter 409 (Image via Shueisha/Togashi)

Hunter x Hunter chapter 409 shows how the Special Martial Law affects different tiers of the Black Whale. On tier 5, passengers are ordered to obey their bosses and the military police, while tier 4 is isolated by closing passageways to prevent issues from escalating downward.

Tier 3 passengers are instructed to face the nearest wall with their hands raised, remaining in place until further orders from the Royal Army. if anybody chooses not to comply, they would be shot. On tier 2, citizens must immediately return to their rooms, keeping doors open and sitting with hands visible on a table or raised above their shoulders.

Borksen believes they are above tier 3 as broadcasts for higher levels are not broadcast in lower levels. Later, however, a broadcast intended for tier 1 is heard, leading Borksen to question whether they are really in tier 1. She speculates that the Heil-Ly might have a system capable of receiving announcements for all tiers, implying they could be located anywhere on the ship.

The game continues

Morena as seen in Hunter x Hunter chapter 409 (Image via Shueisha/Togashi)

In Hunter x Hunter chapter 409, Borksen notices that Morena seems a little tense. So, to exploit the situation, she selects the Deal card. However, observing Morena's agreement to proceed despite her earlier distraction, Borksen realizes that Morena may not be overly concerned.

It could mean that Morena is confident that her hiding place will remain undiscovered, or that she believes she will not be eliminated. Borksen acknowledges that while it would be beneficial for the Royal Army to neutralize the Heil-Ly Family, she herself could become a target.

Morena asks Borksen for a kiss in exchange for allowing her to take a card from the Graveyard. The kiss is important because to fully join Morena's group and gain powers, three conditions must be met: the Negotiation game must end with a Yes card, Morena must kiss and infect Borksen, and Borksen must witness a murder committed by Morena or her subordinates. The order of these events does not matter, but all are necessary for Borksen's initiation.

A setback for Borksen

Next, in Hunter x Hunter chapter 409, Borksen completes the kiss and retrieves her X card. However, she grows suspicious that her cards might have been swapped while she was distracted and asks to check them. Although Morena seems hurt by the lack of trust, she allows it. Borksen confirms that her three cards, X, Return, and No, are still there. She is then required to discard one card and ends up choosing to discard the X card.

In the following round, Borksen selects the Question A card from Morena’s deck, compelling Morena to answer her questions. Morena’s responses are limited to Yes, No, or Yes and No, as per the rules of the game. Through this, Borksen learns that the Heil-Ly hideout is located between tiers 2 and 3 and has five entrances; the group consists of 21 members; and that Morena is the only Specialist in the Heil-Ly Family.

Borksen confirms that if the game is declared invalid due to the X card, her memory will be removed, and retaining the No card at the end will result in her death. She also learns that Morena has no intention changing her goal of destroying the Kakin even if there is an alternative.

The final round

Borksen declaring her decision in Hunter x Hunter chapter 409 (Image via Shueisha/Togashi)

Hunter x Hunter chapter 409 then shows Borksen is left with two cards: Return, which guarantees her survival, and No, which ensures her death. Luckily, she holds onto the Return card and, overcome with emotion, crumples it in her hands. Morena congratulates her and then offers her the opportunity to exchange the Return card for any card of her choice to conclude the game. Borksen chooses the Yes card. Surprised, Morena asks if she made a mistake, but Borksen firmly assures her that it was intentional.

Final thoughts

After a chapter spent explaining the rules and two more centered on the game itself, the Negotiation card game reaches its conclusion. In Hunter x Hunter chapter 409, to Morena’s surprise, Borksen decides to join her organization by choosing the Yes card.

This unexpected twist is sure to leave readers curious about what motivated Borksen to make this choice, especially since she initially sought the X card to escape the situation. It might reflect her hope that she can find a way to stop Morena from carrying out her plans for mass killing.