Ging still hadn't returned, but Law had arrived.
He left Gon outside because he knew the Zodiac members were all there.
When he pushed the door open and entered, he also happened to see Pariston's 'performance', which was not concealed at all.
While everyone thought Pariston was being fake, Law didn't see it that way.
Falseness might contain truth, it was Pariston's consistent style.
That emotional display through the glass towards the unconscious Netero might contain a sliver of genuine sentiment.
The timing of Law's arrival was slightly peculiar, so when he spoke, the previously quite noisy corridor suddenly fell silent.
Everyone, including the ant, couldn't help but look at Law. Their reactions varied, except for one woman who wasn't looking at Law.
Pariston slowly withdrew his outwardly displayed emotions, sinking into a dead-water-like calmness.
In his eyes, compared to an enemy, Law's positioning was more suitable as a companion to go to the Dark Continent with, and Beyond heavily valued Law's personal abilities.
Of course, what the final relationship would be also depended on the circumstances, since Law was clearly part of Netero's faction.
Whenever Gel saw Law, she always instinctively averted her gaze. It's an ingrained, retreating demeanor she couldn't shake.
The attitudes of the other Zodiac members were largely similar… they kept a constant watch on Law.
'Finally here,' Biscuit looked at the calmly composed Law and let out a soft sigh.
'Finally quieted down,' Morel shook his head slightly.
Knuckle and Shoot looked at Law with respectful eyes. Though they didn't participate in the assault on the Ant King and the Royal Guards, they learned from Morel that Law was the key point of the operation's great success.
If Knuckle and Shoot were respectful, then Knov was the epitome of extreme admiration. The light shining from his eyes couldn't even be blocked by his glasses.
Back during that battle, the overwhelming power of the Royal Guards had dealt an indescribable blow to the proud Knov, and Law, with even greater might, shattered that impact, not to mention solving the Ant King.
Beside them, Palm stared blankly at Knov's expression. It was the first time she saw her revered and beloved master show such an expression.
'What is that fallen, captivated look?'
'Impossible, that's a man!'
'And that kind of look... shouldn't it be directed at me?'
'What's going on? What's going on?'
'What in the world happened!?'
Palm slowly lowered her head. Hair as long as Sadako's draped before her face like a black curtain.
Her eyes and mouth involuntarily became hollow, very much like a ghost's.
Her pale hands twisted together as if to tear off her fingernails.
'I should have used Merman Clairvoyance to keep an eye on Master back then!'
'Why didn't I do that at the time?'
'Right, Master forbade me from spying on him.'
'But, but... not allowed, not allowed!!!'
'I must make that man disappear, make that man disappear...'
Palm's emotions grew more turbulent the more she thought. She quietly carved bloody marks into her hands.
The disaster brought by jealousy seemed to suffocate her.
Palm was the only person among everyone who focused her attention on Knov. No one around noticed Palm's psychological changes, nor even Nique.
At this moment, Nique wasn't just simply trembling.
Of all present, only he had a clear and direct understanding of Law's strength.
The scenes he witnessed back then with his [The Unseen Thing] ability still frequented his midnight nightmares.
'Although I stored the footage, I absolutely cannot take it out.'
Nique decisively averted his gaze, as if wanting to bury his head in his chest.
Just thinking about it sent chills down his spine… if Law knew he had monitored him with his ability...
"Don't mind me. Please continue."
Seeing the previous liveliness suddenly cool down, Law acted considerately. Then, meeting everyone's speechless gazes, he walked to the glass window, inserting himself among Biscuit, Ginta, and Pariston.
Knov's fervent gaze followed Law's movement.
At this point, Morel noticed Knov's expression and couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth.
Like Palm, it was the first time he'd seen Knov behave this way.
'It felt somehow familiar.'
'Right, it was like the occasionally seen obsessive fan...'
'Law is indeed strong, but Knov has high self-esteem. It shouldn't be like this,' Morel thought silently.
Knov's gaze was utterly unconcealed, so Law definitely noticed it. Feeling puzzled, he had no time to investigate. He stood at the glass window, looking at Netero in the ward.
His gaze paused on Netero's face for a moment, then shifted to the instruments.
'Vital signs are unstable. And we still don't know when Ging will return.'
Law pondered, suddenly sensing a wave of malice. However, it wasn't enough for him to assume a defensive posture. He merely turned calmly and looked towards Palm, the source of the malice.
Hair like black seaweed, untended and cascading haphazardly. Skin pale as a corpse. Features originally delicate and beautiful, but a ferocious expression ruined the beauty.
Recognizing her as Knov's disciple, he didn't know why she harbored malice towards him.
"Palm!"
Knov suddenly roared angrily, looking coldly at Palm.
The angry roar, filled with rage, struck Palm like a blow to the head, instantly causing her to completely withdraw her malice.
"Ma-Master..."
It was the first time Palm had been treated this way by Knov. Heartbreak, fear, grievance… these emotions flooded her mind all at once.
Get out.
That sentence reached Knov's throat but was forcibly swallowed back.
Ultimately, a shred of reason remained. To prevent Palm from being deeply hurt and giving up on herself, Knov suppressed his anger, raised a hand, and pointed at the entrance, saying, "Go out and reflect on your behavior."
Palm realized that the master who had always been gentle and considerate towards her was truly angry… no, had reached a state of rage.
She couldn't understand what position that man held in her master's heart.
'Why?'
Palm walked towards the door, dejected and despondent.
Almost everyone in the corridor watched this scene indifferently.
Though they didn't understand why Knov's disciple held malice towards Law, it seemed none of their business.
"I apologize. It's due to my usual inadequate teaching that Palm offended you."
After reprimanding Palm, Knov hastily bowed in apology, his demeanor very proper.
"It's fine."
Law waved a hand casually, though he was utterly confused by Palm's actions, 'Did I somehow offend Palm without realizing it?'
Seeing Law didn't mind, Knov immediately relaxed.
'Law is truly magnanimous!'
He thought this.
Moving past the baffling interlude, Law refocused his attention on Netero.
For some reason, since Law arrived, the Zodiacs' activity level seemed to have dropped to zero. This phenomenon actually made Nique more comfortable, though Law's presence still kept Nique feeling constantly on edge.
Law suddenly headed towards the exit, simultaneously speaking in a calm tone, "Cheadle, come out with me for a moment."
"Oh, okay."
Cheadle responded instinctively, then belatedly realized.
'I agreed way too readily!'
Cheadle was caught in a dilemma, without even a chance to be a tsundere. She could only obediently follow.
Everyone quietly watched Law and Cheadle go to the other end of the corridor, then push the door open and exit.
Tonpa, whose stance was similar to an outsider's, also followed.
The three walked out of the area unauthorized personnel couldn't enter and saw Gon waiting outside.
Not minding Tonpa following, and not greeting Gon, Law looked at Cheadle and said directly, "Give me the details on Netero's condition."
Cheadle was a Triple-Star Hunter. Among her areas of expertise was the profession of Doctor… saying she represented the pinnacle of modern medicine wasn't an exaggeration.
That's why Law asked Cheadle instead of finding that female doctor with close ties to the Association.
When it came to Netero's current condition, Cheadle's face reflexively took on a grave expression.
"It's an injury modern medicine cannot treat."
The core of Law's question was a detailed explanation, but Cheadle's answer went from complex to simple, hitting the crucial point in one sentence.