It was the Shingen-ryu training manual he had sent.
It had to be said that this book had truly provided immense help to both Chrollo and Shalnark.
And Luke's guess was correct.
When he looked over, he noticed that a faint glow had already enveloped Chrollo.
That aura was proof that he had already become a Nen user!
"While studying the book's contents, I was lucky enough to open my aura nodes."
Chrollo smiled faintly. "I'm a Specialist."
"Shalnark is a Manipulation type."
Luke turned to look at Shalnark.
Then he saw Shalnark flashing him that bright, cheerful smile.
He had grown into a clean, well-kept young man with short blond hair and a sunny disposition.
Even the missing tooth he once had has grown.
It can be said that during the years that Luke was away, the members of the brigade did not neglect their own training.
Whether inside Meteor City or outside, Uvogin and Nobunaga, Phinks and Feitan, ventured outside, accumulating experience in actual combat and life-or-death situations.
In Meteor City, Chrollo enriched his knowledge and solidified his foundation.
After Luke sent him the Shingen-ryu training manual, he and Shalnark studied and analyzed it together, training alongside Franklin and Pakunoda, making themselves ever stronger.
Well, both Franklin and Pakunoda didn't really understand, but their execution was excellent.
Under the combined guidance of Chrollo and Shalnark, their progress was equally rapid.
It could be said that everyone had mastered Nen, opened their aura nodes, and become qualified Nen users.
"In that case..."
Luke's lips curled up slowly. "We'll truly have the capital and confidence to take on the next steps."
"But before that..."
Luke said, his tone slightly more serious: "We should decide on the overall style, nature, and even the final name of our group."
"It's time to settle that properly!"
When Luke mentioned this crucial point, everyone present perked up.
Even Chrollo straightened, along with the rest, all focusing their attention on Luke standing in the center.
"It's truly gratifying to see everyone grow to this level."
Luke looked at his companions and whispered: "Whether it's Uvogin and the others fighting hard outside, or Chrollo changing the status quo here in Meteor City."
"I have all witnessed everyone's hard work."
"After all the hard work, it's time to reap the rewards, or rather..."
Luke paused. "It's time to settle everything."
Mom's Help Foundation chairman, Risnorth.
Everyone present knew the enemy they were about to face.
Before, they hadn't accumulated sufficient strength.
Or rather, they weren't prepared or confident enough to face the storm that would follow their actions.
But now, they have the initial capital to barely survive in this world.
The answer from Meteor City was unwavering.
"It's a pity that Machi isn't here. Otherwise, this gathering wouldn't be without regrets."
Luke's eyes suddenly shifted, and then he smiled while raising his voice slightly.
The others were startled at first.
But when they saw the figure behind Luke, they all shared a look of realization, then they looked at each other and smiled.
"Who said I wasn't here?"
A cool, calm voice came from behind Luke.
"Oh? So, everyone's already here."
Luke turned around and blinked at the figure leaning against the wall at the door.
"I mean, now everyone's officially here, so we can get started…"
Luke's lips curled up, his gaze reflecting the figure with long, pink-purple hair tied up in a braid.
"Welcome back, Machi."
"Shouldn't I be the one to say this?"
Machi's gaze remained as calm as ever, especially after training in the Kirimori Valley, appearing even more detached.
"You've been wandering around for so long, and you're finally back..."
Having said this, Machi seriously switched back and forth between Luke, Nobunaga, Uvogin, and Feitan.
"It's good that you came back."
That simple statement carried Machi's purest wish, a quiet, sincere care for her companions.
Though beside her…
Phinks: "...?"
He felt like he had been left out somehow, as if none of this had anything to do with him!
Well, judging by his strange outfit, it was obvious he was fine physically.
Except perhaps for some minor mental issues.
Maybe not so much mentally, but that wasn't worth worrying about.
Everyone in the brigade had long accepted that Phinks' mental state was... Occasionally off.
"Good. Now that everyone's here…"
Luke glanced around and nodded. "Including our two later-joining members."
This referred to Sarasa and Sheila.
Having promised them a place in the brigade, Luke naturally kept his word.
"Sarasa..."
Machi, now standing beside Pakunoda, lowered her eyes slightly.
Pakunoda wanted to explain Sarasa's situation, but Machi shook her head.
"I know."
Machi shook her head slightly. "I saw Sarasa leaving."
Sarasa was the youngest of them.
Her departure was certainly painful and heartbreaking.
But compared to what they were about to do, Machi agreed that her choice not to join for now was the right one.
At that moment, Luke began to speak again, moving on to the main topic.
"Our brigade has been established since we began performing the Battle of the Beasts performance."
He stood before them all.
Across from him, Chrollo stood in front.
Uvogin stood to Luke's right, arms crossed, beside Nobunaga, who was crouched with his katana in hand.
Feitan sat with his legs spread on a metal sheet, Phinks behind him with his hands in his pockets, both on Luke's left.
Franklin's massive frame sat at the back, with Shalnark standing on his left and Pakunoda on his right.
Machi stood in front of Franklin, beside Chrollo, both watching Luke attentively.
"All this time, everyone's been calling themselves brigade members."
Luke's voice wasn't loud, but it carried clearly to each of them.
"But though we've always called ourselves a brigade, we've never had a true, meaningful name."
His eyes swept across everyone…
"So, I've decided to give our brigade a real name."
Then, in a calm voice, he spoke the name that already existed in destiny…
"That is the Phantom Troupe."
"Just like this place, Meteor City, where shooting stars streak across the night sky, shining brightly for a moment before fading back into darkness, like bubbles or illusions."
Phantom Troupe…
Everyone repeated the name to themselves, then nodded one by one.
This name suited them perfectly, and they had no objections.
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