The Same Coin

Some Form Levied

After the auction...

These fortunes were troublesome.

While the Nostrade girl's powers were useful, it was almost equally problematic — which was curious considering how similar all their fortunes were. All except Hisoka's, although the implication that he had a judgment chain of some form levied against him could explain that variance.

But Chrollo could not bring himself to place the Troupe — his friends — in harms way. They had taken the auction loot successfully, which had been their only goal, and he had gained two new abilities in his book, A Bandit's Secret. To stay longer would invite misfortune, as these predictions clearly warned, and tempt fate. He would not do that.

Before their peaceful hideout had descended into this debate or whether to stay or not among the members, he had already made his decision. He had already acted upon it. Although he had made certain to ensure the safety of their loot, he hadn't expected this resistance.

Shalnark reviewed the information they knew about the Chain User, but something wasn't sitting right — but he couldn't place his finger on what had gone wrong. On what it was that he was missing, and the piece that evaded him seemed so...simplistic.

"Well, Boss, what now?"

"Leave or stay?"

All eyes were on him as he thought to himself, weighing yet again the information that they had garnered from their collection of fortunes against his instincts.

"Let's stay."

"We still need to address the matter of Uvogin's replacement," Machi added. "And since Nobunaga let that kid get away, that leaves—"

"The Rockbell girl," Chrollo said with a nod. "I understand, but now isn't the time to discuss it. Not under these circumstances."

"Now also isn't the time for us to be short a member," Phinks countered quietly. "Not if we are still at risk of encountering the Chain User. And Winry's Nen ability — would she be useful to counter their abilities?"

Chrollo almost considered this; it was not a flawed argument and, from what he understood, Winry-san's Nen ability had not yet finished its evolution. It was still growing and changing. She might be a useful weapon to have after all. Except...

"I have dismissed the Rockbell girl already," he admitted.

Hisoka made a sound.

"Well, call her back," Phinks said. "She can't have gotten far."

"I will not," Chrollo refused softly. "She has already left Yorknew City, and has taken the auction loot with her."

"She what?"

"You let her leave with our loot?!"

"She's not even a member, how could you let her do that, Boss?"

Chrollo made a small gesture; "Nobunaga, Franklin, Feitan, Machi, Pakunoda...Phinks and Shalnark...Come to me."

They did as he bid, and he used his fingers and Nen to show them in his hands what his message was; the words he didn't want to say aloud. They didn't speak a word of protest once he had. Hisoka's head tilted to one side.

"We will discuss the matter of a thirteenth member when this is done."