"Hammer, mind if I call you that?"
"Sure, go ahead. That's my name anyway."
After the meal, Hammer slouched lazily in his chair, looking completely relaxed.
King Riku gave him a long, meaningful look.
"Why aren't you returning to the Marines? You're their rising star, a Vice Admiral at such a young age. Your momentum is unstoppable."
This was also the question on Queen Riku and Scarlet's minds. To them, someone of his caliber shouldn't be so carefree.
"Go back for what? I've been worked to the bone these past few years. Now that I have the chance, of course I'm taking a break."
"Don't worry, Sengoku and the others won't stay in the New World for long. The World Government won't allow the Navy's only active admiral to linger there indefinitely."
"After all, the Celestial Dragons still need protection."
Hammer had a crystal-clear view of how both the Navy and the World Government operated.
When Sengoku and Zephyr launched their assault on the Whitebeard Pirates, it had ultimately been the Five Elders who made a call to shut the operation down.
Sengoku was so furious he nearly cursed, and Zephyr looked ready to bite someone's head off.
But faced with the authority of the Five Elders and Fleet Admiral Kong, the two had no choice but to drop their pursuit of Whitebeard and return to Marineford.
When they got back, Sengoku shattered dozens of tables in a rage.
Zephyr locked himself in his training office and forbade anyone from entering.
"Aren't you worried your colleagues might be concerned?"
Hammer fell silent. Saying he wasn't worried would be a lie.
'But, man… I really needed this break.'
'Maybe in a few days, I'd call Lance and Teacher Zephyr, just to let them know I'm alright.'
'As for Sengoku and the rest?'
'Let them feel guilty! They sent me out to sea, and now look what happened!'
'Serves them right! Maybe next time they'll think twice before sending me out again!'
'Yep, that's the plan.'
"It's fine. I'll call one of my subordinates in a few days."
"Until then, I'll be imposing on you a little, King Riku."
"I've got to properly enjoy Dressrosa's scenery."
Seeing Hammer so relaxed, King Riku dropped the questioning and instead began enthusiastically introducing Dressrosa's famous landmarks.
The Next Day – Dressrosa Colosseum
King Riku took Hammer to the famed Colosseum.
Hammer looked up at the towering architecture and couldn't help thinking of a certain blonde with a pink feather coat.
'What a beautiful country this is... and he ruined it.'
'Too bad for him, I came first this time. This is the country of my savior, touch it, and see what happens.'
"The Colosseum is one of Dressrosa's most iconic spots. All the gladiators here are incredibly fierce."
"They live for battle and are some of the finest warriors around."
Watching several shirtless warriors in the ring, Hammer nodded in approval.
This medieval-style gladiator tradition really was something else.
Soon, under King Riku's guidance, they took seats in the viewing stands.
Down in the arena, a fierce duel was underway.
'Huh? Isn't that the future one-legged monster?'
Yes. The man in the ring was none other than Kyros.
Dual-wielding swords, he moved with power and grace, completely overwhelming his opponent.
"Twin blades? Fine craftsmanship."
Hammer's fingers started twitching. He had the sudden urge… to forge something.
"HAHA! Hammer, don't tell me you want to go down and fight? You're still injured, you know."
"Though that guy in the arena really is strong. His name's Kyros."
"Heh, wrong. I don't want to fight. I want to forge."
"Say, where's the forge behind the Colosseum? Can you take me there?"
King Riku was stunned.
'Wait, all that excitement... was just because he wanted to forge?!'
'Right… forgot this guy's a legendary smith...'
So, at Hammer's request, King Riku took him to the forge behind the Colosseum.
There, countless brawny blacksmiths hammered away at blazing steel, their movements powerful and rhythmic.
Before King Riku could finish, Hammer had already walked over to a workstation.
"Hey bro, mind if I hammer a bit?"
The blacksmith, well over two meters tall, turned around at the voice, only to be stunned.
A towering man over three meters tall stood before him, eyes sparkling.
"Uh… y-yeah… go ahead..."
He immediately gave up his station.
Hammer stepped forward, ready to work.
"Oh, a single-handed sword?"
"Hmm… length and thickness could use improvement."
"And this metal? Refined Wootz Steel? Seems way tougher than usual."
"Alright, let me show you how it's done!"
Under King Riku and the blacksmith's amazed stares, Hammer placed the sword blank on the anvil.
Then, with his bare fist, he began hammering.
The deafening blow echoed across the forge.
A rhythm of heavy, precise strikes rang out.
Soon, other blacksmiths gathered to watch.
"My god, is he… forging without a hammer?!"
"First time I've seen someone punch metal into shape!"
"He's using his fist?! What kind of monster is this guy?!"
Their worldview was completely shattered.
And even more incredible, Hammer's forging speed was insanely fast. The sword blank quickly took shape.
It was another single-handed sword, but much more elegant than before. Its silhouette was sleek, the design exquisite.
Once it was shaped, Hammer quenched it in oil, tested its hardness, and then proceeded to polish and craft the fittings.
This version had a longer crossguard forming a clean cross with the blade and hilt. The pommel had extra weight to shift the balance closer to the wielder's hand.
The blade itself was longer and sharper, enhancing its lethality.
[Ding! Fully dedicated to forging, Special Effect Triggered: Single-Edged Sword Hardness +50%, Sharpness +50%]
[Ding! Future single-edged swords forged will inherit this effect. Note: Material must be high-purity wootz steel.]
'Harder and sharper? Not bad.'
Hammer held the finished sword up with satisfaction, admiring it from all angles before handing it to King Riku.
"Here, King Riku. Take a look at a single-handed sword made by the world's greatest smith!"
Everyone around froze.
'Who the hell talks like that?!'
'World's greatest smith? Who does he think he is? Master Ornn? Vice Admiral Hammer?!'
"Oh? A single-handed sword? Let's see."
Though a peace-loving ruler, King Riku was once a warrior himself.
He twirled the sword easily.
The balance was superb. And… if he wasn't mistaken...
He grabbed a standard wooden shield used by the Colosseum's gladiators.
The shield split clean in two.
That sharpness... absolutely terrifying.
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
[email protected]/DaoistJinzu