The thought of recording all the experiences and encounters along the way into a book alone was enough to set Law's blood boiling.
In his previous life, Law's true adventure hadn't even begun before he was inexplicably transported to the Hunter x Hunter World.
Now, the faint spark within him has grown strong enough, and the uncharted territories of this world are vast enough for him to write a travelogue of his own.
In the night, Law's eyes gleamed with a dazzling light.
Two men with aligned goals could feel the heat in each other's blood through their exchanged gazes.
Law reined in his surging emotions slightly, raised his right hand, and with a surge of Aura, conjured the God Hand's book. He then picked up a piece of white limestone from the ground.
Ging didn't know what Law intended to do and watched him curiously.
Law opened the book to the first page and dragged the piece of white limestone across the pitch-black page, leaving a distinct white mark.
Watching this, Ging recalled their earlier conversation and immediately realized that Law might be planning to write his own biography or travelogue.
Using the white limestone to leave a mark on the Nen-conjured book was likely to test whether the mark would remain after dismissing and re-summoning it.
'Was Law planning to… use his uniquely empowered book as a notebook?'
'To even have such an idea…'
At this thought, Ging sighed inwardly, 'Unfortunately, materialized objects wouldn't retain any external attachments once dismissed.'
Unaware of Ging's thoughts, Law dismissed the book after leaving the white mark. Amidst scattered points of light, fine white dust drifted down from the air.
"Doesn't work, huh?"
Watching the slowly falling dust, Law summoned the book again and flipped to the first page… the white mark from before was no longer there.
"Do you want to use the Nen Book as a portable notebook?" Ging asked, eyeing the imposing book in Law's hand.
"Yeah, but it doesn't work. Maybe I need a Nen pen." Law smiled and used his left hand to shape his Aura into the form of a fountain pen.
Since he already had one conjured object, creating a second one would be considerably more difficult.
Though Law longed to pair God Hand's book with a pen, he could only roughly shape one with his Aura. To truly materialize a functioning fountain pen would likely take considerable time.
"You're really something," Ging remarked with admiration.
"Nen exists to serve one's own needs. Honestly, I'd rather conjure something like a dimensional apartment. But with just vague ideas in my head, even if I spent a long time on it, there's no guarantee I'd succeed."
With a flip of his hands, Law dismissed both the book and the Aura-formed pen.
"A dimensional apartment? That's probably something only someone who's been homeless since birth or has an in-depth understanding of architecture could materialize." Ging mused, stroking his chin before changing the subject, "Don't you already have that cat? It serves a similar purpose."
"That's true." Law glanced at the flame tattoo on the back of his hand, "But it comes with troublesome restrictions. If he were more obedient, using him would be much smoother."
Hearing this, Ging smiled wryly. There was no such thing as a free lunch. He actually thought highly of Kuro's versatility as Nen Beast… even with harsh restrictions, the sheer utility made it worthwhile.
"The V5 established the treaty prohibiting entry to the Dark Continent two hundred years ago. So when was this Journey to the New World published?" Law steered the conversation back on track.
"More than three hundred years ago." Ging replied.
"A whole century earlier."
Ging nodded and said, "The hundred years in between were filled with failures and sacrifices. That's why the V5 ultimately enacted the treaty."
On the surface, the treaty was signed… but in secret, research into the Dark Continent never ceased. The V5 had only made reaching it infinitely more difficult. Both Law and Ging were well aware of this.
"Well, if I ever go, I won't be taking the official route." Law said, turning to gaze toward the ocean, "I don't want to waste time meaninglessly on those four prerequisites."
Ging had nothing to say to that. He was the one who had to invest time in those four conditions. In contrast, Law had far more freedom.
"How long has this volcano been dormant?" Law suddenly asked.
"I'm not sure of the exact time, but since my grandmother's generation, no one in the family has ever mentioned an eruption."
"I see. Just in case, we shouldn't disturb anything here. What do you plan to do?" Law glanced down at the Lichen, which is still brimming with vitality.
"What can we do besides leaving it alone?"
Ging looked toward the crater. With that unknown entity lurking, tampering with the Divine Script was out of the question. A single misstep could destroy Whale Island.
Otherwise, like Law, he would've loved to pry off a few pieces of lichen for research.
"Yeah, leaving it alone is the only option." Law nodded, then eyed Ging, "I'll stay a few more days before leaving. What about you? Sneaked in, planning to sneak out just the same?"
"...I can't see him."
Law fell silent for a moment before speaking again, "After spending these days with Gon, I've been tempted more than once to teach him Nen. But you've already laid out a plan for him, haven't you?"
"Yeah." Ging answered bluntly, then added, "Don't interfere."
"If you don't want me interfering, then hurry up and settle the Winged Dragon matter." Law scoffed.
"Yeah, yeah." Ging scratched his head, 'I'm always short on time as it is… why did I ever agree to this troublesome request from him?'
The two didn't linger on the mountain for long. After reburying the exposed Lichen, they descended.
That night, Ging didn't leave immediately. He stayed on Whale Island, but by dawn the next day, he was already gone… without even a word of farewell.
Law didn't mind. That day, he took Gon into the forest again. By late afternoon, as he walked Gon home, he mentioned that he'd be leaving in a couple of days.
Walking side by side under the twilight glow of the village path, Gon said reluctantly, "Can't you stay a little longer?"
Law shook his head and said, "No. There's something I need to take care of."
After learning about Don Freecss from Ging yesterday, Law had been inspired. He wanted to write his own adventure travelogue… so a journey to the Dark Continent had immediately moved up on his agenda.
To get there, he'd need a ship capable of crossing the ocean, ample supplies, and, most crucially, a decision on whether to wait until his average data exceeded 80% or to go before then.
His current average was 78%. Though only 2% short, filling that gap would take considerable time. And even after breaking through, he'd still face an unknown duration of Zetsu.
Unable to persuade Law to stay, Gon looked visibly dejected.
Law watched him but said nothing.
The two walked in silence toward the house entwined with trees.
Gon stared at his own shadow stretching long under the sunset, then suddenly turned to Law.
"Boss Law."
"Hm?"
"Can you come over for dinner tonight?"
Law hesitated briefly, but seeing Gon's hopeful expression, he nodded.
"Yeah!"
Gon leaped up in excitement.