While Cheadle worried about what Pariston might be scheming in the shadows, Law thought of the Chimera Ant eggs and consequently spoke up.
That statement was like a lit fuse, with the very end tied directly to Cheadle's mind.
Then, Cheadle was confused, her heart trembled, and she found it hard to believe.
Harboring these emotions, Cheadle wanted to ask for specifics. At that moment, Shiro opened the door and came out.
Of course, to Cheadle, this was just an insignificant little interlude.
Compared to Shiro's appearance or going to check on Netero's condition in the room, Cheadle believed the first priority was to continue the previous conversation.
She had to clarify some things she didn't know, as they might be crucial factors later on.
"Shiro, come with me for a moment."
However, all she heard was Law saying these words. Then, Law presented her with the unyielding back of his head, leading Shiro into another room and leaving her alone, utterly bewildered.
"Isn't my matter more important? Ugh, I mean, isn't this matter of mine more important?"
The response to Cheadle was merely the sound of a closing door.
She could only watch as Shiro and Law entered the room.
Moreover, she couldn't call out to stop Law.
Because she saw that the matter Law considered more urgent was calling Shiro away, not the issue she was trying to learn about.
Helplessly, she could only suppress her confusion for now.
She entered the room and immediately saw Netero sitting on the bed, gazing out the window at the night sky.
The sound of her entering did not draw Netero's attention.
Cheadle gently closed the door behind her, went to the chair by the bed, and slowly sat down.
Netero didn't look at Cheadle, nor did he speak, still quietly watching outside.
Therefore, Cheadle also remained silent. She sat upright, her gloved hands resting on her knees, quietly watching Netero.
Among the Zodiac members, aside from Law, Ging, and Pariston, the others had gone so far as to alter their physical features to correspond with their zodiac animals.
It could be due to admiration, respect, longing, or perhaps some other sentiment.
Cheadle didn't know how the other members viewed Netero. She only knew that she deeply respected him. Even though Netero could be reckless at times, she always believed he was the most suitable person to lead the Hunter Association.
Naturally, she roughly understood what Netero pursued.
Every Hunter has a goal they pursue.
But first, the Ant King, and now, Law.
From the former strongest to this current state...
Would there be a sense of defeat, or perhaps some other feeling?
Cheadle pressed her lips together, looking at Netero. From the moment she entered the room and sat down, she knew she must not be the first to speak.
If Netero chose not to speak at all, then she would remain silent until she left the room.
...
In another room, Law and Shiro stood facing each other.
Before Law could speak, Shiro spoke first. "I arrived yesterday. Ging called me... well, tricked me into coming here."
Seeing Shiro take the initiative to speak, Law could only wait silently for him to continue.
Shiro took his pipe, tapped its base against the back of his hand, then put it back in his mouth, saying calmly, "For the past two days, Ging has been chattering in my ear, trying to get me to go with him to the Dark Continent."
"This is the second time I've seen him like this. Well, the first time was when he invited me to help create Greed Island."
As he said this, Shiro tilted his head back slightly and blew out a puff of smoke.
A deep, inscrutable gaze subtly blended into the spreading smoke.
He watched the smoke and continued, "And I refused. I haven't kept an exact count of the number of refusals, but it's probably around twenty-five times. Because I have no interest in the Dark Continent. So, having heard all this, do you still intend to speak?"
He had clearly guessed the reason Law called him to the room, so before Law could speak, he first stated his position.
'Twenty-five times...'
Law felt a slight surprise, not speaking immediately, instead staring at the pipe in Shiro's mouth.
Sensing Law's gaze, Shiro's eyes paused for a moment, almost guessing what Law's next sentence would be.
After a moment, Law said, "I know you like tobacco."
Just as Shiro had thought, so he quipped, "So what? Are you going to tell me the Dark Continent has many special kinds of tobacco?"
"Correct." That was precisely what Law wanted to say.
"..."
Shiro was taken aback, completely not expecting Law to accept that line so readily. He shook his head. "You've seen my Nen. So you should understand I don't like people painting grandiose pictures in front of me."
The essence of the [Fool's Method] is grinding down time and patience. While there's an extremely low chance of a sudden breakthrough, it's largely a step-by-step process.
And people of this type most dislike empty promises. So when Law acknowledged Shiro's casual joke, Shiro felt displeased, though he didn't show it.
"In fact, I have indeed seen a type of tobacco in the Dark Continent. Its appearance resembles a serrated edge."
Law didn't detect the displeasure in Shiro's heart, but at this moment, both his expression and tone carried a convincing seriousness.
He looked intently at Shiro and continued, "Its growing environment is usually in marshy lake areas. Wherever it exists in a marshy lake area, there will definitely be an amphibious creature with leafy green caps on their heads guarding it."
"Those amphibious creatures wrap the sawtooth-shaped leaves with their saliva, roll them up, and smoke them directly."
"At that time, I didn't see any flicker of flame, but they were indeed puffing away."
As he said this, Law felt a sense of regret.
He also smoked, but he wasn't a heavy smoker like Shiro. Besides, the cigarettes he smoked weren't addictive, and they were just sometimes used to stay alert.
So, back when he saw those frog-like amphibious creatures in the Dark Continent rolling up and smoking those unknown, sawtooth-shaped leaves, he didn't risk snatching some from them.
If he had collected some back then, he wouldn't need to waste words now… he could just present them.
After all, with Shiro's ability, he would definitely be able to identify the special qualities of that unknown tobacco immediately.
Hearing Law's words, Shiro slightly subdued his inner displeasure. He wasn't sure about the truthfulness of Law's story, but he didn't consider Law the type to exaggerate wildly.
Moreover, based on his knowledge of tobacco and various botanical species, he had never heard of such amphibious creatures or tobacco that didn't need lighting. It sounded a bit made up.
But would Law make things up?
Regardless of the tone and expression...
Shiro suppressed his doubts, looked seriously at Law, and asked, "You've really been to the Dark Continent?"
Law nodded. "It's best if you can believe it. However, regarding the type of tobacco I just mentioned, if you want proof, I have none to offer."
"But if you want to go to the Dark Continent, I can assure you, I will definitely take you to find that tobacco. Besides, I don't believe there's only one type of tobacco in the Dark Continent."
"So, do you want to go and verify this with your own eyes?"
Shiro fell silent.