She didn’t know about nen, but that doesn’t necessarily have to extend to people close to her such as family and, for example, her sister. Maybe her sister knows something about her child’s condition and that’s why she accepted, maybe even suggested the idea in the first place?

I think that the theory that fake Woble’s real father is Beyond could fit somewhere there. If he wanted to implant one of his children in the SW, that would be a good opportunity. Naturally, to make sure that this plan would work, it makes sense to assume he would rather implant one there since the start but honestly? A baby makes a lot of sense as well, is easier to control a baby than a grown adult. If he wanted to use his child for a sacrifice for example, a vulnerable one would fit best for his objectives

I mean, I always wondered how Oito came to have access to King Nasubi, it seems like too much “luck” to be true. I wouldn’t doubt that someone else has arranged that, it would look inconspicuous at first, Oito is the new, innocent woman with a poor background and no powerful connections, is easy to consider that no one would bat an eye at her or her baby.

If it is true that Beyond has one of his children in the SW, out of all of the oldest princes, only two knew nen previously, they would have realized had Beyond done something related to nen, besides, there’s also the thing with being the oldest, they attract too much attention. The other ones could also realize that there was something strange happening and start to make questions and that could make his plans come to light but a baby would not

Also, if her sister had said something about fake Woble having something like “prophecy” powers and ones that she could prove the baby had, Oito would probably believe it. Also, could that “prophecy” powers be related to nen? I don’t think is unlikely

She could have said that the baby could feel and know where safety was and that’s why she interpreted fake Woble reaching for Kurapika as a sign that she could/should trust him.

I mean, it is a theme that has been used more than twice, is like Togashi is pointing to us the direction he wants us to pay attention to. It just seems unlikely of him to point at something so vehemently if it was just an emotional reaction on Oito’s part

There is cultures where is common to put the babies to point at objects, in the sense that if one was chosen, it would have a specific meaning, like following a career or having bad/good luck

Something to add, in russia and slavic folklore, a baby born with a caul is considered to be lucky, and protected, giving them immunity to danger (and there’s a saying that, specifically, that they can never drown). Just another example of a superstition regarding babies

If Beyond wanted to put a child of his in this, what better way to involve someone who could have no way of refusing or fighting it and that it wouldn’t attract attention if it had a nen related ability protecting them because of the nen beasts?

I think that’s what Toagashi was implying with Kurapika’s reaction to the strange presence he felt when he looked at him. I will check once again, but if I’m not mistaken, no other bodyguard had such a reaction to their princes nen beasts, with the exception of the ones who didn’t know about nen and the one who weren’t honest in their intentions, like when Theta was threatened by Tserri’s nen beast when she thought of killing him. Kurapika, however, never wanted to hurt the baby and knows about nen

Anyways I also wonder if Beyond in possession or control in some way of one of the Kakin treasurers. If that’s so, it makes sense he “doesn’t have to do anything”, something else might as well be doing the job for him

The voyage of the Black Whale has departed officially during the pre-departure ceremony on August 7th. This date is the interesting part here, why you may ask?

Well, first of all, Togashi was born in Shinjō, Yamagata Prefecture. The chapter of which the BW set sail was 359, which was published originally at June 27, 2016.

Second, in Japan, in this time of the year it is usually celebrated the “Tanabata”.

In many places in Japan, Tanabata celebration started on July 7, 2016. However, in Yamagata Prefecture, it was primarily celebrated regional Tanabata variations on August 7, 2016.

In the same year Tanabata fell on a Sunday, which was the exact day of the week and date of when the BW set sail. So yes, I think Togashi was basing the date of events of the Black Whale on the calendar of that year or something like that.

Now, let’s look into what Tanabata festival is about.

Tanabata means the "Evening of the Seventh" is also known as the Star Festival, that originated from chinese Qixi Festival (The Festival to Plead for Skills" (乞巧奠, Kikkōden)).

It’s a celebration of the meeting between the two deities Orihime and Hikoboshi (The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl) who are represented by the stars Vega and Altair.

I’m sure some of you may already be familiar with the story, but I’d like to make a short summary of it for those who are hearing it for the first time.

Firt of all, in Japan this festival has been mixed with Obon or Bon traditions, with Bon being held on 15th of the seventh month then — nowadays on the 15 August — and with this, the Tanabata has been created. (I’ll mention more about Obon later on)

Orihime wove clothes by the heavenly river, her father loved the cloth that she wove and so she worked very hard every day to weave it. One day, her father arranged for her to meet Hikoboshi (彦星; "Cowman"/"Cowherd Star", or literally "Boy Star").

(I couldn’t help but remember Chrollo’s “Lucilfer” name, being a reference to the word Lucifer that is translated as Morning star, so “Hokiboshi / Boy Star”…)

It is said, that in the instant they met, they fell deeply in love, and so married shortly after. However because she was now married and living with her husband, she couldn’t weave cloth and Hikoboshi would let his cows wander all over Heaven, so her father became angered and separated them.

Orihime was so sad and begged her father to let them meet again. Moved, he allowed them to meet on the 7th day of 7th month if she worked hard and finished her weaving.

The first time they tried to meet, they found out there was no bridge.

Almost like in York New when they weren’t able to properly meet (they weren’t ready yet? Were too late?)

Orihime cried so much that a flock o magpies came and promised to make a bridge with their wings so that they could meet.

It is said that if it rains on Tanabata, the magpies cannot come because of the rise of the river and the two lovers must wait until another year to meet. The rain of this day is called "The tears of Orihime and Hikoboshi".

When Kurapika and Chrollo met for the first time in York New, it was raining.

Was this why it was raining in that day? Was this why the rain stopped as soon as they separated again? Were they really not ready to actually meet? I always felt like it was something like that, like “there’s something missing”, maybe is because of that.

Ahhh They were so perfect that the heavens had to separate them in envy… Particularly, I like to see Orihime’s father as less of a father and more as destiny/life.

I can see Chrollo and Kurapika as Hikoboshi and Orihime respectively btw, but I can also see the opposite.

Crazy, BUT.

Orihime weaving cloth as Chrollo weaving his spider webs.

Hokiboshi letting his cows wander all over heaven like the Kurta clan eyes wandered all over the world.

…

Now back to the start. Remember when I mentioned Obon? So, the Japanese Obon Festival is heavily influenced by the Ghost Festival of Buddhism and the Chinese Taoist Zhongyuan (中元 ) Festival.

Before Buddhism came to Japan, there was already a custom in place to beckon the deceased home to their families twice a year, both in spring and autumn, on the night of the full moon.

Its is also usually celebrated on August 15.

I have two thoughts on that. Chrollo will meet with Kurapika during this date, or, we’ll find out more about the Kurta massacre (I’m considering that the head in Tserriednich’s room will be directly addressed).

If we go though KuroKura lens, I’d like to mention this one thing about the Chinese Ghost festival.

If we consider that we’ll get more information on the Kurta massacre, then, I’ll just let this part about the Obon festival so that you’ll have an idea of what I think Togashi is envisioning for the story.

Distinct from both the Qingming Festival (or Tomb Sweeping Day, in spring) and Double Ninth Festival (in autumn) in which living descendants pay homage to their deceased ancestors, during Ghost Festival, the deceased are believed to visit the living.[4]

On the fifteenth day the realms of Heaven and Hell and the realm of the living are open, and both Taoists and Buddhists would perform rituals to transmute and absolve the sufferings of the deceased.

— Wiki.

I guess we already have our first “ghost” in the ship, being Kacho. So what I’m imagining is that instead of seeing the head in Tserri’s room, Kurapika will instead see Pairo as a ghost, or something like that.

In Chinese Buddhism and Taoism as well as in Chinese folk religion, there is the concept of a hungry ghost, it represents beings who were originally living people, who have died, and who are driven by intense emotional needs in an animalistic way.

The Ghost Festival is held during the seventh month of the Chinese calendar. It also falls at the same time as a full moon, the new season, the fall harvest.

During this month, the gates of hell are opened up and ghosts are free to roam the earth where they seek food and entertainment. These ghosts are believed to be spirits of those without descendants (or, traditionally, without descendants in the male line) or whose descendants did not pay tribute to them after they died.

—Wiki.

“or whose descendants did not pay tribute to them after they died.”

…Will they appear to Kurapika because he believes that because he didn’t give them a proper burial, they can’t rest in piece, and so they’ll “roam free”? Maybe it is more of a methafor really 🤷

I wonder if my funny post about BW hosting a zombie apocalypse will end up being true 😂

Just like in Qixi, where the lovers are able to meet only once a year, the ghosts can cross their realm and meet the living once a year.

I just really like this atmosphere of kurokura, like a marriage in a graveyard.

PS: Chapter 411 was published on June 29, there are usually at least 10 or 11 chapters about to be published.

If it’s actually 11 chapters this time, and that the official release date is every Sunday since the publication of the 413 chapter on July 3, it means that the 11 chapter will be published on 6 of September with leaks out early as the September… 4th.

Will this time wings be provided for them, in the middle of the vast sea like there was once for Orihime and Hokiboshi?