Chapter 39: Warning X Worthy
"Move or I will strangle you to death."
Sinbad lowered the burning candle from his face with a look of confusion. He stood up but remained in his spot at the center of the room. "What's wrong? Where is this hostility coming from?"
"Just move," Machi demanded. The threatening tone of her voice sent the rest of the Troupe on guard, Nobonunga even unsheathed his long katana. Feitan prepared for a battle, cracking his knuckles. The blonde man, Phinks rolled his right shoulder, losing the joints and muscles. "I will not ask again."
Sinbad smiled, taking a step toward her. "Where would you prefer to have me since I am not allowed to sit here?"
Machi deactivated her Nen Stitches, approached Sinbad and patted her hand on the closest box. The wooden seat she selected for him was clearly not in the center of the room. She gave him a warm welcoming smile. Of course after watching every one of Sinbad's matches in Heaven's Arena, Machi was well aware of his Nen Ability: King's Court.
She didn't believe him to be moronic enough or elusive enough to activate a command without anyone noticing him but Machi would rather be safe than sorry. Not wanting to give him the opportunity to even think about it because she cared for him and the Spider.
And for Sinbad, he wanted to see if he could get away with it. He would have explained his story in full excruciating detail while slowly imbuing the room with his Nen, and maybe at another time, him having a command would be beneficial. But it wasn't important to him, earning the Troupe's favor was his current goal and he didn't want to squander it by being too ambitious.
Sinbad obliged without any resistance and found his seat, afterward Machi pulled a box of her own and sat next to him. A sign of camaraderie between the two and their brief conflict had ended.
"Machi?" Chrollo's calm and soothing voice rang from above them. He rose from his seat and leaned over the metal railing on the second floor. "Was there a problem with him sitting there? Or you had an issue with that specific box?"
"He has a nasty habit of desiring to stand at the center of the room and demand everyone's attention." Machi explained to them but kept her attention on Sinbad. Not appreciating his attempt of being sly or using his cover of explaining his story to get to the center of the room. "He doesn't always need to be the center of attention."
Immediately, every Troupe member understood her subtle warning. Do not let this man stand at the center of the room, it had something to do with his Nen Ability. Once again, the twelve members of the Phantom Troupe shared acknowledging glances.
As the only person in the room that had a basic understanding of what Sinbad was capable of, Machi didn't mind revealing this singular ability from Sinbad's moveset. She almost felt slightly relieved knowing that the rest of the members were aware of this fact, still she hoped Sinbad continued to play nice.
At this, Sinbad laughed. An honest and silly laugh which erased the tension from the room.
"I am in front of the Phantom Troupe, surely they can appreciate a good story being told. As a man of multiple talents and interests in the world of arts, I just wanted to earn the respect of your teammates. I know the rest of you all dabble into a different sort of art form but I wanted to give a grand first impression, especially since I did kill one of your own," explained Sinbad in a joyful and heartwarming tone. A theatric hand rested on his heart as he spoke and made a conscious effort to look them in the eye, also making calculating steps around his box to show his back to the other members.
The burly muscular looking man, Uvogin exploded into laughter. "Look boss, we got another funny one."
"Yeah, at least this one has manners," added Phinks. He stopped massaging his right shoulder and sat back down.
The cute black haired girl collapsed onto the wooden box behind her. "I don't know, at least Hisoka knew how to be quiet."
"I agree with the girl," said Feiten.
Chrollo looked back and forth between Sinbad and Machi. "How did you kill Hisoka?"
"I cut his head off," replied Sinbad with a sour tone. His voice still held the anger he had for the man, because he ruined the elixir of his deal between him and Machi.
"You seem to be upset about it," said Chrollo, who was still leaning over the metal railing.
Sinbad huffed with frustration as he sat down onto the wooden box Machi designated for him. "He took something very important from me and I still hold some resentment toward him."
"And what did he steal from you?" asked the woman with the prominent nose and black suit, Pakunoda.
Machi blushed, thrusting and waving her hands. "That isn't relevant to how he killed Hisoka."
"I'm assuming you know then what was so important to him that Hisoka managed to steal from?" the blonde man, Sharlnark asked while jamming a punch of buttons on his pink phone. His attention never left the phone.
Machi snapped back into composure, nodding.
"Machi, you're right," Sinbad chuckled. "It isn't that important to spend anymore time on it. I'm sure you all have been gathered here for more pressing matters so I will make it brief. We crossed paths in the Hunter Exam and he damaged me with a playing card and I wanted to kill him with the playing card but even that was denied."
Uvogin barked in laughter. "Of course you couldn't kill him with a playing card."
"Hey!" Feiten snapped. "I could have killed him with a playing card."
"Who cares, stop interrupting," said a tall burly man with a scar running horizontally across his face, Franklin.
Sinbad laughed, throwing up his hands. "Well, I did kill him with the playing card but–"
"Postpartum Nen," said Chrollo, accurately guessing the events of the match.
"Yes! His head and neck glued back together like some action figure," Sinbad said. Shizuku and Phinks smiled at the joke. "I then, unfortunately, had to normally kill him with my blade."
After Sinbad stopped talking, a silence enveloped the room. He felt the Troupe's intense stare beaming into his body.
His eyes rolled around the room. "That's all."
"What do you think, boss?" Uvo sat down on the cold cement floor. "We letting him in?"
"That's up to him, you all know the rules." Chrollo answered. His facial expressions relaxed. "So, Sinbad. Do you want to join the Phantom Troupe?"
Sinbad folded his arms and grabbed his chin, pretending to be thinking about the answer. "I haven't decided yet. I would like to see how the Phantom Troupe operates before coming to a conclusion."
"Hmm," Chrollo mumbled. 'This was the first time I felt like I received an honest and truthful answer.'
"Speaking of operations, what do we have planned? It's been a long time since every member of the Troupe has come together," said Shalnark looking up at Chrollo.
"Yes!" Uvogin shouted, clapping thunderously. "Let's get to business, boss! Tell us! What are we going to steal?"
Chrollo leaned off the metal railing, standing up straight. He kept his calm and confident expression. "We are going to steal every item from the auction. Tonight, we hit the underground auction."
Phinks whistled and Feiten nodded.
Shalnark resumed typing on his phone. "Yes, this job would require all of us."
"Do you expect any retaliation?" Pakunoda asked, stoically. Her gaze fell from the Boss to Shalnark.
"Of course we should," Machi answered, crossing one leg over the other. "All of the world's precious goods will all be in one place, they should expect thieves."
"Hmm, I agree," said Chrollo.
An evil and sinister smile expanded on Uvogin's face revealing his abnormally sharp teeth. "And what if we run into trouble?"
"Exterminate anyone who gets in the way," Chrollo answered. His attention focused on the hulking menacing man. "Uvogin, I give you permission to run wild."
Uvogin laughed, flexing his muscles. Dark red Nen oozed from his body, flooding the entire room with his bloodlust and powerful Nen. "Finally, I get to run loose."
From the corner of his eyes, Sinbad locked onto the blood frenzied man. 'You will do wonderfully.'
"When do we move out and who is attacking?" Franklin asked from atop the mountain of wooden boxes.
"Uvo, Nobunaga, Shalnark, Franklin, Feitan, Shalnark, Machi, and Shizuku, will go tonight. Take everything." Chrollo answered. "The rest will wait here."
Sinbad raised his hand, gaining everyone's attention. "If I may, I would like to warn you all about a slight issue. There will be a slight nuisance attending the underground auction."
Machi glared daggers at Sinbad, wishing for him for once to shut his mouth. She didn't want him to keep ruining his first impression with the rest of the Troupe.
"Is this nuisance more annoying than the current one I am experiencing?" Feitan asked in a deadpan tone.
Shizuku chuckled. "He means you, Sinbad."
Sinbad smiled. "Well, funny enough. This nuisance is my brother."
As if lightning struck her, Machi shuddered at the mention of Gilgamesh, remembering the Floor Master fight. Her body echoed with discomfort as she analyzed the events of the fight, the blonde boy ate the apple which forced a state of Zetsu on him but still it was nothing to repress the song of his devastating blade.
In the back of her mind, she repressed the thought of what would have happened if this attack wasn't being suppressed.
The only person to notice Machi's drastic change of expression was Chrollo due to his elevated position. He decided to remain quiet for the time being.
"Is he strong?" Uvogin asked, turning toward Sinbad. His desire to murder threatened Sinbad.
"Ask Machi, she witnessed his Floor Master fight," said Sinbad.
"Floor Master…" Phinks said as if recollecting something from the back of his mind. "Those guys are worthless."
"I agree," Feitan said, sharpening his nails. "It doesn't matter, most of us will be there. Your brother won't be much of a threat."
"Machi?" Chrollo asked. His black pupils subtly shook with intense intrigue staring at her.
"Gilgamesh isn't someone who we should take lightly," Machi uttered. If the room wasn't waiting for her answer or expert listeners, those furthest from her would have missed her answer. "He is dangerous."
"Tell me more about him?" Chrollo asked.
"Sorry Boss," Uvogin interrupted Machi from answering the question. Somehow, the smile on his face stretched further. "If this Gil and I fought, who would win?"
'He is lucky Gil isn't here, a sword would have been launched at him,' thought Sinbad, restraining a smile.
"Honestly, I'm not sure," Machi said as a mock simulation ran in her mind, comparing the two fighters. "All I do know is that his strength is undeniable. He can conjure fast projectile shooting blades and shoot them from wherever and however he pleases. And I'm certain he is capable of far much more."
"I trust your judgement, Machi," Chrollo said. He paused, taking some time to think. "However, we will continue with the operation. Do not stir any unnecessary trouble with this Gilgamesh person and if a fight breaks out, go for the kill."
Uvogin erupted in a roaring and confident laugh.
Pakunoda shifted her gaze onto the confident Sinbad. "You don't seem bothered by the Boss giving the order to kill your brother."
Sinbad threw up his hands. "He and I don't have that type of relationship."
"Don't forget you said that when I bring his head back as a souvenir, " roared Uvogin.
"I will hold that to you," replied Sinbad, smiling.