In Hammer's courtyard.
Two tall, burly men sat drinking and chatting.
"Sigh... That little brat Dragon…"
"Teacher Zephyr, what's done is done. But I have to say, Dragon is really strong. He's even awakened Conqueror's Haki. He almost beat me so badly I'd need life assistance."
Sherry, it's the kind of thing you drink when something's weighing on your mind. One sip, and it really does feel good.
Hammer put down the bottle and looked at the melancholic face of his old teacher, feeling a bit emotional.
'Sigh, Teacher Zephyr. In your youth, you dominated the seas, your name feared everywhere.
'Now in your later years, you've devoted yourself to training the next generation, producing countless elite officers.'
'Don't worry. As long as I'm around, I'll make sure you retire peacefully at HQ.'
"I've already submitted the request to Old Man Kong. After I'm promoted to Vice Admiral, I won't go to sea anymore. I'll stay here in the armory, and I'll keep assisting you as your aide."
Zephyr looked at him warmly.
"You… You just lack motivation. Even if you're a blacksmith, you've got real talent. Why won't you go out to sea?"
"Pfft. What's so great about going to sea? I already handed the Warhammer over to Lance and told him to go pirate hunting with Shirley. I'm better off staying behind where it's safe."
"Well, everyone has their own path. When's your Vice Admiral promotion ceremony?"
"No idea yet. Old Man Kong and Sengoku said I still have to attend a hearing. Such a pain…"
Hammer chugged the rest of his Sherry, a look of helplessness on his face.
"That's the standard process. A Vice Admiral is the backbone of the Marines, you can't be sloppy about it."
"Besides you, Borsalino and Sakazuki are being promoted too. The three of you are all carrying your own weight now."
Zephyr's face turned nostalgic.
A few years ago, these brats were just cadets under his command. And now? They've all grown so fast.
Thus, Hammer finally got some peace and quiet.
Lately, he'd just been living in the armory. Aside from forging weapons all day, he was enjoying life to the fullest.
Kong visited the armory daily, discreetly feeding inside information about certain elite preferences.
The two collaborated like seasoned con artists, thoroughly enjoying themselves.
"Hey Hammer, what's this thing you're making?"
"Huh? Isn't it what you said, those guys love weird stuff."
"This... polearm too?"
looked curiously at the massive silver glaive standing upright nearby.
It was entirely silver-white, beautifully crafted. Crescent-shaped blades curved off each side, connected to the spearhead with small cross-branches, perfect for both stabbing and slashing.
As he spoke, he reached out and grabbed it.
"Oh shit! Old man! Don't touch that polearm!"
The moment it was grabbed, the weapon glowed faintly, as if activated.
The next second, itt flew straight up into the air, smashing through the ceiling and soaring into the sky.
Kong: "!?!?"
"What just happened!? Why did it just fly away?! I barely touched it!"
"I told you not to touch it! That's a failed prototype! Its trait is instant ascension, it flies off the moment someone touches it. No one knows when it'll fall, or where it'll land!"
Hammer was practically spitting in frustration.
'This old geezer, seriously!'
Kong awkwardly pulled his hand back.
"So… what now?"
"What do you think? We wait and see which unlucky soul it lands on… Let's just hope it doesn't kill anyone."
Kong fell silent… He shoved his hands deep into his pockets, resolving to never touch anything in this workshop ever again.
"Hammer, what do you think? Will the Celestial Dragons like these toys?"
Hammer pointed at a pile of gear nearby. Kong looked over.
"Gravity Gun, stripped-down version. Reduced materials, needs charging. One hour of use, 24-hour recharge. Uses Flameweave Stones, must be solar-powered."
"Iron Bed Deluxe, more 'movement modes' added. Saint Rosward should like this. No special abilities needed. Easy to assemble. Can be mass-produced."
"Puppet Gloves, grants special abilities."
"Hypnotic Glasses, also from special ability sources."
"Leg-locking Hat…"
Kong looked at one bizarre item after another, his grin growing wider until he finally burst into laughter.
"Hey, old man, I've got everything prepped. How are you planning to sell this stuff to the Celestial Dragons?"
"You gonna march into Mary Geoise and sell it directly?"
Kong's smile vanished. He looked at Hammer like he was an idiot.
"Are you stupid? The iron bed? Sure, sell it directly. But these special ability items? If we just hand them over, we're throwing money away!"
"Of course we're auctioning them! The Celestial Dragons are the best suckers out there, who else are we supposed to scam?"
"There's an auction house right in Mary Geoise. I'll take them there myself."
'...Right. Of course Mary Geoise had everything.'
"Oh, right, almost forgot. The Vice Admiral hearing's in three days. Don't be late."
"Yeah, yeah, I got it. You can go now. You're interrupting my forging."
Kong: '…Fine, damn.'
Three days flew by.
The Marines Vice Admiral hearing was a crucial promotion event.
This particular hearing was for the new generation of Marines leaders: Sakazuki, Borsalino, and Hammer.
Besides Hammer, the other two had already arrived at the Fleet Admiral's office, waiting for the hearing to begin.
"Where the hell is that bastard Hammer? Why isn't he here yet?"
Kong's face darkened as he grew more irritated.
"I'm here, I'm here! Jeez, Old Man Kong, I was just a little late, what's the rush?"
Just as Kong was about to explode, Hammer finally strolled in.
"Yo! Long time no see, Hammer-kun~"
"Oho? Monkey bro, long time no see~ And Dog bro too~"
The three of them had shared a dorm room once, so their bond was still strong.
Even Sakazuki, usually so stiff-faced, cracked a rare smile.
Hammer and Borsalino even slung their arms around each other and started catching up.
"Sakazuki, I heard you've been doing a great job cleaning up the first half of the Grand Line. Even went off to the New World on your own to fight pirates? How was it?"
"Mm... It was great. I even fought Kaido once."
That's Sakazuki for you.
"Borsalino, how's Punk Hazard treating you? And how's that laser development going?"
"Ugh! I knew you were behind that, I nearly died from overwork! Vegapunk used me as a lab rat, but the laser weapon prototype is done now."
Borsalino shot a resentful look at Hammer, who just burst out laughing.
"All right, you three. The World Government officials are here."
"The hearing's about to begin. Get ready."
The three looked at each other and smirked.
'Get ready? For what?'
'Let's just get this over with.'
.....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
p@treon.com/DaoistJinzu