With a sword, with hands, and with heart.
Law had created the Slu Tribe's current dwelling and had lived there for over two years. He had developed some attachment to the place.
Now, he felt it was time to leave, and inevitably, there was a sense of reluctance.
There was someone even more reluctant: Tonpa.
Upon hearing they were leaving, Tonpa exclaimed, "We're leaving already?"
It was clear he was disappointed.
He felt the Slu Tribe's dwelling was the safest place on the Dark Continent and wanted to stay longer… even forever would be fine.
After his disappointment, he looked at Law and earnestly pleaded, "I've lived most of my life and never worked as hard as these past two years. Please give me more time to strive… even just one more year!"
Over these two years, he had truly worked hard on his training, all to increase his chances of survival. More importantly, this place was safe.
He wanted to stay another year… the desire was strong, hoping Law would understand.
"Oh." In response to his request, Law acknowledged.
Tonpa's face lit up with joy, only to fall the next second.
"Rejected."
Law gave Tonpa his back.
The departure was set for three days later, and Law informed the Slu Tribesmen in advance.
Upon hearing the news, the entire Slu Tribe was shocked. Over the past two years, they had come to see Law's group as their own people. Subconsciously, they had assumed Law and the others would settle down and start families.
The news of their departure came too suddenly. Led by Slufin, they visited to persuade Law to stay. Many took turns, and those with young, attractive daughters even joined in, all hoping to convince Law to remain.
The successive attacks left Law momentarily dazed. He thought he shouldn't have given the Slu Tribesmen three days' notice and considered leaving the next day.
In any case, he temporarily closed the door to avoid further pestering from Slufin and the others.
In the courtyard, Law looked at the tightly shut door, feeling helpless.
Not far away, Tonpa and Biscuit were also there.
"See how enthusiastic they are? How about we stay another year or so?" Tonpa said, unwilling to give up.
Law smiled at Tonpa, and Tonpa instinctively shrunk back, wisely choosing to say no more.
"I plan to leave tomorrow."
Law shifted his gaze to Biscuit.
"Okay." Biscuit had no objections. She was indeed tired of staying here, only agreeing mainly to accommodate Law. Since Law had broken through, there was no need to stay longer.
Just then, sounds came from the high courtyard wall.
Looking over, a group of children had climbed onto the wall, looking pitifully at Law in the courtyard.
They didn't speak, using only their eyes in a group attack.
Seeing this, Law covered his forehead in exasperation, and Biscuit did the same.
After a full day of relentless persuasion with no effect, the Slu Tribesmen finally faced reality: Law and his group were determined to leave.
Since they couldn't be persuaded, they could only send them off with a grand celebration.
That day, the Slu Tribesmen brought out their stored food, paired with monkey wine, and held a farewell party for Law's group.
All good things must come to an end. After enjoying themselves, it was time to part.
Returning to the courtyard house, Biscuit, fueled by alcohol, suddenly said, "Want to have a match?"
Her cheeks were flushed, slightly intoxicated, but her tone was serious when she spoke.
Law had also drunk quite a bit that evening. After all, it was monkey wine obtained from Linne… even those who didn't like alcohol would instantly fall for it.
Hearing Biscuit's suggestion, he fell silent for a moment before nodding, "Alright."
Nearby, Bruna floated in mid-air, not understanding the conversation, while Tonpa looked like a startled deer.
'Heavens, the old witch and the great calamity are actually going to fight. This is going to be a good show.'
As he thought this, he suddenly regretted not bringing back some meat.
Thanks to Law's efforts, the Slu Tribe's dwelling had undergone tremendous changes and expansion. Besides the orderly arranged buildings, a large open space had been left… a thoughtful consideration for the Slu Tribe's future.
That open space was a suitable venue for their match.
The three arrived at the open area. Kuro wanted to come out and watch the fun, but Law stuffed him back in. After all, when Kuro turned into the tattoo on the back of Law's hand, it could add many unexpected tactical functions, like suddenly summoning weapons.
Tonpa and Bruna watched from the sidelines, while Law and Biscuit stood opposite each other in the arena, a hundred meters apart.
Their Aura shifted from calm to active, from weak to strong, until finally, wind stirred without cause.
Auras carrying strong personal characteristics enveloped them. A hundred meters apart, they collided silently.
Watching from the sidelines, Tonpa felt his heart race. When he saw Law crush Vein Stone into powder a few days ago, he already thought Law's strength was terrifying.
Now, witnessing the clash of Auras between Biscuit and Law, he had a more direct sense of it.
He seemed to see the gap: he stood at the foot of the mountain, while they stood at the summit, lost in the clouds.
The battle began in an instant and ended just as quickly.
Are there dozens of clashes? Or hundreds of clashes?
It didn't matter. The result was just as Biscuit had thought to herself two days prior.
The next day, it was time to leave.
Slufin offered to give Law three White Silkworms, but Law politely declined. After all, the White Silkworms were the Slu Tribe's foundation, and each one of them are precious.
Law refused the White Silkworms but asked Slufin for Restarites. He didn't ask for too much… just five would suffice. In the end, the entire Slu Tribe decided to give Law ten Restarites.
Unable to refuse their enthusiasm, Law accepted.
They left, and the Slu Tribesmen watched them go from outside the Vein Stone cavern.
Now, the Slu Tribe's settlement had expanded, providing ample space for both the tribesmen and the White Silkworms to grow.
Eventually, they would thrive. In this dark underground world, their future might have turned into a bright tomorrow.
Two days after Law's group left, a man in a black cloak visited.
"Stop right there. Don't come any closer." A Slu Tribesman guarding the stone gate said, holding a spear forged from Vein Stone, relatively politely halting the cloaked figure.
They spoke in the common tongue taught by Law, assuming the cloaked man was also an outsider. Without Law's influence, they wouldn't have been so courteous.
Hearing the Slu tribespeople speak the common tongue, the cloaked man slightly raised his head. In the shadows, a pair of distinct black-and-white eyes flickered with surprise.
He remained silent for a moment, then untied a small object from his hair tied at the back and held it up for the guards to see.
It was a bone hair hoop.
The guards saw the hair hoop and exchanged glances.
After a while, the stone gate opened, and the cloaked man entered.
Inside the dwelling, the cloaked man looked at the completely different scene from his memory, his thoughts pausing. His gaze lingered on the obvious sword marks on the cavern ceiling for a long time.
Then, he continued deeper, seeing the strikingly styled courtyard houses.
He stopped there, his long-calm heart trembling several times.
He was silent and confused.
Then, he saw several mahjong tables, each with four people. The sound of tiles made of Vein Stone clashing was quite pleasant. Not far away, people were playing a type of chess he didn't recognize.
He watched for a while. Nearby, Slufin and several older tribesmen stood cautiously observing the cloaked man.
After a long time, the cloaked man asked, "Where is Slubin?"
Slubin was the Chief's name. The cloaked man used the common tongue.
He knew the Slu Tribe's language but chose common tongue because he knew the Slu Tribesmen now all understood it.
Someone had been here… he was certain.
Hearing the question, the tribespeople looked at each other. Finally, Slufin stepped forward and replied, "The Chief passed away from old age over two years ago."
The cloaked man was taken aback and murmured, "That shouldn't be."
In his pocket was a Nitro Rice plant.
Ten minutes later, Slufin led the cloaked man to a place.
The cloaked man looked at the exquisite urn and fell silent.
From the guards speaking common tongue, the sword mark left from expanding the Vein Stone cavern, the distinctly styled courtyard houses, even Slu Tribe's children speaking common tongue, unknown forms of entertainment, and finally, Slubin's urn…
Honestly, he was a bit bewildered.