Luke understood clearly that simply a very large aura reserve wouldn't be enough unless one reached the levels of Ant King, darkened Gon, or Chairman Netero.
Most of the time, it all still came down to how well you applied your Nen ability and advanced Nen techniques.
Like Morel's later battles against Leol and Cheetu, the way he wielded such techniques was truly masterful, toying with those two Chimera Ants until they were completely lost.
"I still need to study advanced techniques…"
After strengthening, Luke pondered, then put away the power booster.
"No matter how many times I see it, it still amazes me."
Father Lisores, standing nearby, waited quietly for Luke to finish his business before sighing softly.
"You'll get used to it in time."
Luke smiled at him.
"I'm very pleased that you've been able to produce such a film, one that the children in Meteor City love."
Father Lisores said kindly: "Later, I will report your achievements to the elders of Meteor City and gain their support."
In other words, it was time to discuss securing investment for himself and Chrollo.
"Thank you very much."
Luke, who had already thought this through long ago, naturally had no objections.
After receiving the answer he wanted, Father Lisores looked at Luke with even greater satisfaction.
Such a sensible, tactful child is quite rare in Meteor City, where there's no shortage of people.
Not to mention, he possesses such a unique Nen ability.
Speaking of Nen ability, Father Lisores's thoughts shifted to the character played by Luke and his team in the film.
"I didn't expect you to make Chrollo the central character. I thought you'd be the protagonist."
Father Lisores was also somewhat curious: "You gave yourself the role of the great inventor in the film."
"Is there a reason for that?"
"Reason…"
Luke chuckled: "Of course there is!!"
Chrollo stood at the front of the stage, well-known to the children in Meteor City. He had already enjoyed the applause of the crowd during the dubbed version of Clean-Up Rangers.
Once is new, twice becomes familiar. This kind of thing was best left to Chrollo.
He only needed to maintain the mystique surrounding himself as the great inventor.
Because Luke had also discovered another potential use for his Nen ability.
Aside from appearing in the story, accepting requests from the main team, and providing them with suitable inventions, which in turn gave him the conditions to create the inventions he wanted, Luke had another idea.
'Dr. Heimerdinger is amazing! He's a genius inventor. He seems to have all sorts of amazing inventions at his disposal!'
'He always provides timely assistance to the members of the Hundred Beasts Squad. I think it would be wonderful to have someone like him who helps me too!'
'I'm mainly interested in his inventions. If… It would be great if I could invent something that would allow me to eat delicious food, hehe… slurp!!"
The more such thoughts and desires arose, the more requests began to form; it began to resonate slightly with Luke's ability!!
Yes, that's right!!
Not only could Luke's role as the great inventor receive requests from the main team within the story.
If the work itself, once broadcast and spread, was seen by audiences and sparked their imagination and expectations, thus giving birth to new requests… his ability could sense them too!!
Although this request isn't nearly as powerful as a face-to-face one, it still offers Luke limitless possibilities for his inventions!!
As long as it spreads more widely and becomes known to more people, he'll likely receive more and more requests.
Even if the impact isn't significant, it will ultimately lead to a qualitative change!!
Luke believed that if this work and his image in it as Dr. Heimerdinger, the great inventor, spread worldwide and took root in people's hearts, then his own power would undergo an earth-shaking transformation!!
Looking at it this way… This wasn't just any ordinary golden finger; it was absurdly broken.
But Luke didn't mind.
In fact, it reminded him of a certain protagonist in a novel, where, by drawing manga, he could obtain things from within the manga itself, even enter the world of manga.
Now that was a true golden finger!!
…
Late at night, after finishing the day's screening, an event that might as well have been a fan meeting, the group returned to the abandoned warehouse.
Even if Luke added more floors to Nobunaga's house, the area just couldn't hold so many people.
But this abandoned warehouse, on the other hand, is spacious enough for a group to sit on the floor.
To celebrate the success of the screening, to reward everyone's hard work, and to boost group unity, Luke especially brought out beer, soda, and barbecue!!
Of course, the feast wouldn't be complete without crayfish.
"Hahahaha, I really was born with the talent to play villains!!"
Uvogin laughed loudly, tossing three or five bright red crayfish straight into his mouth, crunching them all down.
With his other hand, he lifted a beer and gulped it down, eating and drinking to his heart's content.
Nearby, Phinks had his arm around Feitan, boasting endlessly about how wise he had been to choose the role of the villain.
The two of them playing the villains received unanimous recognition and praise from everyone!!
At one point, he even picked up a few skewers of barbecue, intending to feed them to Feitan.
The latter pushed him away in extreme disgust.
Indeed, the two of them playing villains true to their own natures was vivid and lifelike, fully acknowledged by the children in Meteor City.
But in terms of popularity, it's clear that the five members of the Hundred Beasts Squad are still the most popular!
Who the hell would want to be a villain if they could be the protagonist?!
Sarasa was delighted, happily pulling Machi and Sheila along as she chattered about her thoughts on their performance.
"If grandma and the others saw it, they would definitely be proud of me!!"
Sarasa grinned, brimming with pride.
Unlike the others, she had family here in Meteor City.
With a family background, Sarasa leaned more toward the side of kindness.
And it was precisely because of this that later, when Sarasa met such an inhuman end, it drove Chrollo and the others into darkness, leading to the birth of the Phantom Troupe.
But now, everything in the future will be very different.
"Luke, we toast you…"
Franklin, just in his early teens, together with Shalnark, both raised their cups toward Luke.
"Thank you for giving us this opportunity to participate in such a work and play such a role…"
He said solemnly, with Shalnark nodding repeatedly beside him: "This is my first time playing the leading role."
Pakunoda, standing nearby, added with a smile: "We're all the same."
"So, everyone has even more reason to thank Luke!!"
Seeing the heated atmosphere, Chrollo stood up and cleared his throat.
"Everyone!"
At his resounding call, everyone stopped what they were doing and looked toward him.
"Let us all raise a toast to Luke!!"
"Let's thank him for his contributions to this work, and for giving us this chance!"
"Everyone, raise your glasses…"
Chrollo was the first to lift his glass.
Then the tall Nobunaga followed, then Uvogin with his mouth stuffed full, and Phinks, who was equally excited.
Feitan, who was cursing at him, Sheila, with a gentle smile on her face, and Sarasa, who was filled with joy.
And Machi, who also raised her arms high, with a smile on her face.
With a toast, they all turned their glasses to the man sitting before them.
"…"
Luke slowly stood up, taking in the scene before him…
"Cheers!"
He raised his full glass and gulped it down.
Everything he wanted to say was said with this action!
"Cheers!!!"
The group cheered, tilting their heads back and chugging their drinks.
Well, the youngest, Sarasa and Machi, still opted for juice drinks.
Although they protested, they couldn't resist the pressure from the others.
Afterward, Chrollo wanted Luke to say a few words to cheer everyone up.
But in the end, Luke simply smiled and whispered: "I've seen all of your dedicated effort and hard work during this time."
"I believe that with our combined strength, we will definitely complete this work well."
"When we gain enough recognition, not only will we film Battle of the Beasts, but we'll also shoot many other series."
"By then, we won't have to stay confined to Meteor City."
"We can step outside of Meteor City, into the wider world!!"
"Let the whole world see our works!!!"
The whole world?!!
When this phrase was uttered, everyone's eyes lit up with an immense passion.
Originally, they were confined to Meteor City, struggling to survive and put food on the table.
Now, suddenly, they realized, they too could have such ambition!! They too could achieve something so great!!
And all of this opportunity was thanks to…
"Luke!"
Uvogin gulped down the food in his mouth, then raised his booming voice: "From now on, I'll follow you completely!"
The gruff voice stung everyone's eardrums, but they couldn't bother to scold Uvogin.
"We too!"
Phinks was the second to stand up, and beside him, Feitan had already risen as well.
Machi, beside Uvogin, rubbed her still-aching ear as she stood.
Nobunaga smoothed his hair and stood behind Luke without hesitation.
"And us too!!"
Sarasa waved her little hand while pulling Sheila up with her.
"We'll follow you too!"
Franklin's gaze was firm, and Shalnark clasped his hands behind his head, grinning.
"How could we be left out of something like this?!"
That missing tooth of his was especially eye-catching.
"…"
Chrollo looked at Luke with a clear gaze and a bright smile on his face.
"I believe you can definitely lead us even farther!!"
Behind him, Pakunoda nodded gently.
Luke had long since proven himself with his abilities, numerous inventions, and achievements.
He had become the undisputed core figure, recognized by everyone.
They had no objections to Luke's leadership and were completely convinced.
"…"
Luke looked out at the small group of people beside him.
"From now on, please take care of me!"
After filming and screening the Battle of the Beasts, Luke had finally put the small team together.
Including himself, there were twelve people in total.
After everything was laid out, everyone threw themselves into the performance with even greater passion and enthusiasm.
After forming a team, they truly became companions working together.
And once they felt a sense of belonging to the team, that motivation made everyone brim with fighting spirit.
Their performances were outstanding, and Chrollo's creativity was overflowing; each script and set of lines he wrote was more brilliant than the last.
After filming, they would screen the episodes during the regular gatherings at the church.
By this time, the name of the Hundred Beasts Squad had spread throughout Meteor City.
Even the adults knew that a group of children, with the help of Father Lisores and the church, had created a film that was truly unique to Meteor City.
Not to mention the children, who had already memorized by heart all five members of the Hundred Beasts Squad.
And every time after a screening, when Chrollo led everyone on stage to bow and ask for feedback, the entire hall of children would erupt into thunderous cheers and encouragement.
This sense of accomplishment was unparalleled.
Everyone involved felt a sense of pride.
Well, except for Feitan…