Chapter 27

"I have no objections," Morin said with a smile, addressing Chrollo. "But I'd like to know—after this team is formed, what will its nature and purpose be?"

"And…" He smiled faintly. "How will leadership be decided?"

"Fair questions," Chrollo nodded lightly. "We're all from Meteor City, with no official records to prove our existence."

"That's our mark, and the source of all our actions."

He rested a hand thoughtfully under his chin.

"For everything we desire, we'll stop at nothing."

The breeze stirred the dust around them.

"If we need a label for what we'll become," Chrollo smiled, "I think 'thieves' suits us best."

Unlike bandits, who simply rob, thieves will do whatever it takes—use any means—for what they want. This is the essence of stopping at nothing.

Hearing this, the others, including Machi, nodded slightly.

Chrollo's philosophy resonated with the nature of Meteor City.

"And the rules and characteristics of the team?"

As the concept of the team took shape, Morin felt calm. He wasn't overly excited, even as both a witness and a participant.

Chrollo clearly had thought this through in advance.

"I plan to have thirteen members, including the eight of us," Chrollo explained.

"To navigate the complex web of relationships in the outside world, we need someone who truly understands the art of weaving such a web."

He smiled.

"In nature, no creature is better at weaving webs than a spider."

"A spider has twelve legs and one head, so I plan for our team to have thirteen members."

This idea had clearly been simmering in Chrollo's mind for some time.

"Each member will be a part of the spider, and the spider must have all its legs," he said, looking at Morin. "As for me, I intend to be the spider's head."

A moment of silence followed.

Deciding the leader of a team could easily lead to disagreements.

"So, the body is to obey the commands of the head, is that right?" Morin asked calmly, already prepared for the implications.

"In principle, yes," Chrollo replied, shaking his head slightly. "But only in terms of carrying out tasks—this doesn't extend to matters of life and death."

"For instance, if I die, someone else can simply take my place."

"So, I can interpret it like this?" Morin's gaze met Chrollo's. "The team's survival is more important than the leader's life."

"If the leader dies, someone else takes over?"

"Exactly."

Chrollo nodded without hesitation.

This was his personality: extremely rational and utterly devoted to his team.

To him, the existence of the team was paramount.

"I have no objections," Morin said, having no desire to be the leader. He had no interest in leading a group of criminals, nor did he want that responsibility.

Besides, this team was Chrollo's brainchild, the product of his long-standing vision.

A Phantom Troupe led by Chrollo was the true Phantom Troupe.

Without him, it wouldn't feel the same.

Hearing this, Uvogin and Nobunaga both visibly relaxed.

Chrollo was someone they were familiar with, someone they respected and trusted. His abilities had earned their recognition.

As for Morin, there was no need to even mention their respect for him.

Although their acquaintance was recent, Morin's personality resonated strongly with them. He had helped them open their aura nodes, introduced them to Nen, and guided them into the world of Nen users.

Later, he had even stormed the Elder's quarters to rescue them, wreaking havoc and avenging them in the process.

Such a bold and vengeful act, coupled with his life-saving intervention, had left them with nothing but admiration for him.

If Morin and Chrollo had ended up in conflict over the leader's position, it would've been a situation Uvogin and Nobunaga wouldn't want to see.

Still, if they had to choose sides, they might lean slightly toward Morin.

Both men silently pondered this.

Machi, too, cast a sidelong glance at Morin, her thoughts unreadable.

While Morin had no interest in the leader's position, Chrollo suddenly turned to him with a subtle smile.

"If you don't mind, Morin," Chrollo said, "I think you could serve as the vice leader of our team."

"Vice leader?"

The term took Morin by surprise.

Vice leader of the Phantom Troupe?

That was unexpected.

In the original version of events, there had been no such position.

But now…?

"Vice leader? I like that!"

"I wouldn't trust anyone else for the role, but if it's Morin, I'm all for it!"

Uvogin and Nobunaga enthusiastically nodded in agreement.

"I have no objections," Machi said, absentmindedly playing with her lavender-pink hair.

If you have a FF you want me to translate feel free to drop it down.