To properly reconnect Killua's broken bones, Law had cut his body into several sections, slowly straightening the bent parts.
After some effort, Killua's fractures were finally reset. Under the effects of rapid healing, there would absolutely be no aftereffects. Even the swollen bump on his face had been carefully treated.
"It's done."
Looking at Killua's now properly aligned limbs, Law silently picked up his phone, opened the camera, and took a few photos of the naked Killua.
"These'll be great for blackmail material." Law snickered.
After covering Killua with a blanket, Law sat down on the sofa. Meanwhile, Kuro had already emptied the fridge of all its contents.
Law didn't mind. He took out Saiyu's phone and flipped through the contacts list. There were pitifully few numbers… only five. One was Pariston's, while the other four, judging by the text history, were fellow Hunters Saiyu knew.
Being a Hunter was a high-risk profession, so those who formed connections would often maintain regular contact to check on each other's well-being.
In other words, within a week or two, Pariston would learn of Saiyu's death.
Law's finger hovered over Pariston's name in the contacts.
Earlier, in the theater, he had questioned Saiyu extensively and learned the reason behind Saiyu's targeting of him.
Recruitment… or execution.
Saiyu had chosen the latter, so he died by Law's hand.
However, this decision had been Saiyu's alone and wasn't directly tied to the team behind Pariston. Still, Saiyu's actions were somewhat influenced by Pariston.
'A team targeting the Dark Continent…' Law frowned in thought, 'If Ging heard about this, he'd probably be thrilled… after all, so many people were suddenly aiming for the Dark Continent.'
However, the one assembling this team was named Beyond, and surprisingly, he was Netero's son.
At this thought, Law's first instinct wasn't to ask Netero about it. Instead, he sent Ging a text.
[Did you know Netero has a son?]
A moment later, his phone buzzed with Ging's swift reply.
[At his age, he can still have kids?]
Reading this, Law felt a strange sense of déjà vu, as if he'd heard this line somewhere before. But that wasn't important. The real issue was that Ging's skepticism was completely off-track.
[No idea. What do you think about Netero having a son?] Law replied.
[I'm more curious about how old his son is and who the mother is.] Ging's response.
Law stared at the message and realized discussing this with Ging had been a mistake. His fingers flew across the screen as he typed out another message.
[I'm also very curious about who Gon's mom is.]
This message was sent, but like a stone sinking into the ocean, there was no response.
As if struck by a silencing spell, Ging didn't reply after that.
"I was going to tell him about Beyond's team... Oh well, next time."
Muttering to himself, Law picked up Saiyu's phone and dialed Pariston's number directly.
In this whole situation, one issue was particularly thorny… Pariston's identity.
Currently, as the Vice Chairman of the Hunter Association and a member of the Zodiacs, Pariston held significant authority. Yet, he was actually part of Beyond's faction.
The main questions were: Did Netero know about this? And should Law inform him?
The dial tone rang three times before the call connected.
Silence filled the other end of the line.
Law's eyebrow twitched, intrigued. He didn't speak either.
Five seconds, ten seconds, fifteen, thirty... Finally, Pariston spoke.
"It seems Saiyu died horribly."
"Not too bad," Law replied earnestly, "The inhumane treatment only lasted about a minute. I'm sure he felt relieved when he died."
"How kind of you."
Hunter Association, Vice President's office.
Pariston rested his chin on one hand while holding the landline receiver in the other.
The number saved in Saiyu's phone was for a landline. On Pariston's desk, there were two landline phones, one black, one white, for internal and external communications, respectively.
"So, how much information did he leak?"
A lifeless smile crept onto Pariston's face. The phrase 'inhumane treatment' made him think of interrogation. Of course, he trusted Saiyu's resilience, but trust wasn't something to blindly rely on.
"Probably… enough to make you and Beyond restless." Law said.
Pariston sighed dramatically, "He told you everything? Mr. Law, your methods are truly terrifying."
"Likewise. That friendly reminder of yours was the real reason Saiyu died." Law said pointedly.
The corner of Pariston's lips curled up and he said modestly, "May I ask, how exactly did you kill Saiyu in the end?"
If Law answered, it would confirm that he was the one who killed Saiyu… not Pariston.
"Chopped off his limbs first, then crushed his heart." Law answered bluntly.
"Wow! What a horrible way to die. Saiyu is so pitiful." Pariston said quietly.
"It's really pitiful. His death was meaningless. If he hadn't come here, he could've stayed in the Zodiacs for years, quietly working as your spy. Oh, and I might just take his Monkey's seat now." Law said lightly.
"That's fantastic! With you joining the Zodiacs, we'll be unstoppable." Pariston said, his voice brimming with exaggerated delight.
"You're really unfazed, huh?" Law sighed.
Pariston paused for a moment before replying cryptically, "I think you'd be a much better fit for that position than Saiyu. No… in every aspect, you far surpass him."
"Are you recruiting me?" Law asked.
"No, no. This is an invitation." Pariston said in a smooth, pleasant tone, "You know the four requirements for going to the Dark Continent, right?"
Law remained silent. Of course he knew. It was precisely these four conditions that had kept even Ging from obtaining permission despite years of effort.
"Permission, qualification, means, and contract… none can be missing," Pariston murmured, "Among them, permission is the most crucial. Even if you have the qualification, means, and contract, without permission, you cannot go to the Dark Continent."
"However, the International Permit Agencies will never give you a ticket."
"I don't usually like using the word 'absolute', but here, I'll use it twice in a row."
"I know you want to go to the Dark Continent too, but you will absolutely never get permission from the International Permit Agencies. Absolutely only Beyond can take us there."
Listening to Pariston's rapid-fire speech, Law pinched his chin but still didn't respond.
At that moment, Killua suddenly woke up, sitting upright in bed. His first instinct was to check his injuries… only to be shocked to find his broken limbs perfectly healed, as if they'd never been damaged.
While still stunned, he spotted Law sitting on the sofa and immediately relaxed.
'I'm saved!'
That thought flashed through his mind.
"Law, I'm hungry."
Then he said to Law.
Law pressed a finger over the phone's microphone and gestured for Killua to stay quiet.
Seeing this, Killua nodded obediently.
Law removed his finger and spoke into the phone again, "Hold on, I need to cook a few dishes first. I'll call you back later."
With that, he hung up without hesitation.
Vice President's office.
Pariston listened to the dial tone, and an amused smile slowly appeared on his face.
"Not as important as cooking a few dishes, huh…"