New Member Status Confirmed

Gelman.

Chrollo finally spoke, his cool voice carrying a persuasive magic.

"You've passed the Phantom Troupe's two trials."

"You brought back the 'promised gems' and endured Pakunoda's 'Memory Bomb.' That proves you're compatible with the Phantom Troupe."

"Congratulations. You're now one of us, the Phantom Troupe's No. 8 member."

"I should make this clear in advance: the Phantom Troupe doesn't have many rules or restrictions. If members come into conflict, we generally flip a coin to decide how to handle it."

"Normally, you can do whatever you like and go wherever you want. But you should be present at gatherings."

When Chrollo finished speaking, he smiled and nodded at Gelman.

It wasn't a smile of joy or satisfaction. It was simply the smile the occasion called for.

Gelman listened quietly to Chrollo, then removed his black triangular hat and bowed slightly to him and the others.

"Understood."

As he bowed his head, he blinked and recalled what had happened not long ago.

The "promised gems" were two valuable rubies. When placed together, they glowed faintly; when separated, the glow vanished.

The original Gelman had obtained them by robbing a gem merchant, then delivered them to Chrollo.

As for Pakunoda's Memory Bomb, he remembered it was a Nen ability that let her extract memories just by touching someone.

Terrifying.

Still, Pakunoda had shown some restraint. She'd only checked some of the original Gelman's memories, confirming that his background was genuine and that he held no grudge against the Phantom Troupe.

If she'd looked any further—at his Nen ability or his weaknesses, for example—the original Gelman surely wouldn't have agreed. Pakunoda hadn't seen much.

It was precisely because of this Nen ability that the current Gelman couldn't refuse to join the Phantom Troupe on the spot.

He had no good reason to convince them that he simply didn't want to join, and that there was nothing else behind it.

Gelman's past in Meteor City and as a professional assassin couldn't be faked. Anyone could look into it.

Likewise, the original Gelman's eagerness to join the Phantom Troupe couldn't be faked.

So why had Gelman suddenly changed his mind?

It was highly suspicious.

The Phantom Troupe could reasonably draw the following conclusion.

For some purpose, Gelman had altered his memories under the influence of a special Nen ability, even managing to fool Pakunoda, so he could blend perfectly into the Phantom Troupe's gathering.

Now that his goal had been achieved—or had become impossible—Gelman had somehow awakened his "true memories" and chosen to leave.

Once they reached that conclusion, the Phantom Troupe couldn't let him go until they uncovered the "truth."

And Feitan would inevitably lead the interrogation.

Gelman didn't want that future.

In theory, the original Gelman had already passed the test. As long as the current him was careful and didn't arouse suspicion, he would be fine.

If he wanted to leave the Phantom Troupe, he would have to wait for the right opportunity. Tonight definitely wasn't the time.

Clap, clap, clap—

Chrollo began to applaud.

The others glanced at him, then joined in with scattered claps.

When the applause died down, Chrollo surveyed the group before speaking again.

"Tonight's gathering isn't just for everyone to meet the new No. 4 member, Hisoka, and the new No. 8 member, Gelman. There's one more thing I need to discuss."

"Next year, we'll have a 'group activity.'"

So that was it.

The others finally understood.

Chrollo had rarely called both old and new members together to get acquainted. The real purpose had been to discuss next year's group activity.

Gelman was surprised to realize that this was another event that shouldn't have existed.

In the original timeline, after 1996, the Phantom Troupe held small gatherings, but never again did the entire group reunite.

They didn't all gather again until 1999, for that year's group activity: robbing the largest Underground Auction in Yorknew City.

But this group activity had been moved up to 1998. Gelman hadn't expected that.

And there was no doubt this group activity would be a bloody, violent slaughter.

The original Gelman might have been interested. The current Gelman wasn't.

Chrollo wasn't finished.

"I'll let you know the meeting place and time a month or two in advance next year. I hope everyone will come, whether or not you have something important to do."

As he spoke, Chrollo suddenly smiled and looked toward Feitan and Hisoka, both habitual absentees from small gatherings.

Feitan said nothing, simply nodding.

Hisoka slowly raised a hand to his lips, then delicately pulled a playing card from his mouth with his fingers.

"Mmm-hmm. Chrollo, are you saying that just for me?"

Hisoka's voice and gaze always had a sticky quality to them.

"I'm so honored. I can almost feel your love for me..."

"Yes," Chrollo admitted without hesitation. "I am saying it just for you."

"Ah... How wonderful... If you granted me a few little requests, perhaps I'd agree to anything..."

Slap.

Chrollo didn't respond to Hisoka. Instead, he clapped his hands once and glanced around at everyone.

"That concludes tonight's gathering. We're dismissed."

Chrollo stood and ended the gathering briskly.

He nodded to the others, then headed for the Bell Tower stairs, showing no interest in staying to catch up.

"How boring..."

Hisoka licked his lips with a smile, waved, then followed Chrollo out.

Everyone at the gathering tonight, including the newly joined No. 8, was somewhat interesting. But Chrollo was still the one who interested him most.

The other Phantom Troupe members exchanged glances, then rose from their seats one after another.

They could tell Hisoka had some kind of malicious obsession with Chrollo, so they would never leave the two of them alone together.

The eleven Phantom Troupe members, each with their own motives, descended the stairs in turn and disappeared into the vast darkness of night.

In less than three minutes, the hall inside the Bell Tower had fallen silent.

Gelman put his black triangular hat back on, rested his hand on his chin, and sank into meditation until a familiar voice roused him once more.

"So, have you decided?"

Machi stood before him with her arms crossed, chin slightly raised. She met his eyes coldly, showing no sign of backing down.

"Decided what?"

"Obviously, where you want the tattoo."

A tattoo?

Ah... Right, all the Phantom Troupe members had a twelve-legged Spider tattoo on their bodies, with their member numbers on the spider's abdomen.

Since things had gone this far, he might as well keep up the pretense. There'd always be a way to deal with the tattoo later.

Gelman glanced down at his left leg and pointed to it. "Put it on my thigh."

"All right."

Machi didn't waver. She took out two needles that gleamed in the clear moonlight.

She lifted her chin, signaling Gelman to bare his thigh so she could complete the Spider tattoo.

Was this really how the Spider tattoo was done? Gelman wondered.

At Machi's prompt, he sat on the cold floor, rolled up his trouser leg, and exposed his fairly muscular thigh.

Machi held a needle in each hand and stabbed them into Gelman's thigh without warning.

Ssh, ssh, ssh—

She moved incredibly fast. With his naked eye, Gelman could see only a blur of chaotic afterimages.

A tingling sting spread across the skin of his thigh. Then he saw the outline of the Twelve-Legged Spider tattoo appear.