The mud bullet rain was a probing attack.
After testing the threads' strength, Law had no reason to stay.
When Kuro dashed into the black circle, he and Knov also followed into it.
Then, the black circle on the ground rapidly shrank and disappeared.
The thread swarm from the air lost its target, all striking the muddy ground.
Immediately after, an astonishing scene occurred!
The likely thousand-plus threads spread out like ground current, rapidly dispersing in all directions.
All around, the aquatic plants and groves touched by the threads were instantly sliced into fragments.
After landing, the thread swarm spread continuously for several kilometers, shredding every plant it touched along the way before finally calming down.
They lay quietly on the muddy ground for a long time, then, like fishing lines being reeled in, retracted back in the direction they came.
At this moment, Law, Knov, and Kuro safely returned to the Hide-and-Seek dimension, unaware of what happened on the ground.
Seeing them return, everyone quickly gathered.
"Scared me to death, almost became a martyr up there."
The smoky Kuro, still fearful, tossed the two Nitro Rice stalks to Law, then reverted to his cat form.
This operation consumed about thirty percent of his Nen Reserves. Just thinking about it made him ache.
It's a pity that the vitality-filled Nitro Rice couldn't increase his Nen Reserves, merely satisfying his appetite.
Law caught the Nitro Rice, applied a little force, removed the plant skin wrapping them, revealing the golden rice-like appearance, emitting abundant life energy.
Compared to the half stalk of Nitro Rice obtained from the Slu Tribe, these two in hand were more 'fresh'.
"So this is the legendary longevity food, Nitro Rice. Quick, let me touch it."
Shiro came over eagerly, grabbing one stalk, while Ging took the other, examining it closely.
"This life energy is stronger than an Archangel's Breath."
Shiro carefully stroked the Nitro Rice, looking amazed.
The others also examined the Nitro Rice, feeling its life energy up close, finding it incredibly invigorating.
"We still don't know the details of those white threads, and we've already got two Nitro Rice stalks. Should we stop here?" Ging casually handed the Nitro Rice to Buhara beside him, then looked at Law, who was deep in thought.
Hearing Ging, everyone suppressed their curiosity about Nitro Rice, all looking at Law.
Under everyone's gaze, Law's brows remained slightly furrowed.
After a moment, he exhaled and said, "Two stalks are too few."
"Is that so..."
Ging smiled helplessly. He knew Law wasn't a greedy person, but Nitro Rice was too special… wanting more was human nature.
"So what do you plan to do?"
"I'm still thinking."
Everyone looked at Law's thoughtful expression, remaining silent.
Earlier, they saw the result of Law's mud bullet rain, and the thread count was too exaggerated.
"Um, how about burying the grains in soil to try?" Nique timidly suggested. As a vegetarian, he really wanted to taste Nitro Rice.
"..."
Everyone's gaze shifted to Nique.
"W-What's wrong?" Nique stepped back, thinking his suggestion fit natural rules, right?
"It should... be possible?" Buhara said hesitantly.
Everyone thought Nitro Rice was a miraculous plant, so by habitual thinking, they assumed planting Nitro Rice wouldn't yield Nitro Rice easily.
But was that really the case?
Law remained silent for a while. Even he hadn't considered this possibility… instead, Nique brought it up.
Thinking of this, Law said, "Sheila, please analyze the Nitro Rice."
"Okay."
Hearing this, Sheila immediately summoned Ai-chan.
Buhara handed the Nitro Rice to Ai-chan.
Soon, the analysis result came.
[One stalk grants a hundred years of lifespan.]
[Can be cultivated.]
[Growth cycle is three hundred years.]
"Three hundred years, no wonder Kuro found only three stalks in an hour," Shiro murmured.
With such a long growth cycle, if something went wrong during cultivation, who would you cry to?
"So, it's better to pick existing ones," Law immediately decided, still thinking two stalks were too few.
"But how to deal with those threads?" Machi's gaze darkened. In her heart, she didn't want Law to take risks, but she wouldn't show this thought because if she did, Law would likely regret bringing her.
Law looked at Machi. At this moment, they weren't boyfriend and girlfriend but captain and member.
"I'm not confident I can cut those threads, nor do I want to risk it with my true body. However, although those threads are fast, they can't outpace me." Law's plan was to use speed to escape the threads, then search for more Nitro Rice.
He didn't believe the entire swamp had only two Nitro Rice stalks.
As for why there were only white threads and no Hellbell in the swamp, that wasn't his concern.
Actually, he thought the Hellbell would be easier to deal with.
Once Law decided, no one could stop him.
"Then I'll go with you," Machi said.
Then, the usually silent Stargie suddenly said, "I want to go."
Machi immediately turned to look at Stargie, a glint in her eyes.
Law glanced at Machi, then at Stargie, thinking about who would be better to bring along.
Of course, he considered everyone, not just Machi and Stargie.
Knov took a deep breath and said, "Bringing only one person is the safest method. Taking me allows escaping danger anytime."
Hearing this, Machi bit her lip. Regarding Knov's point, she couldn't refute.
Ging and Biscuit shared similar views with Knov, thinking Law bringing Knov was the safest choice.
"I want to give Ellie a stalk of Nitro Rice, so I need to go," Stargie didn't refute Knov's point, just stated her reason for wanting to go.
"So that's why," Law couldn't help but smile, then looked at Machi and Stargie and said, "But sorry, the upcoming action isn't suitable for bringing you."
Hearing this, Machi and Stargie both felt somewhat disappointed but didn't press stubbornly.
The final decision was undoubtedly to bring Knov.
Opening the Hide-and-Seek dimension's exit, Kuro went out first to scout.
Upon emerging from the black circle, he saw a jaw-dropping scene: the trees and aquatic plants that were there not long ago were all leveled into fragments on the ground.
Then, Law and Knov returned to the surface, also seeing the surroundings, both slightly shocked.
And everyone in the Hide-and-Seek dimension, through Nique's projection, saw the swamp leveled to flat ground.
"Let's go."
Law withdrew his gaze, and Kuro returned to the back of Law's hand. This return wouldn't make the little fox Nen Beast disappear.
Not wasting time, the two headed towards the swamp's heartland.
If the Nitro Rice on the outskirts had a lower acquisition difficulty, then not finding any would be normal.
So, Kuro found three stalks in the heartland, so the likelihood of more Nitro Rice nearby was high.
It didn't take long for Law and Knov to reach where Kuro had picked the Nitro Rice earlier.
Their arrival, like triggering an alarm, caused the white threads that had just calmed down to emerge from the swamp, heading straight for them.
[Flight]
Law, holding Knov, rose into the air.
[Tempest Cut]
In mid-air, Law kicked towards the ground.
A crescent-shaped Nen Blade separated from his right foot, landing where the threads emerged.
Boom!
The Nen contained in the blade erupted.
The force shattered the surface of the muddy ground, causing large amounts of mud to spurt out.
Law didn't check the result, as if stepping on invisible stairs, continuing deeper, while he and Knov checked which trees bore Nitro Rice.
That Tempest Cut seemed to anger the white threads. Each thread showed a frantic, trembling frequency.
"Law, look behind!"
Suddenly, Kuro's frightened voice came from the back of his hand.
Law and Knov couldn't help but look back, their expressions changing.
A root stem with a diameter of about ten meters, topped with a giant dandelion, broke through the ground.
That was... the white threads' true form.
It resembled a dandelion, but different.