Tonpa had arrived.
This took Law by surprise.
"Daring to go again?" Law looked down at Tonpa from above.
"Who do you think I am? A man who survived the Dark Continent! What's there to fear?"
Tonpa acted more domineering than usual. Truthfully, he still felt a bit of trepidation, but he knew the team had several new members this time. As a senior, even if faking it, he had to act like he was living in a dream.
Actually, regarding the Dark Continent, he did have capital to show off.
After all, in known world records, only one man had explored the Dark Continent and returned alive… Beyond.
Setting aside official records, even counting Netero and Linne who barely crossed the Dark Continent's threshold, the number of people worldwide who went to the Dark Continent and returned alive was less than ten.
Tonpa was one of them.
This was something worthy of pride.
"Then what are you standing there for? Board the ship." Law said no more, directly telling Tonpa to come aboard.
"Got it."
Tonpa pushed off with his feet, his plump body leaping up, landing lightly on the deck.
Law observed Tonpa up close. "Haven't seen you for a while, and you've gained a lot of weight."
Tonpa, no longer looking domineering, scratched his head. "Eating, drinking, playing with women... Cough, having fun everywhere. Didn't notice and gained over ten pounds."
Law shook his head slightly, patted Tonpa's back. "Go get acquainted with the others."
"Alright."
Tonpa glanced at Stargie, then headed toward the cabin.
The first time he went to the Dark Continent, Law forced him.
Back then, his heart was still in Law's hands.
Thinking about it, that period in the Dark Continent was truly the darkest time of his life.
Every day uncertain, constantly terrified, as if riding a roller coaster daily.
But it was also the most valuable period of his life.
So he came.
Without Law notifying him, he found out on his own and came.
Touching the book in his satchel, Tonpa's lips curled high.
"The first part had me, so how could the second part be missing? When Law publishes the second part, I'll suggest he write my name. At the very least, give me a full-face picture on the title page!"
Thinking this, Tonpa entered the cabin.
Law's team this time was larger and more organized. He needed to build good relationships with the new members.
Less than a minute until departure.
"Take good care of yourself."
Law habitually raised his hand to pat Ellie's head, even though it was through the hat, still a head pat.
"Mhm, you also be careful."
Ellie once again resisted the urge to swat Law's hand away.
Kenda, with graying temples, bowed slightly to Law, respectfully saying, "I wish you a smooth journey."
Law nodded slightly to Kenda.
Then, Ellie and Kenda disembarked, standing on the port.
Law and Stargie stood by the railing, looking at the two below.
Woo-!
The ship horn sounded again. This time, the ship slowly left the port.
Ellie kept waving at Law, making her final farewell.
Kenda stood quietly beside Ellie, watching the ship depart.
Law looked at the two on the port. The familiar scene made his mood somewhat complex.
He thought of Kenda's graying temples. So, so many years had passed.
Back when he and Sanbica left Ellie's home, his identity was just a youth.
Thinking this, Law stroked his unkempt stubble, smiled slightly, and also waved at Ellie.
Stargie stood beside Law, watching Law's smiling profile, said, "You're happy."
"Yes, how about you?"
"I don't know," Stargie replied bluntly.
"Alright."
Law was somewhat accustomed to Stargie's personality.
When the ship was several hundred meters out, Biscuit and the others all came out from the cabin.
Law turned, looking over at Biscuit, Tonpa, Nique, Knov, Shiro, Stargie, Buhara...
And Ging on the B.W., Biscuit's Nen Beast Cookie-chan, Kuro at the helm in the captain's cabin.
The expected team size was twenty, but unfortunately, the targeted Zodiac members...
But it didn't matter. Every member in the current team had something to rely on.
"That kid Kurapika didn't come to see you off," Biscuit glanced toward the port.
"He already did."
Law looked up at the sky. There was a cloud, quite like a sailing ship.
At the port, Ellie watched the ship become a black dot, slowly lowering her hand.
Kenda conjured his monocle, confirmed the ship disappeared from view, then said, "Miss, we should head back. Much work awaits your attention."
"Mhm, let's go back."
Ellie turned. Suddenly a strong wind blew, lifting her white hat into the sky, as if transforming into a flying cloud.
She didn't watch the flying hat, walking directly toward the car parked not far away.
Kenda similarly ignored the hat, following closely behind Ellie.
"Oh, Kurapika will be back around the day after tomorrow. Remember to prepare the A-level contracts. Two copies."
After getting in the car, Ellie reminded Kendal.
"Understood."
Kenda responded.
Ellie rested her chin on her hand, gaze passing through the car window, settling on the distant blue sky and sea.
Three days ago, Pairo woke up, meaning Law's experiment succeeded.
Perhaps due to her proficiency in her Nen Ability has gotten better, this time Pairo's resurrection retained about fifty percent of his memories, so he recognized Kurapika.
Afterward, Kurapika took Pairo back to their hometown ruins to properly bury their clansmen's eyes.
The rush was because Kurapika decided to become Ellie's bodyguard.
On one hand, the newly awakened Pairo, unlike Stargie, greatly needed Ellie's Nen. On the other hand, to repay the favor.
In Kurapika's consideration, once Stargie left, he needed to immediately take over the position, but also had to return home. So he chose to go home early rather than see Law off.
The benefit was, once Stargie left, he could assume the position with minimal delay.
Although Ellie felt she didn't need Kurapika as a bodyguard, she still agreed to his request, planning to offer Kurapika and Pairo the highest-level compensation contracts.
She believed Kurapika and Pairo would eventually leave. This compensation contract would be their future security.
…
Forest, Linne's residence.
Forest cabin, good lighting.
Linne and Shachmono looked up at the white clouds in the sky.
"It looks like a ship."
Linne stared at one cloud shaped like a boat, suddenly said.
"Mhm, really does," Shachmono earnestly agreed.
Kukuroo Mountain, dead volcano summit.
"Brother, look."
Alluka pointed at a certain white cloud in the sky.
"I'm looking," Killua smiled.
Alluka tilted her head slightly. "That cloud is so big!"
"Yeah," Killua patted Alluka's head.
Whale Island, treehouse second-floor balcony.
Mito bent over, took a damp shirt from the basin, hung it on the clothesline.
Gon was helping nearby.
Suddenly, the distant grassland showed a large area of flattened wrinkles… a gust of wind blowing through.
A white shirt in Mito's hands was blown away by the sudden strong wind.
She gasped softly, watching the shirt fly high.
"I'll get it back."
Gon volunteered.
"Mhm."
Mito responded, her gaze following the shirt, her thoughts momentarily stilled.