"This thing's firing rate is insane!"
"So damn satisfying!"
With his hands gripping the new rifle, Lance emptied the magazine and watched seagulls fall from the sky. He was overjoyed.
Before entering the training camp, Lance had been a sharpshooter from the West Blue.
His marksmanship was dead-on. He joined the training camp to refine his skills even further.
That's also why, despite scoring low in the initial combat power tests, he was still kept on.
"Hammer, can you mass-produce this gun?"
Hammer gave a confident smile and replied, "As long as I have enough materials and time, I promise all of you can upgrade from peashooters to cannons!"
Cheers erupted instantly among the crew.
Even the warship seemed to pick up speed without anyone realizing it.
"Hammer, you're being ridiculous! Ten thousand rounds in one go? Do you think we're a damn warehouse or something?!"
Rear Admiral Phil Jackson of Sabaody looked speechlessly at the smiling Hammer in front of him.
After half a day of sailing, Hammer's warship had finally arrived at Naval Base 66.
He immediately sought out his old commanding officer and asked for ten thousand rifle bullets.
Phil Jackson nearly choked on his own breath.
Although the Sabaody marine base was fairly well-supplied, thanks to the archipelago's strategic importance and heavy garrison, this was still too much.
"Tch, Phil, you're being short-sighted."
"I'm here under Admiral Sengoku's orders to inspect the North Blue."
"And you know what the North Blue is like: mafia, underground syndicates, pirates, and all kinds of dangerous factions. Without enough ammo, how am I supposed to conduct inspections?"
"Besides, Sabaody is practically my home base. Isn't it reasonable to stock up a bit from home?"
Phil Jackson let out a dry laugh from sheer disbelief.
"Oh really, Hammer? So by your logic, if you spend a month at every base across the Four Blues, then all of them become your home base?"
"And the moment you open your mouth, every base has to hand over supplies?"
That was meant as sarcasm, but Hammer actually paused and started seriously considering it.
Then he said something that made Phil dumbfounded: "You're right, Phil, that's a great idea! I'd never go hungry again!"
"Get lost! You'll get three thousand bullets max. No more!"
Before Hammer could say another word, Phil Jackson shoved him out and slammed the office door shut, locking it tight.
Hammer sighed and muttered, "Stingy."
Outside the office, Lance greeted him eagerly.
"How'd it go, Hammer? Did we get the ammo?"
Hammer shook his head.
Lance was stunned at first, then sighed. "Well, it was a long shot. Our squad only has a hundred people. Asking for ten thousand rounds was a bit over the top."
"A promise is a promise. I said ten thousand, so ten thousand it'll be, down to the last bullet."
"Wait here, I'm heading out."
Hammer gave them the instruction and stormed off toward the town, leaving a confused Lance behind.
After leaving Grove 66, Hammer changed into civilian clothes; his Marine uniform and cape weren't exactly suitable for where he was going next.
Grove 1–29 of Sabaody: known for human trafficking, slave auctions, and illegal zones.
Hammer's destination: the auction houses.
As much as he hated these gray areas of society, they were the fastest way to secure what he needed: weapons.
"If I remember right, that guy Sanders once said the Hydra Society has branches everywhere. Wonder if Sabaody has one."
Disguised, Hammer arrived at Grove 7, where multiple auction houses operated. He looked around suspiciously, drawing a few strange glances.
But soon enough, he spotted a familiar symbol.
Hammer's heart leapt, and he hurried toward the Hydra Society's building.
As he pushed open the door, a staff member in a white uniform approached him.
"Welcome to the Hydra Society. How may I assist you?"
Hammer reached into his coat and pulled out a small, distinct badge bearing the Hydra symbol.
The staffer's eyes flashed with recognition. He bowed and said, "Please wait a moment," then left.
A short while later, another man in a white uniform appeared, this one with the Hydra emblem on his chest.
"Greetings, esteemed VIP member. I'm Santos, the director of this branch. How may I help you today?"
"Santos? Any relation to Sanders from the Stanford Kingdom in North Blue?"
A flicker of surprise crossed Santos's eyes, but he answered honestly.
"He's my younger brother."
"I'm here to buy some things. Do you have what I need?"
The moment Hammer mentioned making a purchase, Santos immediately perked up
"So, what exactly are you looking to buy?"
"Ten thousand rounds of rifle ammo."
"Oh? Firearms, that's contraband, you know."
Hammer's expression didn't change as he calmly looked at Santos.
"Please, let's speak inside."
Under Santos's lead, Hammer was brought into a private room inside the Hydra Society clubhouse.
Santos waved his hand, and a staff member brought over two cocktails.
"I do have the bullets," Santos said, "but I'll need some time to prepare. Ten thousand rounds is quite a large order."
"Anything else? Like canonballs?" he asked.
Hammer shook his head. "I don't need it, just the rifle ammo."
"How long will it take to get everything ready?"
Santos did a quick mental calculation. "Two hours should be enough. In the meantime, you're welcome to rest here. Once everything's ready, I'll notify you. As for the price, how does this sound?"
Santos slowly raised one finger.
Hammer guessed uncertainly, "A hundred million?"
Santos nodded without changing his expression. After all, these were weapons, prices couldn't be cheap.
But inside, he was already laughing his head off.
'What an idiot. ' Each bullet only costs 1,000 Berries. Ten thousand rounds should cost just ten million, but this guy was willing to pay ten times that.
VIP or not, he was a fat sheep ready for slaughter.
"As for a deposit," Santos added smoothly, "there's no need. You're a VIP, after all, this much privilege, we can provide."
Hearing this, Hammer grinned. If things could go smoothly, then all the better.
Two hours passed quickly.
Hammer stared at the five large crates of bullets in front of him, his eyes flashing with satisfaction.
"A pleasure doing business."
"Would you like me to send someone to deliver these for you?"
Hammer shook his head. He walked over to the crates, and his right hand began to glow faintly.
Before the eyes of Santos and the staff, the crates vanished in an instant.
Santos's eyes widened in surprise. "You're a Devil Fruit user..."
Hammer just smiled without replying, storing all five crates into his storage ring, then calmly left the clubhouse.