Netero had a good idea of who had incited the hundreds of amateur hunters to go to Bino Plaza, and he didn't particularly care how it would ultimately play out.
His confidence stemmed mainly from Law.
Beans couldn't understand Netero's attitude, but since Netero was so nonchalant, he could only watch anxiously and wait.
The latest news put his mind at ease.
Just as Netero had firmly stated, there were no deaths in the incident, which was the best possible outcome.
However...
Beans went to the office again. This time, he wasn't as frantic. He reported the outcome to Netero and mentioned that Botobai had gone after Law.
"Although I knew Botobai had a problem with Law, I didn't expect him to take it so personally."
Netero felt a headache coming on, 'It would have been manageable if it were anyone else, but it had to be Botobai. Given his strength, it probably wouldn't be easy for Law to resolve this simply.'
Most members of the Zodiacs, and even Association's members who had served as examiners, strongly disliked Law.
The reason was that Law had participated in multiple Hunter Exams and treated them as a joke.
That alone might have been tolerable, but Netero valued Law so highly, even willing to leave a Zodiacs' position vacant for so many years.
In terms of dislike among the Zodiacs' members, if ranked, Law surpassed even Ging and Pariston, placing first.
"Phone."
Netero scratched his temple and reached out to Beans.
Beans understood, quickly took a phone from his suit pocket, and handed it to Netero.
...
Law and Machi didn't go to the airport but headed to the city outskirts.
They left the main road and entered the wilderness.
The winter climate was dry, and the wilderness was a blanket of withered yellow.
They appeared to be walking, strolling as if on a leisurely outing, but their speed was actually quite fast.
Law thought that out here, it was unlikely anyone would follow them. So, he took out his phone and dialed Sanbica's number.
Normally, if she was in the research lab, Sanbica's phone had to be locked in a locker. But since she had taken time off today, she naturally had her phone with her.
A moment later, the call connected.
"Sanbica, I ran into something, so I won't be coming back," Law said.
On the other end, Sanbica's face fell with disappointment. She didn't ask for reasons, simply said softly, "Okay, I understand."
"Is Buhara with you?"
"He's here," Saccha said, glancing at Buhara, who was eating nonstop beside her.
"Good, then I won't talk to him. Please let him know for me," Law said.
"Okay," Sanbica agreed. After a pause, she asked, "Law, when will you come again?"
"I'm not sure," Law replied.
"Okay," Sanbica murmured.
Just then, Machi, who was beside him, suddenly spoke, "Which direction are we going?"
Hearing a woman's voice from the phone, Sanbica was momentarily stunned.
Law couldn't help but glance sideways at Machi. Her face was calm, showing no trace of intentionality.
"Straight ahead."
He answered Machi, then spoke into the phone, "Sanbica, remember what I told you. I have to go now."
"Okay."
Sanbica said quietly.
After the call ended, Sanbica looked at her phone, lost in thought.
Out in the wilderness, Machi watched as Law put his phone back in his pocket and said flatly, "What did you tell her?"
"You did that on purpose, didn't you?" Law didn't answer but asked instead.
"So what if I did?" Machi said.
"So you're jealous?" Law asked curiously.
"No," Machi said stubbornly.
Law glanced at Machi's slightly reddened earlobes, shrugged, and didn't press the topic further.
Instead, he said, "Tell me about the Kurta Clan."
Machi's gradually quickening heartbeat suddenly calmed down, "What do you want to know?"
"Pretty much everything. But first, answer a few questions for me." Law looked straight ahead, "Did Uvogin and Nobunaga participate?"
"No," Machi replied.
"I read the news reports about the Kurta Clan. The methods were brutal. Was that Feitan's work?" Law asked calmly.
"Yes."
"Was the decision to target the Kurta Clan Chrollo's idea?"
"Not entirely. Although the operation was initiated by the Boss, the other members highly approved of it." Machi looked at Law, "If you hadn't mentioned the Kurta Clan to the Boss, maybe he wouldn't have..."
"There are no 'maybes'," Law interrupted Machi. He knew this event was inevitable, even without his intervention, "But you were right about one thing. The Troupe didn't take my words seriously."
"I thought with the three of you there, Chrollo would at least have some reservations. I was too naive. What a criminal group wants, they take without restraint."
Machi fell silent upon hearing this.
Back then, when Chrollo gathered everyone and proposed the target, she, Uvogin, and Nobunaga immediately stood up. But in terms of factions, only the three of them were opposed.
The atmosphere grew tense at the time, and Nobunaga even drew his sword.
There was no doubt that if the situation had escalated further, Phinks and Feitan would have attacked without hesitation.
They had never gotten over the incident at the museum that day, and neither had the other members.
Finally, Chrollo suggested resolving the dispute with a coin toss, which eased the tension.
At that time, Chrollo's attitude was quite clear.
Machi knew very well that Chrollo was serious. If they had won even one out of the three chances, Chrollo would have truly abandoned the operation.
Since the majority couldn't submit to the minority, the only option was to decide by coin toss, especially with three chances.
Unexpectedly, all three chances favored Chrollo.
Machi felt it necessary to explain this clearly. Just as she was about to tell Law, she suddenly sensed an obvious, unconcealed presence approaching from behind.
Law sensed it too.
They immediately turned around and saw a tall, sturdy man walking towards them step by step from about three hundred meters away.
Machi looked at the man and frowned.
Some people give off an impression of strength at first glance. The man approaching now was one of them.
"A Zodiacs' member," Law recognized the man. It was Botobai of the Zodiacs. "Machi, step back."
"No," Machi refused outright.
Law glanced at Machi, who showed no intention of backing down, and felt helpless.
Botobai walked quickly, soon closing the distance to about a hundred meters before stopping.
"Hey, are you that short on cash?" Law looked at the expressionless Botobai, thinking, 'Isn't it just a few billion?'
Botobai remained silent. He opened his Aura Nodes, releasing the Aura within his body.
Seeing this, Law and Machi silently opened their Aura Nodes as well.
Just as the two sides were poised for confrontation, a phone rang.
Botobai took his phone out of his pocket. Looking at Law and Machi, he said, "I need to take this call."
Without waiting for their response, he pressed the answer button.
Netero's voice came from the other end, "Botobai, there's no need to pursue this so relentlessly. Stand down."
Botobai understood. He said seriously, "It's my duty."
"Have you caught up with them yet?"
"They're right in front of me."
"You haven't started fighting, have you?"
"About to."
"Alright, I understand."
Netero hung up.
Botobai put away his phone and looked coldly at Law.
It seemed he was targeting Law more than the Phantom Troupe member.
"Was that Netero?" Law asked curiously.
Botobai nodded.
"What did he say?"
"Told me to stand down."
Ring ring...
This time, it was Law's phone that rang.
"I need to take a call too."
Law picked up his phone and answered. He heard Netero say, "Run if you can. Don't kill him."
"One Hunter License," Law said leisurely.
Netero's face darkened on the other end. Then he heard Law continue, "Got it. I know my limits."
Then he hung up.
In the wilderness, Botobai watched Law calmly and threw the question back, "Netero's call?"
"Yes," Law put away his phone.
"What did he say?" Botobai asked.
"He told me not to kill you," Law said with a smile.
Botobai didn't respond, but his Aura grew even more ferocious.