Chapter 2: The Phantom Troupe Gathering!!

The Phantom Troupe had expanded from the original 8-9 members to a confirmed 13, all of whom were "Class A wanted criminals."

Each member had a specific number. The leader, Chrollo, held the number 0, while the other members could choose freely from numbers 1 to 12.

Machi picked number 3.

However, in that same year, the Phantom Troupe lost two members in quick succession.

Member No. 8 was targeted by the infamous "World's No. 1 Killer Family"—the Zoldyck family—and was killed.

Member No. 4 was killed by Hisoka.

According to the theatrical version, member No. 4 wasn't actually killed, only his substitute was, but this doesn't change the outcome.

Despite losing two members, the Phantom Troupe still maintained their minimum of 13 members, ensuring their "spider with twelve legs" structure, and began to recruit replacements.

The way the Phantom Troupe recruits members is unique.

The first method involves defeating or killing a current member, allowing the winner to recommend themselves to join the Phantom Troupe. This is how Hisoka, who "killed" member No. 4, took his place.

The second method involves the leader Chrollo personally selecting new members. For example, Shalnark, a new recruit who also came from Meteor City, was found by Chrollo between 1996 and 1999.

The third method is by member recommendation, with a collective decision made by all Troupe members during a meeting. If there's disagreement, they resolve it by flipping a coin.

In 1999, Nobunaga, a prominent member of the Phantom Troupe, considered recruiting Gon and Killua to join their ranks. However, in the end, nothing came of it.

In a separate case, the leader of the Phantom Troupe, Chrollo, temporarily added someone as a fourth category member due to special circumstances.

From 2000 to 2001, Illumi and Kalluto, both sons of the Zoldyck family, joined the Phantom Troupe under these special arrangements.

It's important to note that the Phantom Troupe doesn't hold grudges against those who might have caused the death of their members, even if it was an individual or certain family.

On the contrary, if there's a shared interest, the Troupe is open to collaboration, demonstrating their pragmatic approach to alliances. 

This might be due to the fact that the original No. 8 member wasn't central to the initial formation of the Troupe, so his death didn't affect them as much.

However, if the core members of the Troupe, such as Uvogin, Shalnark, or even Chrollo himself, had been killed by a rival group or family, their reaction would have been entirely different.

Because of the different methods of recruiting new members, the Phantom Troupe has a flexible structure, which means meetings aren't always fully attended, and sometimes members don't see each other for more than three years at a time.

The events of Hunter x Hunter start in 1999, but the current timeline in this story is November 21, 1997. This means that in this storyline, the new member who was originally planned to join as No. 8, Shizuku, hasn't yet become part of the Phantom Troupe.

At this point, Germain had just killed his handler and embarked on a solo career as a professional assassin.

Since he and the Phantom Troupe's members both came from Meteor City, Germain showed a strong interest in joining the infamous group. After a chance encounter with Machi, he offered to become a new member.

Despite not particularly liking Germain, Machi adhered to the "business first" principle and recommended him to Chrollo. She wasn't fond of Hisoka either, but that didn't stop her from mending his wounds after battles, so it was nothing personal.

With Germain's unexpected appearance, dynamics within the Troupe subtly shifted. Chrollo didn't immediately make a decision, instead convening a "Phantom Troupe Gathering"—a meeting that didn't occur in the original timeline. 

All 12 members of the Phantom Troupe attended, and they were told that a new member might join their ranks.

Given that both Germain and Chrollo came from Meteor City and were Nen users, Germain already had some support among the group. 

However, Chrollo opted for caution, requiring Germain to complete two trials, influenced in part by Machi's uneasy feeling about him.

Despite these reservations, Germain successfully passed both trials. With that, Chrollo approved his joining the Troupe.

However, the night Germain returned from his trials, something unexpected happened—another Germain took his place.

This was an outcome no one could have anticipated.

As Germain pondered his situation, he heard a creaking sound from ahead. Looking up, he saw Machi pushing open the heavy wooden door and stepping into the silent bell tower.

Germain carefully followed behind Machi, maintaining a cautious distance as her ponytail swayed with each step. They ascended a spiraling stone staircase and finally reached the inner workings of the bell tower—a labyrinth of intricate gears and levers.

However, the once-gleaming machinery was now cloaked in thick dust and adorned with delicate cobwebs.

Upon arriving at the top, Germain saw a group of individuals, each distinct in appearance. Some stood, others sat, but all seemed completely at ease in the gloom.

Machi approached them without hesitation, her demeanor unchanging.

A sliver of moonlight filtered through the gaps in the stone, casting a sharp line across the floor, dividing Germain from the group. It was like an unspoken boundary, a symbolic barrier between him and the formidable figures before him.

Even without introduction, it was clear who these people were—the Phantom Troupe.

There was Kortopi, the No. 12 member, whose long hair nearly concealed his face.

Uvogin, the towering and muscular No. 11 member, resembled a brute force of nature.

Bonolenov, the No. 10 member, wrapped entirely in bandages.

Pakunoda, the No. 9 member, a striking blonde woman with a prominent nose.

Franklin, the No. 7 member, with shoulders as broad as a boulder and earlobes hanging past his jawline.

Shalnark, the No. 6 member, with short blond hair and an intense, penetrating gaze.

Phinks, the No. 5 member, dressed in sportswear with eyebrows so pale they were almost invisible.

Hisoka, the No. 4 member, stood out with his flamboyant maroon hair styled into flame-like peaks, his face painted with stars and teardrop makeup.

Then there was Machi, the one who brought Germain here, the No. 3 member.

Feitan, the No. 2 member, a small man with his face half-covered by a high collar.

And finally, Nobunaga, No.1 member, who wore his hair in a topknot, sported a mustache, and had a samurai sword at his side.

Germain could feel the tension in the air. Each member exuded an aura of danger, as if any sudden move could trigger chaos. As he stood on the precipice of this encounter, he knew he had to tread carefully.

Dressed in a black coat and sporting a cross-shaped tattoo on his forehead, Chrollo, the leader of the Phantom Troupe, is known for his penetrating gaze.

This group is composed of undeniably ruthless individuals.

When it comes to achieving their objectives, whether against enemies or anyone deemed insignificant, they employ any means necessary, often resorting to extreme violence.

Yet, they show a different side among their own. Especially in their home territory, Meteor City, they have a softer touch, often selling their stolen loot to fund charitable projects for the locals.

This duality defines the Phantom Troupe: cruelty to outsiders, loyalty to their own.

It's no wonder Germain wants nothing to do with them.

As an ordinary person, avoiding the Phantom Troupe is just common sense. The reasons are pretty clear.

For one, if they discovered his secret—that he's not who he appears to be—the consequences would be unpredictable and likely dire.

For another, Germain isn't interested in participating in the Troupe's activities, which often involve attacking innocent people. He'd prefer to keep his distance.

But given the circumstances, he has no choice but to continue pretending to be like the original body owner.

Germain knows a bit about the Phantom Troupe.

Had he turned his back on Machi and fled, he'd probably be dead by now.

Or worse. Feitan has a reputation for enjoying torture, and Germain would rather avoid that experience.

It's not like he had a real choice.

From Germain's perspective, it's simple: he doesn't want to join the Phantom Troupe. But from their perspective, it's much more complex.

It's also tied to one of the trials he's accepted.

Germain and the Phantom Troupe exchanged silent stares. This quiet stand-off lasted for about a minute, with neither side willing to break the silence first.