"Become an Emperor of the Seas?"
Don looked at Robin, who smiled gently at him, and shook his head slightly.
"That so-called 'Emperor of the Seas' is just a title pirates themselves shout about. It only spread because the World Economy News keeps printing it."
As Don spoke, his thoughts drifted to Shanks.
Shanks had already ventured into the Grand Line, where his name was spreading like wildfire. In the New World, he had already become a true great pirate.
Not only his own strength, but his crew under him was gaining immense renown.
But officially being hailed as one of the Sea's Emperors? That time had not yet come.
At present, the titles of Emperor already echoed across the seas for three others, while Shanks' bounty had only just surpassed a billion.
Of course, in this era, a bounty of one billion marked the very summit of power.
"True enough."
Robin had only said it because Don seemed aimless, hoping to spark something. But now that he reminded her, she realized she might have spoken too casually.
"Still… it's not impossible to try."
A small smile tugged at Don's lips, his usually composed face carrying a faint look of anticipation.
"If one's strength is truly enough, then even if the pirates refuse to acknowledge it, the title will come."
If he could cross blades with the three current Emperors before Shanks did—and prove himself their equal—he might seize the title first.
But then what of Shanks?
With a bounty over a billion, his power had likely already reached the threshold of Emperor-class.
Shanks' strength lay in his swordsmanship and mastery of all three forms of Haki—especially his Conqueror's Haki.
And right now, Shanks was stepping into his prime.
Would that make it… the Five Emperors?
Rubbing his chin, Don pictured the scene, unable to help but feel excited.
"To achieve that, it's not enough to be strong yourself—you need a force behind you."
He spoke softly, turning to Robin.
As a historian, she was among the few true intellectuals in this world.
"What if… I start an association? A Hunter Association."
Robin tilted her head, intrigued.
"A Pirate Hunter's guild? That doesn't exist yet, but… most pirate hunters on the seas are wanderers. Some of them are pirates themselves."
She considered it seriously.
Indeed, pirate hunters weren't a unified body. They were loners, eccentrics, of every kind imaginable.
Which was precisely why Don could think of founding such a group.
"No, not just pirate hunters. Treasure hunters. Ruin hunters. Even Navy hunters—why not?"
Don stroked his chin, recalling a certain manga from his previous life.
Most of its details were hazy now, but he clearly remembered that towering institution—the Hunter Association.
"…Eh?"
Robin blinked, then gasped softly.
Don hadn't said much, but her quick mind immediately leapt to the implications.
If such an association truly formed, it could grow into a power rivaling the World Government, the Marines, and the pirates themselves.
But to achieve that… the difficulty was unimaginable.
"What?" Don glanced at her.
"If it's as you say, the scale is far too ambitious."
"Of course." He nodded, unsurprised. "But I've got time. And in this world, there are ways to extend life—even achieve longevity."
"One step at a time… it might just work. But for that, we'll need people."
His eyes flicked toward Robin, openly measuring her.
"You're really going through with this? That's far too reckless."
She gave him a helpless look.
This man, younger than her, had frightening decisiveness.
He thought of something—and immediately acted.
"You're the one who brought it up. Now I'm doing it, and suddenly you're unhappy!"
Don pinched her nose with mock annoyance.
"I'm not!"
Robin twisted her head, shaking him off.
"But building an organization that massive will take enormous money and manpower. Right now, it's just the two of us."
"Exactly. Step by step."
Don wrapped an arm around her and pulled her along into the ship's cabin.
Of course—not for anything improper.
"Come on, come on! Let's brainstorm together."
He shoved a pen into Robin's hand and sat her at the cabin's table.
"You're the clever one. Draft a plan that could actually work."
Seeing the eager look on his face, Robin sighed but relented with a nod.
"All right, I'll give it a try."
But she couldn't help noticing—Don was fired up.
From then on, when not training or helping Robin with her own practice, he spent hours locked in "brainstorming" sessions with her, piecing together the framework of this so-called Hunter Association.
Yet drafting such a plan proved far from easy.
By the time the Happo Navy's ship was safely climbing Reverse Mountain's raging current, Don and Robin were still in the cabin, locked in debate.
"Rejected! This is way too complicated."
Don slammed a hand on the papers before her, looking dead serious.
"You just don't want to memorize all this, President."
Robin, now utterly used to his quirks, could only sigh helplessly.
Such a strong man—and yet so childish.
"Either way, by your own logic, all we really need to prepare is money, manpower, and fame on the seas."
His eyes bored into hers, unyielding.
There was no way he was writing all of this down.
After all, he had just given himself a new nickname: "Don, who hates studying."
"So our first step is building fame across the seas. Leave that to me. Until then, the rest of the plan is on hold."
He started to snatch the papers back
Slap!
Robin pressed her hand down, her smile mischievous and alluring.
"Oh no, my dear President. Before anything else, the association itself can already be founded. And as its head, you must establish its system.
Any successful force needs proper rules and regulations."
"Then you write them. As the President's personal secretary, it's your job anyway."
He answered without missing a beat.
Robin froze—then her exasperation deepened.
Since when had she been promoted to "secretary"?
But faced with his immovable stubbornness, she had no choice but to nod.
"Very well, Mr. President. But since there are only two of us right now… what kind of Hunter are you?"
"Pirate Hunter?"
Don arched a brow.
"No way. You're the President!"
She shook her head firmly.
"Then what do you suggest?"
"How about… Emperor Hunter? As President, your targets could be the Emperors themselves."
Her smile widened slyly.
Don's mouth twitched. In an instant, he seized her wrist and pushed her gently down onto the bed beside them.
Leaning close, his eyes locked with hers, the distance between them vanishing.
"Woman… are you trying to get me killed—so you can find yourself another boss?"
END OF CHAPTER
patreon.com/MrBehringer
Fireborne Legends
🔹 Rising Bounty – Read up to 15 chapters ahead
🔸 Legendary Bounty – Command up to 35 chapters ahead