His very first words caught Elder Babagra, who had been somewhat absentminded, by surprise.
"Everyone in the world will be able to connect instantly at the speed of light."
Chrollo analyzed seriously, "Information sent out by an individual can be seen by everyone in the world."
"The environment of this society will undergo drastic changes."
Elder Babagra involuntarily straightened up slightly.
Chrollo continued, "Those murderers who attacked the children of Meteor City must have recordings in their hands."
"They said from the beginning that they would leave a message, which shows they have a strong desire to show off..."
"If those people find an opportunity—or rather, a stage where they can display themselves..."
"They will definitely be unable to wait to publish their 'works' to the entire world."
"Evil deeds cannot stand the light of day, and that will remain true under the new communications system!!"
"Even in a world where countless beams of light carry information back and forth, 'national borders' will still exist."
"Crossing those 'national borders' will be regulated, so they will certainly look for a 'back door.'"
"We need to prepare that 'back door' in advance."
"Using Meteor City as this blank area and providing a way to evade 'police' pursuit, evil people will inevitably gather here!!"
"By then, we can use the new technology to create a hiding place for criminals."
"Once they leisurely gather here, we can identify the murderers who have committed evil against Meteor City!!"
Chrollo tried to explain the plan more plainly and clearly, using language he could understand.
At the very least, Mog found it extremely familiar.
That so-called "new communications," that "world where light carried information back and forth," was actually the Internet!!
In this era, 1983, the outside world was right in the midst of an Internet revolution, with the Network World beginning to rise!!
Chrollo had keenly sensed the tide of the era.
What was more astonishing was that he had even mentioned "national borders"—in other words, Firewalls.
And "back doors," which meant tools for bypassing them.
As for "police," those were online censors and cyber police~~
At Chrollo's age, he had already pinpointed this so accurately.
It truly was astonishing.
At the very least, Elder Babagra had now completely straightened up.
His formerly somewhat clouded eyes had become exceptionally serious.
"Who told you these things, or taught them to you?"
Elder Babagra asked in a deep voice.
"I inferred all of this little by little by watching videotapes and news from the outside world."
Chrollo answered calmly.
Elder Babagra stared at Chrollo for quite a while.
Though Elder Babagra was so old and his face was full of wrinkles—
He was actually young at heart. He had not been left behind by the times and often kept up with information from the outside world.
That was why he had also witnessed the communications revolution Chrollo spoke of.
If someone like him, who paid particular attention to changes in the outside world, or those at the very center of the era's great tide, had such views, he would not have found it surprising at all.
But the one making such deductions was only a ten-year-old child!
Opening the Aura Nodes of the Troupe! Once Started, It Couldn't Be Stopped! [Children's Future]
What truly astonished Elder Babagra was that Chrollo had derived all this information solely from the garbage in Meteor City~~~
"No wonder..."
After a long while, Elder Babagra slowly nodded.
"No wonder Zhol and Mog both recommended you so highly."
"I suppose I understand now. Outstanding people recognize one another, which is why they think so highly of you..."
Father Zhol still wore a kindly expression, while Mog smiled at Chrollo, who had looked toward him.
Only then did Chrollo relax slightly.
So that meant they had passed the test~!!
"You can come here anytime in the future~."
Before they left, Elder Babagra granted them this special privilege.
"If you have any suitable or good ideas, feel free to come talk to me."
A smile appeared on his wrinkled face. "When people grow old, they always want to hear different voices."
"And your works—if possible, bring me a videotape as well."
With those words, he had essentially given Mog and Chrollo his full backing.
As long as Mog and Chrollo remained in Meteor City, no matter what they did or how much trouble they caused—
The elders of Meteor City would be their strongest support.
Anyone who wanted to make a move against them would have to weigh the Elder Council standing behind them!!
Moreover, the Elder Council would also give Mog and the others its greatest support.
And the most obvious sign of that at present was~~~
"I never expected to obtain so much useful material!!"
Chrollo held an armful of videotapes, a delighted smile on his face.
They were all videotapes covering basic knowledge about the outside world.
To outsiders, they might merely be educational content, something akin to encyclopedias.
But to Chrollo, living in Meteor City, they were treasures beyond price.
"Shalnark will definitely be happy too!!"
Chrollo imagined it eagerly.
Among all their companions, only Shalnark was more willing to accept new things.
He was willing to try more different things, broaden his horizons, and expand his experience and knowledge.
As for Mog, he received two things from Elder Babagra.
One was a map of the area surrounding Meteor City.
The other was a strangely shaped object resembling a bus ticket.
Mog had seen this item in the manga.
In the original manga's plot, after Sarasa was dismembered and killed, Father Zhol invited Miss Renko, the Corpse Beautician from Misty Forest Valley.
After she stitched him back together, Sarasa was restored to his original appearance, even seeming lifelike, as though he were still alive.
Her miraculous Corpse Restoration—the technique of restoring a corpse as much as possible and preserving its state from before death—opened the Troupe's eyes.
It was then that everyone realized Nen abilities existed.
Machi even sought out Miss Renko, wanting to learn from her.
Naturally, the answer was no.
"No, what I use is not a technique, but a special ability."
That was how Miss Renko had answered at the time.
Machi stared at her. "Is this so-called ability related to the light radiating from you, Miss Renko?"
"You can see Aura?!"
Miss Renko was quite surprised that Machi could see Aura.
Then she crouched down and looked into Machi's bright eyes.
"Such beautiful eyes... I'm so jealous."
After saying that, Miss Renko left Machi a ticket-like pass.
"Take the last bus and tell the driver you're going to Misty Forest Valley. Then show him this, and you can come to my place for free."
The item Miss Renko had given Machi was identical to the one Elder Babagra had given Mog.
"Great. Now we can unlock another map."
Mog casually put the ticket away.
But he had no intention of going himself.
Miss Renko's temperament was far too strange, and Mog did not think he would necessarily get along with her.
Besides~~~
"I have so many inventions. If I want to grow stronger, I can rely entirely on myself."
Mog remained very calm inwardly. "Even if I cannot make meticulous use of advanced Nen techniques, my foundation alone is enough to make me much stronger than most Nen users."
"If I really need someone to guide my training, then I should at least find a truly powerful master."
"And preferably someone kind and lawful, whose background I can clearly understand~~~"
Well, a place like Misty Forest Valley, which had ties to Meteor City, was clearly not somewhere benevolent.
Mog did not believe that if they learned of his secrets and inventions, they would be able to resist making a move against him~~~
He would not place his life and safety in the hands of trust in someone else's character.
In life, it was better to rely on oneself in all things.
Before you continue