In the end, Hammer didn't get to leave.
First, because Lance and many of the crew were injured.
Second, because Sakazuki had absolutely no intention of letting him go.
He dragged Hammer straight back to his own warship.
"Hey, Sakazuki, why won't you let me leave?"
"I'm telling you, if I don't get out of here soon, I won't be able to leave!"
Hammer's face was full of annoyance. When it came to Scarlett, he couldn't run fast enough, and now this bastard wouldn't even let him run.
Sakazuki didn't answer directly. Instead, he calmly pulled out two cigars and two bottles of booze, handed one set to Hammer, and lit up for himself.
"The famous Vice Admiral Hammer, when did you get yourself a fiancée? And she's a princess from an allied kingdom? The kicker is, this princess is eight years old?"
Sakazuki puffed on his cigar, took a swig, and dropped a bomb that left Hammer dumbstruck.
Hammer: 'When did this dog become so gossipy?!'
Left with no choice, Hammer lit his cigar too and took a swig of the drink.
When it came to Scarlett, he really didn't know how to explain it.
And when she grew up, Scarlett would be an absolute beauty; he really did like her. In his previous life, he'd been heartbroken when Scarlett died. Damn, Oda definitely did that on purpose.
What kind of situation was this, seriously?
"So you forged that sword, then basically sold yourself with it?"
Sakazuki nearly spat out his drink, eyes wide with disbelief.
He couldn't even fathom that a sword could have such an effect, an actual love charm disguised as a weapon.
"Hey, watch your mouth! I traded up, okay?!"
Hammer just laid it out honestly. He'd accepted it, he realized it when he came to the rescue this time:
As long as Scarlett was there, he had zero willpower to resist.
"So what's your plan? Gonna stay in Dressrosa?"
Hammer shot Sakazuki a glare.
"No way, I'm still a Marine. And Scarlett is just a kid."
"I only came this time because Dressrosa was in an emergency; otherwise, I wouldn't even be here."
Sakazuki looked like he didn't buy a word of it.
"What's with that look?!"
Seeing Sakazuki's utterly unconvinced face made Hammer furious.
"Fine, cigar's done, drink's done, I'm gonna check on Lance."
"That bastard, an elite sniper, yet he insists on brawling up close. I swear!"
To cover his embarrassment, Hammer could only storm off to find Lance and give him an earful.
Sakazuki just kept that teasing smirk, face unchanged.
Once Hammer was out of sight, he silently pulled out a Den Den Mushi.
"Hello, this is Sakazuki."
"Yes, Hammer really does have a secret thing going on with Dressrosa's princess. Call it an arranged marriage? Or maybe he's the one getting adopted into royalty?"
"...Yeah, yeah, stop yelling. So what if they really end up together?"
"Tch. Old man's lost his mind."
He ended the call, clamped a fresh cigar in his teeth, and muttered:
"Hammer, buddy, this is all I can do for you. Whether you can smooth things over with Sengoku and the higher-ups… that's on you now."
Back at Marine Headquarters.
"I knew something was fishy with Hammer!"
"He ran off to Dressrosa for a love affair! And with an eight-year-old princess at that!"
"Why not go find someone even younger while he's at it?!"
Sengoku slammed down the Den Den Mushi, furious.
Beside him, Kong and Tsuru sighed and pinched their foreheads.
Sakazuki hadn't mentioned the enchanted rapier at all, giving Hammer at least some shred of dignity.
"It doesn't add up," Tsuru said calmly, analyzing the situation.
"When Hammer saved Shirley back then, he never showed any romantic interest. Why would he suddenly fall for a kingdom's princess?"
"I don't get it either. That brat Hammer has been diligent at HQ all these years, well, more or less diligent. He only went to Dressrosa once, injured, and suddenly ends up entangled with the princess?"
"Could it really be because Dressrosa's the 'Kingdom of Love'? They literally have people getting murdered in the street by jealous exes. Does Hammer want to die for love too?"
It made no sense. None at all.
"Hmph. Sakazuki might not have said it, but I can guess, this definitely has Hammer's fingerprints all over it."
"The reports say Princess Scarlett never had Conqueror's Haki at first, but then she got a rapier. That rapier showed up exactly when Hammer was in Dressrosa."
"Tell me that's not connected, I'd never believe it in a million years!"
Sengoku's deduction was spot-on. If Hammer were there, he'd be giving the old man a standing ovation.
This geezer analyzed me way too well.
"Princess Scarlett, why are you here?"
Since so many were injured, the Marines were staying at Dressrosa's hospital for treatment.
Standing outside Lance's hospital room were Princess Scarlett and Captain Tagu.
Hammer could only steel himself, forcing down that familiar pull in his chest as he stepped forward.
"Hmph! If I didn't wait here, how would I see you?"
Scarlett unconsciously rested her hand on the rapier at her waist.
Instantly, that invisible pull toward her grew even stronger.
Hammer quickly focused inward, hammering his spiritual sea to keep his mind clear.
"Scarlett, I just wanted to talk to you about something."
Hearing Hammer had something to say, Scarlett perked up immediately.
"I heard from the soldiers, you scolded Sakazuki when he arrived?"
"Scarlett, I'm a Marine too…"
He'd meant to sound stern, but facing the pink-haired loli, Hammer's resolve just crumbled. By the end, his words were barely a whisper.
Hearing the scolding in his tone, Scarlett pouted.
"I get it, I'll be nicer to the Marines next time, okay?"
"It was my fault this time. Ever since I awakened Conqueror's Haki, I can't help acting all proud…"
"It's not my fault, really…"
Hammer knew all too well that royal aura was the sword's fault. In the end, he couldn't really blame Scarlett.
"I'm not blaming you, really, I'm just saying I'm a Marine too…"
"Got it, got it, my dear Vice Admiral."
Scarlett stuck out her tongue.
Little did he know, while he and Scarlett were having this back-and-forth.
That dog, Sakazuki, had already sold him out. HQ was already deep in heated debate about him.
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
[email protected]/DaoistJinzu