This may be the first time they can relax since leaving Demon Island.
The more experiences one went through, the more one would come to realize.
After feeling powerless once or twice, no one would want to experience it again. So, in the time to come, certain things would have to change.
Whether it was getting injured or having a sword break, they needed to recognize the hidden dangers of this world, and also their own weakness and powerlessness.
This journey had not only tempered Sanbica and the others mentally and physically, but had also given Law a deeper understanding of this world.
The things depicted in the anime called Hunter x Hunter are just a tiny corner of this vast world.
The sea breeze swept across the deck, tousling the hair of the young people gathered there.
Boom…!
A full fifteen minutes after throwing Kuro into the sea, the fishing line finally reacted and instantly straightened.
"It's here."
Luo quickly reeled in the line, hoping Kuro had caught something decent.
Seeing movement at last, the others nearby perked up with anticipation.
When hungry, there was nothing better than a meal prepared by Law.
Click, click.
Law turned the reel, pulling the line back inch by inch. Soon, the calm sea surface erupted as Kuro burst out of the water, clutching a grotesque fish roughly the size of a calf.
The cat and fish hung in the air for a brief moment before splashing back down.
"What an ugly fish."
During its brief appearance, Law saw the appearance of the fish, and a black line suddenly appeared on his forehead.
He wasn't worried about whether it was edible, but he was worried that it would taste bad.
After a few more struggles in the water, Kuro finally dragged the ugly fish onto the deck.
This strange fish is quite large, with two fist-sized gray eyeballs protruding from its forehead. On both sides of its mouth are structures shaped like bat wings, which are mixed with several colors and appear slightly bright.
The structure of its mouth is very peculiar. The sharp teeth were concealed behind a fleshy membrane. If one gently pulled back the membrane, they can see a row of sharp teeth.
The slightly brightly colored membranes on both sides of the mouth may be a sign that this ugly fish is highly poisonous, or it may be that this structure evolved to attract prey.
The head of the fish is ugly enough, and so is its bloated body. Under its body is a row of crab-like arthropods, and at a rough glance, there are at least thirty or forty of them.
"Can we even eat this thing?"
Nobunaga looked at the ugly fish on the deck and the corners of his mouth twitched a few times.
"I took a bite and it tasted pretty good." Kuro glanced at Law. He wouldn't have brought it up if he hadn't tested it first.
Law didn't respond. Instead, he stepped forward, crouched down, and touched the ugly fish, then the White Smoke Font provided details.
"This is a Borko fish, a highly aggressive species. They usually hide under seabed cover, fiercely territorial and predatory. Normally, they walk along the ocean floor and rarely surface."
As Law spoke, he flicked a small orb of Nen, which hit the Borko fish between and slightly above its eyes. With a slight popping sound, the fish died within seconds.
That spot was Borko fish's weak point. No matter how tenacious its vitality, a penetrating strike at that spot would kill it in three seconds.
"We're lucky. Although it's a C-Grade ingredient, it has the quality of a B-Grade ingredient."
"The most amazing thing about Borko fish is that within two hours of death, a strange substance is secreted from its body that acts like a ripening agent, making the slightly raw meat of the Borko fish even more delicious."
"So, eating Borko fish raw is the best choice, but the optimal window is only within those two hours."
Law looked at Buhara. He said so much not just to explain the questions raised by Nobunaga, but also to let Buhara know this information. After all, not everyone had a convenient identification system like his.
"Doesn't that mean we have to wait another two hours?" Buhara had a bitter face, and it was unclear whether he'd actually absorbed any of Law's explanation.
Law rubbed his temples helplessly and said, "Wait a bit. This Borko fish is considered mature, but it's still not enough. You stay here and keep fishing."
After saying that, he walked toward the recliner.
It didn't matter what else they caught. Borko fish was ideal for sushi, and finding another suitable ingredient wouldn't be easy.
Buhara picked up the fishing rod with one hand, while Kuro, realizing the fish definitely wouldn't be enough, willingly hooked himself again and dove back into the sea.
Hearing they had to wait for two more hours, Sanbica and the others lost interest in crowding the deck's edge and dispersed to the recliners, leaving Buhara alone to fish at the edge of the deck.
In the captain's cabin, Linne and Netero had overheard Law's explanation about the Borko fish.
"That kid knows quite a bit." Netero remarked.
"Mm." Linne nodded in agreement.
"Did he agree to your conditions?" Netero suddenly asked.
"He agreed."
"Hmm, I didn't expect him to be willing to be tied in one place for at least five years." Netero said in surprise.
Linne glanced at him and said, "My place isn't a prison. Besides, it's been a long time since I last traveled."
When Netero heard this, he suddenly realized that Linne planned to take Law with her on her journeys.
'That's a good thing.'
A smile appeared on Netero's lips. Compared to staying cooped up at home, he'd much rather see Linne out exploring the world again, even if she'd already been to most places.
"I won't have the chance to go back to the Dark Continent, but I hope Law can go there one day and retrieve what I left behind." Linne suddenly said, staring at Law on the deck.
Upon hearing this, Netero's expression changed slightly. He was silent for a moment, then said, "That place is far too dangerous. It's beyond his current reach."
"I can wait." Linne looked up at Netero and said in a deep voice, "Or do you think I don't have another ten or twenty years left in me?"
"Living another hundred years won't be a problem." Netero chuckled awkwardly.
Then, he suddenly recalled the conversation he had with Law about the Dark Continent back on Demon Island.
"Was the condition you offered him… related to the Dark Continent?" He looked at Linne and asked tentatively.
Linne's eyelids lifted slightly, the twilight glow casting shadows across her aged face. She forced a slight smile. While she didn't say anything, it is confirmation enough.
Seeing her tacit agreement, Netero sighed and shook his head. Though he understood her reasoning, he still felt that Linne's decision was too hasty. Some things couldn't be justified by mere sentiment, not even something as simple as 'I hope'.
Had it been anyone else, he would've scolded them outright. But this was Linne.
However, going to the Dark Continent requires many stringent conditions, including permission, means, qualifications, and a contract. In the final analysis, no outsider could ever obtain approval from the International Permit Agencies.
In other words, it is basically impossible to travel to the Dark Continent through formal means.
Netero stroked his beard. At this moment, three people appeared in his mind. One was his son, Beyond, one was Ging, and the last one was Law.
In his opinion, among the three, only Beyondcould obtain the qualification to go to the Dark Continent, and even if Ging and Law spent decades trying, they would most likely not be able to obtain the qualification through official channels.
Digging deeper, while Ging and Law had shown remarkable potential, in fact, the odds of them ever setting foot on the Dark Continent remained slim. As for Beyond...
As long as Netero didn't die, the restriction in Beyond's body would always exist, preventing him from going to the Dark Continent.
Linne hopes that Law can go to the Dark Continent, but Netero does not want Law to go because it is too dangerous.
At least, he believes that Law must be stronger than himself to be qualified to go there.