"There's something delicious, come quickly...?"
Law stared at Beans with dead-fish eyes, causing a few drops of sweat to form on Beans's forehead.
"Was that all Chairman said?" Law asked.
Beans nodded and said, "That's it."
"I see."
Law acknowledged, and then asked, "Beanie, are you staying for dinner before you leave?"
"Huh?" Beans was taken aback.
"If you're not staying for dinner, then you can go back and report now." Law said.
Beans understood and asked, "You...are not going?"
"Definitely not. Who would believe something that sounds like it's meant to trick a child?" Law retorted.
Hearing this, Beans smiled awkwardly, hesitated for a moment, and said, "Chairman probably isn't joking this time. There really is something delicious."
Law looked skeptical.
"Before coming here, I saw Linne." Beans explained.
"Linne...?"
Law had a deep impression of this name. If he remembered correctly, she was a regular judge at Gourmet Competitions and also the most senior Gourmet Hunter in the Hunter Association.
"I know her." Law said, looking at Beans.
"Then you shouldn't have any doubts, right?" Beans asked.
"Does that something delicious Chairman mentioned have anything to do with her?" Law asked.
"Yeah." Beans nodded.
"Let's go now?" Law changed his mind. Since it involved the most senior Gourmet Hunter, he had to go. Who knew, there might really be something delicious there.
"If it's convenient for you, it's best to leave now." Beans said. It's because one of Netero's instructions was to act as quickly as possible.
"Alright."
Law thought that he could use his phone to notify the others after boarding the airship, and since he didn't need to make any preparations, he could leave immediately.
Seeing that Law agreed, Beans secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
The two left the room and headed toward the elevator.
In the corridor, Machi walked toward them. Seeing Law and Beans, she immediately stopped and asked, "Are you going out?"
"Yeah." Law nodded.
"Where to?"
Law glanced at Beans and said, "Chairman Netero asked me to visit him. I'll be back in a few days."
Machi pursed her lips and said without hesitation: "I want to go too."
Instead of asking if she could go with them, Machi directly stated that she wanted to go with him.
Hearing what Machi said, Beans immediately looked troubled, as Netero had only invited Law.
Law also found it difficult, but he didn't want to disappoint Machi. So he looked at Beans and said, "I'd like to bring Machi along."
"I'll have to ask for permission first."
In desperation, Beans could only call Netero, who surprisingly agreed without hesitation, seemingly unconcerned.
Thus, the three of them headed to the rooftop and boarded the airship.
After boarding the airship, Law sent a message to Buhara and the others, informing them that he and Machi would be visiting the Hunter Association for a few days.
At noon the next day, the airship arrived at the huge private airport exclusively owned by the Hunter Association. Although there were less than a thousand Pro Hunters in the Hunter Association, there were more than a hundred spaceships, so the area of the airport was quite large.
After arriving at the destination, Beans led Law and Machi into the Hunter Association's Headquarters, which exuded the atmosphere of a modern office building.
Law wasn't particularly fazed, but Machi, who was likely experiencing such a corporate environment for the first time, couldn't help but look around curiously.
Netero was waiting for them in a quiet room on the top floor. However, the elevators on the lower floors didn't go directly to the top. They had to first go to the 42nd floor, which was the office area, and then transfer to an exclusive elevator to reach the top.
Beans led the two to the elevator and took them to the 42nd floor. From there, they walked toward the exclusive elevator that went to the top.
When walking towards the exclusive elevator, Law suddenly noticed an unconcealed prying gaze on him. While walking, he turned to look in the direction of the gaze, which was the office area.
There was a young blond man in an orange striped suit sitting on a chair. He was spinning a pen in his hand while openly observing Law. Even when Law turned to look at him, the man didn't avert his gaze. Instead, he maintained a bright and gentle smile on his face.
'Pariston?'
Law only glanced at him briefly before decisively turning away, unwilling to engage with the man. However, Pariston's gaze, like sunlight focused through a magnifying glass, remained fixed on Law's back.
In the Hunter x Hunter World, Nen Users seemed to age very slowly. Unless they deliberately altered their appearance, someone in their thirties might look no different from when they were in their twenties.
With just one look, Law instantly recognized Pariston. Regardless of his attire, the blond hair and facial features were identical to how he appeared ten years later… still looking like a man in his early twenties.
The question is, why was Pariston paying attention to him?
'I don't come here often anyway, so whatever.' Law thought to himself as he followed Beans into the elevator.
the office area, Pariston stopped spinning his pen and stared at the corner where the exclusive elevator was.
"Hmm..." In silence, Pariston slowly restrained his smile, showing a regretful expression. If someone were to look closer, it was enough to send chills down their spine.
However, this expression didn't last long. In less than a few seconds, it was replaced by his gentle smile again.
"Mr. Pariston, I… I still have work to do." At this moment, a shy female voice suddenly came from behind him.
Hearing the voice, Pariston turned around to see a flustered young woman in a uniform standing awkwardly.
"My apologies, please go ahead."
Pariston said gracefully as he stood up, giving his seat to the woman before walking out of the office area.
At the same time, in the quiet room on the top floor of the building, three elderly figures sat around a low table. Among them, Netero's demeanor appeared the most youthful, while the other two exuded an air of being on the brink of fading away.
If one were to pinpoint the difference, it might only lie in the speed and deliberateness of their movements.
The other two elders were both highly skilled Nen Users. One was Linne and the other was Maha. Both of them were old friends of Netero.
As the saying goes, 'Old age brings uselessness', but this phrase didn't apply to these three elders. Even in their twilight years, their strength was not to be underestimated.
For example, if it was a life-or-death battle, Law would likely be instantly killed by any of them.
"They're here." Maha, who was dressed very casually, opened his eyes slightly. As someone in the assassination business, he was highly sensitive to sounds. He had likely heard something, prompting his conclusion.
"Then let's begin. No need to hold back." Netero said as he slowly set down his teacup with a smile on his face.
Linne didn't say anything, but followed Netero's request and released her Aura.
In an instant, the three elders all released Aura that would be unbearable for ordinary Nen Users, and their presence radiated outward from the quiet room.
Almost immediately, Machi, who was on her way to the quiet room, reacted like a startled kitten, instinctively retreating a considerable distance.
Law's reaction wasn't as dramatic, but his expression turned grave.
The moment the Aura were released, Law and Machi were the first to feel their impact. Additionally, other Nen Users within the building also sensed the overwhelming pressure.