Chapter 270 The Stakes

The victory condition was to make it so the opponent couldn't receive the ball, so when serving, there was no need to aim directly at the opponent. Hitting the ball to the left or right could increase the difficulty for the opponent to receive it.

Netero's serve earlier had landed on Law's right side. Its fast speed had forced Law to use only one hand to receive it. If not for his Domain, it would have been difficult to catch it so easily.

However, Law's powerful serve didn't seem to be aiming left or right.

"Youth sure is full of vigor..."

Netero focused intently on the Aura Law was gathering. He could tell that Law intended to send the ball straight toward him.

"Hah!"

With a low shout, Law punched the volleyball, sending it flying like a meteor straight toward Netero.

"Hohoho."

Netero gave the ball the respect it deserved. He didn't underestimate it and decisively extended both hands, receiving the incoming ball head-on.

Sszztt…

The volleyball spun at high speed, stirring up fine gusts of wind, but it remained firmly in Netero's hands, enveloped by a calm, airtight flow of Aura.

One side serves and the other side receives the ball. On the surface, it seemed like a normal pastime. However, whether it is Law's serve or Netero's receive, they both relied heavily on Nen Techniques.

This was an ordinary volleyball. Even without using Nen, Law could easily crush it. But when he served just now, he had gathered most of his Aura.

Delivering the maximum explosive force onto the volleyball without destroying it and effectively transferring that power required very high mastery in Hatsu and Shu.

On the other hand, after Netero caught the ball with both hands, he instantly divided his Aura into two parts. One part gathered at his feet, anchoring him in place, while the other part enveloped the volatile ball in his hands.

Before neutralizing the powerful force, Netero's Aura remained calm, as if he would not change even if the sky collapsed. Like a merciful hand, it effortlessly soothed the raging volleyball.

"Nice strength."

After catching the ball with ease, Netero picked it up and began tossing it again.

Law didn't say anything, but just glanced at Netero's position.

'He hadn't moved an inch...'

'Even though I had to divert some of my Aura to protect the volleyball, the ball I just punched should have pushed the transmission of force to the limit, wasting not a single bit of Aura. Even if it was Biscuit after the transformation, she wouldn't dare to say that she could catch it so steadily, right?'

'But this was Netero, after all...'

Law gently shook his hand. He wasn't discouraged that his full-power serve had been caught so easily… because his opponent was Netero.

"How about adding some stakes? That would make it more interesting." Suddenly, Netero stopped tossing the ball.

Stakes could indeed add some motivation.

Law nodded and said, "No problem."

Netero smiled and said, "If you win, I can give you a Hunter License directly."

"No thanks." Law blinked and refused without hesitation.

Netero's smile faltered slightly, and he couldn't help but wonder, 'Was the appeal of a Hunter License really that low these days?'

"Change it." Law added.

Having a Hunter License would indeed be convenient, but if Law wanted one, he could always take the exam. The main reason he didn't want it was because he wanted to participate in the Hunter Exam every year.

First, to add pages to his book. Second, to take a look at the exam's location. If it is a secret mysterious location he hadn't visited before, he could join in for the fun. If it was a place he'd already been to, then he'd skip it.

Even if he can add more pages to the book, if the location wasn't new, it wouldn't feel as exciting.

"What do you want, then?" Netero asked.

Hearing this, Law thought for a moment but couldn't come up with an answer right away.

Netero wasn't in a hurry either. He spun the volleyball on his finger, looking completely at ease.

After a while, Law's eyelids suddenly lifted, and he extended a finger and said, "How about an open-ended request? No time limit."

"Deal." Netero agreed without hesitation.

Seeing Netero agree so readily, Law was taken aback and said, "You're not going to set any limits on the request? Just like that?"

"Well, it's not like you're going to win anyway."

Netero balanced the ball on his nose, swaying his upper body left and right to keep it from falling.

"…"

Law curled his lips, feeling he was being completely underestimated, 'But that was fine. If I won this game, I could get an open-ended request from Netero.'

"So what do you want if you win?" Law thought to himself that he had gotten a great advantage, but of course, the prerequisite was that he had to win.

Netero lightly tapped the ball, then caught it with one hand, He looked at Law with a meaningful smile and said: "If I win, you have to accept the Hunter License I give you."

'What the hell…'

Law was stunned.

"Any problems?" Netero smiled.

"Wouldn't that mean I benefit no matter if I win or lose?" Law snapped out of his daze.

Netero looked puzzled when he heard this and said, "Is that so?"

"Yes!" Law was too tired to argue.

"So, do you want the Hunter License?" Netero asked instead.

"Not for now."

"Why not?"

Law paused. The reason was of course that he wanted to participate in the Hunter Exam every year to add pages to his book. Plus, it seemed like a lot of fun. But was this a reason he could say outright in front of Netero?

He thought about making something up, but under Netero's calm gaze, he couldn't bring himself to lie.

"Why, you don't want to say it?" Netero asked with a smile.

Law shook his head slightly, deciding not to hide the reason, and replied: "I want to participate in every Hunter Exam. That's why I don't want the Hunter License for now."

"So, if I win, you have to accept the Hunter License. In other words..." Netero narrowed his eyes and said seriously: "You won't be able to take the Hunter Exam anymore."

He didn't press Law for more details about why he wanted to participate in every Hunter Exam. One of his motivations for coming here was to give Law a Hunter License so that he could become a member of the association as soon as possible.

Honestly, it was rare for him to abuse his authority like this, trying to open a back door for Law.

However, not only did he have to open the door, he also had to push Law through it. He always felt that their positions had been reversed.

'If I lost, I'd be forced to accept the Hunter License...'

'Is there such an operation?'

'And just as Netero had said, if I accepted the Hunter License, I'd become a member of the association, which meant he couldn't take the Hunter Exam anymore.'

'On the surface it seemed like I was getting the upper hand, but upon closer thought, something seemed a little wrong.'

"Are you... serious?" Law asked hesitantly.

"Of course." Netero held the ball and said seriously, "If there are no issues, I'm serving now!"

Law fell silent for a moment, then nodded quietly.

To be honest, he really didn't want to lose. And the stakes for winning were too tempting.

An open-ended request from Netero? Just thinking about it was enough to fuel his motivation!