When Beyond spoke the words 'Netero must die', Law and Ging didn't react much.
Although Beyond used the word 'must', the tone when he said it gave a sense that things could still change.
Law was already well-informed, and Ging also had a general understanding, so the atmosphere didn't change because of this statement.
Seeing the two's calm reactions, Beyond very naturally continued, "Only when the old man dies will the restriction he placed on me disappear. Only then can I set out for the Dark Continent."
"This point, I believe you also understand clearly."
Law nodded calmly. "Unfortunately, one month from now, Netero will still be alive and kicking. I can guarantee you that."
The implication was that he wouldn't let anything happen to Netero.
"Exactly," Beyond said, looking at the composed Law, not caring about his greasy hands, and scratching his hair. "Because of you, I find this matter difficult."
If it were just about killing Netero, with him leading the effort personally, even if extremely difficult, he could definitely accomplish it. But with a figure like Law added to the mix, the success rate would drop significantly.
Hearing Beyond's words, Law said without any self-awareness, "Well, I apologize for that."
Setting aside his relationship with Netero, just considering Linne and Netero's connection, if Law knew someone intended to harm Netero, he couldn't just stand by and do nothing.
Beyond put down his hand and said seriously, "But I also said this is currently the hardest matter to handle, not that it can't be done."
Law raised an eyebrow. "So you want to give it a try?"
"If there's a better method, of course I'm unwilling to attempt such a thankless task. That's why I came to see you today," Beyond said.
"Oh?" Law listened attentively.
Beyond didn't directly state the method. Instead, he turned to look at Ging and said, "I know you made an agreement with the old man. But the so-called voyage permit is a big trap. I can tell you plainly, using normal methods, you absolutely cannot obtain a permit."
"That's just a front established by V5 specifically to lure anyone with ambitions towards the Dark Continent."
"So, to go to the Dark Continent, you must use abnormal methods to obtain a voyage permit. And I have that capability."
Ging silently observed Beyond's tone and movements while saying these things. With his years of experience mingling in society and reading countless people, he could tell Beyond wasn't lying.
Of course, this was just his preliminary judgment based on experience, not 100% certain.
Assuming Beyond's words were true, it meant he could never go to the Dark Continent in his lifetime, unless V5 truly opened that channel. But was that possible?
Thinking this, he glanced at Law, whose expression remained calm.
Their motive for meeting here was to discuss how to obtain a voyage permit. If what Beyond said was true, this was an extremely difficult problem.
But the key was whether to believe Beyond's words or verify their truth.
"This is a statement favorable to yourself," Ging looked at Beyond, naturally not rashly believing him.
"Don't believe me? Then, do you want to personally verify the truth?"
Beyond said this, then suddenly threw his head back and laughed.
"That would probably take quite a few days. The worst-case scenario is V5 stringing you along during the application process, dragging it out for a year or two, maybe even two or three years."
"Regarding this point, you can spend some time investigating. See how many people in the past ten years have gone through the application process and how long they waited for a response."
Hearing Beyond's words, Law and Ging exchanged glances. They both roughly understood why Beyond was saying this. And since he had spoken so plainly, the credibility was quite high.
In simple terms, Beyond indicated that Ging could never obtain a 'voyage permit'. That meant if Ging wanted to go to the Dark Continent, he'd have to resort to 'stowing away'.
But precisely the agreement he made with Netero blocked this only path.
However, Beyond had the capability to help Ging obtain a legitimate 'voyage permit', as a condition...
Ging looked at Beyond, calmly saying, "You want to use this as a condition for me to help you resolve the restriction issue."
Among the three, only Law was most at ease, able to go to the Dark Continent at any time.
Beyond and Ging were different. The former had a restriction, while the latter had an agreement.
Both of them faced an extremely difficult problem. Beyond needed to resolve the restriction Netero placed, and Ging needed to obtain a permit from the International Permit Agencies if he wanted to go to the Dark Continent.
"Correct," Beyond said. "But don't misunderstand. I propose this mutually beneficial condition without any intention of pulling you into my camp."
At this point, Beyond shifted his gaze to Law. "Because resolving the restriction isn't limited to just killing the old man."
When Beyond proposed that condition, Ging did initially suspect Beyond wanted to pull him into his camp to restrain Law. But when Beyond pointed out there was another way to resolve the restriction, Ging dismissed his earlier speculation.
If killing Netero wasn't the only way to resolve the restriction, then there was room for cooperation between Beyond and Law.
"What's the other method?" Law stared intently at Beyond, asking.
Beyond picked up the Monkey Wine, gulped it down in one go. Spilled wine droplets splashed onto his beard, shimmering under the sunlight.
"That method is both difficult and not difficult," Beyond put down the empty bottle, roughly wiped his mouth, and said, "Just have the old man personally withdraw the restriction."
"Hmm?"
Both Law and Ging were taken aback upon hearing this.
Seeing their reactions, Beyond said gravely, "Sounds simple, right? But what do you think it would take to make the old man withdraw the restriction? Even putting a knife to his throat, he wouldn't withdraw it. Instead, he'd tell me to kill him."
"..."
Well, that seemed true.
But compared to making Beyond kill Netero, this matter had more room for maneuvering.
Ging pinched his chin, thinking. Once he confirmed some information, he'd probably have to work from this angle. Whether he could succeed would depend on how things developed later. But just thinking about it made it seem difficult.
Compared to Ging, Law didn't think so much and didn't find the matter particularly difficult.
If Beyond and Ging knew Law thought this way, they wouldn't know what to feel, because it really was difficult.
"It's settled then. We'll help you resolve the restriction issue. You help us obtain the voyage permit."
Law could stow away, but he used the word 'we', indicating he and Ging shared the same stance.
"Deal!"
A gleam flashed in Beyond's eyes.
"To show sincerity, I can reveal some of the plans my partner and I have in advance."
"By the way, my partner is the King of the Kakin Empire."