Yoshihiro Togashi has a funny way of making us care about people who, on paper, shouldn't matter. Hunter x Hunter 409 is the perfect example of this. We’ve spent weeks—months, if you count the hiatuses—trapped in a room with Morena Prudo and a soldier most fans couldn't name two years ago.
Borksen.
She’s not a Hunter. She’s not a Zoldyck. She’s just a soldier caught in a nightmare. But by the time the "Negotiation" game ends in this chapter, she’s become one of the most fascinating players on the Black Whale.
The Game That Changed Everything
Honestly, the "Negotiation" game was a massive gamble by Togashi. It’s dense. It’s a lot of text. Basically, it’s a card-based psychological battle where the stakes are life, death, and Nen. Morena, the leader of the Heil-Ly family, doesn't just want to kill her enemies; she wants to infect them.
In Hunter x Hunter 409, the game reaches its climax. Borksen is faced with a set of cards: X, Q, and R. If she picks the wrong one, she dies. If she plays it "safe," she remains a victim.
But she doesn't do that.
She cheats.
It’s subtle. You have to look at the panels where she "taps" the cards and returns them to be shuffled. Fans have noted that she likely marked the "Return" card with a fingernail or used the warmth of her hand to identify it later. This isn't just a survival tactic; it’s a declaration of agency. She realizes that in Morena’s world, being "honest" is a death sentence. To survive the Succession War, you have to be as dirty as the people holding the cards.
That "First Kiss" Moment
Let’s talk about the kiss. It’s weird, right? Morena treats it like a sacred, almost romantic transaction. She tells Borksen it’s her "first kiss."
Whether Morena is lying or genuinely that detached from reality is up for debate. But the mechanical reality is what matters: the kiss is the delivery system for Morena’s Contagion ability. By the end of Hunter x Hunter 409, Borksen is no longer a "civilian." She’s an initiate. She’s part of the virus.
Why "Yes" Was the Only Real Move
The biggest shocker for many readers was Borksen finally answering "Yes" to joining Morena.
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Why?
- Isolation: The Heil-Ly hideout is a Nen space. Even if she won the game and Morena let her go, she’d be stranded in a labyrinth with no exit.
- Information: Borksen is a soldier. By joining, she becomes a double agent. She now knows there are 21 allies in the group and that they are stationed between the second and third layers.
- Power: Martial law has been declared on the ship. The lower tiers are in chaos. Having a Nen ability—especially a Specialist one—is the only way to not get trampled.
Borksen isn't a villain now. She’s a pragmatist. She saw the "Yes" card as a tool, not a surrender.
The Martial Law Factor
While this psychological drama is happening in the hideout, the rest of the ship is screaming. Hunter x Hunter 409 shows the transition of the Black Whale into a state of total military control.
Halkenburg’s influence is felt everywhere. Soldiers are lining people up against walls. The gate between Tier 3 and Tier 2 is closing. The tension is thick enough to cut. This isn't just "background noise"; it’s the reason Morena’s chaos is so effective. When the system breaks, people like Morena thrive.
What Most People Get Wrong About Morena
People think Morena is just a "chaos agent" who wants to see the world burn. That’s true, but it’s too simple.
She hates "flesh abusers." She hates the Kakin system. In chapter 409, we see her interaction with Borksen as a form of distorted mentorship. She respects Borksen for being "dirty." She likes the fact that Borksen tried to cheat.
There’s a strange parallel between Morena and Prince Tserriednich. They are two sides of the same coin, yet they represent each other's least favorite type of person. Tserriednich hates "lying, promiscuous women," while Morena hates "distrustful" elites. They are headed for a collision that will likely sink the ship—literally.
Actionable Insights for the Next Batch
If you’re trying to keep track of this madness, here is what you need to watch for in the upcoming chapters:
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- Borksen’s New Ability: Keep a close eye on what Nen power she develops. Since she’s a Specialist, it won't be a simple "punch hard" move. It will likely involve information gathering or manipulation.
- The Phantom Troupe’s Entry: The Spiders are hunting the Heil-Ly. They are closing in. Borksen is now the "inside man" (or woman) that might accidentally lead the Troupe right to Morena’s throat.
- The Martial Law Loophole: Watch how the declaration of martial law affects Kurapika. He’s already stretched thin. If he has to navigate military checkpoints while protecting a baby, he’s going to break.
The Black Whale is a powder keg. Hunter x Hunter 409 just handed the match to a woman who has nothing left to lose.
Check your local listings or the Shonen Jump app for the release of Volume 38 and the next batch of chapters. Togashi is currently working on chapters 411 through 430, and based on his recent progress, the schedule is looking more stable than it has in a decade. Keep your notes ready; the Succession War is about to get a lot bloodier.
Next Steps for Readers:
Review the card game panels in Chapter 409 specifically looking for the "mark" on the R card. It changes how you view Borksen's future loyalty to the Heil-Ly. Track the movement of the Phantom Troupe in Tier 3, as they are now officially on a collision course with Morena’s hideout.