The Association was making the crossing by unconventional means. Netero's plan was to land on the Dark Continent first, then wait there for Beyond's arrival.
Thus, choosing the route to the Dark Continent required caution, and they absolutely had to ascertain Beyond's route.
Even though the Association wasn't heavily involved in this official crossing operation, they knew the B.W.'s destination was the non-dangerous imaginary New Continent.
This information, even Law knew, let alone the Association.
Therefore, they didn't need to figure out the B.W.'s route but precisely grasp Beyond's route, which was especially important.
One must understand, the Dark Continent was divided into east and west. If their landing points differed, they'd be worlds apart, never likely to meet.
Regarding this, Netero had a good idea. He understood Beyond and was confident Beyond would only choose the Dark Continent's west as the landing point.
The reason was, Beyond had been to the Dark Continent's east before. Moreover, the New Continent Chronicle outlined the framework of the east and recorded all human crossing history on that side.
In the captain's room, including Netero, everyone's gaze was focused on a vertical black dotted line running north-south on the sea area map.
Next to the slightly thick dotted line were large characters: Far Sea Boundary.
"Generally speaking, the endpoint for crossers is the Far Sea Boundary. Crossing that is the unknown and extremely perilous Dark Waters."
As a Sea Hunter, Morel was the most authoritative here. Since boarding this ship, he had remained serious, exuding a solemn presence.
Precisely because he was a Se Hunter, he understood the dangers of this journey to the Dark Continent.
"But we have to cross there and reach the Dark Continent," Dafifi said gravely.
Morel glanced at Dafifi. "That's one of the problems needing proper clarification now. Compared to that, given our team's size, even if the voyage exceeds two months, the ship's supplies are sufficient for our consumption."
"However, we must consider the return journey. So it's necessary to replenish supplies at a transit base."
Netero stroked his beard, nodding. "Correct. This voyage must ensure ample supplies. That's one bargaining chip when negotiating with the Gatekeeper. With the Gatekeeper's assistance, crossing the Dark Waters isn't difficult."
Kanzai asked curiously, "What if we don't have the Gatekeeper's assistance?"
Asking this, he thought: 'By the way, what's a Gatekeeper?'
"Nine deaths, one life," Cheadle pushed her glasses, having ingrained all information, including ancient documents, into her mind in a short time for this operation.
"That serious?" Kanzai exclaimed. "Where exactly is the Dark Waters dangerous? Variable weather? Many sea monsters?"
Psychologist Saccho took over, speaking in a soft, smooth tone. "Although the former greatly affects navigation safety, the latter is the most dangerous. Long before this operation, you didn't even know about the Dark Continent. You should have done some homework afterward."
Cluck commented sarcastically, "Making him do homework? Better think about how to make him memorize basic vocabulary first."
Kanzai had a fiery temper, but knowing this meeting was serious, he suppressed his anger, ignoring Cluck. Looking at Saccho, he said seriously, "Then why aren't we taking an airship? Our numbers aren't large anyway… that would be more secure, right?"
Those who had done their homework showed helpless expressions.
Pyon wasn't playing with her phone this time, glancing sideways at Kanzai, saying speechlessly, "The air is filled with various flying creatures engaged in life-and-death struggles for airspace. Taking an airship is purely suicidal."
"Even if you don't properly study the compiled materials, you should at least think about why all crossing history so far has been by sea."
"..."
Under everyone's helpless gazes, Kanzai instantly became a wronged child, thinking: 'I just won't talk, okay?'
Netero suddenly said, "After all preparations are complete, what we need to do is reach the Gatekeeper's 'Wall' first. Secondly, with the outcome uncertain, you'd better read these two books."
Before his words finished, he had somehow produced two books and slapped them onto the sea area map.
The left book was titled L. Hunter, the right New Continent Chronicle. Whether coincidence or not, left was west, right was east.
"What's this?"
Kanzai grabbed the L. Hunter nearest to him, flipped it open, immediately seeing the author's name: Law.
"Law?"
He instinctively spoke.
"That's the book Law published," Cheadle said calmly.
"Can I take a look?"
At that moment, the usually quiet Sanbica spoke up.
Kanzai seemed to have a good impression of Sanbica, handing it over without hesitation.
Sanbica took the book, murmuring, "Law's book..."
"The first half describes some important information about the Dark Waters, based on Law's personal experience. Read it carefully… it will help the subsequent voyage," Netero said, looking at the book in Sanbica's hands.
"Wh-what?!"
"Personal experience?"
Most members present for the operation stared at Netero in astonishment.
Cheadle was among the few extremely calm ones. She habitually raised her right hand to pinch her earlobe, silently thinking: 'Law and Ging... they will come too, in another way.'
…
One day had passed since the B.W.'s departure. On a coastline unknown to many, a ship marked with the Hunter Association's symbol also slowly sailed toward unknown seas beyond human waters.
As the saying goes, large has its advantages, small also has its merits.
The B.W.'s tonnage reached unimaginable levels, ensuring extremely stable sailing on the sea surface, but its drawback was relatively slow speed.
The ship carrying the Association's Hunters needed to withstand dangers from climate, but its advantage was faster speed.
Barring accidents, the Association's ship would reach its destination faster than the B.W.
On the second day after the Departure Ceremony ended, the hype around the Dark Continent crossing operation not only hadn't subsided but showed signs of rising further.
People were filled with hope for the future Nasubi depicted.
The two rabbits, V6 and the Association, had already set off. But with a turtle in hand, Law was in no hurry.
Then, he received a call from Sabro.
"Law, um, there's something I need to tell you. Don't blow up, okay?" Sabro's voice on the other end was timid.
"What's up?"
Law, who was still thinking about how to get Stargie on board, was puzzled by Sabro's behavior.
"Uh... Salin and, and Machi boarded the B.W.," Sabo said with great difficulty.
Hearing this, Law almost crushed his phone.
Even though the B.W.'s destination wasn't dangerous, in his view, this was still reckless.
During the month before the Departure Ceremony, he had tried every means to persuade Machi. He never expected Machi to win over Salin, then sneak onto the B.W. with her.
"Sabro, you'll definitely get 'tracheitis' in the future!"
Law took a deep breath, immediately guessing why Sabro dared to tell him only the next day.
'Probably pressured by Salin's tyranny...'
'This guy, even if he married in the future, would definitely yield to his wife's tyranny.'
"..."
Sabro had nothing to say to that.