Secrecy

Tracking the swallowed oyster, the Spiders read the Heil-Ly hideout as sitting above Tier 3 — meaning Morena has technically never been on her own turf, exploiting the very custom that legitimizes the war. Nobunaga starts to respect the enemy's architect.

At the Justice Bureau, the 'Kacho' who came back declares herself likely a guardian spirit resurrected to protect Fugetsu — and out of the contest either way. She orders the grieving Melody to stand up: they will make Fugetsu king, and Fugetsu must not learn the truth.

The Bureau investigator handling Melody — heartbeat 'precise as an atomic clock' — proposes wiping out the higher-ranked princes with slow poison during her performances, and confesses he loves her. Melody agrees while privately assuming he is manipulated or a mastermind's tool.

Kaiser hands Steiner a panic device and explains the stakes: the Justice Bureau is the ship's last neutral institution, and the moment special martial law is declared it becomes a dictator's base — insurgents charged and executed within ten minutes. Steiner realizes he has just been designated the surviving witness.

Fugetsu reports a 'breakthrough': her once-a-day ability now works repeatedly, and she is euphoric, exhausted, and gray. Melody hears evil spirits gathering around a heartbeat as weak as Zetsu. Something has marked the Eleventh Prince and is feeding on her use of her own power.

In line for the awakening, Tubeppa's guard Longhi tells Kurapika water divination is unnecessary — she already uses Nen — and asks him to hear a contract. Kurapika, gun and Dowsing Chain out, agrees to collaborate with Tubeppa.