Pale green branches wrapped around the lava bird like a dumpling.
Leaves sprouted, flowers bloomed… all within a few short seconds.
The lava bird's vitality was plundered by [Wither], turning it into a plant covered in ink flowers, which then fell towards the lava pool.
Seeing this, Law immediately descended, positioning himself below the plantified lava bird. Stepping on the high-temperature lava, he swung his left hand, sweeping across the bizarre ink flowers on the branches.
Law's control over force and timing had reached a peak level. The Domain covering his left arm opened small gaps, quickly closing them in intervals, precisely sweeping the ink flowers inside.
Each time a gap opened, the [Wither] parasitizing his left arm reacted, rapidly maturing.
However, Law was too fast. After sweeping all the ink flowers into the Domain space, the [Wither] on his left arm hadn't even started to decay into plant matter yet.
Looking down at the plantified lava bird slowly sinking into the lava pool, Law used air-stepping to ascend.
The green branches had already started withering before sinking into the lava pool, but the ink flowers that had reproduced hadn't had time to transform into liquid seeds before Law sealed them into his left arm.
If Law's timing had been off, causing the ink flowers to transform into liquid seeds and fall into the lava pool, the entire volcano would have become nourishment for [Wither] to grow unchecked.
In that case, the entire Whale Island would likely sink within half a day.
Without absolute confidence, one basically wouldn't undertake such risks. If Law's Nen gauge hadn't reached 99%, he wouldn't have done something so dangerous.
In any case, he succeeded.
Ging watched Law return, a gleam in his eyes.
The entire process of sweeping the ink flowers was seamless, demonstrating peak-level control.
If he had to do it, he wasn't sure he could succeed.
He felt that perhaps, Law's Nen Control had already reached the number one level in the world.
Law returned to the crater's edge. In front of Ging, he cut off his own left arm, covered it with a film-like layer of Domain, then used In to conceal its form, and finally sealed it back into the book page.
"How do you plan to deal with it?" Ging had personally seen [Wither] infect even lava, so he attached great importance to this question.
"Have I mentioned to you how this Calamity came about?"
"The Gatekeepers of the Dark Continent?"
"Yes. If there's a chance, of course, return it to its rightful owner."
A cold glint flashed in Law's eyes.
Back then, thanks to the Gatekeepers, he suffered greatly. If not for concerns about Biscuit and the others' safety, he would have already used guerrilla tactics to thoroughly annoy the Gatekeepers.
If he went again this time, with Knov's Hide-and-Seek, he could let loose and give them a taste of their own medicine.
Even so, Law had actually considered using Alluka's power to resolve this Calamity, but he worried something might go wrong.
Although he knew Killua's 'Command' didn't require paying a price, Law still had reservations.
He had been exposed to Nen for so long and was thoroughly familiar with the relationship between Vows and Limitations. Having also encountered the Dark Sonata, he couldn't help but think Killua's 'Command' had hidden costs.
In other words, there were invisible, potential risks.
After much thought, returning [Wither] to the Dark Continent was the best choice.
Since [Wither] could exist on the Dark Continent without destroying its ecosystem, it meant something could suppress [Wither].
Law couldn't know what that was, but the Gatekeepers might know. Otherwise, they wouldn't have so carelessly smeared [Wither] on his face.
Ging silently watched Law, thinking of many things.
Perhaps sensing Ging's concerns, Law patted his chest with one hand, then walked towards the slope below, succinctly saying, "Trust me."
Hearing this, Ging could only smile wryly.
Besides trusting Law, were there any other options?
Both [Lichen] and the [Lava Bird] were things Don Freecss left on Whale Island. The former belonged to [Hope], the latter to [Calamity].
Since Law dealt with the [Calamity], he naturally and guiltlessly prepared to take away the [Hope].
After a moment, Law and Ging crouched in the area with the [Lichen], like old farmers tilling the land, digging up the [Lichen] Don Freecss left here.
Kuro emerged on his own, actively helping.
The reason for this enthusiasm was to sneak a bite.
Having been with Law for so many years, Kuro had learned his lesson many times. Although he stole bites, he was extremely measured, keeping it at a level that wouldn't make Law come after him.
Law noticed Kuro's small actions. Since they weren't excessive, he turned a blind eye.
After working for a while, the two humans and the cat stripped all the [Lichen] and counted the quantity.
Width: 16 cm. Length: 51 meters.
Gathering all the [Lichen], they cut off one meter and threw it to Kuro, then stored the remaining 50 meters in the space.
Kuro happily chewed on the one-meter [Lichen]. To outsiders, it looked like a crazy person chewing tree bark with an expression of extreme delight.
"After processing, this stuff can become a considerable amount of [Blue Potions], very important supplies for our trip to the Dark Continent." Law glanced back at the crater.
'For what reason did Don Freecss leave the [Lichen] and the [Lava Bird] on Whale Island back then?'
'Could it have been prepared for latercomers?'
'No, any speculation was meaningless...'
Regardless of Don Freecss's original motives, Law didn't want to know. What mattered was that he obtained a batch of supplies.
Ging was a game enthusiast, so he instantly understood what Law meant by [Blue Potion].
But he never expected [Lichen] could be used to restore Aura. What surprised him even more was that Law seemed to know all about it.
He stared at Law with a probing gaze.
"Sorry, I won't reveal the reason."
Noticing Ging's look that seemed to want to see through him, Law shrugged, immediately making his stance clear.
"Fair enough."
Ging scratched his forehead. After getting used to it, he was quite nonchalant.
Having dealt with the Calamity and dug up all the Lichen, the two directly descended the volcano.
Night fell, the tranquil Whale Island bathed in the light of the bright moon.
Law and Ging stood atop a large tree, gazing at the lights in the distance under the night sky.
That was Ging's home.
At this moment, Gon and Mito were probably having dinner.
"When will Beyond arrive?" Ging asked.
"Tomorrow."
"Do you want to use his ability?"
Law stared steadily at the evening breeze sweeping across the plains, nodding. "That's the idea. After all, he's been to the Dark Continent. Until now, he's never given up on setting foot there again."
"But what the specific situation will be still needs to be seen in person."
After hearing Law's words, Ging remained silent.
He also knew about Beyond having been to the Dark Continent.
As for how he knew, of course, it was from information obtained from Netero, though at the cost of a big trap he willingly jumped into. And now, Law was thinking about how to pull him out of this big trap.