"Lance, get ready to set sail!"
As soon as Hammer returned to Grove Area 66, fully loaded, he called for immediate departure.
"What's up? Got the bullets?"
Hammer gave a slight nod. Lance instantly understood, those bullets definitely weren't obtained through official channels.
But he didn't question it. After all, Hammer was doing this for their troops. How could he possibly object?
And with this batch of bullets, the combat power of their warship would be significantly boosted.
"Have Phil's 3,000 rounds been loaded onto the ship?"
"Then let's move. Time waits for no one. Destination: North Blue."
Following the order, the team swiftly boarded their warship and began their journey toward the North Blue.
Out on the vast sea, Lance stood at the lookout, scanning the horizon.
On the deck, soldiers were getting familiar with the rifles Hammer had modified.
"They're here! The Captain forged two more!"
Suddenly, a voice full of excitement rang out.
The moment everyone heard it, they all smiled from ear to ear.
That meant they could speed up their training.
"Is the Captain still blacksmithing?"
Lance frowned slightly as he looked at the rifle in the soldier's arms.
Hammer had been hammering nonstop since they set sail, over three hours now.
The duang duang sounds never stopped.
"Yes, the Captain has been forging inside his cabin for three straight hours," someone reported.
Lance's brow furrowed even more.
Without another word, he headed straight for Hammer's cabin.
Without waiting for a response, Lance opened the door and stepped inside.
There was Hammer, fully focused on his work at the forge.
Every strike from his powerful right fist made the flintlock rifle in his grip tremble slightly.
But even with such force, the rifle wasn't damaged. In fact, the barrel became sturdier with each strike.
This was one of the marks of Hammer's top-tier blacksmithing skills.
With the power of the Hammer-Hammer Fruit, he could precisely strike every metallic joint on a weapon.
Not only could he enhance the weapon, but he could do it without causing any damage.
Each strike had a purpose: to trigger the critical hit infusion effect.
"You need something, Lance?" Hammer asked, not even turning around.
Lance's frown was so deep it could squash a fly.
"You've been at this for three hours straight. You need to rest."
"Oh, just let me finish this gun. Won't be long."
"Like hell I believe you. You're a forging addict, through and through."
Hammer understood Lance's concern. But once a blacksmith gets into the groove, it's hard to stop.
It's a common affliction of all craftsmen.
Just then, the notification chimed.
Seeing that, Hammer quickly paused his hammering.
Lance thought it was because Hammer listened to him and nodded in approval.
"This one's ready too. Give it to the soldiers for practice."
Three hours, and only three rifles forged. Hammer wasn't happy with the pace.
A term suddenly floated through his mind, but he dismissed it quickly.
He opened his status panel:
Devil Fruit: [Paramecia - Hammer-Hammer Fruit, Mastery: 55%]
Armament Haki (Unlocked): [30%]
Observation Haki (Locked): [Awakening Progress: 70%]
Conqueror's Haki: [0! Nope. Not happening. Keep dreaming, slacker.]
Abilities: [Rokushiki (Mastered), Rokushiki Extended Techniques (Proficient)]
His Doriki stat had vanished, likely because his current strength had surpassed what Doriki could accurately measure.
Hammer didn't mind. His development with the Hammer-Hammer Fruit had reached a bottleneck.
Besides using his body as a medium for hammer strikes and shockwaves, he hadn't found any new breakthroughs.
Still a long road ahead.
He sighed slightly and stretched his body before heading up to the deck, with Lance following close behind.
"How far are we from the North Blue?"
"Another one to two hours before we enter its waters."
Hammer nodded, beginning to recall everything he knew about Germa 66.
Vinsmoke Judge, a scientist.
Not on the level of Vegapunk, but still a man who stood at the pinnacle of his specialized field.
Having just returned to the North Blue, it stands to reason that he should not have time to participate in the battle.
So why did he suddenly appear in the Kingdom of Stanford and snatch that invisibility cloak?
Still deep in thought, Hammer walked onto the deck.
He saw three soldiers aiming their automatic rifles at seabirds flying overhead, excitedly pulling the triggers.
Seeing his creations bring such enthusiasm...
As a blacksmith, nothing felt more satisfying than having your work truly appreciated.
…is the greatest honor.
And Hammer was no exception.
Even though he often complained at headquarters that Teacher Zephyr stole his masterpieces, deep down, he didn't really mind.
Whether it was the Windbreaker Gauntlets or the Sword of Sword Aura, he forged them with his own hands.
As long as they could help others realize their value, it was all worth it.
Just like now, although the three soldiers firing the rifles weren't particularly skilled, watching them grin ear to ear while making rapid-fire sounds filled Hammer with a deep sense of satisfaction.
At that moment, the sound of hammering echoed within Hammer's heart.
That familiar rhythm drew him into a strange, wondrous state.
Devil Fruit: [Paramecia-type – Hammer Hammer Fruit, Development Level: 65%]
New ability: Hammering of the Soul
It was as if even the Hammer Hammer Fruit itself shared in Hammer's joy.
Each echoing hammer beat rang with power, lifting Hammer's spirit into a euphoric state.
The resolve and spirit of a true craftsman had elevated his mastery of the fruit to a whole new level.
"Hey Hammer, are you alright?"
Lance looked at the smiling, dazed Hammer with confusion.
"It's nothing, I just had a breakthrough. My fruit ability progressed a little more."
Lance's eyes widened instantly.
Wait, you can awaken Devil Fruit powers just by forging?
Oh, right. Hammer's fruit is the Hammer Hammer Fruit, it was practically made for forging.
"What kind of new ability? Show me!"
Seeing Lance's skeptical expression, Hammer chuckled softly.
He slowly placed his right hand over his chest and said calmly, "Hammering of the Soul."
In the next instant, Lance froze in place.
Even though the words were spoken gently, Lance felt as if his brain had been struck with a heavy blow.
His vision blurred, his body swayed, and it felt like he was on the verge of blacking out.
The sensation lasted for a full thirty seconds before he could recover.
"That was terrifying… for a moment, it felt like the entire world shut me out."
"My body couldn't move, and my mind went completely blank."
"This is my newly awakened ability, an invisible hammer strike that shakes the soul."
"Those with weak minds won't be able to hold onto themselves in front of me."