"Teacher Zephyr, I've brought the equipnt for you."
After settling the matter with Onigumo and his group, Hamr pulled a cart full of steel billets to the new recruit training camp.
Ever since the steel training thod was implented with the second batch of cadets and proved effective, Zephyr had incorporated it into the official training regin.
Now, the fourth batch of cadets was undergoing training.
"Oh, Hamr, the steel billets are here?"
"Yeah, this is the fourth batch, right? How are they? Any good ones?"
"There are a few. Still not quite at your level, though."
That "your" referred to Kuzan, Sakazuki, Borsalino, and Hamr.
"Huh? Really? Those two over there seem pretty capable to ."
Looking closely, two figures stood out imdiately.
The first had a fierce expression, his entire deanor warning others to keep their distance.
The second exuded killing intent, with a fine sword hanging at his waist.
What was unusual was that both operated alone, separate from the rest.
"They are indeed rare talents," Zephyr said, "but they co with serious drawbacks."
"That one in black, with the mask, is nad Magellan. He's eaten the Venom-Venom Fruit. He emits poison gas unconsciously."
"The other is Shiryu. He's just too bloodthirsty."
Hamr nodded. He knew both of them, of course.
The future Chief Warden of Impel Down and the future No. 2 ship captain of the Blackbeard Pirates.
"Venom-Venom Fruit, huh? Not bad. So what if he emits poison gas? I'll just make him a gas mask when I get back."
"As for the other guy… I really don't have a solution. Should I just beat him up?"
Zephyr rolled his eyes and knocked Hamr on the head.
"All you think about is beating people up. Can't you try using your brain for once?"
"Tch, like you didn't beat up plenty when I was a cadet… Huh? A Longarm Tribe guy?"
Hamr suddenly spotted a Longarm Tribesman in the training ranks.
"That's Shuzo, he's pretty promising, good at hand-to-hand combat."
'Shuzo, huh… The one who always followed Teacher Zephyr. Not bad.'
"All right, I'll leave the steel billets here. Once I finish Magellan's gas mask, I'll have soone deliver it."
Waving casually, Hamr headed off toward the armory.
On the way, he overheard a conversation.
"Did you hear? The Devil's Heir, Douglas Bullett, has left the Roger Pirates. He fought a pirate nad Crocodile, and it ended in a draw."
'Hmm? Bullett? Crocodile?'
'Thinking about the tiline, it did match up.'
'Tch. Whatever. I'm just a blacksmith. Not my problem.'
Suddenly, a window in the HQ building flung open, and an afro-haired head poked out.
"Hamr! Get up here! Now!"
Hamr: '…Sengoku, you're seriously my nesis.'
With no choice, Hamr went upstairs to the Admiral's office.
But the mont he stepped in, he realized this wasn't just a casual summons.
Why?
Because the room was packed.
"Yo, everyone's here, huh? What a party."
Vice Admiral Tsuru, Garp, Kuzan, Borsalino, Sengoku, and even Fleet Admiral Kong were all present.
"Yo, Chicken Bro, you're here too?"
Kuzan: 'Chicken? Why am I 'Chicken'?'
"Hamr, sothing big's happened," said Borsalino, unusually serious. That alone surprised Hamr.
Kong's face looked especially grim, and the others weren't any better.
"What happened? Did the higher-ups cut off our entire annual military budget?"
Kong shook his head and handed him a docunt.
Hamr took it and, ah, no wonder everyone looked so sour.
[Shichibukai (Warlord of the Sea) Project]
Hamr quickly skimd through the docunt, fully aware of what it implied.
His own expression darkened.
"Is this because of the Celestial Dragons?"
Kong nodded again.
"The Five Elders have been planning this for a long ti. The recent Celestial Dragon incident gave them the excuse they needed."
"This Warlord system… tsk!"
Sengoku and the others all looked disgusted.
"Where's the justice in this?" one muttered.
"The righteous Marine cooperating with evil pirates?"
The World Governnt's actions were an outright insult to the Marines' principles.
Hamr understood the stakes.
"Tch. You old-tirs know exactly what kind of people those five geezers are."
"And since this docunt's already here, that ans the plan is finalized, right?"
"If that's the case, why are you still struggling with it? Shouldn't you be choosing candidates by now?"
"After all, the Marines are responsible for picking them, right?"
Hamr smirked sarcastically.
But his words lit up the eyes of Kong and the others.
"Hamr, if you've got an idea, speak up. Sotis the younger generation sees more clearly than we do."
Sengoku adjusted his glasses, a sharp glint in his eye.
"I'm just saying, since we can't stop it, let's ss with the selection process. Eliminate all the unworthy ones!"
"Support the capable ones. We could even arrange for certain individuals to be appointed as Warlords… Hehehehe…"
His string of evil chuckles and scheming expression didn't exactly inspire trust.
"Selection? Arrangents? Go on, Hamr."
Sengoku, Kong, and Tsuru exchanged glances, signaling him to continue.
"This sea may be full of evil pirates, but there are so like the Roger Pirates who are... different."
"And hey, it doesn't have to be pirates. Why not look beyond? Fishn? Mink Tribe? Why not broaden our view?"
His suggestion effectively redefined what a Warlord could be. Sengoku's eyes lit up.
"Yes! Why must Warlords only be pirates? As long as soone has a powerful presence on the seas, they can serve!"
"All the World Governnt wants is a balance of power."
"Hamr, excellent thinking."
Hamr didn't care about the praise.
"Looks like it's the younger generation's ti to shine. Hamr, do you have any specific candidates in mind?"
Kong passed the ball back to him.
"Don't joke around, old man. I've barely been out to sea, I don't know anyone!"
"You guys pick the candidates. I'm just offering the idea."
He quickly waved his hands in refusal. Kuzan and Borsalino looked at him like he was so kind of alien.
"How scary~, Hamr-kun. I thought you only knew how to forge tal, but you've got real strategist potential."
"Terrifying. I kinda prefer the blacksmith version of Hamr, who just bashes things."
Hamr: '…Do you see this giant hamr on my back?'
'Keep talking and I will use it on you two!'
"Enough. Let's set aside the Warlord matter for now."
"What are your thoughts on Bullett leaving the Roger Pirates and this newcor, Crocodile?"
Hamr sneered.
"No thoughts. Just two pirates. Bullett's a beast, my suggestion? Kill him."
"The other one managed to fight Bullett to a draw? Another monster with strong potential. Nip him in the bud."
Sengoku: "…"
Kong: "…"
Tsuru: "…"
'So your solution to strong people is just… kill them? Seriously?'
.....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
[email protected]/DaoistJinzu
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