Sarasa has her own family.
Although not her biological child, her adoptive mother and the family who adopted her treat her very well.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have developed such an optimistic and cheerful personality.
When the tragedy occurred in the original timeline, Chrollo and his group, searching for clues and information about Sarasa's whereabouts, specifically went to Sarasa's adoptive mother's home.
The fact that such a group of young men from Meteor City would go to her home to ask questions shows that the members of this family are very gentle and kind.
Now, all these years have passed.
Sarasa's adoptive mother is getting older.
Everyone in Meteor City dreams of seeing the outside world.
This is especially true for the elderly.
The older you get, the more you feel that time is running out.
This feeling becomes more urgent, and the more you don't want to let this become a regret in your life.
"So, take your adoptive mother and explore the sights of the outside world to your heart's content."
Luke whispered, pulling out two pieces of ID: "These are the IDs I asked a friend to get for you and your adoptive mother..."
Luke walked over to Sarasa and took her hand.
He placed the two pieces of ID in her palm.
"I also have Sheila's phone number. Once you're in the outside world, if she's in a place with a signal, you can contact her.
"And not just her, you can contact us too…"
Luke looked at Sarasa, who lowered her head and remained silent.
"We are also your strongest and most solid support."
The others listened quietly.
No one spoke while Luke talked.
Even Pakunoda, who cared deeply for Sarasa and was her closest friend, couldn't express any opinions at this moment.
Everything depends on Sarasa's own choice.
"..."
Sarasa finally raised her head.
Her once bright eyes had now turned a deep red.
"Didn't we agree to form a brigade together and go out and perform in every corner of the world?!"
"That doesn't conflict with you taking your adoptive mother with you to see the world."
Luke smiled and said: "We have always been good companions."
"But because of what we are about to do, there may be significant side effects and backlash in the short term."
"So, for some time to come, we can't let you, and certainly not your adoptive mother, bear such a risk."
Sarasa immediately wanted to speak after hearing this.
Luke waved his hand, interrupting what she was clearly about to say: "I know what you're trying to say."
"As companions, we do need to shoulder these burdens together."
"But..."
Luke chuckled. "As companions, we should be even more considerate of each other."
"You and your adoptive mother don't have to face the unnecessary troubles and pressures of the future with us now."
"Go ahead and see the world. When you're done, if you want to come back, we will still welcome you."
"There will always be a place for you in the brigade… Sarasa."
Luke finally placed his palm gently on her head.
"Just like Sheila, who left earlier."
At the mention of Sheila, Sarasa completely lost control.
Tears began to flow from her already red eyes, unable to be held back any longer.
"Really… Is there still a place for me?"
Her voice trembled slightly, hoarse from emotion.
And the answer…
"Of course."
Came from Luke's firm tone, and from the warm smiles of all her former companions around her.
Even Phinks, who was always so awkward about these things, when Sarasa looked his way, forced a grin and showed that signature, somewhat friendly smile of his.
"Don't worry, Sarasa!"
Uvogin flexed his muscles, his grin widening even wider.
"I'll guard your spot for you!"
"You don't have to."
Nobunaga rubbed his messy hair. "No one can take that away from me."
Franklin nodded vigorously. "Don't worry!"
"Leave this to us!"
Pakunoda stepped closer and quietly comforted her.
Although Sarasa was still a little girl, she wasn't as childish or spoiled.
She wiped her tears away with one hand.
"Then it's a promise!"
She held out her pinky finger toward Luke and Chrollo, standing beside him.
"Let's pinky swear!"
"Pinky swear."
This childlike gesture only made Luke take the promise even more seriously.
He extended his hand, and their little fingers hooked together.
After Sarasa and Luke made their pinky promises, she looked back at Chrollo, who had remained silent beside Luke.
(T/N: What if Sarasa can't escape her fate and still dies a miserable death while traveling outside?)
"We..."
Chrollo spoke softly while extending his own pinky. "We're all here."
Snap.
The moment their fingers touched, the promise between Sarasa and the bride was sealed.
Just like with Sheila before, even though she had left, that didn't deny the fact that they had once been companions.
Now, Sarasa would take the identification document Luke had prepared for her and her adoptive mother and go out to see the world.
Not just for her adoptive mother, but for herself.
Being able to travel to the outside world she had always longed for was actually a very happy thing.
At least, compared to what Luke and Chrollo were about to do.
It did seem very wonderful.
"Have you made such powerful friends out there?"
Watching Sarasa leave, Chrollo smiled and looked at Luke beside him.
"I thought you'd be like Uvogin and the others, only focused on fighting and roaming around..."
"Don't lump me in with them."
Luke waved his hand and said to Chrollo with a smile: "I did more than just that outside."
For example, about that ID card, whether it was Ickshonpe or anyone else, they could easily and conveniently obtain it.
Now, up close, the thirteen-year-old Chrollo showed a demeanor completely unlike that of his peers.
Although his appearance was a little immature, his overall demeanor had already shifted towards calmness and maturity.
Or perhaps it could be said that his inherent charisma and leadership style were gradually beginning to emerge.
With the support of Elder Veyron in Meteor City, he had learned so much knowledge and taken bold action to address the current situation in Meteor City.
In just a few years, Chrollo's demeanor had completely changed.
His complexion was paler than usual.
Not the kind of fair, but a sickly paleness.
Two small blue ornaments hung from his earlobes, and a bandage was wrapped around his forehead.
"On this point, I think Shalnark and I have the best say."
Chrollo smiled and waved the book in his hand at Luke.
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.