The news that Chrollo was inviting the children of Meteor City to watch a cartoon quickly spread throughout Meteor City.
Many children heard about it and were eagerly looking forward to the day.
Finally, as the appointed date approached, the children arrived at the church.
They saw Chrollo, Sheila, and Sarasa greeting the children at the door.
Even Father Lisores had a kind and gentle expression as he held food in his hands, welcoming the children who came to watch.
Although it was just the lowest-quality flatbread, the fact that they could watch cartoons and also get something to eat made the children extremely excited.
"I didn't expect him to actually gather so many children to watch such a show."
Uvogin, who had also heard the news and had come to watch the excitement, was impressed.
You know, Meteor City was quite poor, so for children to be able to watch cartoons was a rare and exciting thing, enough to make them burst with joy.
But…
"Hey, Chrollo, you took my videotapes, and it seems you're using them quite well."
Uvogin stopped in front of Chrollo and patted him firmly on the shoulder.
"I'm really looking forward..."
He then threatened: "Looking forward to what would happen after the screening!"
Well, Chrollo's intention to treat the children to cartoons had slightly improved Uvogin's impression of him.
But the thought that Chrollo had taken out these cartoon tapes, all looted from his own territory, made him particularly unhappy.
He's basically using his stuff for this!
"I'm looking forward to it, too."
Chrollo seemed particularly cheerful today, even flashing a lovely smile at Uvogin.
It was completely unlike his usual avoidance of Uvogin.
"Hmph!"
Uvogin snorted, saying nothing more.
Chrollo glanced behind Uvogin and spotted a group of people walking towards him.
"Hey, little Chrollo."
The relationship between Phinks and Chrollo wasn't as tense as it was between Uvogin.
Well, Phinks was mainly trying to steal Chrollo's things, and what Chrollo gave him was useless.
With one robbing, the other playing tricks, it was safe to say neither of them suffered much.
Phinks was in the stronger position during the robbery, so he didn't harbor much resentment towards Chrollo.
In fact, after seeing Uvogin like this, he even offered him a rather pleasant invitation: "If you're still up for it after you're done with Uvogin."
Phinks bared his brilliant white teeth: "Come play football with us next."
"I haven't played football in ages!"
"Well, we'll talk about that later."
Chrollo responded politely. Then he noticed Feitan standing next to Phinks.
That scornful look in his eyes, his dismissive expression, and that explosive hairstyle sticking out like a gas cylinder mishap, in one word, fierce.
Of course, appearances were secondary.
What struck Chrollo as different was that Phinks and Feitan, both of them, exuded a spirit that seemed different from the others.
It wasn't that their bodies had undergone any physical changes.
It was their mental state.
They were unlike the other kids hanging out in Meteor City, clueless about what to do tomorrow.
They simply muddled through, risking their lives to grab a single resource, resorting to any means necessary.
And now, looking at the mental state of Phinks and Feitan...
From their spirit and bearing, it felt as though they had found some greater goal, something to ignite their fighting spirit.
"Is it because of that person?"
Chrollo's gaze also caught sight of the trio heading their way here.
On the left was Machi; he knew her.
On the right was Nobunaga; he'd heard of him.
But the young man in the middle was a completely new face…
Chrollo thought about it in his mind, and he could guarantee that he had never seen him before.
"You are Chrollo, right?"
When Luke stood before Chrollo, the ten-year-old Chrollo was also sizing him up.
Well, this was the first time Luke had ever had a face-to-face conversation with Chrollo.
Although Chrollo was only ten years old, he wasn't particularly tall, only slightly taller than Machi and Feitan, and his face looked a bit childish.
But he did seem to have a special charm that made some children unconsciously want to gather around him.
"Luke."
"Chrollo."
That was how the two of them got to know each other.
They both tacitly avoided mentioning what happened outside the church that day.
Just as they were exchanging names, next to them…
"Huh? What's the meaning of this? Is it for me?"
Phinks looked at the bowl of low-quality dough held before him and couldn't help but raise his nonexistent eyebrow.
"Help us hand out snacks!"
From beneath the bowl of snacks, Sarasa's lively little face peeked out.