"Haha, old man Sengoku, don't be angry. Relax, relax!"
"This time it was my fault, but disaster turned into fortune. My Devil Fruit ability really did advance another step."
"Looks like awakening isn't the end after all. There's still room for further improvement."
Hearing that, the old Marine veterans present all nodded.
Learning had no limits.
The same applied to Devil Fruits.
"Hammer, we'll let this incident slide this time. After all, aside from the giant crater Sengoku smashed into the ground, the surrounding buildings didn't suffer much damage."
"But I hope there won't be a next time. Understood?"
Kong tapped the table lightly as he gave a warning.
Hammer nodded repeatedly and swore there would absolutely not be another incident.
Sengoku felt utterly miserable.
'Why was I the only injured one?'
'Life was too hard.'
"As for the things you shouted last night, just keep them to yourself."
"Especially the last sentence."
At the time, Hammer had shouted those outrageous words about making even the Celestial Dragons treat him as an honored guest.
That was practically disregarding the Celestial Dragons entirely.
If word of that reached Mary Geoise, who knew how much trouble it would bring him?
Hammer nodded, though inwardly he didn't care at all.
'Who was he, Hammer?'
'The Great Hammer himself!'
'Mere Celestial Dragons were nothing more than loyal fans!'
"But you're so determined to become Logistics Minister that you even want the entire Marine force protecting you?"
"Exactly how cowardly are you?"
"And I heard that during your breakdown you invented some kind of absolute defense form? Curling into a ball?"
Kong sized Hammer up with an amused grin.
Making Hammer a little embarrassed.
"That was self-defense, okay?!"
"Who told Teacher Zephyr to keep randomly releasing Armament Haki to scare me?"
"I've got psychological trauma from it now!"
Zephyr instantly went speechless.
He'd only released a tiny bit of Armament Haki.
And what happened?
This damned brat instantly covered his entire body with Armament Haki and curled into a ball.
Sigh.
No saving it now.
Cowardly really was cowardly.
"As for Logistics Chief, I'm determined to get that position."
"Once I deal with Dracule Mihawk and Gecko Moria, I'll submit the application."
"And after that, I plan to fully devote myself to the forging industry."
"For that, I have an idea and hope to gain everyone's approval."
'Oh?'
'Hammer had an idea?'
'Rare.'
'Now I really have to hear what it is.'
That was what all the old veterans present were thinking.
"I want to station myself in the New World and establish a new Marine branch base."
Kong: 'Holy crap! What a bold idea!'
Zephyr: 'That's my boy!'
Sengoku: 'Oh? Not bad. But… money?'
Vice Admiral Tsuru wasn't present, she had gone out to sea, so she wasn't part of this meeting.
"Why do you suddenly have this idea?"
"Hammer, you should understand that the New World isn't an easy place to survive."
"At the moment, the Marines only maintain two branch bases there: G-1 and G-5."
"You've already encountered plenty of pirates from the latter half of the Grand Line. Their combat power and leadership are extremely troublesome."
Kong wore a serious expression while waiting for Hammer's answer.
"Old Kong, I understand the terror of the New World very clearly."
"After all, I've dealt with Whitebeard, the Golden Lion, and Roger more than once."
"But there's a saying: fortune comes from danger."
"The New World may be chaotic, but opportunities exist there too."
"Take Dressrosa for example."
"The high-purity ingot iron produced there is extremely effective for forging weapons. The killing power far surpasses the materials from Headquarters."
"I believe there are even better and greater materials elsewhere in the New World waiting for me to forge with."
"And for that, I'm willing to venture deep into the New World."
Hearing Hammer's words, the three men all fell silent for a moment.
"You've thought this through?"
"Building a branch base in the New World isn't some joke."
"The manpower and expenses involved are terrifying."
"And even if I report your idea to the World Government, they may not necessarily approve it."
Kong's words caused the atmosphere to grow heavy.
It was true.
Many Marine matters had to be reported to the World Government and required approval.
Or rather, approval from the Five Elders.
"Tch. The Five Elders, huh? I know."
"At worst I'll just make a trip to Mary Geoise."
"Besides, haven't those Celestial Dragons been missing me anyway?"
"Might as well go make my position clear too."
Eventually, the issue of the Celestial Dragons had to be faced sooner or later.
So what if he had to go to Mary Geoise?
Hammer accepted it.
"But what about money?"
"Hammer, you should know our military budget has already been cut."
And finally came the problem of money and manpower.
Mostly money.
Constructing a branch base consumed enormous funds.
"Old Kong, isn't your abacus a little too clever?"
"You're trying to make me pay out of pocket?!"
"I'm telling you right now, you can keep dreaming!"
"I'm expanding Marine territory here!"
"The weapons and equipment forged there will still benefit the Marines!"
"I'm telling you now, Headquarters provides the money, and Headquarters provides the people too!"
"You've already squeezed so much money out of me. Time for you to bleed a little."
Kong nearly coughed up blood on the spot.
'This damned Hammer!'
'As stingy as an iron rooster, wouldn't pluck a single feather!'
Zephyr laughed loudly at the side while Sengoku covered his mouth trying not to laugh.
'Hammer was still Hammer.'
'Didn't matter who the opponent was.'
'He just swung his hammer directly at them all the same.'
"Hmph. Fine, let's leave this topic for now."
"Are you planning to go to Mary Geoise first, or recruit the Seven Warlords first?"
Knowing there was no benefit to arguing with Hammer over money, Kong immediately changed the topic.
Hammer thought for a moment.
"I'll go after the Warlords first."
"After all, if I want to get a position from the Five Elders, I still need enough achievements."
"The Seven Warlords are a very good source of merit."
At Hammer's decision, Kong, Sengoku, and Zephyr all nodded simultaneously.
"Fine then. Handle your own departure preparations."
"Hammer, your matters are finished. Now it's my turn."
Just when Hammer thought the meeting was over, Zephyr suddenly spoke.
Hammer looked at his teacher in confusion.
"You'll understand once you come with me later."
"Because of you, my arm guards are covered in scratches."
"I don't care. You're fixing them!"
"Otherwise don't even think about leaving Marineford!"
Hammer: "…"
'Oh.'
'So it was just about repairing equipment.'
"Exactly!"
"Zephyr's right!"
"Hammer, look how hard I worked for you yesterday."
"So… my exclusive weapon???"
Sengoku instantly found common ground and immediately brought up his exclusive weapon again.
Hammer's head started spinning instantly.
"I remember already!"
"Stop rushing me!"
"I haven't even delivered Kuzan's exclusive weapon yet!"
"And when I finally finish yours, maybe I just won't give it to you!"
"I'll let you stare at it without getting it~"
"I'll piss you off to death!"
Sengoku: '@#!￥#@%!'
Zephyr: 'Tsk. Brutal. Absolutely heart-piercing.'