Linne wasn't asking Law to become her disciple. She simply wanted him to stay by her side for five or six years, during which he could learn things that countless others coveted, including the recipe for [Words of the Sea].
In other words, if Law agreed, the two wouldn't have a master-disciple relationship, but Law would still reap the benefits of being a disciple.
Faced with Linne's sudden request, Law was momentarily at a loss for how to respond.
To be honest, Linne's offer felt like a gift from the heavens to Law. Logically, he didn't need to hesitate at all.
However, the condition attached to Linne's offer was what made him hesitate.
He would have to stay by Linne's side for at least five years, without the freedom to leave as he pleased. This would essentially tie up at least five years of his freedom.
Law was in a dilemma, with a look of hesitation on his face.
Linne remained expressionless, while the others watched quietly from the sidelines.
After a moment, Law looked at Linne and said, "Let me think about it."
Deep down, he didn't want to be tied down to one place for so long, but he also couldn't outright refuse. The key point is… he was genuinely tempted.
Hearing Law's response, Linne didn't seem bothered. She nodded slightly and said calmly: "Tomorrow, try the Buddha Jumps Over the Wall that I made."
Law was surprised when he heard this and said, "Okay."
He had explained the recipe to Linne, and she had watched him prepare it. So it seemed she had already mastered the method to make Buddha Jumps Over the Wall.
Maha, who had slightly opened his eyes earlier, now narrowed them again. He had originally planned to return to Kukuroo Mountain after dinner, but hearing Linne's words, he changed his mind.
He wanted to stay for another meal. If possible, he'd even like to take a portion back to Kukuroo Mountain.
Law and Machi stayed behind, each returning to the rooms Beans had arranged for them.
Night fell.
Linne sat silently on her hard wooden bed in her room.
Netero came to see her and asked, "Have you made up your mind?"
Linne slowly opened her eyes, looked at him, and gave a low hum of acknowledgment.
"Law might not agree," Netero said seriously.
"I know." Linne replied.
Both of them understood the situation clearly and knew the reasons behind it.
Netero paused, then said, "Five years might be a bit too long."
"I still think it's too short," Linne countered.
Netero shook his head slightly. He knew why Linne wanted Law to stay by her side for several years. It was so... that she didn't have to cook for herself.
If Linne wanted to, even ten years might not be enough for Law to learn everything she had to offer. How long he stayed would ultimately depend on Linne.
"If you don't loosen your conditions, aren't you afraid this promising seedling might slip away?" Netero reminded.
"It doesn't matter..." Linne said, her eyes slowly closing as she exuded a presence of old age.
Seeing Linne's usual demeanor, Netero was speechless.
'I'm afraid that apart from things related to the Dark Continent, everything else doesn't matter to Linne.'
…
Humans possess a variety of talents, and there are differences in innate abilities.
Some people are born with extraordinary gifts, and over time, it's often said that certain individuals are destined for specific fields.
Linne was one such person. Her long life couldn't overshadow the brilliance of her natural talent.
She seemed born for the world of gourmet cuisine. Since becoming a Gourmet Hunter, everything about her, including her Nen, had become intertwined with food.
The Buddha Jumps Over the Wall that Law had prepared the previous night was undoubtedly a top-tier delicacy, showcasing the unique flavors of various high-grade ingredients. However, in Linne's eyes, it still had room for improvement.
Law... hadn't harmonized the relationships between the eighteen ingredients. In other words, he hadn't fully integrated the characteristics of those ingredients.
For Linne, this was no challenge at all. Her [Words of the Sea], for example, perfectly blended the flavors of one hundred and one ingredients.
Her Nen Ability... made this possible.
After learning the recipe and watching Law prepare it, Linne didn't need multiple attempts. On her first try, she presented her version of Buddha Jumps Over the Wall to the eagerly awaiting group.
When the lid was lifted, the aroma was just as captivating as the night before.
'Will there be any differences?'
Law wondered as he scooped up a spoonful of soup and took a sip. The next moment, his expression changed abruptly, and he fell silent, staring at the soup in his bowl.
Machi, who was sitting beside him, also tasted it. She paused for a moment, then began eating faster, taking several more bites before suddenly turning to look at Law, who remained silent.
The day before, she had said that Linne's cooking was even better than Law's Buddha Jumps Over the Wall. That had been the truth. And now, this version of the dish, while similar in aroma, tasted even better.
The difference wasn't glaring, but Machi could taste it, and Law certainly could as well.
There was no denying that Linne's Buddha Jumps Over the Wall was indeed more delicious than Law's. Moreover, considering the time frame, Linne had only made it once.
In other words, this was Linne's first attempt at making Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, yet it tasted better than his.
'Should I feel frustrated or defeated...?'
Law pondered in silence.
"Linne, I'd like to take a portion back with me." After Maha finished eating, he said to Linne.
Linne refused: "No, the loss of temperature will diminish the flavor."
Maha's mouth twitched slightly. After a moment of silence, he pressed on, "Give me a chance."
As he spoke, he looked at Linne with a serious expression. Although his eyes were narrowed and no emotion could be seen, Linne could sense Maha's determination.
After a moment of silence, she nodded and said, "Just this once."
Maha nodded. Although he was happy in his heart, his face remained stoic, showing no emotion.
Linne's gaze shifted to the silent Law. The reason she had made Buddha Jumps Over the Wall was to increase the appeal of having Law stay by her side.
From the looks of it, she had succeeded… at least halfway.
....
Alcatraz Island, Swamp Area.
Various dangerous creatures are hidden in the sparse woods. While the swampy terrain might seem like the most perilous place to an ordinary person, it was ironically the safest here.
The scattered remnants of the team, having fled after the insect swarm attack, were now dispersed. With the radios no longer functional, those who had escaped the swarm had no way to regroup.
Beep, beep, beep…
A sound resembling a phone ringtone echoed through the swamp. Upon hearing this sound, the humans hiding in the area chose to ignore it.
It was the sound of a Bellfly, and this particular ringtone was only emitted when the Bellfly was searching for food.
In a muddy pit, five people covered in sludge and unrecognizable huddled together in a makeshift shelter formed by rocks. These five were among the few survivors of the team.
After the insect swarm, no one knew how many had managed to escape.
"We can't wait any longer. We need to find a way back to the port or head straight to the prison." One of the five people suggested in a low voice.
They had been hiding here for two days, and their rations were running out. Staying any longer would only mean a slow death.
Hearing this suggestion, the other four had no objections. They all knew that hiding would only lead to their demise. Taking the risk to move was their only chance to escape this hellish place.
The five agreed and decided to act immediately. They crawled out of the pit and slowly rose to survey their surroundings.
Swoosh!
At this moment, an almost imperceptible sound cut through the air from above.
The five men were completely unaware of it. Suddenly, one of them had a bloody hole torn through his chest. He was flung into the air, blood spraying everywhere, and was dead before he hit the ground.
Looking at this scene, the remaining four people were filled with horror.
On the top of a tree not far away, a short-haired woman holding a black longbow showed a dangerous smile, and in her open mouth were rows of fangs that did not resemble those of a human.
However, this woman was undeniably human. Her name was Shark. That is her codename and also her name.
After effortlessly killing one person with an arrow, Shark habitually let out a strange whistle, then drew her bow again and aimed at the remaining target.
She didn't carry any arrows because her arrows were made of Aura...
Whoosh, whoosh…!
Four more arrows flew, and the remaining survivors fell dead.
"Yeah!"
Seeing all five arrows had hit the target, Shark immediately pumped her fist in excitement.
Perhaps due to her excitement, the Aura surrounding her began to shift into black and white hues. Two phantom figures wearing goat masks, one black, one white, appeared beside her, standing motionless.
At the same time, figures began to emerge from the forest, moving toward the corpses. They quickly searched the bodies, retrieving the radios before swiftly departing.
After the group of people brought by Shark left, there was suddenly some movement somewhere in the swamp. A pair of dark, bright eyes opened, watching the direction in which the group had disappeared.