Hunter x Hunter 408: Morena's backstory is revealed

This article contains spoilers for the Hunter x Hunter manga.

Key recommendations

• Morena reveals her goal to destroy the Kakin Empire and humanity by recruiting a specialist like Borksen.
• Borksen discovers that she is an unawakened specialist, learns about Nen and the danger she faces in the game.
• The card game between Morena and Borksen is interrupted by the declaration of Martial Law on the Black Whale.

Hunter x Hunter has enjoyed a great run of chapters and fans are incredibly excited to see where the story goes HxH chapter 408.

The previous chapter of HxH showed Borksen's meeting with Morena, and fans finally saw the unfolding of most of the card game that was set up in the last chapter. Morena builds up as quite a character in this arc, with interesting goals and a backstory. This chapter reveals a lot about Morena, who isn't really the real Morena, per se.

The card game begins

Morena explains her purpose and power

HxH 408 starts with Borksen drawing his first card. As expected, she starts with the “Purpose” card. This card causes Morena to explain her goals and ambitions to Borksen.

Morena tells Borksen that her goal is to destroy the Kakin Empire and, after that, all of humanity. He needs Borksen's power for that. Borksen was quite unsatisfied with such a broad and vague answer, so to explain further, Morena reveals some of her background.

Morena talks about the Second Track, the royalty of Kakin without rights to inherit the throne. She reveals that the real Morena was a second lead, and the Morena we see here is not the real one. Morena here is actually a festival orphan with no royal blood. Togashi explains what Carne Levare and Lese-Majeste are. Carne Levare is a Kakin festival held every few years where royals host a banquet. The Lese-Majeste part refers to anything that disrespects the royal family and can be punished by death. Before, this could even include just looking at a royal. Morena's mother died from this Carne Levare because she was overworked and not allowed to rest. Morena's face was cut off afterwards and sent to a facility where it was classified as flesh and not second track like those with royal blood.

Here, we were scientifically classified into 'Second Track' and 'Meat' and I was classified as 'Meat'. — Morena Prudo

For 20 years, this was Morena's life, until now she became the head of Heil-Ly. What happened to the real Morena is still not entirely clear. The same carnival, however, continues to create more victims, as Kakin hasn't changed much since what happened to him. This concludes her response to the purpose card.

On Borksen's side, the Joker card is thrown away. On her next turn, she now chooses the “Power” card to learn more about Morena's ability. Borksen is not very familiar with nen, but he has a very rough idea of ​​what it is, comparing it to psychic abilities. Morena gives her a brief explanation of nen in general and then explains that her Nen ability specifically allows her to grant powers to people who share the same goal as her – the common goal here being killing people. Her power has the role of parent and her offspring her children. She can have up to 22 children who can then level up and become parents themselves. She describes it as similar to a pyramid scheme.

Borksen just wanted to live a normal, calm life, but now that's not an option as she's been thrust into this chaos ever since the expedition was announced, and now with Morena's kidnapping and possible death. She will do everything in her power to avoid having to help Morena, as she does not support Morena's goals, although she may empathize with her to some degree.

Morena's Hunt for a Specialist

Borksen is here because she is a specialist

The reason why Borksen was kidnapped is revealed in this chapter. Morena has kidnapped Borksen and is trying to recruit her for one reason – she is an unawakened specialist. Morena explains that Specialists are very rare and she is looking for individuals like them. Dogman is currently still looking for more specialists, meaning Borksen isn't necessarily a need for them as they can find replacements for her. This is, in part, what makes this game so dangerous for Borksen.

I did my own research, so there might be some margin for error, but I think the specialists are about one in 3000 people. — Morena Prudo

Morena even reveals a pie chart of how common or rare nen types are, with Enhancement at 27%, Emission at 24%, Transmutation at 19%, Conjuration and Manipulation each at 15%, and finally Specialization at 0.033%. Morena thinks there should be 50-60 specialists on the Black Whale. Morena wants Borksen to develop perhaps a specific skill, but won't reveal what it is just yet.

With this answer, Borksen had to discard one of her cards, and it landed on the Yes card.

This prompts Borksen to choose Morena's No card, to know what happens if only the No card remains. Morena explains that if there's only No left, that's basically death for Borksen. Although she won't join Heil-Ly, they can't let her go alive either, as she knows too much now. If she manages to end with the X card, then the card is null, and even though she doesn't join, Morena won't try to harm her and will try to avoid harming the people around her.

Two cards remain

R Card and Card No

For the next card that Borksen randomly chooses to discard, she draws card X. This would be worrisome, however, as Borksen still has the R card, which could bring back the X card from the grave.

I think it's going to get pretty real with only two cards left, isn't it? Now, go ahead. — Morena Prudo

This means that at this point, Borksen only has 2 cards left on her side, and her fate will be decided very soon. She will either keep the No card, which will be her death, or she will keep the R card, which will give her the ability to revive any card of her choice. The card game stops here Hunter x Hunter 408, and fans will have to wait and see what happens in the next chapter.

Martial law is declared

The reason why is unknown

At the end of it Hunter x Hunter 408, the card game between Morena and Borksen is interrupted. Indeed, Morena and Borksen are shocked to hear an announcement that could be a problem for anyone in the Black Whale. Martial law was declared.

Martial law was a looming threat over all the characters, and now it has happened, but for reasons unknown. Fans will have to wait and see if the reason for this martial law is revealed. Hopefully Morena and Borksen's card game can continue and end, but it's no longer a guarantee with what's going on.

Hunter x Hunter can be read through Viz Media. The series can be read by fans officially and for free on Shonen Jump and the Manga Plus app. The release date for the next Hunter x Hunter chapter, Hunter x Hunter Chapter 409, is set for December 1, 2024.