Kurapika's Memories: Part One (2024)

Kurapika's Memories: Part One (クラピカ追(つい)憶(おく)編(へん)()()()()()()()①, Kurapika Tsuioku-hen (Ichi)) is the first chapter of a two-part one-shot of the Hunter × Hunter manga, written and illustrated by Yoshihiro Togashi.

Synopsis[]

A young Kurapika is seen arguing with the Elder of the Kurta Clan, complaining about the unfairness of one of their laws and declaring that he will do whatever he wants. However, the Elder warns him that if he breaks it, his parents will be the one to face the consequences. Kurapika angrily leaves the small hut, kicking a rock at it and calling the Elder an old fart. Several Kurta Clan members look on and say that Kurapika has been trying every day, with one wondering why he is so interested in the outside world if it's filled with discrimination and prejudice. The member also points out that they get permission to leave when they grow up anyway, and another adds that nowhere is more amazing than their home.

Kurapika says to himself that he has never seen the outside world, adding that leaving the forest is the greatest sin and that he doesn't even know the punishment for breaking the law since no one has ever done so. Someone calls Kurapika's name, and he turns around to find Pairo, who tells him that it might be time to give up. However, Kurapika remains adamant about going to the outside world, reminding Pairo that he also wants to go. Pairo mentions that his eyes and legs aren't as good as everyone else's and adds that he doesn't want his family to suffer. Kurapika again wonders why the rule even exists, upset that they're not allowed to take the test to leave or learn the language of the outside world until they are adults. As Kurapika continues to get upset, Pairo notices that his eyes are red and points out that the Kurta Clan are the only people whose eyes turn red when they get emotional, adding that the eyes of outsiders like Mizelle and Chikuta don't turn red. Kurapika is left surprised, and Pairo confirms that he asked his father about it, who also told him that only adults who can keep secrets are allowed to leave because people of the outside world discriminate against those different from them. As Pairo finishes using his eyedrops, Kurapika runs off and says that he will see him later.

Kurapika runs as fast as he can back toward the village, telling himself that the other 128 Kurta Clan members and the beautiful forest were the only world he knew until he met a girl named Sheila a year ago. In a flashback, Kurapika and Pairo find the girl lying with an injured leg in a cave as she desperately asks for water. With the two unable to understand her, Pairo says that she's speaking the language of the outside world. Sheila points to her canteen, and they realize what she wants, with Kurapika quickly running to a nearby river. After drinking, Sheila thanks them and gives them a book as a gift. The two are left unsure, and Pairo worries that people will know they spoke to an outsider if they take it. Sheila tries to ask them about the river so she can find more water, but the language barrier continues to be an issue. Kurapika then heads back to the village to get his father's dictionary, and Pairo worries that he will be punished if they find out what they're doing.

Kurapika narrates that they talked with Sheila using the dictionary until her leg healed, adding that she kept falling and injuring herself whenever she was close to recovering. He explains that they gave her food and a hideout while she taught them about the outside world. Kurapika tells Sheila that she got lost in the forest because of the way she's dressed, but Sheila replies that a Hunter always wears whatever they want. Kurapika explains that the book Sheila gave them was an action-adventure story about someone who worked as a Hunter, inspiring Sheila herself to become a professional Hunter. He adds that he and Pairo kept the book in a secret location and would read it every day using the dictionary. The two then discover a letter from Sheila thanking them for their help and hoping to meet them in the outside world, adding that she hopes to be a professional Hunter by then. Pairo guesses that it would have been too hard for her to say goodbye in person, and Kurapika narrates that they were able to read the letter without the dictionary at that point, adding that they continued to read the book every day and that it made him even more eager to visit the outside world.

Back in the present, Kurapika reaches the Elder and angrily asks him what he did with the book. He says that he doesn't know, but Kurapika tells him to give it back since it means a lot to him. The Elder says that he can have it when he grows up since it has given him an idealized fantasy about the outside world, emphasizing that not all humans are so nice. Kurapika is surprised that he read it and eagerly asks what he thinks of it. After being taken aback by Kurapika's enthusiasm, the Elder calls it a fine book filled with courage and dreams, adding that it even excited an old man like himself. However, he stresses that it's still just a fantasy, and Kurapika says that the fantasy gave him the dream to go to the outside world, wondering if it's wrong to have such a dream. As the Elder thinks about various scenes from the book, he begins to talk about the problem being reality, but Kurapika interrupts him, angrily asking what part of Dino Hunter he read. He then stresses that the book is trying to teach them to overcome those obstacles and live the best they can, asking what the point of reality is if it loses to a book. He begs the Elder to let him take the test, promising to never ask about going to the outside world again if he fails, and the Elder begrudgingly agrees.

As a focused Kurapika studies for the test, his parents look on from the back of the room. His mother wonders where he got his impulsive personality and hopes that he can pass, but his father can't believe that she's on his side. His mother points out the unfair rules and says that while there was discrimination and scarlet eye hunting long ago, there hasn't been any in the last hundred years. He reminds her that it's because they have been relocating periodically, but she angrily replies that times are different and that red eyes are no longer believed to be the devil's messengers. She again criticizes the clan's elders and wonders why the Elder himself is the only person in the village who is allowed to have a cell phone. She hopes that Kurapika can blow up the village's traditions, with Kurapika internally telling her to be quiet so that he can study. She hopes that Kurapika can see the outside world since he wants it more than anything else. His father tells his wife that Kurapika is just like her, adding that he's still worried about the people of the outside world. The two continue to argue about the issue as Kurapika tells them to be quiet.

With several members waiting outside the hut, the Elder explains to Kurapika that there will be three tests and he has to pass them all. He says that the first is a language exam, emphasizing the importance of mastering the official language of the outside world. A Kurta Clan member with glasses adds that he has 90 minutes to get a score of 90 or above to pass. Three minutes later, Kurapika finishes and answers every question correctly, causing Pairo to cheer. While the member points out two misspellings and says that Kurapika's expressions are unique, he assures the Elder that his grammar is perfect, whispering to him that he made the test fairly difficult.

The Elder moves on to the second test, explaining that those venturing to the outside world must have common sense and know their customs. Once again, Kurapika easily passes the test, with the other member pointing out that Kurapika knows even more than they do. The Elder begrudgingly moves on to the final test, calling it a self-control exam and explaining that Kurapika must be able to protect the secrets of the Kurta Clan. He reminds Kurapika that the Kurta Clan are the only group whose eyes turn red when they get emotional, adding that those in the outside world called it scarlet eyes and feared them. He continues by saying that they have faced curiosity, prejudice, and discrimination, and have shed much blood based on this difference, saying that they can never repeat such a tragedy. He stresses that they have to avoid changing the color of their eyes in public, holding up a bottle of eyedrops and explaining that if his eyes turn red within 24 hours of administering them, they will remain red even after he calms down. He reveals that it was discovered by chance when their predecessors tried to create something that would suppress the scarlet eyes, explaining that he is using the formula as an experiment.

The Elder tells Kurapika that after administering the eyedrops, he will go shopping in a neighboring town, and Kurapika can't believe that he gets to visit the outside world. The Elder stresses that it's part of the test and that he must return safely from the trip without having his eyes turn red for 24 hours. As three members enter the hut, he adds that he must choose a partner and explains that having collective responsibility will make it less likely for him to get emotional. He then adds that if his partner gets scarlet eyes, he will be disqualified. With little hesitation, Kurapika turns to Pairo and happily chooses him. The Elder reminds him that the shopping is for the whole clan's everyday goods and will require heavy lifting. Kurapika confidently replies that if Pairo is with him, he won't regret whatever happens. The Elder begrudgingly agrees, and although Pairo is unsure that it's the right choice, Kurapika quickly replies that it has to be him, with the two happily shaking hands. The Elder tells the two to apply the eyedrops, but when Pairo reaches for the bottle, it falls to the floor and rolls under a cabinet. Pairo feels around for it and assures Kurapika that he needs to find it himself. After finding the bottle, the two apply the eyedrops.

With the other clan members gathering to see them off, Kurapika and Pairo are seen riding a Piko as two others follow behind them. The Elder tells them to cancel the trip and come back immediately if they get scarlet eyes along the way, explaining that sunglasses or contact lenses aren't good enough. Kurapika assures him that he will pass, happily riding off with Pairo. Now deep in a forest, Kurapika looks at a map and says that Nancha City is directly west from them. Pairo estimates that it will take six hours to get there and twelve hours to get back with all the supplies the creatures have to carry, adding that they said it will take four to five hours to buy everything. Kurapika wonders when they will sleep, and the two decide to take turns, with Kurapika telling Pairo to rest first. After confirming that Pairo is asleep, Kurapika tells himself that Pairo may not remember the incident because of the trauma, revealing that Pairo's eyes and legs are bad because Pairo tried to save him when he fell from a cliff. He adds that while he was unscathed, Pairo was left injured, also revealing that his eyes are getting worse every day. Kurapika vows to find a doctor in the outside world who can fix his eyes and legs, confident that the two will experience it together with no time limit after that. As the two continue riding toward Nancha City, Kurapika assures Pairo that they will always be together.

Characters in Order of Appearance[]