Hunter x Hunter: Call Me Master Inventor

"It's different~"

Paknoda glanced at the swordsman.

"Mine is number 9."

"Although we look very similar, our numbers are different when counted backwards."

"You should be able to tell too, right?"

"We've been discovered~"

The knight-errant grinned, showing no embarrassment or awkwardness at being exposed.

"But who knows, maybe someone will actually draw the same number~"

Nobunaga, who was standing to the side, casually said something, and then drew a card from the deck of cards.

It's Q.

Nobunaga: "..."

"I think it's better to call it number 1."

He chuckled.

"Let's decide on that."

Nobody cared about his arbitrary modifications, because~

"it turns out……"

Finks stared wide-eyed at Machi and the number plate that matched the one in his hand.

"There really are identical ones?!"

Under the watchful eyes of those around them, it became clear that both of them were holding numbered 4 playing cards!

"See, I told you I'd run into him."

The knight-errant beside him laughed even more heartily.

He simply enjoys watching a spectacle and doesn't mind making things worse.

"If they're the same, then we might as well not choose either of them."

Maggie glanced at the other people's numbers:

"I want a number that comes before 4, like number 3."

No one had drawn number 3 yet, so she chose it.

"Then I'll take the one after 4."

Finks didn't want the same number plate either.

"Number 5 is it."

Neither of them chose the number 4 they drew; they both disliked it.

Thus, the initial membership number classification was determined.

From smallest to largest, they are: Nobunaga's A, Feitan's 2, Machi's 3, Phinks' 5, Shalnark's 6, Franklin's 7, Pakunoda's 9, and Uvogin's 10.

Including the two kings, Bon Clay and Chrollo, there are exactly ten people.

However, besides those ten~

"And there's Salazar and Sheila too."

von Clay folded the remaining playing cards with his backhand:

"When they come back and join us..."

Let them draw their own numbers then.

Thus, the Phantom Troupe's charter was initially established.

And Bon Clay also established rules for the members of the Phantom Troupe, now known as the Phantom Troupe:

"First and foremost, fighting among members of the guild is strictly prohibited; that's the most basic rule."

von Clay said calmly:

"Unless you formally choose to leave the group."

"If members disagree, they can decide by drawing playing cards and guessing whether it is red or black. The person who guesses wrong must unconditionally follow the decision of the person who guesses right."

In a deck of cards, besides the two jokers, there are four suits: diamonds, clubs, hearts, and spades, which are the opposite colors of red and black.

Guessing red or black, with a 50/50 chance, is a fair and just method.

"Then, the commander's orders take the highest priority, but the commander's life does not need to be put first."

"The leader is also a member of the Phantom Troupe. It is not a particular individual who should survive, but the Phantom Troupe itself."

Before anyone could offer their opinion, von Klay emphasized directly:

"If something happens to me one day..."

"You will be the new leader, Chrollo."

"Within a deck of cards, you can enjoy reading countless great books like 'Hunter x Hunter: Call Me Master Invention.' Without the King, the Joker is the highest-ranking card."

"I think……"

von Clay calmly looked into Kuroro's eyes:

"You won't let me down, will you, Kuroro?"

"Of course not, Commander."

Kuroro calmly responded in a soft voice:

"I will follow every single one of your instructions, including this one."

The other Phantom Troupe members: "..."

Well, since even the two bosses have said so, they naturally won't say anything more.

And the key point is that they all believe it.

Given von Clay's strength, methods, and abilities, there's absolutely no way the unexpected thing he mentioned would happen.

Even assuming, hypothetically, that something were to happen to von Clay...

With its dual-king system, the Phantom Troupe can seamlessly switch roles at any time.

Under new leadership, the Phantom Troupe will continue on its path.

The dual-king system was also the last requirement that Bon Clay made for the Phantom Troupe:

"If I'm not around, then Kuroro is the commander of the Phantom Troupe, and everyone else must obey his orders unconditionally."

von Klay continued, arranging:

"Just like I said earlier, in a deck of cards, apart from the Joker, the Joker has the most influence."

"At that time, Kuroro will be the sole commander."

"And if other members disagree with Kuroro, they don't need to follow the red and black card draw."

"The Joker card always has the highest priority."

Upon hearing this, Franklin, Pakunoda, and Chrollo, who had been following Kuroro for a long time, naturally had no objections.

Uvogin and Machi Nobunaga both watched Chrollo's voice acting performance in the church.

I admire and trust him quite a bit.

But Feitan and Phinks...

The two looked at each other.

The two looked at each other.

Previously, the two of them mainly extorted money from Kuroro.

Although Kuroro later earned their approval through his actual performance.

But that only applies to Meteor City.

The person who helped them open their sperm pores and led them out of Meteor City to the outside world was von Clay.

Von Clay guided them to understand the life game of "Earth Online".

Moreover, he earned his first legal money outside, and experienced so many thrilling and exciting things.

It could be said that the only person they truly trust now is von Clay.

Only von Clay.

And they were to follow Chrollo's orders when Bon Clay was away.

Well, given that this was a request made by von Clay, the two naturally complied unconditionally.

But they'll have to see if Kuroro can actually shoulder this responsibility and pressure.

Does the company truly possess the ability to lead them to a brighter future?

The two remained silent, offering no opinion whatsoever.

The more this is the case, the more carefully they will observe what happens next.

Thus, after the general tone had been discussed and agreed upon.

The Phantom Troupe was formed at the end of 1986.

Inside this abandoned warehouse, no one cares.

It was established just like that, quietly and without fanfare.

After its establishment, von Klay remained calm and composed.

There was nothing particularly exciting or moving about it.

It was as if everything had been foreseen and was a natural progression.

However, compared to the original storyline, the characters and themes are quite different.