The V5 demanded the Hunter Association apprehend Beyond, but Netero, with his strong individualism, did not comply.
After a period of the Association's passive resistance, the V5 essentially ignored the Association and instead dispatched the private combat unit of the International Permit Agencies.
Their main task was to monitor Beyond's subsequent actions toward the Dark Continent.
Meanwhile, the Hunter Association's main force would not board the B.W.
Led by Netero himself, they would go to the Dark Continent by stowing away first.
To stow away, they would need a sturdy enough oceangoing vessel. The Association's primary mode of transport was airships. So, Law helped Netero again by connecting him with Ellie's shipbuilding company.
Tonight, Ellie and Stargie came directly to find him to personally inform him that the Association's commission had been settled.
In Law's words, something like this could've been resolved with a single text message...
But since Ellie and Stargie were already here, saying more was meaningless now.
After having the two sit at the bar counter, Law signaled the bartender with two fingers, then lightly tapped his own glass.
The bartender understood and immediately began mixing drinks.
"This place is pretty lively," Ellie couldn't hide her excitement, looking around everywhere like a curious child.
She often attended cocktail parties, but those elegant, quiet environments were the polar opposite of this feverish bar atmosphere.
Stargie sat quietly beside her, looking sideways at Law's profile. Her eyes held neither joy nor sorrow, deep as the darkness in the corner of the bar, revealing nothing.
Meanwhile, Ging was observing Stargie. From the moment they met, Stargie gave him a special sense… exceptionally powerful with a trace of an indescribable, peculiar feeling.
Law watched the bartender mixing drinks, already thinking about how to get Ellie to leave.
Because of the Association's need for an oceangoing vessel, he learned what the major order Ellie's company had received was.
It was an order from the Kakin Empire, also the components needed for the subsequent B.W.2, B.W.3...
"Law, let's go dance!"
Ellie suddenly tugged at Law's sleeve, making a dancing request.
Because the bar's music abruptly changed to a song that made people want to dance feverishly.
"I don't dance," Law declined gently.
He truly didn't know how to dance, but his physical coordination was excellent. Learning to dance would only take a moment. He just didn't want to go wild on the dance floor.
Rejected by Law, Ellie pouted, looking displeased.
"Beauty, what's fun playing with this old man? Come with me to the dance floor, I guarantee you'll have a blast." A flippant voice suddenly came from beside them.
Following the sound, they saw three young men with dyed hair, many earrings, and facial piercings.
They chewed gum, their gazes at Ellie and Stargie utterly undisguised, brimming with naked desire.
Since Ellie and Stargie entered the bar, such looks had constantly existed from all around. But these three guys were bold enough to practically shove their faces forward.
All four of Law's group heard the thug's words, and they all chose to ignore them.
Ellie shook Law's arm, pleading, "Come play with me! Just this once, okay?"
"Be good, next time."
Law pulled his hand away and, like before, patted Ellie's head.
That intimate gesture was like an older brother treating a younger sister.
But Ellie didn't like this feeling.
She wasn't that little girl from over a decade ago. Outwardly, she gave business elites the impression of a capable, strong woman. Only in front of Law did she adopt a girlish demeanor.
Seeing that Ellie and Stargie didn't even glance at them, the three thugs felt anger flare up.
Who didn't know this was the territory of their Hedgehog Peaches gang!
Malicious thoughts arose. They wanted to use tactics like tripping to knock Law and Ging over, then take the two fairy-like women to a private room to have some fun.
The men around who had been eyeing Ellie and Stargie were mostly regulars at the bar. Aware of the three thugs' identities, they all looked regretful.
At that moment, Law turned his head and glanced at the three thugs.
Then, the three men's bodies trembled. Under the watch of many eyes, they collapsed to the floor.
The flickering lights shone on them, faintly showing white foam seeping from the corners of their mouths.
The men who had entertained improper thoughts about Ellie and Stargie, seeing this, all fearfully averted their gazes.
Many ordinary people didn't know about Nen Users but had a general understanding of some extraordinary individuals in society.
They thought they had encountered one now. How could they dare harbor any further delusions?
Behind the counter, the bartender's hand holding the bottle froze mid-air. A flash of incomprehensible fear appeared deep in his eyes. Then, his other hand quietly moved beneath the counter.
"If I were you, I'd choose to turn a blind eye."
Law flicked his glass with a finger. The crisp sound seemed to overpower the music, startling the bartender, making him tremble.
Threatened so matter-of-factly, the bartender gave Law a smile uglier than crying, raising both hands to indicate he intended to do nothing.
"This place is getting too noisy. Let's leave."
Law shifted his gaze to Ellie beside him, taking this opportunity to suggest leaving.
Actually, he didn't want to be dragged into the dance floor by Ellie for a frenzied dance. Since someone had come looking for trouble, it could serve as an excuse.
Regarding the suggestion to leave, Ging and Stargie had no objections, but Ellie was a bit reluctant.
However, it wasn't up to Ellie. They directly dragged her out of the bar.
Outside the bar, sea breeze swept in, hitting their faces with a cool sensation.
"Where are you staying tonight?"
Law asked the unhappy-looking Ellie.
"Grand Budapest Hotel."
"Mhm, I'll see you back," Law said.
"Now?" Ellie widened her eyes.
"Of course. What else did you want to do?"
"What time is it even? I'm not going back! I'm hungry, I want a midnight snack!"
"..."
Law covered his forehead.
Ging watched Law and Ellie with great interest.
Beep. Beep.
At that moment, Law's phone made a notification sound.
Law took out his phone, glanced at it, his eyelids lowering slightly. Then he put the phone back in his pocket and said calmly, "Let's go. To the Grand Budapest Hotel."
"I'm not going!" Ellie protested strongly.
But protest was ineffective.
The group arrived at the Grand Budapest Hotel. Outside, police cars and military vehicles were parked everywhere, the area sealed off.
Standing outside, they could see red lights flashing frequently at the hotel entrance.
People around were whispering. It seemed a certain Prince of the Kakin Empire had died in a suite.
"What happened?" Ellie asked curiously.
"Someone died, probably."
Law said nonchalantly.
Then, the four changed course to another hotel about a kilometer away.
Under Ellie's puzzled gaze, Law didn't go to the front desk to check in but went straight to the 20th floor, arriving at room 2012.
Knock.
Law raised his hand, knocking only once.
A moment later, the door opened a crack. The person inside, seeing Law, immediately opened the door completely.
The one opening the door was a beautiful woman who currently looked rather haggard, evoking pity.
'Who is this woman?'
Looking at this woman whose looks were no less than her own, Ellie widened her eyes again.