After failing to uncover anything, Hammer didn't dare remain in Mary Geoise for too long.
Since the mission was complete, he headed straight for the Red Port, intending to return to G1 Branch.
But the moment he stepped out of the palace, he was spotted by a group of Celestial Dragons.
"Look! Isn't that Master Ornn?"
"Huh? It really does look like him!"
"It's him! Master Ornn!"
Three Celestial Dragons were strolling down the street together when they suddenly noticed Hammer.
Their normally weak bodies exploded with unprecedented speed as they rushed toward him.
Hammer hadn't expected Celestial Dragons to run this fast.
By the time he blinked, three people wearing glass bubble helmets were already standing before him.
"Hahaha! Master Ornn! Long time no see!"
"You came to Mary Geoise without notifying us!"
"Otherwise, I definitely would've held a banquet to welcome you!"
'Glass helmet, giant head…'
'Oh, it was Saint Roswald.'
"Master Ornn, I am your most loyal fan!"
"I am Saint Donquixote Mjosgard!"
'Green hair, sleazy face…'
'Yep, definitely Doflamingo's uncle.'
"Hmph, you two idiots, stop crowding around Master Ornn!"
"Master, I am Saint Charlos!"
"I've collected ten treasures crafted by you!"
"I absolutely adore your creations more than Mjosgard does!"
'Hmm…'
'This guy would probably go to the East Blue in the future.'
'Whatever.'
That had nothing to do with him.
"Three honored Celestial Dragons, is there something you need from me?"
"If not, I still have military duties to attend to, so I can't stay long."
After all, they were Celestial Dragons, and this was Mary Geoise.
No matter how unwilling he felt, Hammer still had to exchange a few words.
At this moment, he suddenly felt incredibly envious of old bastard Garp.
'Damn it.'
'That old man simply ignored all Celestial Dragons without exception.'
"Master Ornn, will you be permanently residing in Mary Geoise from now on?"
"I saw you walking out of this palace."
"If I remember correctly, this palace has always been vacant."
"So that means Master Ornn is now the owner of this palace!"
"Allow us to hold a welcoming banquet for your successful residence in Mary Geoise!"
Celestial Dragons considered themselves superior and looked down upon everyone else.
But that was the past.
Ever since Mary Geoise received Master Ornn's forged creations, every single Celestial Dragon in Mary Geoise had become obsessed with possessing his works.
After all, the items he forged were filled with creativity and novelty, giving these pleasure-seeking Celestial Dragons entertainment they had never experienced before.
Seeing the ecstatic expressions on the three Celestial Dragons' faces, Hammer's lips twitched violently.
What a joke.
He absolutely did not want to live here permanently.
'These people were all lunatics.'
'Wait…'
'Actually, maybe it wasn't impossible…'
'Bah bah, impossible.'
Although Hammer wasn't exactly a saint, Celestial Dragons were still out of the question.
"See you around, gentlemen."
There were times when Hammer felt the Marine Six Powers weren't meant for combat at all.
For example, Soru and Geppo were absolutely perfect escape techniques.
With a flash, Hammer disappeared from before the three men.
Then, using Moonwalk together with Soru, he instantly performed Razor.
Hammer transformed into a streak of light darting through Mary Geoise.
At the same time, he activated radar, no, Observation Haki!
He immediately found an unoccupied route and charged straight toward the Red Port.
By the time the three Celestial Dragons reacted, Hammer had already vanished without a trace, leaving behind only drifting smoke.
"Ahhh! Master Ornn ran away!"
"Mjosgard, you bastard!"
"It must be because you're too ugly! You scared Master Ornn away!"
Saint Roswald immediately launched a wave of verbal abuse, nearly driving Saint Mjosgard insane with rage.
"Enough, both of you!"
"Even if Master Ornn left, his palace is still here!"
"I'm going to apply to move my residence next door right now!"
"Hahaha! That way I'll be the first to know when Master Ornn returns next time!"
The genius Saint Charlos burst into laughter while running toward Pangaea Castle.
Roswald and Mjosgard, who had still been verbally attacking each other moments earlier, exchanged glances.
Then both simultaneously stopped arguing and sprinted toward Pangaea Castle as well.
Thus, the villa standing in Mary Geoise beneath Pangaea Castle became forever branded with Hammer's name.
Reaching the edge of the Red Line, Hammer leaped into the air and donned the Cloud Armor mid-flight.
The cloud patterns instantly transformed into enormous wings that stabilized his body as he elegantly flew toward Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
That's right.
Hammer did not return to G1 Branch.
Instead, he planned to visit Headquarters first.
He still had many unanswered questions.
He needed to speak with a few senior veterans, otherwise he wouldn't feel at ease.
As for Lance and the others, they could remain at G1 for now.
purupuru puru
"Hello? Lance."
"I'm heading back to Headquarters."
"You guys stay at G1 and rest up for now. I'll return soon."
"That's it."
Click.
"…"
'That bastard Hammer just leaves whenever he feels like it without any warning at all?'
The distance from Mary Geoise to Marineford was roughly the same as the route to G1 Branch.
After all, Marineford and G1 were positioned on opposite sides of the Red Line, guarding the two strategic directions.
With his flight ability, Hammer quickly returned to Marineford.
"Oh?"
"What happened to old Kong's office window? Why's it shattered?"
"Well, that makes things convenient."
Hammer, flying through the air, had originally intended to land and enter Headquarters properly.
But when he noticed the broken window in Fleet Admiral Kong's office, wasn't that perfect?
He directly retracted his wings and flew straight through the window into the office.
"Damn it! Can't you use the door?! Why do you insist on using windows?!"
"Huh?"
"Hammer? Weren't you still in Mary Geoise?"
"When did you get back?"
Old Kong, still busy working, had been about to explode in anger.
But upon seeing Hammer, his expression instantly changed to confusion.
"Cut it out, old man Kong."
"Do you really think I could stay in a place like that?"
"The moment things were settled, I came right back."
"Oh right."
"About my promotion, did you say something to the Five Elders?"
"How did they approve it so easily?"
"I was fully prepared to bleed heavily for it."
Hammer casually walked over to the sofa and sat down, firing off questions nonstop.
Kong was completely dumbfounded.
This was completely different from Sengoku's analysis.
Could there be some deeper secret behind all this?
purupuru puru
"Hello! Sengoku!"
"Get to my office immediately!"
"Hurry!"
"Double-time march!"
Click.
Hammer also reacted.
So his successful promotion really hadn't been because of Headquarters after all.
Then what exactly had happened?
The old man and the young man simply sat there in the office staring at each other with wide eyes.
Until, Sengoku pushed open the door and entered.