Two terrifying punches clashed in midair.
Though Garp had restrained his Conqueror's Haki, and Zephyr's Armant Haki was purely physical, the sheer force of their blows was evenly matched.
The shockwaves cracked the air itself as their fists collided.
Two legends, Fist Bone and Black Arm, both titans of the sea, had just reminded everyone present what true power looked like.
The cadets were thrilled beyond belief. Witnessing such a mont? They'd be dreaming about it for weeks.
Hamr, however, was shocked. He had personally experienced how devastating Conqueror's Haki could be.
The fact that Zephyr was able to hold it off using only raw Armant Haki, even if Garp was holding back his punches, was mind-blowing.
His respect for Armant Haki just skyrocketed.
"GARP! ENOUGH!"
"Alright!"
With a final shout, both withdrew their power, and the overwhelming pressure finally dissipated.
"Not bad, Zephyr. I thought you'd gotten rusty after all these years off the front lines, but you're still the mighty Black Arm Zephyr that I knew of."
Garp clapped Zephyr heartily on the back.
"Hmph, you bastard. If that punch of yours had landed, my entire training ground would be a crater!"
"Are you out of your mind? Using that kind of technique in the headquarters?!"
Zephyr was furious, first at Garp for attacking out of nowhere, then at the fact that he'd aid at Hamr, and finally for the sheer recklessness of using such strength here.
One hit and this place would've been dust!
"Hahahaha! Alright, alright, I admit it!"
"It's just, when I thought I saw Hamr's ghost, I got a little carried away!"
Suddenly, Garp darted over to Hamr and began inspecting him from top to bottom like a curious child.
Hamr was not amused.
"Garp, you senile fossil, were you trying to kill ?"
"And I'm not a ghost! I won't die that easily!"
"And what kind of reunion starts with a punch, anyway?!"
Then Garp let out a dramatic shout that nearly ruptured everyone's eardrums.
"WHAT?! Hamr, YOU'RE ALIVE! YOU'RE REALLY ALIVE!"
Hamr nearly passed out.
"STOP! SHUT UP! Quit screaming!"
To save his eardrums, Hamr clamped Garp's mouth shut, only for things to get worse.
"What the, Vice Admiral Garp is being possessed by Hamr's ghost?!"
"Don't worry, sir! I'll save you, Yasakani no Magatama!!"
A cold, bizarre voice echoed from the sky, followed by a downpour of blinding golden light aid directly at Hamr!
And that wasn't the end of it.
"Borsalino, I think you're right. Let assist you!"
"Great Eruption!!"
Searing magma exploded toward Hamr from the front, forming a pincer attack with the golden lights.
Hamr: !!!
Garp: ???
The two reacted instantly, Garp leapt backward while Hamr activated his Burst Hamr, launching himself away using recoil.
BOOM!!
The combined attacks of Borsalino and Sakazuki left a massive crater where the two had just stood.
"WHAT THE HELL, DOG BRO! MONKEY BRO! ARE YOU ALSO TRYING TO KILL ?!"
"You two little brats have gone TOO FAR!"
Garp and Hamr shouted in unison.
As the light and magma faded, Borsalino and Sakazuki walked forward, faces grim.
"Hamr… you bastard! Do you know how tragic I felt when I thought you were dead? Tsktsk tsk... not even one of your custom weapons could fill that emotional void..."
Borsalino wiped fake tears from his eyes, trying not to laugh halfway through.
Sakazuki's scowl softened, but quickly turned serious.
"Hamr. Since you're alive… why didn't you notify HQ?"
"Sakazuki's right. We were heartbroken for nothing, you know?"
The two glared at Hamr like they were about to beat him senseless if he said the wrong thing.
"Uh… I…"
Before he could finish, two more voices rang out.
"WHAT?! Hamr?!"
It was Sengoku and Kong, the last two to arrive, both staring at him in shock.
Then they rushed over and started grabbing and patting every inch of him like a couple of old doctors.
After several seconds of examining.
SMACK! SMACK!
"OW! YOU TWO OLD FARTS! WHY'D YOU PUNCH ?!"
Each had given Hamr a heavy punch in the face. Both his eyes instantly blackened.
"To the office. Hamr, you'd better explain everything you've been through since you vanished!"
"Zephyr, you too!"
With that, they dragged Hamr away like a criminal, leaving the stunned recruits behind.
Everyone exchanged bewildered glances.
"Why do all our Navy commanders seem... kinda unhinged?"
Later, in the Fleet Admiral's Office…
"So yeah. That's what happened."
"I ca back as soon as I woke up! Didn't even waste a second!"
Hamr gave a highly edited version of his story. No way was he telling them about what happened with Scarlett.
If he did, he'd never leave the office alive.
The room went silent as everyone mulled it over. Hamr gave Sakazuki a sharp glare.
"All this happened because Sakazuki insisted on charging in like a maniac. That was Conqueror's Haki, by the way."
"I took the hit for him and nearly lost half my life!"
Sakazuki scratched his head. That part was… yeah, kinda his fault.
Once a fight started, he tended to lose control. Must be the fruit's influence.
Hamr: 'Like hell. I don't buy that. You're a walking volcano and a walking disaster.'
"That was definitely Sakazuki's mistake. We've already reprimanded him," said Sengoku.
"Hamr, since you're still recovering, you're on leave. Rest, forge, do whatever you like, we won't assign you any missions for now."
Even Kong nodded in agreent.
This sudden kindness had Hamr suspicious.
'Did the sun rise from the west today? Why are these two acting so nice?'
"Tsk tsk. Oh, poor Sengoku-san. Is this you buttering up Vice Admiral Hamr for a custom weapon?"
Borsalino's voice dripped with sarcasm.
Sengoku snapped.
"Borsalino! No one asked you, shut up!"
Hamr finally caught on, 'so that's what this is about.'
'Exclusive weapon, huh? Heh… not happening, old fart Sengoku. You wish.'
He exchanged a glance with Monkey Bro.
Hamr: Monkey, you in? Got materials?
Borsalino: Golden Light Rock. I can use it too!
Hamr: Nice. We fleece him. Half at least.
Borsalino: Done. I'll back you up, let's go.
Sotis, tacit understanding needed no words.
.....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
[email protected]/DaoistJinzu
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