Hammer excitedly held up the sandal, proudly displaying the red patterns on its sole.
"In all your years sailing the seas, have you ever heard of the Supreme Grade Great Blade No. 13, no, wait, No. 14, the Super Invincible Supreme Black Sandal?"
"I prepared this specially for you, my dearest friend. You'll love it."
Dragon looked blankly at the sandal in Hammer's hand, confused as to why it was supposedly prepared for him.
But what Hammer said next made Dragon react strongly.
"Dragon, if I'm not mistaken... You want to rebel against the World Government, don't you?"
"Don't look so shocked. Ever since you brought it up back at Edd War, I could tell you were leaning in that direction."
Dragon exhaled deeply and nodded.
"You never miss a thing, Hammer. My dearest friend... Yes, I've been thinking about it."
"But... I've been hesitant. After all…"
Hammer finished the thought for him.
"After all, your old man is the Hero of the Marines, and you yourself uphold justice."
"But you need to understand, Dragon, everyone has their moment to step onto the stage. If fate has shown you the evil of the Celestial Dragons, that means it's your time. Isn't now the right moment?"
'Sorry, future Pirate King, I'm borrowing your lines for a bit.'
"Everyone has their moment to step on stage, huh….."
"...Maybe you're right."
Hammer's face twitched, and he slapped Dragon on the back of the head.
"You idiot, you almost killed me with your hesitation."
Dragon laughed heartily and took another swig of booze.
"If we get out alive this time, what do you plan to do?"
"If we escape… then I'll build an organization. Recruit comrades who share my beliefs. Together, we'll raise the banner of freedom and resist the tyranny of the Celestial Dragons and the World Government."
"Hey, now that's a plan. Why didn't you say so earlier?"
The two clinked their drinks again, eyes meeting with silent understanding.
"But Dragon, I can't just let you go. If I do, my military career is over."
Cough cough cough! "Damn it, Hammer! You trying to use me to earn credit?!"
Hammer's words made Dragon choke, but the next moment, his eyes lit up.
"Hey, Hammer, why not come with me? I'll be the boss, you'll be the second-in-command. Let's take down the World Government together!"
Pfft! Hammer spat out his drink.
"Stop right there! Are you insane? Give up my sweet gig as head of logistics just to go drifting around the world with you? What am I, brain-dead?"
"You, on the other hand, be careful out there. Don't let those CP guys get a bite out of you."
Dragon knew this wasn't Hammer's path, and trying to convince him was pointless.
But his nature made him try anyway.
"Say, Hammer, we've never really fought seriously, have we?"
Hammer gave him a look full of disdain.
"What, and get my ass kicked by a monster like you? Am I tired of living, or are you just stupid?"
"If you want a fight, go find the Monkey or the Dog. Leave me out of it."
"I just came to see how you were doing. Seems like you don't need any pep talk."
Dragon nodded, his gaze full of determination.
"This world needs change. A massive revolution."
"If no one else is willing to lead it... Then I will."
At that moment, Dragon seemed to glow with purpose.
Hammer looked at him in shock and suddenly swung his hand.
The Supreme Black Sandal landed squarely on Dragon's left cheek, stunning him.
"What the hell, Hammer?! Why'd you smack me with a sandal?!"
Dragon clutched his face, gritting his teeth in pain.
"Don't cover it! Let me see!"
"I'm telling you, this sandal is custom-forged with a single-use energy pattern printing!"
"Let me see if the imprint came out right!"
Hammer forcefully pulled Dragon's hand away, revealing a red X-shaped mark on his face.
"HAHAHAHA! Perfect! Dragon, now you're ready!"
"Go out into the world with the custom-made tattoo from yours truly! Overthrow it all!"
"That mark is the proof of your first step!"
Dragon stared blankly at the wildly laughing Hammer.
He was just about to say something, when suddenly.
Hammer launched a terrifying hammer strike from his position.
"Chest-breaking Hammer Smash!"
"Marine traitor Dragon! I, Rear Admiral Hammer, will arrest you and rescue the Celestial Dragon!"
Dragon didn't have time to think; he grabbed the unconscious Celestial Dragon, Chiquiddo, and shot into the sky like a hurricane.
The bar was obliterated by the shockwave of Hammer's blow.
"Mountain-Piercing Strike! Big Hammer 80!"
Another powerful blow followed, the hammer swing cutting through the air without even using Haki.
Dragon, confused, was hit midair and turned into a spinning cyclone.
"Save the talk! Dragon, surrender now!"
Hammer launched himself skyward with Geppo, full of dramatic flair.
Dragon suddenly understood Hammer's meaning and was deeply moved.
"Hammering of the Soul!"
In midair, Hammer activated Hammering of the Soul, covering both Dragon and the Celestial Dragon.
It didn't affect Dragon, but it woke the unconscious Celestial Dragon right up!
"AAAAAHHH!! Help! Someone save me!!"
Panic screams echoed through the sky.
"You damn villain! Let the Celestial Dragon go!"
Hammer put on an angry face and pointed at Dragon, his acting almost Oscar-worthy.
Seeing Hammer, the Celestial Dragon shrieked even louder.
Dragon's face darkened instantly.
"You scum... You don't deserve to live."
"Be the first step in my revolution!"
His right hand became a claw, Dragon Claw Fist!
A technique born to destroy oppressive rule!
Dragon crushed the Celestial Dragon in his hand and tossed the body aside.
"Dragon! You bastard!!"
Suddenly, a furious voice rang out. Golden light instantly illuminated all of Whisky Peak.
But the unexpected happened, with the Celestial Dragon's death, a terrifying aura burst from the Dragon.
"Celestial Dragons are just human! They can be killed! This world would be fair, not as it is now!"
"Tyranny must be crushed! That is my justice!"
A burst of Conqueror's Haki exploded out. Hammer was the first to feel it.
His mind went blank. In a daze, he looked at Dragon's heroic figure with a proud smile.
"Take this, Dragon! Big Hammer Fire!"
The hammer struck, fire flared, flames spiraled around Dragon.
"I am the wind! The freest, most unrestrained wind in this world!"
"Dragon Claw Fist: Breath of Wind!"
Dragon, now fully awakened to his Conqueror's Haki, struck with no hesitation.
Armament Haki coated his hands.
In a flash, Dragon tore through the flames and hurled the attack straight at Hammer.
"Damn it! You bastard!"
"Tekkai! Armament Haki Harden!"
Hammer panicked, stacking Tekkai and Armament Haki defensively.
But against Dragon's full-force Dragon Claw plus hurricane power, it wasn't enough.
Hammer was blasted away and lifted by it.
Dust, stones, and grass flew, burying Hammer completely.
From within the mess, all Hammer could think was:
'Damn you, Dragon... Well done. Next time we meet, I'm making you pay for this!'
"Hammer! Buddha Impact!"
Sengoku, finally stepping onto the battlefield with Geppo, saw the battered Hammer and panicked. He sent a shockwave flying.
Hammer, previously fine, was launched sky-high by the impact.
Hammer: 'Damn it, Sengoku you old fraud! Said you can't act, yet you ignore Dragon and blast me?!??'
Sengoku: 'Garp's right behind me. If I attack Dragon, that madman might kill me. Sorry, Hammer...'
"HAHAHA! Thank you for your guidance all these years, Admiral Sengoku! I will never forget it!"
"Tell my old man I'm sorry... but I have something I must pursue. Farewell!"
"The great wind rises! The dragon soars!"
With laughter and roaring gales, Dragon became a whirlwind and vanished into the sky, leaving behind ruins.
Sengoku, still in Buddha form, showed a complicated look.
But he quickly suppressed it and rushed to find the blown-away Hammer.
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
[email protected]/DaoistJinzu