"ARGH!"
A scream of agony erupted from within the lightning, while Saint Rosward's face twisted into an expression of deep satisfaction.
When the lightning finally dissipated, CP0's Dontari lay charred and motionless on the ground, smoke rising from his orifices. If not for the faint rise and fall of his chest, everyone would've assud he was dead.
"What a marvelous thing! Truly marvelous! Hamr, was it? Co with to Mary Geoise as my personal blacksmith. I'll pay you a yearly salary of 2 billion Berries!"
An astronomical sum. Truly outrageous.
To put things into perspective, a whole kingdom only pays about 10 billion Berries in Heavenly Tribute each year. The salary Saint Rosward offered was clearly sky-high.
For a mont, expressions of discontent appeared on the faces of people like Kong and Sengoku. Yet, beneath their discontent, a flicker of anticipation was hidden in their eyes as they looked toward Hamr.
Hamr didn't let them down. A chuckle rang out from him.
"Hehehe, Saint Rosward, you must be joking. I'm a marine, after all."
"Hmph, I see."
"I'm glad you understand…"
"Three billion Berries! That's one-tenth of my family's annual allocation. Well? What do you say?"
Hamr was montarily stunned... 3 billion Berries. No exaggeration, it was enough to secure a lifeti of luxury.
But when he thought about the deeds of the Celestial Dragons, he scoffed internally... What's there to hesitate about?
"Hehe, this isn't a matter of money, Lord Rosward."
"I'm a marine. My duty is to safeguard peace on the seas."
Rosward's face darkened instantly.
"Oh? You dare refuse a command from one of the Celestial Dragons, descendants of the creators?"
"Don't mistake my appreciation for you for a right to bargain with ."
Now this... this was the true temperant of a Celestial Dragon, above all, unchallengeable.
"How could I dare? Actually, you may not know this, but all of my inspiration for forging cos during my encounters with pirates."
"If I were to be cut off from the sea, my creativity would suffer."
"And surely you wouldn't want to play with dull trinkets, would you?"
Hamr wiped sweat from his brow as he explained.
As expected, this explanation made Rosward nod slightly.
Even among the Celestial Dragons, Rosward himself didn't enjoy staying cooped up in Mary Geoise. He actually preferred the "entertainnt" in the lower world.
"Alright. I can accept that reasoning."
Hamr breathed a huge sigh of relief. 'As long as he relents, I can work with that!'
Just as Hamr was preparing to continue talking circles around Rosward, a Den Den Mushi began to ring.
purupuru puru
Kong pulled a Den Den Mushi from inside his coat.
"Hello? This is Kong."
"…It's Jaygarcia Saturn… I have two matters to discuss."
Saint Jaygarcia Saturn, one of the Five Elders, the Warrior God of Science and Defense.
"Please go ahead, Your Excellency..."
"Your submitted report has been reviewed by us and deed acceptable. However, one condition: any special-ability items must be reported and a copy sent to Pangaea Castle."
"Understood, that's not a problem. What about the position and pricing?"
"You still dare to think about positions? If not for you and Hamr bringing great prestige to the World Governnt, I'd have already marched down to Marine Headquarters to kill you!"
Kong's excitent drained in an instant. His joy turned into a sharp downturn.
"Just monts ago, in the Grand Line's Sakura Kingdom… Marine Vice Admiral (formally unconfird by ceremony) Monkey D. Dragon has openly sunk a World Governnt vessel and captured Celestial Dragon Saint Chiquiddo."
"According to intelligence, Dragon is heading for Whisky Peaks. Imdiately dispatch Sengoku. Bring back that Celestial Dragon alive!"
"As for Hamr, he can be promoted to Vice Admiral, but forget about the Logistics Chief post. Pricing of his goods will be case by case. Anything unrelated to combat, we won't interfere."
"Rember this: prioritize the rescue mission! Rescue Saint Chiquiddo, NOW!"
Click!
The entire room fell into stunned silence.
Only Kong and Sengoku wore faces clouded with gloom.
Hamr exhaled deeply in his heart.
'Damn it, Dragon… you couldn't hold back any longer'
'You really acted this fast...'
"Apologies, Saint Rosward, but I must ask you to return to Mary Geoise imdiately. As you heard from Saint Saturn just now, the seas are not safe."
Even if Rosward was reluctant, he didn't dare object now, he had clearly heard the voice of one of the Five Elders.
And he knew the unfortunate Celestial Dragon involved, too. They had recently shared so "innovative thoughts" with one another.
"Fine, I'll return to Mary Geoise first."
"But Hamr, I will be back. And when I return, we'll have a nice long chat about your tools."
Rosward gave Hamr a lewd smile that sent chills down his spine.
'This old creep… surely he doesn't have so kind of weird fetish… right?'
"Dontari! How long do you plan to lie there? We're leaving!"
"Oh, and the watch, take it off."
"Hamr, I really like this watch. Don't worry, I'll pay you 500 million Berries. I'll send the money shortly."
Dontari opened his eyes reluctantly and followed Rosward out.
'Can't even fake being dead for a break anymore…'
"Sengoku, I'll go keep Garp under control. Who's stationed in the Grand Line now? You personally take a team and bring that bastard Dragon back to !"
"I'll crack his skull open myself and see what the hell he's thinking!"
Kong was practically foaming at the mouth; one of his most promising officers had dared attack a Celestial Dragon!
Sengoku's expression mirrored his fury. His only hope was that Garp remained unaware, for now.
Otherwise, this situation would spiral beyond control.
"Tch..I'll go. It's just the Grand Line..."
Gritting his teeth, Hamr volunteered.
"Oh? Given your history with Dragon..."
"Don't worry. I know where to draw the line when it counts..."
Previously, Kong might have hesitated. But after he's victory over Redfield and Hamr's growing importance to the Marines, his trust had solidified.
"Fine. Sengoku leads, Hamr assists. Bring Dragon back."
Suddenly.
purupuru puru
"Hello? Garp? YOU BASTARD! Who told you?! Get back here now!"
"Damn it!"
Kong stared at the now-disconnected Den Den Mushi, looking like he was about to explode.
Sengoku pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration.
Even Hamr was shocked. He hadn't expected Garp to hear the news so quickly, but then again, it wasn't really surprising. Dragon was his son. Of course, soone would tip him off.
"Sengoku, depart imdiately! That Garp idiot has already left the New World and is heading to the first half of the Grand Line!"
"If he gets there first, you know exactly what will happen…"
Sengoku nodded and was just about to move, only to see Hamr dart ahead of him.
"Lance! Everyone on the Warhamr! Ready for departure, now!"
"Admiral Sengoku's coming with us! Move your asses or I'm docking pay!"
Under Hamr's barking orders, a whole group of people rushed toward the docks in chaos.
Kong and Sengoku could only stand there, dumbfounded by the scene.
.....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
[email protected]/DaoistJinzu
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