Ten million Beli?
Are you trying to kill me?!
Colonel Nezumi's eyes widened, glaring at Don as though he'd just asked for his life.
We barely know each other, and you dare to ask me for ten million?!
"Can't I?"
Don smiled as he asked, watching Nezumi's expression.
"Yes!" Nezumi nodded without hesitation.
Even if I can't, I have to!
"Then I'll thank you in advance. Most of my money was taken by Garp and deposited in the bank, so I don't have much left on hand. When I have the chance to return to the East Blue, I'll just catch a few pirates and deliver them here again."
Don accepted the promise with a polite nod.
Please don't ever come back.
Nezumi screamed inwardly, though his face betrayed nothing.
Once he had resigned himself to bleeding money, Nezumi moved quickly—almost as though he wanted Don gone as soon as possible.
Naturally, Don had no intention of lingering. He was only here to shake the tree a little, after all.
Robin, watching silently from the side, was left dumbfounded.
Borrowing money from a Marine base commander—and actually succeeding.
At the harbor, Nezumi watched with grief-stricken eyes as Don's ship sailed away.
Ten million Beli.
That was a year's worth of savings… if he didn't eat or drink.
On the ship, Robin stowed the heavy bag of Beli and then turned to Don.
"What now?"
"We'll head to Cocoyasi Village for a bit. I want to buy some fruit." Don replied casually.
But in his mind, he briefly considered taking Nami along.
The thought came and went.
She was still too young.
Yes, he needed a navigator, and Nami's talent was undeniable. But at her age, she would only be a burden. Even if he did bring her aboard, he'd spend more time looking after her than relying on her skills.
Besides, with Bell-mère still around, she would never allow Nami to leave.
Better to find a navigator in Paradise.
Not long after, Don and Robin's ship reached Cocoyasi Village.
Don disembarked alone and walked straight to Nami's home.
When he knocked, Bell-mère opened the door. She froze for a moment at the sight of Don, then quickly composed herself.
"You are…?"
"Here to buy oranges."
Don held up a thick wad of Beli.
Bell-mère blinked, but didn't look surprised.
"Setting out again, are you? It's been quite a while since your last voyage."
She stepped aside to let him in.
Inside, both Nami and Nojiko stared in surprise at Don's sudden appearance.
"Yes. This time, I'm heading to the Grand Line."
"The Grand Line?!"
Bell-mère's eyes flickered with shock, though she said nothing further.
Last time Don had left, Genzo had speculated that he was the pirate hunter who had killed the Arlong Pirates.
For someone like him, she had no right to offer advice.
"I'll go prepare the oranges. Should I have them sent to your ship at the dock?"
"That would be best. Thank you."
Bell-mère nodded, then left to find Genzo for help.
As soon as she was gone, Don turned to the two girls.
"Were you the one who killed those fishmen?"
Nami asked directly, curiosity plain in her eyes.
"Who told you that?" Don raised a brow.
"Genzo. The last time you left, he said you were a pirate hunter—someone who catches pirates for their bounties."
Nami spoke seriously, repeating Genzo's words.
Nojiko, though silent, watched Don with the same curiosity.
"That's right. I make a living capturing pirates and trading them in."
Don sat across from the two girls.
"How amazing…"
Nami sighed enviously, Nojiko nodding in agreement.
"Envy alone won't get you far. Pirates are vicious. If you're not strong enough, you won't catch them—you'll only end up dead."
Don's blunt words made their faces pale.
"So if you ever want to go to sea, think carefully. Of course, if you can find a captain to take you aboard and let them handle the fighting, that might be safer."
Nami nodded quickly. She thought it made perfect sense.
"I'm going to draw the best, most perfect map of the seas. One day, I will set sail."
Her expression was firm, her voice resolute.
"Not bad. Having a dream is the most important thing. I, on the other hand, still don't really have one."
Looking at the fire in Nami's eyes, Don spoke with a trace of wistfulness.
His own thoughts were too complicated, too different from the people of this world. He couldn't pin down a single dream the way they could.
So he lived simply—doing whatever came to mind.
"I should go. If you really want to make your dream come true, then work hard for it."
With that, Don rose and left.
Nami and Nojiko watched him disappear from the house.
"I'll do it. I will succeed." Nami clenched her fist, voice steady.
"I'll tell Bell-mère. She'll definitely support you." Nojiko suddenly added.
Nami froze.
Bell-mère already knew her dream.
But going out to sea? That was another matter. She was certain Bell-mère would never agree. At least not now.
At the dock, Robin supervised as Bell-mère and Genzo delivered baskets of oranges to the ship.
When Don returned, Robin smiled faintly in relief.
Bell-mère, meanwhile, gave Robin a curious look, wondering at her identity.
Don had left alone last time. Now he had a companion.
A partner to share the voyage.
After paying Bell-mère, Don and Robin set sail once more.
Genzo only exhaled when the ship finally slipped over the horizon.
He patted the folded newspaper hidden in his pocket.
He knew the truth about Don. He just hadn't said it aloud.
The news was too shocking.
Better to keep it that way.
Still… that man was surprisingly down to earth.
"Want to come over for dinner? You could even stay the night."
Bell-mère's voice startled Genzo.
He froze, his face instantly flushing red, before fleeing in embarrassment.
Bell-mère sighed at his retreating back and returned home.
Not long after, Nami burst out of the house—chased by Bell-mère brandishing a broom.
Days later.
Don and Robin arrived at Reverse Mountain.
As they looked up at the upward-flowing canal, the two exchanged glances.
"By the way, do you have a dream of your own? I mean besides the one you inherited as an archaeologist. Your own dream."
Just before entering the waterway, Don asked suddenly.
"My own dream?"
Robin blinked, surprised by the question.
"It's a rule. Everyone who enters the Grand Line has to shout their dream aloud."
Don said it with a straight face.
Robin rolled her eyes. As if such a rule exists.
But since he asked, she gave it some thought.
"My dream… then, I'll help you build a grand Hunter's Guild."
END OF CHAPTER
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