Aboard the Battleship Warhammer
First came an angry shout, followed by a scream.
"Little brat, don't push your luck!"
"Stay away from me!!"
The marine warship was currently sailing across the sea, headed for Jaya Island in the first half of the Grand Line.
Since agreeing to become a Warlord of the Sea, Crocodile had been granted freedom; aside from seastone handcuffs, her movements were no longer restricted.
This was a privilege granted by Hammer.
All the soldiers were extremely curious about her, and Shirley was especially over the top.
She had always been the only girl on the ship, which made things quite dull for her.
But ever since Crocodile appeared, despite originally being a man, now transformed into a woman, that appearance was simply breathtaking and attractive to all genders.
Shirley instantly latched onto her.
This drove Crocodile to the brink of a breakdown.
Lance watched as Shirley tormented Crocodile and couldn't help but click his tongue.
"Truly, every creature has its nemesis. This is terrifying."
"That's a Logia-type Sand-Sand Fruit user, a notorious pirate! And she's being toyed with by Shirley? Horrifying."
The nearby soldiers who heard him nodded in agreement.
"What are you all staring at?! Get back to training!"
"Yes, Captain Lance!"
Jaya Island, Mock Town
A lawless town where pirates squandered their fortunes.
Dragon, clad in his green cloak, had already arrived with his subordinates.
"Dragon, is this Hammer really as impressive as you say?"
"A special forging ability? It sounds too far-fetched."
Ivankov was very curious about Hammer but remained skeptical.
After all, that kind of power just didn't sound realistic.
"Ivan, don't underestimate Hammer. This cloak was made by him. You know what it can do."
Ivankov nodded. When he first wore the green cloak, it felt like he could fly.
"Hammer is my dear friend, one of the few who truly understands my ideals. Even though he's a Marine, that doesn't hinder our bond."
"I believe, deep down, he sympathizes with my cause."
Just then, clapping interrupted their conversation.
"Dragon, your words almost brought a tear to my eye."
Dragon smiled and turned to see Hammer, his face slightly darkened from years of blacksmithing.
"There's my money, I mean, my dear friend!"
"Hahaha, that was a slip of the tongue. Forget I said that, you two didn't hear anything, alright?"
Hammer: 'Damn it, the "Retract-Retract Fruit" belongs to Garp! Dragon, why are you copying your old man's bad habits?!'
"Hmph, I've got great hearing, you know."
"Don't be like that, Hammer. By the way, why did you come alone? Where's your ship?"
"Are you stupid? I'm not sailing a Marine warship into a pirate town. I may not be afraid of them, but I also don't want any unnecessary fights. I'm lazy."
Dragon nodded in agreement. Ivankov curiously sized Hammer up, three meters tall, very muscular, very tan, but… very ordinary-looking.
That was Ivankov's impression.
If Hammer knew, he'd probably smash him for being so brutally honest.
"This must be Ivankov, right? Wow, your face is huge!"
"N-fufufu! And you must be Hammer. You're so plain-looking, and so dark!"
Sparks flew between their eyes as they glared at each other, tension thick in the air.
"You two… enough already."
Dragon shook his head helplessly.
He should've expected this when putting two big mouths together.
"Hmph, if it weren't for Dragon, I'd stare you to death!"
"N-fufufu! With those beady little eyes? Careful, I'll blink and blow you away!"
"Alright! Both of you, stop!"
"Hammer, why are you looking for Ivankov?"
Hammer dropped the lightning-charged glare and sighed.
"I made a special dagger recently, and… accidentally stabbed someone. That person turned from a man into a woman…"
One was stunned and silent, the other visibly thrilled.
"A newkama?! Hammer, right? I like you!"
Ivankov instantly went from hostile to delighted.
Hammer: '… What the hell'
Dragon's jaw dropped. After a long pause, he muttered:
"Hammer… don't tell me you want to become a newkama too…"
"Hell no! It was an accident. I didn't expect things to turn out like that!"
"So, who did you stab?"
Dragon looked even more shocked.
"Sand Crocodile, the rising pirate star? The one who supposedly fought Douglas Bullet to a draw?"
"N-fufufu! So Croco-boy's a woman now?"
"That's wonderful news! I want her to join me!"
Ivankov completely dropped the act.
"Ivankov, that won't work. She's now the World Government's candidate for Warlord of the Sea. She can't go with you."
"I know your Devil Fruit is the Horm-Horm Fruit, which lets you change gender. I hope you can help me turn Crocodile back."
"In return, I'll personally 1 billion Berries to your cause."
"One billion?! Hammer, are you serious!?"
Hammer nodded. He had plenty of money, and since it was going to Dragon, he didn't mind.
"Where did you get that kind of money?"
Though Dragon was excited, he was still a little skeptical.
"Relax. Old man Kong pulled some strings for me. I went to Mary Geoise and held an auction, scammed the Celestial Dragons out of 20 billion. Half went to Kong."
"The other half is mine."
Dragon and Ivankov stared at each other in silence for a long time.
"Half? That's 10 billion? Damn, Hammer, you filthy rich bastard. And you're only giving me one billion?"
"What, not enough? That's my retirement fund! Do you know how risky it was messing with the Celestial Dragons? I could've died!"
Seeing Hammer's red face and bulging neck veins, Dragon awkwardly chuckled.
"Right… those were Celestial Dragons after all."
"Hmph, 1 billion. Take it or leave it."
"TAKE IT! Of course, we'll take it! Ivankov, go fix Crocodile now!"
Ivankov: '…Why do I suddenly feel so tired?'
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
[email protected]/DaoistJinzu