"Gancho, so the reason you called me was to save this man?"
"Yes, King Riku. If he wakes up and discovers the secret of the Tontatta Tribe, that would be unacceptable. I had no other choice but to ask for your help. Besides, Green Bit lacks the medicine to treat him."
A large man and a very tiny one so small he was practically invisible stood by the unconscious Hammer, chatting away.
"Alright, I'll take him back to Dressrosa and treat him… but Gancho, how do you know this man isn't a villain or a pirate?"
King Riku Doldo III, the benevolent ruler who governs through mercy and compassion. Known for using a one-handed sword in battle, he's generous and kind-hearted, even helping war-torn nations, earning the deep trust of his people.
At this time, King Riku was in his prime, tall and imposing, with a rugged face and hair of black and gold, clearly a man of righteousness.
Opposite him was Gancho, the chief of the Tontatta Tribe, who resided beneath the forests of Green Bit Island.
Despite their size, the Tontatta are incredibly strong and fast-moving.
"Hehehe, I don't know for sure. Just a gut feeling. My intuition tells me this man isn't a bad guy or a pirate. He doesn't have that bloody smell on him, does he?"
King Riku looked at Gancho's gentle smile and shook his head with a sigh.
"Ah you.. Fine, I'll take him."
"Much appreciated, King Riku."
Dressrosa Royal Palace
"Princess Scarlett! Stop running around the palace!"
A pink-haired girl dashed down the halls, a butler chasing behind her.
"Father brought back a man, I want to go see him!"
"Princess, what's so interesting about a man?"
"You don't get it! If Father brought him here, he must be important!"
Scarlett, King Riku's eldest daughter, age eight.
Don't be fooled by her age; she's sharp and well-read. After all, this is the Land of Love and Passion, Dressrosa.
She made her way toward a modest guest room.
Inside, King Riku looked solemnly at the wounded Hammer being bandaged.
"These wounds are no joke. I can't believe he's still alive."
"Your Majesty, I've treated all his injuries. Honestly, it's a miracle he survived."
Doctor Koman wiped the sweat off his brow and bowed respectfully.
"Thank you, Doctor Koman."
"You flatter me. Just doing my duty. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."
"Right, I'll have Commander Taigu deliver your fee later."
Once the doctor was gone, King Riku stared thoughtfully at the man in the bed.
Curious, he summoned his staff.
"Bring me every newspaper from this year."
After cross-referencing repeatedly, King Riku confirmed the man's identity.
The Marine's most brilliant rising star, the Master Blacksmith Vice Admiral Hammer.
"For such a man to be this badly injured... who could've done this to him?"
Countless questions filled King Riku's mind.
But with Hammer unconscious, there was no way to get answers.
"Father! Where's the man you saved? I want to see!"
Suddenly, a figure burst through the door and ran to the bedside.
King Riku sighed and facepalmed.
"Scarlett, mind your manners, you're a princess!"
"Hmph, so what? Princesses are people too! And this is our house, I don't need to act formal!"
Scarlett didn't care one bit. Her eyes locked on the unconscious man.
"Oh my gosh! It's Master Ornn!!"
"Dad! You saved Vice Admiral Hammer?! That's amazing! How'd you do it?! Why isn't he awake? Is he hurt?"
She immediately transformed into a rabid fangirl, bombarding King Riku with questions until his head throbbed.
"I don't know the details, Scarlett. I just found him on the shore and brought him back."
King Riku didn't plan to reveal the Tontatta Tribe. It was a longstanding secret.
"Huh? So he's injured?"
"Yes, very badly. But he's been treated."
"When will he wake up?"
Scarlett looked at her clueless father like she'd just lost all faith in humanity.
Hammer remained unconscious for three whole days.
During that time, King Riku also saw the latest World Economy News, which reported that Hammer had fought the Whitebeard Pirates.
But if that article was true, how did Hammer end up wounded and drifting to Green Bit?
Was the article fabricated? Or was something off in the Navy?
The king's head began to ache.
In the end, he decided to stop overthinking and wait for Hammer to wake up.
Finally, on the fifth day, there was good news.
"MORGANS, YOU DAMN BIRD BASTARD! I'M GONNA KILL YOU! I'LL KILL YOU!!"
Hammer exploded in rage upon seeing the newspaper.
'How many times has it been now?! Why does that damned bird always come after me?!'
'Fought Whitebeard?! Me?! As if! That guy almost killed me in ONE HIT!'
'A direct hit from Whitebeard had me nearly sleeping with the sea gods!'
"Ah! Master Ornn, you're awake!"
A pink-haired girl burst into the room and snapped him out of his rant.
Hammer squinted. She looked familiar, but he couldn't quite place her.
"Oh! I'm Scarlett. You're in Dressrosa!"
'No way. I floated all the way here from Raijin Island? Damn you, Whitebeard! With your stupid seaquake! So annoying!'
"Vice Admiral Hammer, you're finally awake?"
This time, a burly man entered. Hammer recognized him immediately, Riku Doldo III.
"Your wounds are serious. Please don't move too much."
Just then, Hammer felt a soul-tearing pain from his chest.
"OW!! Damn it, Whitebeard, you hit hard, you old bastard!"
"And Sakazuki, too! That damned lunatic just had to tank the hit like a hero. Got me nearly killed!"
His rapid-fire rants left King Riku and Scarlet speechless.
Is this really the Marines' brightest new star?
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
[email protected]/DaoistJinzu