"So… he escaped after all?"
"Yes, Fleet Admiral Kong. Dragon awakened his Conqueror's Haki. And since he's a Logia-type user, a hurricane human no less, neither Hammer nor I had an effective way to stop him..."
"Sigh… This will be hard to explain to the Five Elders. Come back for now. We'll decide the bounty once you're back."
"What about Garp? Is he still on his way?"
"Tsuru and I stopped him. I've taken him back to Marineford."
After hanging up the call, Sengoku let out a soft sigh and looked back at the battered Hammer beside him.
Hammer shook his head, indicating he was fine.
"My head's still a bit foggy, but it's no big deal. Are we heading back now, Sengoku?"
"Yes. Take the Celestial Dragon's corpse and return."
"By the way, old man, how did you break free from my hypnosis?"
"Hmph, with that half-baked hypnosis of yours? You think I'd fall for it?"
Hammer: '...As expected, old men are the most annoying.'
Holy Land Mary Geoise, Pangaea Castle
"So this is your report? A Marine traitor awakened Conqueror's Haki and killed a Celestial Dragon?"
"And you let him get away?"
Fleet Admiral Kong, Sengoku, and Garp stood in front of five elderly men in suits, the highest authority of the World Government: the Five Elders.
Warrior God of Finance – Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro
Warrior God of Agriculture – Saint Shepherd Ju Peter
Warrior God of Justice – Saint Topman Warcury
Warrior God of Environment – Saint Marcus Mars
Warrior God of Science and Defense – Saint Jaygarcia Saturn
"Yes. Dragon's strength is clear, Logia abilities combined with all three types of Haki. He's already stepped into the Admiral level."
Kong didn't back down at all, responding seriously to their rebuke. Sengoku stood beside him with the same stern expression.
Only Garp wore a look of complete disdain.
That's just how Garp is, reckless and disrespectful, even to the Five Elders.
"Put out a bounty. This is the first time a Celestial Dragon has been harmed since the God Valley incident. It's a serious matter."
"Set it at 2 billion Berries."
In the end, the bounty for Dragon was confirmed by Saint Warcury, the Warrior God of Justice.
But it didn't end there.
Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro, who was cradling a famed sword, spoke again.
"Due to the Marines' failure in this incident, the Marine headquarters' funding will be reduced by 20% over the next three years. Kong, do you accept?"
Kong remained expressionless, but Sengoku's face darkened.
Saint Nusjuro nodded, satisfied.
Then Saint Saturn, Warrior God of Science and Defense, added:
"Garp, the traitor, is your son. You must take responsibility."
Garp picked his nose and gave him a mocking glance.
"I saved your life once, and you still have the nerve to talk back?"
Saturn's face darkened, but he said nothing more.
"This is the end of the discussion. I accept. If there's nothing else, we'll be leaving."
Kong silenced Garp and left with Sengoku and Garp.
As they walked away, the Five Elders exchanged weary glances.
"Saturn, you shouldn't have provoked him. You know Garp is a madman."
"A madman with top-tier combat power, at that. What did you expect?"
Saint Shepherd Ju Peter sighed as Saturn stewed in silence.
"We must maintain stability at sea. We can't push the Marines too hard. Send out CP0, keep it discreet. Hunt down Monkey D. Dragon."
On the return ship to Marineford
"DAMN THAT BRAT DRAGON! I'LL POUND HIM MYSELF!"
"Garp! Enough! For the next three years, go to the New World and focus on capturing Roger. Don't come back unless necessary! Got that?!"
Aboard the warship, Garp was still grumbling until Kong cut him off.
"Fleet Admiral Kong, will the World Government make a move?"
Kong scoffed. "Hmph, if they don't, they're not the World Government. They won't act openly, but behind the scenes? Absolutely. CP0 is probably already searching the world for Dragon."
"At least Dragon was thorough; he sank the entire ship. Otherwise... heh."
Garp's face twitched. Even the Hero of the Marines couldn't stay indifferent when it came to his own son.
"As for the budget cuts… sigh, what a headache."
"Hammer's reward got cut, too. That brat's probably going to explode again…"
Kong rubbed his temples, starting to understand what Hammer meant back then. There's not a single normal person at the top of the Marine command, and all the situations they deal with are ridiculous.
Just as Kong predicted...
At Marineford, in the Fleet Admiral's office, the Marines' top brass had gathered, including Hammer.
"What?! I don't get to be Logistics Chief anymore?? Are you kidding me?!"
Upon learning that he lost his Logistics Chief post, Hammer exploded. Sure, he'd been promoted to Vice Admiral, but that didn't compare to the sweet deal of being in charge of logistics!
"This isn't up for debate. It's a direct order from the Five Elders. If you've got a problem, go argue with them at Pangaea Castle."
Kong wasn't worried. The decision came from above; what did he have to do with it?
"Be content. Vice Admiral is already a good rank. You'll be stationed here in Marineford. No field assignments."
What could Hammer do? Rank is power. He had to accept it. At least he was promoted and had a desk job.
"Dragon's bounty has been set, 2 billion Berries. Sengoku, follow up on that."
"Oh, Hammer, there's one more thing. I want to talk about the World Government's budget cuts."
Hammer instantly flared up again.
"What? Cutting my reward was bad enough, now the whole HQ's budget is slashed?"
"Those five old farts have lost their minds!"
"Wait... Old Man Kong, why are you looking at me like that? OH NO. YOU'RE SCHEMING AGAIN!"
Seeing Kong's cryptic smile, Hammer instantly realized he was being played again.
"Hey now, don't accuse me unfairly, Vice Admiral Hammer."
"This is training for your future role as Logistics Chief."
"Besides, the World Government has big plans for your forging abilities. You know what their funding is like, right?"
"The Five Elders said anything that's not offensive gear isn't their concern... heh heh heh…"
Kong looked at Hammer with a sly grin.
Hammer understood immediately and returned the same sneaky smile.
"Got it. Totally got it. If they cut my reward and still want my goods, I'll bleed them dry! That's the Hammer way!"
"This time, I'll set up the buyers for you. How about the Celestial Dragons?"
Fall where you stumble, that's Kong's motto.
Hammer was instantly excited.
The thought of scamming the Celestial Dragons thrilled him.
"What's the profit split?"
"Oh Hell no! You're just the middle man and want half?"
"Connections are valuable, brat!"
"Deal, but the HQ covers forging materials!"
As the schemers laughed wickedly together...
Sengoku and Vice Admiral Tsuru watched from the side, utterly helpless.
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
[email protected]/DaoistJinzu