Machi really didn't want to discuss this topic. To this day, she had probably never even considered such a thing.
Law also chose to stop and directly bypass the topic.
His proposal earlier was made without any forethought, more of a lament about the passage of time.
Never mind having a child, he didn't even dare think about marriage.
Right now, he was a restless bird, only flying ceaselessly in the sky.
Perhaps one day in the future, his heart for exploring the unknown would finally settle. Only then might he choose to land.
But for now, his eyes were set on the vast and boundless Dark Continent. Until that exploration was over, he wouldn't consider settling down.
In the past, he had often criticized Ging. Now, thinking back, those criticisms had all become pitfalls he dug for himself, and he had jumped right in.
Having halted this rather sensitive topic for the present, the two fell silent for a while, walking on the street illuminated by streetlights.
Although the lights were bright, there were almost no pedestrians on the street, making it exceptionally deserted.
Arm in arm, Law and Machi looked like an ordinary couple to outsiders.
But in reality, neither of them was ordinary.
When they were less than two hundred meters from the Association building, Law suddenly said, "Machi, I'm going somewhere the day after tomorrow."
"Where?" Machi asked calmly.
"To meet a friend."
He didn't specify where, only stated his motive.
Machi knew Law didn't want to go into detail, but she still pressed, "I can't come?"
He looked at her and silently nodded.
Machi averted her gaze and said no more.
Looking at Machi's reaction, Law couldn't help but think about the situation when he would later go to the Dark Continent.
He couldn't possibly let Machi come along. So...
Feeling a bit of a headache, he didn't want to think about it.
He suddenly felt a strong desire to interview Ging. Back when Ging's journey wasn't even halfway done, what kind of mindset did he have when he met Gon's mother and then fathered Gon?
They walked the rest of the way in silence and returned to the association.
Machi went straight back to their room. Law tossed the packaged drinks and snacks he brought back to Biscuit, who was watching a drama, then he also returned to his room.
Early the next morning, Law saw Kurapika off at the airport.
Even at parting, he still hadn't received a single word asking for help from Kurapika.
And so, Law watched the airship bound for the Azian Continent ascend.
Only when the airship disappeared into the blue sky and white clouds did Law turn and leave.
Back at the Association building, Law discussed the book publishing process with Sabro.
"I remember the company has cooperated with [New Horizon] Publishers before, right? What kind of company is that?" Law sat by Sabro's desk, eating a bag of potato chips.
Crunch crunch.
The sound of crunching chips made Sabro's eyebrow twitch continuously. He glanced helplessly at the chips in Law's hand. "That publisher's output is quite varied, but its reputation is top in the industry. By the way, are you really going to publish a book?"
"Do you still think I'm joking?" Law countered.
Sabro nodded straightforwardly.
Law put down the chips. "Well, now you know I'm not joking."
Knowing Law was serious, Sabro didn't hesitate. He found a schedule from a pile of documents, glanced at it, and said, "There are twelve days left until the next issue of the antique books publication. The people from [New Horizon] will come to negotiate then. Before that, you need to have the manuscript ready."
The cooperation between the Lawlin Museum and New Horizon involved compiling various antique items into books with illustrations and historical context, then publishing them.
With this layer of cooperation, plus Law's status as a Double-Star Hunter, New Horizon should invest considerable resources into his book.
"Then I'll leave this matter to you," Law patted the back of Sabro's chair.
Sabro looked at him sideways. "That's all fine. The key is you need to have the manuscript ready ahead of time."
"No problem."
Law gave Sabro a smile.
Having settled the publishing channel for the book, shortly after, Beans came to visit.
"Law, Chairman is looking for you."
Beans stated his purpose.
Being in the same building, going back and forth wasn't troublesome at all.
After telling Machi and the others, Law followed Beans away from the Lawlin Museum.
Taking the elevator to the floor where Netero was, it was still that Japanese-style meditation room.
There was a low table on the tatami, with two cups of hot tea on it.
Netero sat cross-legged on the inner side, facing the door.
Law took off his shoes, stepped onto the tatami, and sat cross-legged at the table. He said sincerely, "You look very idle."
"So-so," Netero responded calmly.
Law looked at Netero, thinking of how Beans had rushed back to the office area after bringing him here. He felt a little sympathy for Beans.
"Why did you call for me?"
Law picked up the hot tea and took a sip.
"It's nothing major," Netero twisted his neck. "My joints have been a bit stiff these past two days. Wanted to find someone to loosen them up."
"Oh."
The two looked at each other, neither speaking.
After a moment, Law asked, "Anything else?"
"No."
"Okay, then I'm leaving."
Having said that, Law started to get up.
"Ah," Netero let out a sigh upon seeing this.
Law's movement to stand up wasn't affected in the slightest. He stepped off the tatami.
"Ah!" Netero let out another, heavier sigh.
Law very naturally went to the entrance area by the door and put on his shoes.
"Ah!!" Netero's sigh's pitch became even higher, turning into a blatant hint.
Law's hand, reaching for the door handle, stopped mid-air. He looked back at Netero and said, "Tomorrow morning, eight o'clock. Come to the martial arts hall."
Saying this, he opened the door and left without waiting for Netero's reaction.
Another day quickly passed. Cheadle and Beans didn't seem to be under pressure and hadn't sought his help.
Seeing that the five-day agreement was approaching, Law prepared to take a morning flight the next day to Whale Island to meet up with Ging and wait there for Beyond's arrival.
Biscuit, Machi, and Bruna couldn't stay at the Lawlin Museum forever. Before leaving, Law once again entrusted Machi and Bruna to Biscuit's care.
When he wasn't around, having Biscuit with Machi made him feel more at ease.
Early the next morning, Law bid farewell to Machi and the others and came to the airport alone.
It was still early, but the airport was already crowded.
Thanks to his Double-Star Hunter License, despite the seat shortage, Law managed to get a VIP private room. He then sat on a chair in the waiting area, calmly watching the flow of people in the hall.
After waiting for quite a while, the treasure hunter function of the White Smoke Font automatically activated.
A bit surprised, Law looked in the direction the treasure hunter indicated.
Among the crowd, he saw Melody.
…
Meanwhile, the energetic Netero arrived at the martial arts hall as agreed.
Then, he saw Uvogin and Nobunaga, and Uvogin and Nobunaga saw Netero.
"???"