Thus, even with ten votes in hand, Law still needed to fulfill the final condition to obtain the Zodiac identity.
With solid abilities, obtaining a Single-Star title wasn't difficult.
Although this meeting didn't produce a result, it somewhat changed the Zodiacs' members' impression of Law.
'This was a person of exceptional capability, not just in strength...'
The Zodiacs' members thought so.
The meeting ended, and everyone dispersed.
Ging had specifically changed his itinerary to come to the Association.
After the meeting, he wasn't in a hurry to leave. He followed Law to the sixteenth floor of the Association building, which housed the Lawlin Museum company.
That was Law's personal enterprise, just like his Greed Island.
Any enterprise could generate revenue.
The assets of a top Hunter were always unimaginable to ordinary people.
Arriving at the Lawlin Museum, Ging looked at the books scattered everywhere in the office and the desk piled high with miscellaneous items, feeling a strange sense of familiarity.
"This is Law's group? Only two people?"
Ging shifted his gaze, looking at Salin and Sabro, each doing their own thing.
One was engrossed in reading a book, the other intently operating a computer.
'The renowned Lawlin Museum operated with only three people. Most wouldn't believe it if told, right?'
In reality, Law was an absentee boss. The ones truly responsible for the company's operations were only Salin and Sabro.
"Make yourself at home. I won't make you tea."
Law walked into the office and, without Salin's instruction, automatically started organizing the books in the area.
Ging followed him in, looked at the surroundings, saw nowhere to sit, so where to sit?
He simply stood. Seeing Law organizing books, Ging quietly moved behind Sabro, watching Sabro's hands clattering on the keyboard, reminiscent of a certain workaholic he knew.
'Both were hardworking people.'
Ging sighed inexplicably, then lingered before the many bookshelves.
"Lou Country Historical Records written in ancient script. There's only one surviving copy in the world."
With a glance, Ging noticed the bookshelves were mostly filled with ancient books without translations. If the other shelves were the same type, it was simply unimaginable.
'There must be thousands of books here, right?'
Ging couldn't help but glance at Salin, a true bibliophile.
After a while, Law finished organizing and putting the books back in place before coming to attend to Ging.
"Why stand? Have a seat," Law walked over.
Ging was speechless, 'So, where to sit?'
Then, he saw Law sweep aside some miscellaneous items on the desk and sit right on it.
'Alright...'
Ging didn't stand on ceremony either, imitating Law by clearing a spot on the desk to sit.
After Ging sat down, Law said, "Do you think anyone among the Zodiacs would want to go to the Dark Continent?"
"Have you investigated them?" Ging didn't answer but asked instead.
Law nodded slightly. "I roughly looked into their professions. As for strength, those who can sit in that seat are no weaklings."
Hearing this, Ging looked at Law seriously and said, "You want to recruit a few of them to join?"
"That's the plan. After all, teammates who meet the standard are hard to find," Law didn't deny it. At the end, he added, "However, this isn't a matter of force. Even if I want to recruit them, they have to be willing."
"Then who have you set your sights on?" Ging asked curiously.
"Pyon. She's an Ancient Script Hunter. There are many ancient human ruins in the Dark Continent. With her along, we might find useful information from the ruins."
"Gel. She's a Poison Hunter. Having her in charge of preparing serum antibodies can reduce risks brought by unforeseen changes."
"Cluck. Botanical Hunter. Even without me explaining, you understand the role of a Botanical Hunter in the wild."
"Cheadle. She's a Doctor. Achieving a Triple-Star title, there's no doubt about her medical skills."
Ging listened quietly, then suddenly interrupted, surprised, "Wait, why are they all women?"
As he spoke, he looked at Law with a strange expression.
"Don't look at me like that."
Law raised a hand, pressed it against Ging's cheek, and pushed his head aside.
"What I value are their professions and abilities, not their gender."
"There's one more: Saccho, the Problem Hunter."
Saccho, the Horse, a Double-Star Problem Hunter. Just hearing the name, you might not see the professional positioning.
Broadly speaking, he's a top-tier psychologist.
"With his abilities, he can help team members alleviate psychological pressure in extreme environments. This is particularly important," Law explained why he valued Saccho.
The Dark Continent's environment was extremely dangerous. Even people with strong psychological resilience, staying there for long, would inevitably develop negative psychological factors like negativity, withdrawal and fear.
For example, Tonpa. Even though he developed a Nen ability specifically to avoid danger, when first in the Dark Continent, he still displayed emotions unfavorable to himself due to pressure.
Ging nodded in agreement and continued asking, "Any others?"
"For now, I only have these five in mind. If it's necessary to establish a defense team, then Kanzai, Botobai, and Ginta are also suitable candidates," Law said.
If the five mentioned earlier were categorized as support personnel, then the three mentioned now were standard frontline combat personnel.
Hearing this, Ging fell into thought.
Regarding going to the Dark Continent, his views had always been two.
One was going alone, the other was going with a team.
The former carried greater risks but offered more freedom and no need to consider teammates.
The latter had all the advantages, but the team shouldn't be too large… around twenty people was standard.
However, with many people, in a dangerous place like the Dark Continent, casualties were inevitable.
More importantly, like-minded people were too few.
Now, he had met many companions on his travels, but each person's pursuits in life were different.
Those companions would repair ruins with him, develop games with him, discover new species with him, but not necessarily want to go to the Dark Continent with him.
Therefore, in his thoughts until now, he had never considered forming a team to go to the Dark Continent.
Until Law brought back some information about the Dark Continent.
Only then did Ging realize that in the face of the behemoth that was the Dark Continent, an individual was truly too insignificant.
If one truly wanted to go to the Dark Continent, it was indeed necessary to form an elite team.
He was now working on this, but the candidates he had in mind weren't many. Even if he had candidates, they might not be willing to go.
Just like Law said earlier, even if the Zodiacs' members possessed exceptional abilities, if they weren't willing to go, it was useless.
Law looked at the thoughtful Ging and asked, "What about you? Any suitable candidates?"
For going to the Dark Continent, ability might be a hard requirement, but personal pursuit was the fundamental condition.
Having a pursuit meant being filled with passion, fearless and unafraid of unknown dangers.
Ging blinked and said, "Yes."
Law's curiosity was immediately piqued. "Who?"
"You."
Ging said calmly.
The implication was: None.
"..." Law.