There weren't many photos… only seven.
Excluding the scenic shots, there were only three photos with substantive content.
The first was a long-distance shot featuring a tree and numerous creatures.
Ging immediately recognized the tree as a fully grown World Tree, but what left him speechless wasn't the tree itself but the countless creatures surrounding it.
Even without enough reference points, he could easily sense an intense atmosphere of 'keep away' emanating from the photo.
The second was also a long-distance shot. The background showed a sky covered with dark clouds and pouring rain. An indistinct Magical Beast, carrying a majestic mountain on its back, was flying through the air.
Beneath its body were ten giant, oar-like legs. At the moment the photo was taken, ten bolts of lightning, whose diameter was impossible to determine, shot from the soles of its legs toward the ground.
Upon closer inspection, it seemed the unknown Magical Beast's tail was releasing a powerful gust of wind, carving a hollow space through the dense curtain of rain.
The third was a close-up shot of an anemone-like plant, entirely black, with dozens of mouths on each of its tentacles.
The number of mouths was uncountable, and they were small, giving a sense of overwhelming density.
Ging ignored the scenic photos entirely, silently studying these three images.
"Only seven left…"
Law bit his thumbnail, visibly disappointed.
"I did my best," Ickshonpe said, noticing Law's disappointment.
"It's fine, thanks for your effort," Law replied.
Ickshonpe nodded, his gaze drifting once again to Law's left shoulder.
Law pretended not to notice and turned to Ging, "There are many places I couldn't go. The World Tree was one of them. The lightning zone set up by that mountain-carrying Magical Beast was another. And that anemone-like creature? Also a troublesome boundary guardian."
"I spent several years there. Sometimes I wondered: if one day these terrifying creatures suddenly decided to take a stroll around Lake Mobius, what do you think would happen?"
"Take that lightning-summoning, mountain-carrying Magical Beast, for example. It probably wouldn't need more than a minute to turn Greed Island into scorched earth."
"Perhaps we should be grateful that Lake Mobius is too small to be worth their attention."
"But if humanity's presence becomes more noticeable, it might break that fragile boundary."
Listening to Law's words, Ging scratched his head irritably. He had to admit that the potential threats of the Dark Continent couldn't be fully captured in a book. He really needed to see it for himself.
There was no denying that these three photos alone should be enough to make humanity tremble and halt in its tracks.
"Have you given up? On reaching the top of the World Tree?" Ging suddenly raised his index finger toward the sky.
"I haven't given up," Law replied seriously.
"Then why are you telling me all this? Travel diary reflections?" Ging smiled slightly, nodding as he shoved his hands into his pockets.
"No, no. This is just sharing between friends," Law said, a hint of laughter in his eyes.
Ging fell silent, looking at Law, who returned his gaze calmly.
After a moment, Law said, "Let's go together next time. I'll wait for you, or help you get the sailing qualifications."
"Deal." Ging agreed without hesitation.
In a quiet internet cafe, one of the computer monitors emitted a bright white light.
The owner happened to wake up at that moment, drowsily staring at the light. His blurry eyes gradually focused, and he jumped up as if he'd been pricked by a needle.
He thought the monitor was about to explode.
But the next second, his body and gaze froze as a figure suddenly emerged from the white light.
Law had given Ging a Restarite and several useful functional algae before Ickshonpe sent him back.
Acting as if nothing were out of the ordinary, Law logged out of the account, shut down the computer, and calmly left the internet cafe under the owner's stunned, almost horrified gaze.
The night was deep, and the evening breeze grew chilly.
Law walked along the still-bustling streets, pondering his next move, 'Should I first get a new phone to message the others? Return to the Lawlin Museum? Or go see Linne first?'
"Biscuit went back to organize her little treasure trove. She won't have free time for a while. I hope Bruna won't feel neglected."
"Tonpa wanted to take this year's Hunter Exam. He's probably already signed up. Speaking of which, this year's exam is the one Gon and Killua took together."
"If the Kurta Clan avoided disaster, I wonder if Kurapika will also take the exam this year."
"Should I go join the fun? Nah, I'll just ask Netero directly for a license and maybe even snag a spot among the Zodiacs."
Law planned to join the Hunter Association and scout for reliable teammates within the organization.
Ideally, he'd recruit some of the Zodiacs' members onto his team. So, it made sense to become one of the Zodiacs himself.
As for the Hunter License, he figured he could easily ask Netero for one directly instead of going through the Hunter Exam.
Law was thinking optimistically.
He knew Neterro had always wanted him to join the Association and become one of the Zodiacs.
Of course, his real reason for joining the Association and aiming for the Zodiacs was something Netero couldn't find out… after all, Netero was one of the main advocates for avoiding the Dark Continent.
Under the cover of night, Law left Yoru City.
From beginning to end, he hadn't paid any attention to the commotion caused by the old turtle in Yoru City.
Even if the curiosity-driven crowd discovered the truth, it was a trivial matter not worth his concern.
The current Law was a powerhouse who didn't need to worry about such things.
…
A week later, Law got a new phone and sent a message to his friends. What followed was a non-stop ringing of incoming calls.
Law only answered Linne's call, asking her to wait for him at home for a while. Then, he promptly turned off his phone and boarded an airship headed for the Hunter Association.
A few days later, Law arrived at the Hunter Association. He had changed into a new set of clothes, which is still a relatively loose robe, and had tidied his hair slightly, though he left his beard as it was.
He entered the Association and took the elevator.
When the elevator doors opened, Beans was waiting for him at the entrance.
"The Chairman would like to see you," Beans said.
Law glanced in the direction of the Lawlin Museum but remembered he needed to ask Netero for a Hunter License, so he nodded: "Lead the way."
Beans breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing Law's agreement and quickly guided him forward.
A few minutes later, Law and Beans arrived at Netero's private meditation room.
Netero was sitting on the tatami mat, with two cups of fragrant hot tea on the low table.
Netero stroked his beard, carefully examining the significantly changed Law, a faint, unreadable glimmer in his eyes.
He noticed Law's missing left arm but showed no reaction.
Without any hesitation, Law took off his shoes, stepped onto the tatami, and sat down, "I want to join the Association. Just give me a Hunter License directly. Also, are the Zodiacs full?"
"Oh?"
Netero looked surprised, while Beans stared at Law speechlessly from the side.
After a moment, Netero picked up his hot tea and took a sip, saying leisurely, "Not giving."
Now it was Law's turn to be surprised. Beans was even more astonished than Law… he knew very well that Netero had always wanted Law to join the Association and had even tried to force a Hunter License on him before, though Law had refused at the time.
'Now that Law wanted the license, Chairman was unwilling to give it.'
'These two…'
Thinking about the Chairman's personality and style, Beans could only sigh inwardly with a bitter smile.