Law planned to leave the day after tomorrow. Bertha might have misunderstood something, but as long as Mito didn't bring it up, he had no intention of explaining either.
After leaving Whale Island, he might not have another chance to return, as he was headed to the Dark Continent.
Gon finished his bath, and it was Law's turn next.
Having spent the past week in the forest, Law could only maintain basic hygiene, so a hot bath now was a welcome luxury.
The bathroom was filled with steam, a hazy white mist everywhere.
Law soaked in the tub, feeling completely relaxed.
After a while, a figure appeared outside the fogged-up glass door.
"I'll take your clothes to wash. The change of clothes is here." Mito's voice came from outside.
"Got it." Law replied.
Washing clothes had just been something he'd mentioned casually, but since it had become part of their agreed conditions, he went along with it.
Mito said nothing more and left with the clothes.
A short while later, Law finished his bath, stepped out of the tub, and retrieved the clothes left outside.
It was a set of men's clothing, slightly too small, carrying a faint scent of perfume mixed with mildew… likely clothes that had belonged to Mito's father.
Law activated his Nen Ability, removing both the perfume and musty smells before putting them on and stepping out of the bathroom.
As soon as he reached the living room, Gon, already in his pajamas, latched onto him, begging for more adventure stories.
Law didn't refuse and took Gon to the second-floor open balcony, where they enjoyed the night breeze as he recounted his experiences in the Kandhia Desert.
Time passed, and the night grew deeper.
Gon showed no signs of sleepiness, only growing more excited… until Mito came to call him to bed. Reluctantly, Gon finally returned to his room.
Only after making sure Gon was in bed did Mito leave. Passing through the living room, she noticed Law sitting on the sofa.
She glanced at him but said nothing before turning and heading back to her own room.
Law watched Mito leave, and then, not long after, he returned to the guest room to sleep.
The next morning, Law took Gon into the forest to gather the ingredients they needed.
Every time they encountered a new plant, animal, or insect, Gon's curiosity flared up like an endless barrage of questions.
Throughout the journey, Law patiently satisfied Gon's curiosity, and in the boy's eyes, Law seemed to know everything, turning into an incredibly impressive figure in his mind.
Gon's memory was sharp, too. He absorbed everything Law taught him, storing it carefully in his mind. These lessons would prove invaluable for his future adventures in the forest.
Law wasn't just indulging Gon's curiosity. While searching for ingredients, he also explained in detail the potential dangers and noteworthy aspects of the flora and fauna they encountered.
One taught earnestly, the other learned diligently.
By evening, the two returned home laden with ingredients.
Once back, Law immediately got to work in the kitchen, soon preparing a lavish spread of dishes… mostly home-style Chinese cuisine, which drew surprised looks from Bertha and Mito.
The seafood fried rice Law had eaten at the tavern had been Bertha's cooking, and Mito's culinary skills were no slouch either. Yet neither had seen dishes like the ones Law prepared.
Though some elements resembled their usual home-cooked meals, the overall framework was distinctly different.
Law didn't hold back either. Under their curious gazes, he introduced each dish one by one, even explaining how they were made.
Bertha and Mito listened intently, asking questions whenever something wasn't clear, and Law answered each in detail.
It was easy to imagine that after Law left Whale Island, the island's only tavern might take on a partial restaurant role, with the dishes he'd prepared tonight eventually making their way onto the menu.
"Can we eat now?"
As the three continued discussing, Gon rubbed his stomach.
Hearing Gon's protest, Law and the two women exchanged glances and chuckled.
The table full of home-cooked dishes was soon wiped clean, earning high praise from Gon and his family.
Little did they know, even someone like Ging would occasionally drop by for a meal from Law if the timing was right.
Another day passed in the blink of an eye, the sky shifting from dawn to dusk as if no time had gone by at all.
At the harbor, a multi-sailed ship was docked, its deck already crowded with passengers.
In the Hunter x Hunter World, many seafaring vessels operated like buses… stopping at each location for a short while, picking up new passengers, then moving on to the next destination.
Between the first and last stops, passengers would disembark while others boarded.
Mito and Gon accompanied Law to the harbor.
The ship Law had chosen would sail along the coastlines of the two continents, stopping at the harbor of Spice City along the way, which is Law's intended destination.
Spice City was a coastal city. After the events of that time, the presence of drugs had gradually faded, replaced instead by the burgeoning shipbuilding industry spearheaded by Ellie's initiatives and the thriving growth of the transport sector.
Over six or seven years, the city had undergone a complete transformation.
Law's reason for going to Spice City was twofold: first, to visit Ellie, and second, to have her build him a suitable ship for his needs.
"This is far enough."
Law paused at the boarding plank, turning back to smile at Mito and Gon.
Mito remained silent, while Gon asked reluctantly, "Boss Law, when will you come back to Whale Island?"
Hearing Gon's question, Law wasn't sure how to answer.
His next journey was preparation for the Dark Continent. Once he left, not only was it unclear how long it would take, but there was also a chance he might never return. So he couldn't give Gon a definite timeframe.
"When I have some free time."
Law patted Gon's head, giving a vague reply.
Truthfully, Law didn't think he'd be returning to Whale Island anytime soon.
"Got it." Gon responded.
Just then, the clanging of a metal pot echoed from the ship's deck… a signal that departure was imminent.
"I should get going."
Law withdrew his hand and looked at Gon, giving him one last reminder: "When you're alone in the forest, always be careful. Don't let your curiosity put you in danger. Got it?"
"Mhm!" Gon nodded firmly.
Law smiled, then glanced at Mito, who remained silent. Without lingering further, he stepped onto the boarding plank and made his way onto the deck.
A few minutes later, the ship's sails unfurled, and it slowly set off toward the open sea.
"Boss Law! Have a safe trip!"
Gon chased after the departing ship along the harbor, waving vigorously at Law, who stood by the railing.
Bathed in the orange glow of the setting sun, the ship grew smaller and smaller, eventually shrinking to a mere speck in Gon's vision.
Mito walked up beside Gon and gently placed a hand on his shoulder.
Even without looking at his face, she could feel the deep reluctance in his heart.
Truth be told, Mito had also hoped Law would stay a little longer.
…
Spice City, halfway up the mountain.
There, nestled along the mountainside, stood a sprawling mansion… more accurately, a grand estate.
The owner of this estate ranked first in Spice City's wealth hierarchy, controlling the city's entire shipbuilding industry and most of its transportation sector.
That owner was Ellie.
On the surface, Ellie commanded vast assets, but in reality, her liquid funds were scarce… sometimes stretched so thin that she found herself in financial straits.
Once, she had nearly faced disaster due to a broken capital chain, but Law had stepped in to help.
The reason for her constant financial tension was simple: every bit of profit was relentlessly reinvested into expansion plans.
Late at night, the lamp in her study still burned bright.
Ellie, wearing a pair of thick black-framed glasses, hunched over her desk, buried in work.
Stacks of documents were neatly sorted into piles, leaving just enough space on the desk for a single cup of now-cold coffee.
Beyond the window lay a deep, silent night.
Yet, unnoticed in the shadows, threads of killing intent quietly coiled.