In materialized form, just being touched by the white thread instantly triggered a 'cutting' effect.
Even with Nen covering the body, this inexplicable attack couldn't be resisted.
With this awareness, Kuro's first reaction wasn't to avoid the immediate danger but to seize the two Nitro Rice stalks in 'smoke form'.
Hundreds of threads emerged from the swamp… even smoke form probably couldn't handle them.
Anyway, staying on the ground was impossible. He could only try to ascend and hope the threads' length was limited, unable to reach the air.
Kuro ascended at his fastest speed.
As Kuro swiftly rose, the agitated threads that had doubled back charged at him.
Kuro had sharp eyes and quick movements. His smoke body twisted, easily dodging the threads coming from above.
But the threads from below, like ascending fireworks, aimed precisely for Kuro.
'Too many.'
A pair of silver eyes appeared at the end of the smoke tail, looking gravely at the thread swarm chasing from below.
Higher and higher!
However, the threads' length seemed endless. No matter how high Kuro rose, the threads from below kept close.
Seeing this, Kuro cursed inwardly, simultaneously wondering why Law's side had gone completely silent.
'Can only head towards the Hide-and-Seek dimension.'
Kuro briefly considered, then abruptly turned, heading back the way he came.
The thread swarm closely following, like countless contrails, drew a beautiful arc in the air, pursuing Kuro.
Hide-and-Seek Dimension.
The ear stuck on the wall vanished.
When Kuro shifted from materialized to immaterial, the ear, an entity with material properties, naturally disappeared.
"Knov, come with me to assist Kuro," Law looked at the image transmitted by the little fox Nen Beast on the wall. The countless threads were enough to make one's scalp tingle.
"Understood."
Knov took a few steps, coming to Law's side.
"Be careful."
"Those threads seem to ignore Nen Defense. Avoid them if possible."
"I know."
Law nodded to his teammates, then went with Knov to the Hide-and-Seek dimension's door.
Knov took out a key, opened the door, revealing a twisted space-time corridor.
The two walked into the corridor with practiced ease, their figures instantly disappearing from everyone's sight, and the door automatically closed.
At the border between the swamp and the plain, a black circle suddenly appeared on the grass.
Law's head emerged from the black circle, followed by his body.
After he came out, Knov followed closely, also emerging from the black circle.
The Hide-and-Seek dimension's entrance was set at the swamp's edge, while Kuro's location was deep within the swamp, a difference of over a hundred kilometers.
"Keep up."
Law could sense Kuro's direction and immediately set off, rushing into the swamp.
Knov followed, running alongside Law.
To accommodate Knov's speed, Law didn't use [Instant]. Plus, the swamp was muddy and hard to traverse, so their progress wasn't fast.
After running less than a kilometer, Law thought it too slow and suddenly stopped.
Seeing this, Knov also braked abruptly, turning back to look at Law in confusion, asking, "What's wrong?"
"This is too slow."
Law's gaze went past Knov, looking towards the empty distance.
Knov paused, immediately understood the reason, and said seriously, "I can speed up more!"
"Don't misunderstand. I don't think your speed is slow, but we need faster support speed," Law extended a hand towards Knov, saying calmly, "Hold onto me tightly, then stabilize yourself."
"Huh?" Knov was taken aback: "Hold... hold onto you?"
"Yes."
Law nodded.
Knov's heartbeat gradually quickened.
"Hurry."
Law, unaware of Knov's unusual state, urged.
Hearing this, Knov quickly came to Law's side, then stretched out his arms to hug Law's chest.
Thump, thump...
Knov could hear his own clear heartbeat, somewhat rapid, quickening.
"Hold on tight!"
Law reminded seriously.
"Oh, oh!"
Knov unconsciously used a bit of force. Even through clothes, the firm sensation transmitted through his hands... undoubtedly signified strength.
'This is Law's body, a body stronger than the Chimera Ant King. I... touched it.'
Knov's eyes behind his glasses became slightly entranced.
Touching such power, the pinnacle of humanity, so closely made him dizzy and quite excited.
Suddenly, a very obvious sense of weightlessness enveloped his body, making him snap back to reality.
The scenery in his vision completely blurred, constantly pulling backward.
'So fast, this is Law's speed.'
Even with glasses on, Knov could only close his eyes, letting his vision sink into darkness.
But bodily sensations remained.
Law was carrying him alone, moving at extremely high speed.
'He's really too strong, Law...'
Knov held onto Law's body tightly, his inner admiration overflowing.
On the swamp, at intervals, splashes of water would erupt from the muddy ground, but nothing was visible.
Law continuously used [Instnat]. Even with Knov in tow, his form remained unseen during super-high-speed movement.
Several minutes later, Law saw Kuro fleeing in panic in the air, heading towards their direction.
Simultaneously, Kuro also saw Law and Knov rushing over and immediately relaxed.
He formed a mouth on the smoke, shouting at Law and Knov standing in place, "What are you standing there for? Run! I've already got the remaining two Nitro Rice stalks."
Law didn't respond to Kuro, looking instead at the thread swarm pursuing him.
"Law, should I set up an entrance immediately?" Knov's tone was slightly nervous. After all, the threads were extremely bizarre, and just touching Kuro easily broke through Nen defense, instantly cutting the body.
"Set it up," Law said.
Hearing this, Knov immediately set up a black circle entrance on the ground.
Seeing the Hide-and-Seek dimension's entrance, Kuro's eyes lit up. Like a flying dagger aiming at the bullseye, he flew straight towards the black circle entrance.
After setting up the entrance, Knov also focused intently on the thread swarm coming from the air. Before Law's next command, he mentally prepared to dive into the black circle at any moment.
"These threads are really long," Law said thoughtfully.
Machi's ability was Nen Threads. Their characteristic was: shorter, more solid, and conversely, longer, more fragile. If Machi wanted, she could make Nen Threads go around the world once.
But the thread swarm chasing Kuro had a length exceeding a hundred kilometers.
"Only two stalks, how is that enough to share?"
Law muttered to himself, then swept his leg across the ground, splattering mud.
[Domain]
A light sphere radiated from his body, instantly enveloping the mud that hadn't yet hit the ground, suspending it mid-air.
"Law?"
Knov turned his head, looking at Law in surprise.
[Command Rhythm]
In an instant, Law coated the numerous mud droplets with emitted Nen, then flicked his fingers. The suspended mud shot out like bullets.
Seeing the mud bullet rain coming towards him, Kuro cursed loudly, but soon realized that although the mud rain was dense, none would hit his flight path.
The mud bullets infused with Law's Nen all passed by Kuro, striking the white threads.
Pop, pop, pop!
Numerous mud balls burst, but the white threads' momentum didn't diminish, completely unharmed.
Seeing this, Law frowned slightly.
Even though the Nen was dispersed, each mud ball was enough to break through a Nen User's Ten.
"Retreat first."
Law made the decision accordingly.