“By the way, Chrollo, I have indeed thought about what you just said…” “I’m sorry, but the way I see it…” “Leaving Meteor City is the optimal solution right now, no matter how you look at it.” “Of course, if you guys aren’t willing, I won’t force you…” Ian’s eyes grew a bit more serious as he looked at the other boy, his voice calm.
“Because…” “You guys weren’t exactly required members for my team to begin with…” Hearing Ian’s words, the expressions of the few people standing behind Chrollo shifted slightly.
In contrast, Chrollo remained composed, seemingly unbothered by the statement, and asked a question in a flat tone.
“Did you make that judgment because…
you are an outsider?” For some reason, Ian felt a slight fluctuation in Chrollo’s emotions when he mentioned the word ‘outsider’.
But he didn’t dwell on it, simply answering earnestly.
“Although this might be a bit hard to understand, please believe me when I say that even though I am an outsider to Meteor City, I’m probably very different from the outsiders you’re talking about.” Ian couldn’t exactly tell them…
that he was a transmigrator from another world…
So, he said lightly, “I am equally unfamiliar with the outside world, but I believe there are far more opportunities out there.” “Here in Meteor City, there are simply too many restrictions and chains holding us back.” Hearing this, a thoughtful look appeared on Chrollo’s face.
Ian, wearing a faint smile, glanced at Pakunoda, Feitan, and the others.
“Where I come from, there’s a saying about a frog at the bottom of a well.” “It describes a frog that looks up at the sky from deep inside a well and thinks that tiny patch of sky is the entire world.” “But only by jumping out of the well can it truly witness the vastness of the world and realize its own insignificance.” At this point, Ian looked at Chrollo and smiled.
“Chrollo, I think you’re well aware of Meteor City’s awkward position in the outside world.” “Meteor City is a region intentionally forgotten by the world; it’s a silent consensus reached by multiple factions.” “If you want to change the current state of Meteor City, it’s impossible to achieve by simply staying inside it…
no matter what kind of earth-shattering changes happen here.” “You have to understand, the people on the outside couldn’t care less about anything that happens in this place!” “Only by stepping into the outside world can you possibly find an opportunity to bring about change.” Ian’s words plunged Chrollo into silence.
Meanwhile, Uvogin, Machi, and the others showed expressions of agreement.
If someone had claimed they could change Meteor City before, they would have thought that person was completely insane.
However, after interacting with Ian, they truly believed he possessed such an ability.
Chrollo remained silent for a long while before speaking softly.
“It seems Uvogin and the others have indeed found a truly outstanding companion.
I admit, Ian, you’ve successfully convinced me…” “Chrollo?” Standing nearby, Pakunoda—who understood Chrollo best—was taken aback and asked with a hint of hesitation.
Chrollo glanced at her, a faint smile touching the corners of his lips, and said softly, “Of course, this decision isn’t solely mine to make.” “Feitan, Paku, and Franklin, you all should share your thoughts as well.
This isn’t just about me…” “Whether our group leaves Meteor City or not requires your judgment as well.” Hearing Chrollo’s words, Ian, standing a short distance away, paused in surprise.
*Did he change his mind that quickly?* Although Chrollo phrased it as a group decision, his personal inclination undoubtedly dictated how things would unfold.
Even though these few individuals hadn’t officially established the Phantom Troupe yet, Chrollo was already the unspoken mastermind of their small clique.
Even if they held a democratic vote, there was no doubt his decision would be supported by the rest of the team.
Power didn’t just appear out of thin air.
It was his history of making the right decisions time and time again that birthed his role as the group’s leader.
It was just like the decisions Ian made now; as long as they weren’t completely unreasonable, Machi, Uvogin, and the others would support him with both hands raised.
Chrollo wielded that same kind of authority within his own group.
A successful leader needed to have foresight, even if the group members didn’t.
As a leader, one had to be able to foresee the consequences of how a situation would develop; otherwise, they would only bring disaster to their team.
Back in the present moment.
“Since you’ve already made your judgment, Chrollo, I think it would be best to follow your lead.” The first to speak was Pakunoda.
She cast a sidelong glance at Feitan and Franklin, taking a step forward as she spoke.
At this time, Pakunoda had short hair and a rather sharp gaze.
Unlike the rough art style of the anime, even with short hair and worn-out clothes, her charm was hard to conceal.
She looked more like a glamorous mixed-race woman with striking, three-dimensional facial features and a curvaceous figure.
Her faded, slim-fit jeans accentuated her long legs, leaving much to the imagination.
As soon as her voice faded, a slender figure beside her suddenly leaped up.
“Bang!” At the bottom of the garbage mountain, a cloud of dust kicked up.
As it gradually cleared, the figure within was revealed.
Wearing a tattered white short-sleeved shirt, Feitan glared fiercely and rebelliously at Ian, Uvogin, and the others.
He furrowed his brows and shouted.
“Tch!
I’ve heard enough of your nagging…” “That guy named Ian, I don’t care about Chrollo’s decision.
If you want me to listen to you, it’s simple.
Just beat me into submission.” At this point, his tone turned slightly cold and sinister.
“However, if you can’t defeat me, then crawl back to wherever you came from!” Hearing his arrogant words, Uvogin’s explosive temper was instantly ignited.
“Hah, Feitan, are you itching for a beating?!” “Did you forget how I just taught you a lesson a couple of days ago?!” “Since when does a defeated loser like you get to act tough in front of me?!” Uvogin clenched his fists tightly and strode forward.
Behind him, Nobunaga gripped his long sword and followed closely, a cruel smile forming on his lips.
“Hey, hey, Uvogin, leave this guy to me.
After all, his words today have really pissed me off too…” Uvogin and Nobunaga both stepped forward.
Ian didn’t stop them, merely watching the show alongside Machi.
“Have you guys fought Feitan before?” Ian asked Machi curiously.
Machi tilted her head, thinking carefully before speaking.
“Uvogin should have fought him before.” “Since Uvogin rarely loses a fight, Feitan left a really deep impression on us…” “Because he actually beat Uvogin once.
Even though Uvogin beat him back later, there are very few people our age who can actually win against Uvogin…” Hearing Machi’s explanation, Ian was somewhat surprised.
He hadn’t expected Feitan and Uvogin to have such a history.
He couldn’t help but glance at Uvogin’s burly physique, then at Feitan in the distance, shaking his head and clicking his tongue in amazement.
To have defeated someone as massively built as Uvogin in a head-on clash…
He had to admit, Feitan Portor’s combat talent was truly undeniable.
Based on their conversation, it seemed they had already fought a couple of days ago.
Logically speaking, Feitan shouldn’t be a match for Uvogin and Nobunaga, who had already awakened their Nen.
So…
why was he being so provocative today?
Could it be?
Thinking of this, Ian instinctively focused his aura into his eyes…
*Gyo*!
As Uvogin and Nobunaga gradually closed in on Feitan, there was absolutely no fear on his face.
Even though he had experienced the strength of Uvogin and the others’ awakened aura just a couple of days ago, he was still brimming with fighting spirit.
He raised his hand, assuming a combat stance, and sneered.
“Hah, going two-on-one?” “Whatever, it’s just the act of cowards…” “Although my target isn’t you two, but that guy named Ian, using you as an appetizer will still be fun!” Hearing his words, Uvogin and Nobunaga laughed out of pure anger.
“You bastard Feitan, who wants to fight you two-on-one!
I’m more than enough to beat you myself!” “Uvogin, step back, let me handle this!” “Nobunaga, he’s my opponent!” “Hey, hey, you bastard, didn’t I just say I’m taking care of this guy?!” “I never agreed to that!
I have to teach this bastard a lesson myself today!” As they spoke, Uvogin and Nobunaga started arguing with each other first.
Even Feitan couldn’t help but look utterly exasperated watching this scene, shouting angrily.
“You two idiots, just come at me together!” “Who would bully you two-on-one?!” Uvogin and Nobunaga shouted in unison.
Right at that moment, Ian slowly walked up.
He gently patted Uvogin and Nobunaga on the shoulders and smiled.
“Sorry, but since he specifically challenged me, let me resolve this.” “I originally thought he was still an ordinary person, so I wasn’t planning on stepping in…” “But I didn’t expect Feitan’s talent to be this high.
He has already awakened his Nen too…” At this, Ian turned to look at Feitan ahead of them, smiling.
“Am I right, Feitan Portor?” Hearing his words, everyone present was internally shocked.
Chrollo’s expression remained perfectly calm, clearly already aware of this fact.
“Tch!
You found out?
I thought I hid it well enough to give you a nice surprise!” Feitan said in an annoyed tone from a short distance away.
A genuine smile appeared on Ian’s face as he spoke softly.
“Sorry, I was only paying attention to Chrollo’s state earlier and accidentally overlooked you.” “To be able to develop your aura to this level in such a short time, where your Ten almost resembles In…
there’s no doubt your talent is astonishing, Feitan.” Hearing his praise, Feitan furrowed his brows, his expression a bit unnatural.
“Bastard, you’re about the same age as me, so don’t talk to me with such a condescending attitude!”