Chrollo Lucilfer's Skill Borrowing

Lore & Background

The philosophy behind Skill Borrowing reflects Chrollo's desire to understand and master every form of human potential he encounters. However, the power is not without cost; he must adhere to strict conditions set by the original users or his own self-imposed rules. Most notably, he cannot use abilities that are fundamentally incompatible with his Specialist nature or those that require a specific condition he cannot fulfill, such as needing to be in love to activate a skill.

In Their Own Story

The rain fell softly on the streets of Yorknew City, masking the tension between two figures. Chrollo stood calmly, his eyes scanning the nervous opponent before him. He did not raise a fist or gather energy; instead, he reached into his coat and withdrew a small, worn book. With a gentle touch, he flipped to a page that glowed with a faint, stolen light. 'I have read your story,' Chrollo murmured, his voice devoid of malice yet filled with absolute certainty. In an instant, the air around him shifted as a technique not originally his own manifested, ready to end the fight before it truly began.

Reader's Guide

Skill Borrowing functions by allowing the user to steal any Nen ability they touch, provided the ability is recorded in a book or associated item. The stolen skill is then stored within 'The Book of Greed,' which Chrollo carries on his person. To use a borrowed ability, Chrollo must open the book and turn to the specific page containing that technique. He can then activate it as if it were his own, but he must strictly adhere to any conditions or limitations originally set by the previous owner. A critical restriction is that he cannot borrow abilities that contradict his own Nen category (Specialist) or those with conditions he physically cannot meet, such as requiring a specific emotional state. Additionally, he cannot use more than one stolen ability at a time if they require conflicting focus, though he can switch between them rapidly.

Did You Know?

• Chrollo's book contains the names of all Phantom Troupe members on its cover, symbolizing his bond with his family.
• He cannot steal abilities that are purely instinctual or not written down in some form.
• The ability was originally used to help him defeat powerful opponents during the Yorknew City arc by countering their unique skills.