On the way, Hammer gave Kuzan a call and learned that Kuzan was currently resting at the Sabaody Archipelago.
"Sabaody?"
"Kuzan, don't you know that place is basically one of my hometowns?"
"Stay there a few more days. I'll head over in three days."
"Can't wait? It's only three days!"
"I just got back to headquarters. At least let me rest a little."
"What? You won't wait?"
"Fine then, I'll just throw your exclusive weapon into the sea and you can go fish it out yourself."
"Hahaha, now that's more like it. Just wait for me."
"Hang up."
Click.
After hanging up, Hammer cursed with a grin.
"Lance, go notify Shirley and the others to take some rest."
"Everyone gets three days off, then we set sail again."
"This voyage probably won't be short, so tell everyone to prepare themselves."
After all, this trip involved searching for the whereabouts of Mihawk and heading to West Blue to contact Moria.
It could be considered the Hammer crew's first true long-distance voyage.
"As for Gion and Tokikake… uh, forgot to ask."
"Whatever, let them do as they please."
"I'm heading off first."
After giving his instructions, Hammer walked home alone.
Looking at the countless Marines and officers around him, Hammer suddenly fell into deep thought.
He had already been in this world for several years.
All this time, he had just been fooling around within the Marines.
Although he enjoyed the days spent forging weapons, for an organization filled with people pursuing justice, he had never really thought about his own future.
After returning home, Hammer lay on his bed, staring blankly at the ceiling as he continued thinking.
Every Marine upheld some form of justice in their heart.
Sengoku upheld justice that ruled over the world.
Sakazuki upheld absolute justice.
Borsalino upheld ambiguous justice.
Then what about him?
What was Hammer's justice?
Being lazy?
Living peacefully?
After being a Marine for so long… what exactly was his justice?
The question caused Hammer to sink completely into self-reflection.
He was just a blacksmith.
Although he now possessed a certain amount of strength and status, he lacked a driving force pushing him forward.
Was endlessly forging weapons really enough?
Even now, with his ability to grant attributes, he was unquestionably the greatest craftsman on the seas.
Without realizing it, Hammer had lost his direction.
It wasn't until evening that Shirley and Hina returned home.
The moment they saw Hammer sitting on the sofa with lifeless eyes, both girls froze.
"Hm? Big Brother Hammer, why are you sitting here?"
"Yeah, Big Brother Hammer, what's wrong?"
The older and younger girls quickly ran to Hammer's side and asked with concern.
Hammer's current state was far too abnormal.
Usually he was carefree and cheerful, but now he looked completely dead inside.
"Oh… you're back."
A lifeless voice came from Hammer's mouth.
The moment they heard it, the two girls became even more certain that something was seriously wrong.
"Hammer?"
"Hammer?"
Shirley refused to give up and called him a few more times.
But the only response she received was still the same lifeless:
"Mm…"
Well then.
There was definitely a mental problem here.
"Hina, go get Instructor Zephyr."
"I'll stay here and watch him. Hurry!"
"Got it!"
"Soru!"
Hina instantly vanished from the room and rushed toward the elite training camp at top speed.
Meanwhile Shirley slowly walked up to Hammer and waved her hand in front of his face a few times.
No reaction whatsoever.
Left with no choice, Shirley decided to try physical stimulation.
"Electric discharge!"
She placed her palm on Hammer's head.
In the next second, electricity crackled violently.
"Tss!"
Countless currents surged into Hammer's body, making him let out a slight pained sound.
But after that single cry, there was no further movement.
Only a smoking Hammer still sitting there blankly.
"My god…"
"Even electric shock can't stimulate him…"
"Looks like we really have to wait for Instructor Zephyr."
Seeing her electricity had absolutely no effect, Shirley gave up.
Not long afterward, using her Observation Haki, Shirley sensed an incredibly powerful aura rapidly approaching.
"Hammer! What kind of nonsense are you causing again?!"
"Ah? I was busy over there!"
"You little, ... hm?"
"Hammer, what's wrong?"
Zephyr's signature booming voice could already be heard before he even entered the room.
But the moment he pushed open the door and saw Shirley's anxious face and Hammer's deathly still appearance, he immediately realized how serious things were.
Especially Hammer's expression.
Zephyr's heart suddenly tightened.
He knew that look far too well…
Painful memories buried deep in his heart surged back instantly.
Back when he learned of his wife and child's deaths…
After crying his heart out, hadn't he looked exactly like this?
Deathly still.
Doubting himself.
A complete state of mental self-destruction.
One wrong step and the mind would collapse entirely.
Back then, Zephyr had forcibly suppressed his pain through his unwavering belief in Marine justice.
'But why had Hammer fallen into this state?'
For a moment, Zephyr panicked.
"Shirley, Hina!"
"What exactly happened to Hammer?!"
"Why has he fallen into such severe mental internal conflict?!"
To figure out the cause, Zephyr immediately questioned the two girls.
But they had only just returned themselves.
How could they possibly know what had happened?
"Lance!"
"Hammer was with Lance earlier when they went to report to the Fleet Admiral's office."
"Lance?!"
"Quick, Hina!"
"Run another trip and bring Lance here immediately!"
Hina nodded and instantly used Soru again to rush out.
"Shirley, don't just stand there either."
"Go bring that bastard Sengoku here."
"If Hammer became like this after reporting in…"
"That old man definitely has something to do with it."
"Right, bring Kong too."
"Hammer's current condition is no joke!"
And just like that, Shirley also rushed off to fetch people.
The room instantly became quiet, leaving only Zephyr and Hammer behind.
Zephyr slowly walked over to Hammer.
"Kid…"
"What happened to you?"
"Tell me."
"Let me help sort you out."
Hammer didn't react.
"Dammit, Hammer!"
"What the hell happened to you?! Speak!"
Still no reaction.
"Damn it!"
"My Armament Haki can't hold back anymore!"
After asking repeatedly without result, dark Armament Haki instantly covered Zephyr's fists and forearms.
Perhaps sensing the presence of Armament Haki, Hammer finally reacted.
In an instant, Hammer hugged his knees and curled himself into a ball.
At the same time, pitch-black Armament Haki rapidly covered his entire body.
A black coal ball instantly formed.
The speed of it shocked Zephyr so badly he felt like he'd aged a hundred years.
"No!"
"Am I trying to kill you or something?!"
"How is your defensive posture so perfectly practiced?!"
"My Hammer!"
"Just how cowardly are you exactly?!"
Zephyr's heart roared in frustration.