There were many things to consider.
Whether it was about going to the Dark Continent again in the future, or how to deal with the matter of the Troupe.
No matter what, Law still couldn't withstand that sudden moment of heartthrob. Just like Ging, he had gotten involved with a woman.
From the bottom of his heart, Law didn't want another layer of restraint binding him. So, he had never crossed that line with any woman. But now, it was different.
Just as a hint of hesitation was about to sprout, it was utterly crushed by the sensation of a warm, soft, fragrant flesh.
If he hadn't reached this point, how would Law have known that Machi, whose words and actions always carried an air of assertiveness, could be so docile and submissive like a little bird at a time like this, allowing him to take the initiative at every turn without even a sign of resistance.
He didn't want to miss a single inch of her skin.
Watching Machi's skin turn flushed and her face become vividly alluring, Law thought sincerely.
Thus, his aggression intensity suddenly grew even stronger. For a time, the scene was full of spring colors.
All the movements related to 'love' were emitted without reservation, passing through the entire house, into the garden, and far into the forest.
It wasn't until they were both drenched in fragrant sweat and utterly exhausted that the commotion ceased.
Machi nestled against Law's chest, listening to his powerful heartbeat, her eyelids drooping, filled with lingering emotions that refused to disperse.
Law gently stroked her hair, silent.
Each of them felt the other's body temperature, enjoying this quiet time.
After a long while, Machi said, "Law."
"Hmm?"
Machi lifted her head slightly, meeting Law's gaze. She originally wanted to say something, but ultimately couldn't get it out.
"What is it?" Law asked, puzzled.
Machi shook her head, remaining silent.
"Do you want to talk about the Troupe?" Law asked calmly, seeing her like this.
"Not entirely." Machi hesitated, holding back her words.
"Say what you want to say." Law pinched Machi's cheek.
Machi was silent for a moment, still not voicing the doubts that had arisen long ago. Instead, she retreated several steps and asked, "Why did the condition you proposed to Boss that day involve the Kurta Clan?"
"I know very well that Boss hadn't developed an interest in the Scarlet Eyes back then. Another point, I'm certain there was no connection between you and the Kurta Clan."
Hearing this, Law was momentarily stunned.
'His heartbeat quickened.'
Machi, lying on Law's chest, thought silently.
The doubts that had arisen long ago weren't just one or two.
The earliest doubt was perhaps the clearest and most obvious.
That was when she was teaching Law the common language.
Upon hearing her name, there was a fleeting expression on his face, as if he knew who she was.
This was the first doubt, but she hadn't paid it much mind at the time.
The second point of doubt was on the night of their parting, when he suddenly told her not to kill innocents indiscriminately in the future.
It had puzzled her at the time, but thinking back now, it really connects to what came later.
The third point of doubt was when Law heard Chrollo's name, and when he met Chrollo face-to-face. She had the same feeling, as if Law had already known of Chrollo's existence.
Then the fourth, the fifth...
When hearing about the Phantom Troupe's creation and their subsequent joining, Law had a flash of surprise, and there was probably a frown he himself didn't notice.
Also, his attitude towards the Troupe and other members, like Feitan, was one of dislike from the very beginning.
That wasn't a first impression… it was an impression he had even before coming into contact with Feitan and the others, which was strange in itself.
Even if all these seemed baseless, Machi trusted her intuition.
To a certain extent, compared to Pakunoda's ability to probe memories, Machi, with her strong sixth sense, might be more worthy of attention.
These doubts had been buried in her heart for a long time, and Machi had never spoken of them.
Hearing Machi's words, Law didn't know how to respond for a moment.
Could he possibly tell Machi: If the Troupe wipes out the Kurta Clan, in the future a person named Kurapika will come for revenge, and Uvogin will become the first target, dying at Kurapika's hands.
And after that, inevitably, she and Nobunaga might also meet misfortune.
So, he wanted to nip this matter in the bud. This way, many things could be simply avoided.
In reality, it was also because he didn't want them to participate in the genocide, and he didn't want Kurapika to walk the path bearing a deep-seated hatred.
He originally thought it would be something easily resolved, but he had underestimated the greed of bandits for things they covet.
So, how could he say these words? And now, what's done is done, so it's too late to say anything.
Machi looked at the silent Law, suddenly propped herself up, leaned over, and kissed the corner of his lips.
After a moment, their lips parted. She looked at him and said softly, "It's okay if you don't want to say."
As she spoke, she nestled back against his chest, "I know your feelings for me are true and sincere."
She saw that Law didn't want to talk about it, so she simply chose to continue burying those doubts. Because Law was very, very good to her, and that was enough.
Law's quickened heartbeat gradually steadied.
"Machi, leave the Troupe."
He turned his head, looking out the window at the dark forest.
The Kurta Clan incident had happened, and it was uncertain whether Kurapika had escaped unscathed.
If Kurapika survived, no matter the process, the events that should happen, will happen.
There are two choices to resolve this matter, like a scale. On one side is Kurapika, on the other are Chrollo, Feitan, and the others.
Naturally, Law couldn't stand on the side of Feitan and the others, for whom he had felt dislike from the start.
And he absolutely would not let Machi and the others become Kurapika's targets.
Before, Machi wouldn't leave the Troupe.
Now, whether she is willing to leave or not, Law was absolutely determined to make her cut ties with the Troupe. Otherwise, he would simply eradicate the Troupe from its roots.
Machi still didn't respond immediately, but Law wasn't anxious.
After all, Machi was now his woman. Some things were no longer for Machi to decide on her own.
…
Early the next morning.
Shachmono prepared a breakfast full of natural flavor for Law and Machi.
The two arrived at the dining room and immediately noticed Shachmono's dark circles.
Shachmono, in turn, scanned the two with a peculiar look, almost explicitly stating that the culprits behind his dark circles were the two of them.
Law felt somewhat awkward, pretended not to see it, pulled Machi to sit down, and ate the breakfast Shachmono had prepared.
Shachmono, as Linne's disciple who had followed her for most of her life, possessed culinary skills that ranked among the best even among Gourmet Hunters, so the breakfast he prepared was naturally excellent.
In the following days, having tasted the forbidden fruit, Law and Machi didn't rest a single night until Netero's arrival.
He was invited by Linne.
If he had been any later, the Hunter Exam would have started, and he would have been too busy.
As soon as Netero arrived, he sought out Law to discuss, "Law, about Botobai's arm."
"No way," Law sneered, refusing outright.
The account of injuring Machi was settled by taking an arm that couldn't be restored, and that was already taking Netero into account. How could he possibly return it?
Netero, having his nose rubbed in it, felt deeply helpless.
Law's Nen Ability, if it takes an arm without imposing a judgment, then the severed arm cannot be restored using Nen Abilities.
Precisely because of this, it was quite tricky and cruel.
It had to be known that, for a top-tier expert like Botobai, missing an arm affects their overall strength.
Seeing that Law's attitude left no room for negotiation, Netero, being sensible, didn't persist further and directly moved on from the topic.