Several days later, Marine Headquarters, Marineford , Fleet Admiral's Office.
Two World Government officials dressed in white were currently discussing something with Fleet Admiral Kong and Admiral Sengoku.
"The two candidates for the Seven Warlords of the Sea are Gecko Moria and Dracule Mihawk. The higher-ups are very satisfied with this."
"However, Fleet Admiral Kong, regarding Vice Admiral Hammer's application for the Logistics Chief position…"
"The higher-ups have differing opinions."
"They would prefer Vice Admiral Hammer to serve as a new core power of the Marines and take up the position of Admiral."
"Even if he cannot be directly promoted, he could first enter the Admiral candidate sequence."
"After all, Vice Admiral Hammer's strength and reputation are both excellent, are they not?"
Kong frowned slightly.
Even Sengoku looked displeased.
Since when did the position of Marine Admiral require interference from the World Government?
But the moment Kong thought about the Celestial Dragons, especially the Five Elders' attitude toward Hammer,
An intense irritation instantly rose in his chest.
After the World Government officials left, Sengoku directly pulled out the Den Den Mushi from his pocket and placed it on the desk before speaking to it:
"You heard everything, right?"
The Den Den Mushi displayed a stern face, though its expression looked extremely displeased.
It was Hammer.
"Yeah, I heard it."
"They want me to become an Admiral candidate or even an Admiral just to serve the Celestial Dragons?"
"They sure know how to dream. Hmph."
Hearing Hammer's complete unwillingness, Kong and Sengoku exchanged smiles.
They knew Hammer too well.
Even though he was currently willing to sail out and complete missions, it was only because he needed the achievements required to become Logistics Chief.
Although they also hoped Hammer could take up the position of Admiral, the Marines currently possessed plenty of rising talent.
Besides Hammer, there were also three other powerful Logia users.
So they had no intention of forcing Hammer into the Admiral seat.
After all, Hammer's abilities could shine just as brightly in the rear lines.
Perhaps Logistics Chief truly was the best role for him.
"So what are you planning to do?"
"Reject them directly?"
"And where exactly are you right now?"
"Of course."
"I'm near the G1 base at the moment."
"If necessary, I'll just make a trip to Mary Geoise myself."
"I've worked diligently for the Marines for so many years!"
"I'm only asking for the Logistics Chief position!"
"I refuse to believe I can't get it!"
Holding the Den Den Mushi, Hammer looked extremely irritated while watching a pirate ship in the distance get pierced clean through by a streak of light.
Immediately afterward, the streak began swinging wildly, instantly chopping the pirate ship into pieces.
"Mm. Do you need me to head to Mary Geoise to support you?"
"No need."
"Old Kong, you should just quietly wait for retirement."
"Something like this is better handled by us young people."
Originally, Hammer had planned to cross the Calm Belt from the West Blue directly into the New World.
But just as he was about to enter the New World, he received a call from Sengoku informing him that World Government officials were heading to Marineford.
That instantly caused Hammer to change his original plans and head toward Marineford and the Red Line instead.
Thus, he arrived at the Marines' largest New World base:
G1 Branch.
Although it was still nowhere near as exaggerated as the future version remodeled under Sakazuki's command.
It was already a steel fortress backed against the Red Line, possessing a naturally advantageous defensive position.
And currently, the highest-ranking officer stationed at G1, was Sengoku.
Surprised?
It really was him.
There was no helping it.
Normally, a fortress of this scale only required a qualified Vice Admiral for defense.
But with Garp refusing promotion, Zephyr resigning from the Admiral position, and the Marine middle and upper ranks lacking personnel,
Combined with the importance of both G1 and Marineford,
Sengoku could only shoulder multiple duties alone, overseeing both Marineford and G1 Fortress.
Normally, Staff Officer Tsuru could help share some of the burden.
But she was currently out at sea.
So Sengoku had no choice but to work himself half to death.
Of course, under normal circumstances he still remained at Marineford and only periodically visited G1 for inspections.
After all, G1 also regularly rotated Vice Admirals for stationed duty.
After hanging up the Den Den Mushi, Hammer fell into deep thought.
Because the people he was about to face, were the Five Elders.
Although he had dealt with them once already and understood their style from his previous life,
Trying to pull teeth from a tiger's mouth was obviously extremely difficult.
And then there was the matter of the Five Elders' strength.
Back when he watched One Piece, the Five Elders still hadn't revealed their true power.
That made Hammer extremely frustrated.
'Why did'nt I watch a few more episodes before getting blown into this world?'
'Damn it.'
'The enemy was hidden while he stood exposed.'
'This is troublesome.'
"Hahahaha!"
"Hammer, I finally know how to use this sword!"
"It's amazing!"
"Even though it's not as good as Yoru, it has qualities Yoru doesn't!"
"I really like this blade!"
Mihawk laughed brightly while staring at the pirate ship he had just sliced apart.
Hammer couldn't even be bothered to respond to him.
"Once we arrive at G1, go find yourself a ship and leave."
"What you do afterward is your own business."
"Lance, give him a Den Den Mushi."
"Wouldn't want to be unable to find him if my life's ever truly in danger."
Hammer currently had zero mood to deal with Mihawk.
All his thoughts were focused on how to handle the Five Elders.
He completely failed to notice that the pirate ship Mihawk had destroyed carried a striking skull emblem decorated with five bones and two horns.
The ship sank into the sea.
Hammer then led the Warhammer into G1's harbor.
The Vice Admiral currently stationed at G1 was one of the old veteran Vice Admirals.
A man known as Violent Bear, Bendick.
"Oh?"
"So this is who came to G1."
"So it's Vice Admiral Hammer."
"First meeting. I'm Vice Admiral Bendick."
"Just call me Old Bear."
Bendick was another massive three-meter-tall brute.
What kind of brute?
His upper body was absurdly muscular while his lower body was ridiculously short.
Perfectly fitting the bizarre anatomy standards of this world.
"First meeting, Vice Admiral Bendick."
"Please arrange a small boat for this guy and let him leave."
Hammer pointed at Mihawk beside him.
The moment Bendick saw Mihawk, his eyes narrowed.
"Marine Hunter… Mihawk…"
A terrifying aura slowly radiated from Vice Admiral Violent Bear.
Hammer sighed helplessly.
This man was just like Sakazuki,
A pure hardliner who believed pirates should all be exterminated without exception.
"You're not a swordsman."
"I have no interest in you."
"Give me a boat."
"I'm leaving."
Facing others, Mihawk showed absolutely no politeness.
Sword intent burst from his body and gradually condensed.
Just as the atmosphere became dangerously tense, Hammer stepped in to smooth things over.
"Lance, go get him a boat."
"I trust Vice Admiral Bendick won't stop him."
"Mihawk, hurry up and get lost already."
"In the future, just focus on cutting down pirates."
Hammer stepped between the two men.
Using both his Conqueror's Haki and Absolute Space, he forcibly suppressed both of their auras.
Feeling the Conqueror's Haki radiating from Hammer alongside the frozen space surrounding them, Bendick gave Hammer a deep look and said nothing more.
Mihawk also left under Lance's guidance.