Chapter 23: 023 Join The Phantom Troupe!
"Joining the Phantom Troupe doesn't seem like a bad thing, and I have no reason to refuse."
Ronnel said calmly.
"Is it convenient to tell us your ability?"
This time, it was Shalnark who spoke, pulling out a toy-shaped red phone.
"Since we'll all be companions in the future, we need to know each other's abilities. That way, when we cooperate during missions, we can properly divide the tasks."
As he spoke, he shook the phone in his hand.
"My ability is called Black Voice I can insert an antenna into an opponent's body, allowing me to control them until they die or the antenna is removed."
"Machi's Nen is the Nen Stitches, which also has healing properties."
At this point, Shalnark paused and looked at Ronnel.
Facing Shalnark's inquisitive gaze, Ronnel nodded slightly and began to explain,
"My Nen belongs to the Emitter class. I have two abilities. The first one is what I call Pocket of the Dead. It's like a space storage where I can place anything that's lifeless—any object without a life force—and retrieve it later. Time doesn't pass inside the space."
"The second ability allows me to remove negative emotions or resentment from a corpse. The more I cleanse, the stronger I become. I call this ability Gravekeeper's Grasp."
As Ronnel spoke, he raised his palm slightly, and suddenly, a crab roe bun with tassels appeared, steaming in his hand—an example of the first ability he had just described.
"Not bad at all," Chrollo said, his eyes lighting up with approval.
Clearly, this ability suited his interests.
Not just Chrollo, but even the others showed interest, leaning in slightly, and stealing glances at Kortopi.
Ronnel's portable ability, combined with Kortopi's ability to copy, would certainly make for an intriguing combination.
After Ronnel finished speaking, Chrollo turned to look at Machi.
Machi hesitated for a moment before speaking, "My gut tells me he's not lying."
Machi's intuitive sixth sense was more accurate than many logical conclusions.
Chrollo nodded, trusting her insight. Ronnel, after all, hadn't lied entirely about his first ability, though his second one was another story.
Learning how to mix truth with falsehood was an essential survival skill in the streets of Meteor City.
In truth, Ronnel's Nen was a trait-based ability, though it had characteristics of an Emitter.
Back when he first awakened his Nen, not only had the leaves on the water moved, but the glass had also cracked, shattering with a loud bang.
Ronnel had blended reality with fiction—he wasn't foolish enough to reveal his true powers completely.
After all, even Shalnark hadn't divulged the full extent of his abilities, and Machi's Nen Stitches certainly had other hidden functions.
"Normally, the Troupe members act independently. We only gather when a large-scale mission is about to take place, called by the leader," Chrollo explained as he moved toward the door, with Kortopi and Pakunoda following closely behind.
"Next, Machi will tattoo the spider symbol on you and explain the Troupe's rules and the other members. For now, feel free to call me if you need anything. Our next meeting will be when we gather."
After saying this, Chrollo glanced at Shizuku, who had been silently observing, and then turned, leaving with Pakunoda, Kortopi, and Shalnark.
He left as quietly as he had arrived, as if he had never been there, with a calmness that didn't disturb a single cloud.
"Finally gone?"
Only then did Ronnel's tense posture relax, and he turned to look at Machi, who stood against the wall with her arms crossed, her expression indifferent.
"Take off your shirt and choose a spot. I'll tattoo you."
Machi's words were short, cold, and efficient—just like her.
"Right shoulder," Ronnel said without hesitation, removing his shirt and exposing his muscular torso.
Machi's eyes flickered for a second but didn't linger as she pulled out a needle.
"Don't move. I'll explain the Troupe's rules while I do the tattoo..."
As she spoke, she placed the needle between her lips, and threads of Nen began weaving from her hand.
She didn't start right away, instead glancing at Shizuku, who stood nearby.
"Shizuku's not an outsider, you can say it," Ronnel said.
"Whatever."
Machi shrugged, then moved behind Ronnel and got to work.
"There aren't many rules in the Troupe, but there are two that must never be broken."
"The first rule: The survival of the Troupe is more important than the life of the leader. If the leader dies, another person will inherit the position."
"The second rule: If there's conflict between members, resolve it with the special coin. Never fight each other."
"There are thirteen members in total, including the leader, Pakunoda, Feitan... Everyone has the spider tattoo somewhere on their body. I'm number 10."
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