Twenty days after the Battle of Edd War...
Hammer once again embarked on a voyage.
"Hey, Hammer, we've only rested for a few days, and now we're heading out again?"
Lance stood beside Hammer with a sleepy face, weakly questioning him.
"Still not rested enough? Let me tell you, how do you expect to get promoted quickly ? And if you don't get promoted, how are you going to escape this mess we're in?"
"Look at me. I'm full of energy just so I can become the Head of Logistics. Once I get that post, hehehe…"
Standing at the bow, Hammer was already fantasizing about becoming the logistics chief, holding the power over marine finances.
When that time comes, he's definitely going to dock old man Sengoku three years' worth of retirement funds; he even thought of the reason already.
"Sengoku, for the crime of letting your goat recklessly eat confidential Marine documents, causing severe intelligence damage, we are hereby deducting three years of your pension! Do you have any objections?!"
Seeing Hammer grinning slyly, Lance instinctively stepped a little farther away. It was unsettling.
This bastard definitely isn't thinking anything good.
Marine Headquarters, Fleet Admiral's Office.
"Fleet Admiral Kong, are you really sure about this?"
Sengoku looked seriously at the steel-boned Kong, who sat at his desk.
"Sengoku, this position is going to be yours eventually. I'm just letting you get used to it a little earlier."
"But, Fleet Admiral Kong…"
"No buts! I said it's your turn, and that's final!"
Kong sternly interrupted Sengoku, speaking earnestly.
"Sengoku, in all these years of conflict between the Marines and pirates, we've always been at a disadvantage. Even though Rocks is gone, the people under him are all tough opponents."
"The burden on your shoulders will be heavy. You need to be prepared."
"I'm setting sail this time to draw some firepower away for you. There's too much scum on this sea, someone needs to be a target."
At the end of his words, a cold glint flashed in Kong's eyes.
Sengoku's eyes showed a hint of admiration. The old general he had followed half his life was still sacrificing for the Navy's prosperity.
"Hahaha… And hey, Sengoku, did you think I'm going to retire to the mountains now that I've resigned?"
Suddenly, Kong's tone shifted, and he gave a goofy smile that left Sengoku a bit confused.
"The Hall of Powers has issued new orders. Barring any surprises, I'll become the new Commander-in-Chief and head to Mary Geoise! Hahaha!"
The hearty laughter and shocking news left Sengoku both surprised and delighted.
"Really? Fleet Admiral Kong?"
"Of course it's true! I've got connections up top too, no mistake about it! Hahaha!"
"So, Sengoku, make sure to take good care of Marineford for me. Those young punks all have potential; let them prove themselves. They're the future of the Marines."
"Especially Hammer. After he returns from this mission, don't let him go out to sea again. His forging skills are best used here at headquarters. Let him be the Head of Logistics. As long as he can continue to forge strong weapons for the Navy, that little title means nothing, you get what I mean?"
Sengoku nodded vigorously and said resolutely:
"I understand, Fleet Admiral Kong. Hammer's skills are definitely of strategic value. Once he returns and stays a while, I'll appoint him as Head of Logistics."
"Let him shine here at Marineford!"
Fleet Admiral Kong nodded in satisfaction at Sengoku.
But in his heart, he had a different thought:
'Sengoku, don't blame me for setting you up. With that dumbass Hammer, if you let him take over logistics, I guarantee he'll deduct all of our pensions! You think I agreed to be Commander-in-Chief and go to Mary Geoise for glory?'
'No, it's to escape him! If he really takes away my retirement funds?! Better you than me. After all"
'As the saying goes, "If you don't go to hell, who will?" Besides, you're the "Great Buddha," right? So it's all on you, Sengoku!'
Sengoku, completely unaware of his boss's internal monologue, looked every bit like a loyal officer ready to lead the Marine to greatness.
"Hammer, where are we heading first?"
"I heard the East Blue is pretty peaceful. Why don't we go there first?"
On board the Invincible Warhammer, now already sailing out of Marineford, Lance was confirming the course with Hammer.
"Whatever, East Blue or North Blue, just steer the ship. We'll be making a round of all four blues anyway. Just make sure to wake me when we get to North Blue, I need to meet my bro, Judge."
With that, Hammer walked away like a hands-off boss and headed to the forge room to work on some weapons.
Lance was left to silently chart the course.
Back in the forge room, Hammer casually grabbed a steel billet and started forging.
"What should I make?"
"…The whole stockpile went down when the last warship was destroyed. Ugh… guess I'll remake everything from scratch."
And so, Hammer began rebuilding his arsenal from the ground up.
Lance, meanwhile, chose East Blue as their first destination.
The Invincible Warhammer had entered East Blue territory. Along the way, they encountered only one pirate crew.
Their bounty was so low that Lance didn't even bother notifying Hammer; he just ordered a full bombardment.
After five minutes of shelling, the poor pirates lost their ship and were all thrown into the brig.
As Lance stood on deck, enjoying the sea breeze in triumph.
A sudden, sorrowful wail rang out from within the ship, sending chills through the entire crew.
"WHERE DID I GO WRONG?!"
"AAAAAH! UNFORGIVABLE!"
It was none other than Hammer.
He had gone completely berserk.
In front of him lay a pile of weapons, gauntlets, longswords, staves, and tridents.
"Bro? What's wrong with you?"
"Hammer, what the hell are you screaming about? You scared us to death!"
Two figures were the first to arrive outside the forge room: Lance and Shirley.
Hammer burst through the door, face full of panic and dread.
"Lance, Shirley, I'm finished! My career is over!"
"My whole life is ruined!"
Their confused faces said it all.
"Yeah, bro, seriously, what's going on?!"
Hammer rushed back into the forge room, grabbed a bunch of weapons, and sprinted to the deck, yelling:
"Come with me! I'm seriously doomed!"
His panic confused even the soldiers. They all followed him to the deck.
Hammer threw the pile of weapons onto the deck, picked up a longsword, and said tearfully:
Under everyone's gaze, Hammer swung the sword toward the sea.
And the next second, his whole body lifted into the air and flew in a straight line.
Hammer got yeeted away by a sword!!!
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
[email protected]/DaoistJinzu