Chapter 3 : Joining Phantom Troupe!!

Chrollo's voice echoed in the dimly lit hideout, each word laced with a cold but compelling authority. 

"Germain," he began, his eyes fixated on the newcomer with a calculating gaze. "You've successfully completed two trials of the Phantom Troupe."

"You retrieved the 'Promised Gem' and withstood Pakunoda's 'Memory Reading,' which proves you're a good fit for the Phantom Troupe." 

Chrollo paused, letting the gravity of his words settle. "Congratulations, you're now one of us—member No. 8."

Chrollo's smile was faint, almost mechanical. It wasn't warmth or happiness—it was a polite gesture that didn't quite reach his eyes. 

He continued, "I should clarify: the Phantom Troupe doesn't have many rules. If there's a conflict between members, it's usually resolved with a coin flip."

"You're generally free to do what you want, go where you please, but you should attend our 'gathering'.'" 

His voice softened, the formality fading just a touch.

Germain listened carefully, then removed his triangular black hat and gave a respectful bow to Chrollo and the others. "Understood," he replied with a calm tone.

As he bowed, memories of the past few weeks rushed through his mind. The "Promised Gem" was a pair of costly rubies. 

When placed side by side, they emitted a faint glow, but if separated, the glow vanished. Germain had stolen them from a jeweler, a quick job, and handed them over to Chrollo.

Pakunoda's memory-reading ability was unsettling. A mere touch could unlock someone's memories, revealing their secrets. Germain shuddered at the thought. It was a power that could expose even the deepest, darkest corners of one's mind.

Pakunoda had been careful in her probe, confirming only part of Germain's memories. She verified that his life experience was genuine and that he held no animosity toward any member of the Phantom Troupe.

The former Germain would definitely not have wanted to uncover her more, like specific details about his Nen ability or any possible weaknesses, but Pakunoda didn't delve too deeply.

It was this very Nen ability that kept Germain from outright rejecting the invitation to join the Phantom Troupe. Since he couldn't come up with a solid reason to refuse, he chose to go along with it, not because he truly wanted to join, but because he couldn't find a plausible excuse not to.

Germain's background—growing up in Meteor City and his involvement in the world of professional assassins—was genuine, easily verifiable through even a basic investigation. His initial desire to join the Phantom Troupe was also real.

But then, why did Germain suddenly change his mind?

This shift puzzled the Phantom Troupe. They speculated that Germain might have altered his memory for some reason, using a specialized Nen technique that even fooled Pakunoda. 

If this were true, it would have allowed him to blend seamlessly into the Troupe's ranks. Perhaps now, having achieved or failed to achieve his hidden goal, Germain's true memories had resurfaced, leading him to want out.

Once the Troupe started considering this theory, they couldn't risk letting Germain leave without discovering the "truth." If he had a hidden agenda, they needed to know what it was.

That's where Feitan came in. He would lead the interrogation, extracting every ounce of information through his brutal methods. This was the last thing Germain wanted, and he knew it was a future he had to avoid.

In theory, Germain had already passed the initial test to join the Phantom Troupe. Now, he had to play it cool, not drawing attention or suspicion, and definitely avoiding Feitan's interrogation chamber.

To leave the Phantom Troupe, timing is crucial—it can't be tonight.

---

**Clap, clap, clap—**

Chrollo started clapping, leading the others to follow with a more scattered applause.

Once the clapping died down, Chrollo looked around the room and continued speaking.

"In tonight's gathering, I wanted to introduce our new members—Hisoka, who is the new Number 4, and Germain, the new Number 8. There's something else I need to discuss with you all."

"Next year, we're planning a 'group activity.'"

Now everyone seemed to understand. The reason for this unusual meeting with both old and new members was to prepare for next year's group activity.

Germain was taken aback by this development—it wasn't supposed to happen. 

According to his knowledge, after 1996, the Phantom Troupe usually had smaller gatherings, but there was never a full reunion of all members. 

They didn't gather as a complete group until 1999, when they pulled off a massive heist at the underground auction in Yorknew City.

However, it seemed this event had been moved up to 1998, which threw Germain off guard. He knew that any collective activity for the Troupe was bound to be a brutal and bloody affair.

The original Germain might have been thrilled, but the current Germain was not.

Chrollo wasn't finished yet.

"I'll give you more details about the exact location and timing a month or two before the event next year. I hope everyone, regardless of your other obligations, can make it." 

Chrollo paused and smiled, glancing at Feitan and Hisoka, who were notorious for skipping smaller meetings.

Feitan just nodded silently, as was his way.

Hisoka, on the other hand, slowly raised his hand to his lips and pulled a playing card from his mouth, twirling it between his fingers.

"Uh-huh, Chrollo, is this a special reminder for me?" he said with his usual sly grin and that unnerving tone in his voice.

"It's such an honor. I can almost feel your love for me..."

"Yes," Chrollo replied without hesitation. "I specifically mentioned it to you."

"Ah... so it's true. Amazing... If you could meet a few small requests of mine, I might agree to everything..."

Chrollo snapped his fingers, ignoring Hisoka's innuendo, and glanced around at the group.

"Well, tonight's meeting is over. You're all dismissed."

Chrollo stood, signaling the end of the gathering. He nodded to everyone before heading toward the bell tower stairs, showing no interest in sticking around for chitchat.

"That was boring..." Hisoka licked his lips and smiled. He gave a wave and followed Chrollo's steps.

The other members of the Phantom Troupe also started to leave, including the newest addition, No. 8. It had been a decent meeting, but Hisoka's focus on Chrollo seemed a bit obsessive, which didn't go unnoticed. 

One by one, the eleven members exited the bell tower, each with their own motives. They faded into the night, leaving the hall eerily silent in just under three minutes.

Germain, who had put his black tricorn hat back on, rubbed his chin thoughtfully until a familiar voice snapped him out of his reverie.

"I said, have you decided yet?"

Machi stood in front of Germain, her arms crossed, chin slightly raised, and her eyes cold and unyielding as she stared at him.

"Deciding what?" he asked, a little puzzled.

"Deciding where to put the tattoo, of course," she replied matter-of-factly.

Tattoo?

Ah, right, all members of the Phantom Troupe have a tattoo of a twelve-legged spider somewhere on their body, along with a number on the spider's abdomen.

Germain shrugged internally—if he'd gotten this far, he might as well play along. There'd be ways to deal with the tattoo later on if needed.

He glanced at his left leg, then pointed to his thigh. "How about right here?"

Machi nodded without hesitation and pulled out two needles that gleamed in the moonlight.

She gestured with her chin for Germain to roll up his pants so she could start the tattooing process.

Germain wasn't sure what he was expecting, but it certainly wasn't this. Still, he sat down on the cold floor and rolled up his pants leg, exposing his muscular thigh.

Without warning, Machi plunged the needles into his thigh.

Chi chi chi—

The sound was sharp and fast, and all Germain could see was a blur of silver as the needles moved. He felt a stinging sensation on his skin, and then the outline of a twelve-legged spider began to emerge.