This teleportation mechanism based on Nen instantly reminded Law of the entry method to Greed Island… the two shared a striking resemblance.
The surroundings were a green grassland, with a few white sheep wandering about. The sky was blue with white clouds, all composed of blocky elements, except-
Law glanced at Ickshonpe, whose appearance hadn't changed at all, then looked down at his own hands. Everything was normal, completely out of place in this blocky world.
"Where is this?" Law asked Ickshonpe.
"My world. Also known as the Digital World."
Ickshonpe raised his hand and pressed the air, causing streams of data to dance at his fingertips. In an instant, a table and chairs materialized.
"Have a seat."
Ickshonpe sat down on a chair. This time, he didn't hold up a sign but spoke directly, his voice sounding somewhat electronic.
Law sat down as well, scanning the surroundings with keen interest.
Being abruptly pulled into a Digital World didn't unsettle him in the slightest. Instead, he marveled at the wonders of Nen. Aside from Ging's Greed Island, this so-called Digital World was equally fascinating.
Ickshonpe observed Law and remarked, "Ging had pretty much the same reaction the first time he entered the Digital World."
"Is that so?" Law responded indifferently, shifting his gaze from the environment back to Ickshonpe, then asked curiously, "Did you create this Digital World with your Nen?"
"No. I can only carve out a unique space within the Digital World… my home." Ickshonpe shook his head, then added, "If you want to become a resident of the Digital World, I can help you with the immigration process."
'Immigration!?'
"No thanks."
Law immediately refused. While he found the Digital World intriguing, he had no intention of becoming a resident.
Seeing Law's firm rejection, Ickshonpe didn't press further and asked, "You mentioned earlier that you had a request?"
Law had set the fastest record for clearing Super Mario, earning Ickshonpe's respect. Though Law hadn't brought it up again, Ickshonpe took the initiative to ask.
"Yes." Law nodded, getting straight to the point, "A while ago, you attacked the Lawlin Museum, right? I'd like you to design an extremely robust security program for me. Better yet, if you could become the programmer for the Lawlin Museum, that'd be perfect."
"No problem… as long as you can beat me in a game."
Ickshonpe agreed readily but set a condition, just as Ging had said: he had to win against him in a game.
Despite being a Hacker Hunter, he had an intense passion for gaming.
"Even if it means becoming my programmer?" Law pressed, seizing the opportunity.
Ickshonpe tilted his head, thought for a moment, and refused: "I don't want to work."
Law was momentarily speechless. If that was the reason for the refusal, then there was no hope no matter what.
But it was fine if that didn't work out. As long as the Lawlin Museum's operations could be safeguarded against all cyberattacks, that would suffice.
"Ickshonpe, why did you attack my Lawlin Museum a while ago?" Law suddenly asked.
"Curiosity." Ickshonpe replied.
"Just curiosity?" Law raised an eyebrow.
"Yes. You can rest assured… I only browsed through your website's database and didn't plant any trojans or viruses." Ickshonpe said.
'So it was true… The program written by that chubby kid Milluki couldn't stop a skilled Hacker Hunter. The system had been infiltrated without even triggering a warning.'
With that in mind, Law felt an even stronger urge to secure a reliable security program for the Lawlin Museum as soon as possible. He immediately said, "Let's play a game. If you lose, you have to design the most secure program for me!"
Ickshonpe excitedly jumped off his chair and declared seriously, "Of course! But I won't lose!"
Law smiled when he heard this. He could tell Ickshonpe was genuinely passionate about games. Even if he lost, Ickshonpe would likely keep giving him chances to win, just to have a skilled player to game with.
In short, designing a security program wasn't a big deal for Ickshonpe. What he really wanted was a high-level player to accompany him in gaming.
Law had subtly set a trap in his condition.
The 'most secure program' essentially tied Ickshonpe to the Lawlin Museum's security system indefinitely.
"How about I pick the game?" Law said.
"No."
Ickshonpe crossed his hands in an X gesture.
"Fine, then you pick." Law shrugged.
Then, Ickshonpe named a game.
It was… Circus.
However, it wasn't the ordinary cartridge version.
…
The next morning, Sabro woke up, washed up, and casually prepared breakfast before carrying it to the office area. There, he saw that Law's computer was still turned on.
"Sigh, he didn't even shut it down…"
Sabro glanced at Law's tightly closed bedroom door, shook his head, walked over to turn off the computer, and then sat down at his own workstation.
He took a bite of a sandwich and pulled out his phone to send a message to Salin.
[Salin, where are you now?]
[Over territorial waters.]
[How long until you reach Bit City?]
[Around evening the day after tomorrow.]
After some small talk, Sabro put down his phone and began his daily busywork.
High above the territorial waters, an airship flew above the clouds.
Salin put away her phone and reopened the book she had been reading.
Outside the window was a vast blue sky, and below lay an endless sea of clouds.
In two days, the airship would arrive in Bit City… a first-tier metropolis and home to the Ohara Museum, just a six-hour drive from Yorknew City.
Meanwhile, numerous other airships from different locations were also headed toward Bit City.
With less than five days left until the grand exhibition at the Ohara Museum, collectors and elites from all over were converging on Bit City through various means of transportation.
The Phantom Troupe, reunited after a year and a half, had also boarded one of those airships.
In the VIP western restaurant, the thirteen members occupied the largest table, which was laden with delicacies.
Had Law been there, he would have recognized only eleven of them, while the remaining two were faces he had never seen before.
These two were the No. 4 and No. 8 members of the Troupe, recruited by Chrollo from Meteor City.
Thirteen people… the full roster of the Phantom Troupe, representing the spider's head and its twelve legs.
Machi rested her elbow on the table, propping her cheek with her palm, while her other hand fiddled with her phone.
Since last night, she had sent Law several messages, all of which had gone unanswered. She had also tried calling multiple times, but none of the calls went through.
'What's he doing right now?'
Machi tilted her head slightly. They had been keeping in touch remotely for a long time without meeting in person.
She knew Law was fond of antiques and such, so for this heist at the Ohara Museum, she wanted to pick out a few valuable pieces for him.
…
Two days later, the airship landed.
Salin disembarked and took a car straight to the Ohara Museum.
It was Clover's private property, and his residence was also located there.
With two days left before the exhibition, Salin was arriving early to pay a visit.