Law didn't say it explicitly, but Hakuro knew his 'time was running out'.
Kuro's return was a done deal.
But even if it were just out of pity, Hakuro hoped that one day Law would suddenly remember him and let him out.
Just that would be enough to satisfy him.
Hakuro crouched at the edge of the cliff. The orange-red glow of the setting sun fell on him, casting a lonely shadow beside him.
His gaze shifted from Law and his companions to the sunset about to disappear below the horizon, his face etched with a disappointment that even his black-rimmed glasses couldn't hide.
A long time passed, and only when Buhara's call of "Dinner's ready!" reached him did Hakuro stir, though he still remained unmoved.
Team members gradually headed towards the campfire, but Law didn't go. Instead, he came and sat down beside Hakuro.
At that moment, the last ray of twilight on the horizon vanished, night fell, and stars appeared in the night sky.
The evening breeze carried a hint of coolness.
Looking at the star clusters that seemed within reach, Law suddenly asked, "Have you thought of a name for yourself?"
Hakuro was taken aback by the question, then replied listlessly, "To become my last words?"
"Maybe so, but there might still be a chance for a turnaround."
"A turnaround?"
"A friend of mine once said Nen Abilities are a lot like programming code. It starts with a basic framework, then extends into various branches and conditions."
"What does that mean?" Hakuro was utterly confused.
Law glanced at him but didn't explain immediately. Instead, he said, "Normally, a Nen User only develops one Nen Beast, but some develop two or even three."
"This means there's a possibility for you and Kuro to coexist."
Hakuro shook his head, not getting excited by the possibility Law mentioned, and said, "It's impossible. Our relationship is like day and night alternating. If he's there, I'm not. If I'm there, he's not."
"Hey."
Law pressed a hand on Hakuro's head and lifted him straight up.
Hakuro dangled like a sun-catcher charm, staring at Law in bewilderment.
"This is my Nen Ability. Whether it works or not isn't up to you."
Seeing Law looking like a gang boss, Hakuro wanted to nod frantically to show he understood, but his head was being squeezed, so he could only grin apologetically and say, "Whatever the boss says goes! Whatever the boss says goes!"
Law shook his head slightly, released Hakuro's head, and continued, "Nen Abilities are like programming code, and they can be modified and adjusted according to one's needs. By resetting the conditions, it might be possible for you and Kuro to coexist."
"R-Really?" A sudden light shone in Hakuro's dim eyes.
"But it's troublesome," Law looked at the now-revived Hakuro and said calmly. "I'm still thinking whether the issue of your coexistence is worth the effort for me."
"It's definitely worth it, absolutely worth it! Not to brag, but in terms of combat power, I can beat Kuro to a pulp! Most importantly, I'm more obedient than Kuro. If you tell me to go east, I'll never go west."
Hakuro now looked like a product on a shelf, striking a "Pick me! Pick me!" pose.
"I'll consider it carefully. Blackening the book pages isn't something that can be done quickly, so you still have some time to play," Law reached out and patted Hakuro's head.
Then he stood up and looked at his teammates gathered around the campfire.
Around the fire, everyone stood or sat, each holding a large bowl… utensils temporarily taken from Knov's Hide-and-Seek.
Today's dinner was eight-treasure rice, the main ingredient being pork smoked by Buhara from locally sourced materials recently.
Perhaps noticing Law's gaze, someone called out for him to come eat.
"Let's go, time to eat."
Law headed towards the campfire.
Hakuro suppressed his inner excitement and trotted happily after Law.
What Law had just said was like a ray of dawn, filling him with hope for the future.
'Before Kuro comes out, I must perform exceptionally well!'
Hakuro clenched his fist inwardly.
The night deepened, and under the starry sky, there were bits of laughter and joy.
Nique seemed very interested in tending the fire. After dinner, he squatted by the campfire. As soon as the firewood burned low, he'd immediately pick up a log and throw it in, then give it a few pokes in a practiced manner.
Whether he had developed a peculiar biological clock or not, even when asleep, he'd wake up on time to add firewood, then immediately lie back down to sleep.
Hours past dinner time, the fire still burned brightly.
With no danger present, there was no need to go to Knov's Hide-and-Seek, especially since the Nen Space consumed Nen continuously whenever there were 'guests'.
Law and Machi lay nestled together.
Using the mountaintop as their bed, the starry sky as their blanket.
With teammates all around, they naturally couldn't do anything intimate. They just slept in each other's arms, passing a somewhat special night.
Early the next morning, Law's group didn't linger and headed straight down the mountain towards the coastline on the other side of the fictional continent.
They needed to cross the continent, summon the turtle, and then head directly to the Dark Continent.
As for visiting the Gatekeeper, Law had thought about it many times and ultimately decided it was unnecessary.
During the team's journey, Hakuro became the gold-medal handyman. Except for fire-tending, which Nique monopolized, wherever there was a chore or a need, Hakuro would appear there, a veritable 'model worker' who never complained, earning the admiration of everyone else in the team.
"Not bad, not bad, much more reliable than Kuro."
An offhand compliment from Biscuit nearly made Hakuro float with pride.
Tonpa also wanted to take the opportunity to praise Hakuro, but considering Kuro might find out, and he didn't have Biscuit's confidence… after all, in the team hierarchy, Kuro ranked above him, for safety's sake, he kept the thought to himself. He even thought that having Hakuro was much more useful than having Kuro, as with Hakuro around, he could at least relax a lot.
And so, the team traveled onward.
…
Half a month later, a team of just over twenty people arrived at the continental border… the Great Wall.
The leader was none other than Beyond. After finishing his act with Nasubi, his team set off immediately to seek the Guide, paying a visit to the Gatekeeper.
He stood before the large door painted with strange patterns and knocked on it three times with moderate force, much like Netero had done some time before.
His teammates stood not far behind. The most conspicuous among them was a robot over three meters tall, likely a product of Conjuration.
Next to the robot stood several mercenaries in military uniforms, each with a very robust build, looking quite capable.
As for the others, their heights and attire varied, and their age differences were relatively large too. Their only common point was that they all seemed full of vigor.
They all marveled at the towering wall and the door seemingly built for giants, their eyes filled with astonishment.
"This... this..."
A man wearing glasses with spiral lenses gaped, his mouth open. His role in the team was that of a paleolinguist… his former identity was a renowned university professor somewhere in the world.
"I must take a picture!"
The man abruptly pulled a camera from his pocket.
"Don't."
The woman who often poured wine for Beyond reached out and pressed down the hand holding the camera.
The man came to his senses and silently put the camera away.
Now really wasn't the right time.
Creak!
Just then, the door opened.
Blue Shadow stood inside the door, coldly regarding this new batch of human visitors.