The NGL was a place where the entertainment industry was practically non-existent, so Tonpa had plenty of complaints.
After all, he had just returned from the Dark Continent and hadn't had time to enjoy himself and spend money.
But despite the complaints, he still handled matters very well… a habit developed in the Dark Continent.
After ending the call with Tonpa and learning about his progress and some trivial information...
The drug [D²] being produced in the NGL was one of the top three best-selling drugs in the world currently, with ample supply, silently harming countless families.
This was inside information, known to very few.
Law had no intention of intervening to stop it and had no interest in the NGL's king, Gyro.
He didn't linger on the beach for too long and returned to his room at the tourist hotel.
After resting for the night, Law went to the next island.
Coastal islands were naturally excellent tourist destinations. At the tail end of summer, there was still a steady stream of tourists.
Law was like a passerby, walking along many crowded beaches, taking note of the scale and development of each place.
Over half a month passed, and Law concluded his on-site investigation.
During this half month, Gon and Killua had already entered Greed Island, and surprisingly, Milluki entered with them.
Battera was determined to get Greed Island, but due to Milluki's daily bidding, his budget was far exceeded.
During the bidding for the last two copies of Greed Island, considering the subsequent rewards he needed to pay hunters, Battera let go of one copy.
However, even if he was letting go, he didn't let Milluki have it easily, forcing Milluki to use up all his resources.
Since Milluki had won a copy of the game, Gon and Killua didn't attend the recruitment meeting. Instead, they obtained two slots directly from Milluki through a transaction.
The three entered the game together but each went their separate ways.
Kurapika began registering his experience as a Blacklist Hunter with the Association, with his first achievement being the capture and killing of the Phantom Troupe.
Thus, he started on the path of a Blacklist Hunter, simultaneously collecting information about the Scarlet Eyes and accepting bounties posted on the Pro Hunters' dedicated website.
As for Leorio, he came to Yorknew City to meet Gon and the others, then left again, still pursuing a higher degree in medicine.
Everyone was moving forward, and Law was no exception.
By the end of September, Law returned to the Hunter Association.
With the on-site investigation complete, the next step was implementing the plan.
Before that, putting on the [Zodiac] identity would simplify many things, even eliminating the need to specifically grease the wheels.
Returning to the Association naturally meant asking Netero for a Zodiac seat.
"There is indeed a seat reserved for you, but whether you can sit on it isn't decided by my word alone," Netero said in a quiet room, holding a cup of hot tea, looking relaxed.
"So what process do I need to go through?"
Law stroked his chin, suddenly feeling it was quite troublesome.
"As long as you can get six votes from among the Zodiacs, naturally no one will object," Netero said.
"Meaning I need at least six people to agree?" Law asked.
Netero put down his teacup and nodded.
Beside him, Beans picked up the teapot and refilled Netero's cup.
"What if no one agrees?" Law sighed lightly.
"That would be difficult," Netero said seriously.
If all votes were against it, even Netero would find it hard to give Law a special exception.
Law lifted his eyelids. "You're the Chairman, after all. Isn't overriding dissenting opinions quite simple?"
"It's not simple at all," Netero looked at Law and said, "For others it might be fine, but who made you so unpopular among the Zodiacs? When the time comes, it won't be me overriding them, but them overriding me."
"..." Law.
'Was it that exaggerated?'
'At the very least, I have one reliable ally among the Zodiacs, right?'
After a moment of silence, Law said, "It's fine. At least Ging's vote is secure."
Seven days later, Zodiacs' meeting room.
To have Law assume the Zodiac's seat, a special meeting had to be convened, summoning all members.
The meeting time was noon, which was also a characteristic of Zodiac Meetings.
When the time reached 11:40, the Zodiacs' members arrived at the meeting room one after another.
They didn't know today's meeting was prepared for a new member. The notification they received only indicated the importance of the matter, so they came.
Upon arriving at the meeting room, everyone went to their dedicated seats, then placed personal items like laptops, snacks, and coffee on the table, chatting idly.
Soon, the meeting room became quite lively.
With only ten minutes left before the meeting started, almost everyone had arrived, except for three people.
Netero, Ging, Pariston.
Ging, needless to say, the perennial absentee.
Pariston usually arrived exactly on time. Netero was sometimes on time, sometimes late, very random.
Everyone was used to it and didn't pay much attention to the time anymore. Some played on their phones, some watched movies, some ate snacks.
Creak.
The meeting room door suddenly opened.
A man who looked like he had been traveling entered. It was Ging, wearing a white headband.
"Huh?"
Seeing Ging's arrival, the Zodiac members in the meeting room were all stunned for a moment.
"Quite rare," Cheadle, the Dog, said, looking at Ging who walked in, her hands clasped together and placed properly on the table.
"What day is it today to bring you here?" Kanzai, the Tiger, said with his legs crossed, speaking casually.
"Isn't it just a coincidence?"
"Now that you mention it, that's entirely possible."
Everyone was surprised by Ging's presence and looked at him.
"What? None of you know?" Ging walked to his seat and, not caring about the thick layer of dust on the chair, sat right down.
"Oh? What should we know?" Mizaistom, the Ox, said calmly.
"The meeting agenda," Ging said with a matter-of-fact expression.
"You know?" Cheadle raised an eyebrow, taking over the conversation.
The others also looked at Ging curiously. None of them knew today's meeting agenda, so if Ging specifically showed up, he might be one of the few in the know.
Facing everyone's gaze, Ging said seriously, "I don't know."
"..."
Everyone was speechless.
Ging didn't mind. After sitting down, he glanced at the items on everyone's table, thought for a moment, then took out a red apple from his pocket and placed it on the table, as if following the trend.
He wasn't lying… he truly didn't know today's meeting agenda.
However, Law asked him to come, so he came.
If he had to guess, he could probably guess.
But guessing and knowing were two different things.
Time passed.
Just as it was about to hit twelve, someone else opened the meeting room door.
"Him?"
Seeing the newcomer, the members present all changed their expressions.
The newcomer was Law, holding a bento box.
Under everyone's strange gazes, Law looked at the three empty seats at the conference table and asked, "Excuse me, which seat is mine?"
No one answered him.
After a moment, Ging looked at the bento box in Law's hand and asked, "Is there a portion for me? I haven't had lunch."