'After just a few days, Lance sure got gutsy; he actually dared to ask ME for money!'

Hmph! Didn't he know that Hammer was basically the reincarnation of a miserly iron rooster?1

'Definitely had to note this down, pension… well, that's still far off. Forget it, let's just dock half his year-end bonus as damage reimbursement.'

'Perfect! From now on, anyone who hasn't retired yet and dares to piss me off will get their year-end bonus docked. Hehehe!'

In a great mood, Hammer hummed a little tune and strolled toward his house, legs bouncing happily.

The soldiers standing guard nearby stared wide-eyed.

They simply couldn't believe that the man known as the greatest master craftsman on the seas, the Marine's treasure, could look like this in private.

'Unbelievable… so the rumors really couldn't be trusted…'

"I'm just a regular guy, feelin' good today~"

"Oh? Lance, Shirley, Hina, you're all here."

"Hey Lance, not bad, you bought so much stuff!"

Humming away in his yard, Hammer saw Lance and the other two arrive, each one carrying a huge bag of ingredients, and he immediately greeted them with a big grin.

"Vice Admiral Hammer, what weapon did you forge this time?"

"All that freezing air, it must be something for Kuzan, right?"

"Admiral Sengoku kept saying it was his, but there's no way it matches him."

Ever since Hammer brought Hina into his forge, she'd become a budding little blacksmith herself, totally absorbed in forging.

Whenever she had free time, she'd use her Devil Fruit powers to make all sorts of weapons.

She'd turned into a handy apprentice blacksmith by now.

Her Paramecia Cage-Cage Fruit had basically been played to the max; she was beloved by everyone on the Warhammer.

"Haha! Hina's spot on!"

"That old man Sengoku has just gone crazy wanting his exclusive weapon!"

Even Hina could see that an ice-type didn't fit Sengoku at all. Why couldn't that old guy figure it out himself?

"Hey, Hammer, enough riddles. What kind of weapon is it?"

Lance and Shirley were just as curious.

"Can't bring it out now, it's too cold. If I did, all this food would be ruined."

"I'll show you when we're out at sea."

"I can tell you this much: it drained a lot out of me. I won't be forging anything that big again for a while."

'That serious?'

'Just what kind of thing could wear Hammer out so much?'

The three of them grew even more curious, but Hammer had zero intention of showing them. So, curiosity or not, they could only help him prep the food; dinner had to be cooked either way.

"Oh right, Lance, call up Teacher Zephyr and tell him to come eat too."

"But only him! Got that? Just him!"

Every time Hammer cooked, a whole horde would come running, so he had to be extra careful.

"Got it. By the way, Hammer, you said you got two bodyguards?"

"What's up with that?"

Lance asked as he unpacked the groceries.

"Yeah, just two bodyguards, ah, here they are."

Hammer was just about to explain when he sensed two familiar auras approaching.

"Yo, Hammer, it's me and Yamakaji…"

"Huh? Are you cooking? I've heard your cooking's amazing, I have to try it today!"

One of them had dark purple hair; the other had a big grin and a cigar between his teeth.

Momonga and Yamakaji.

"Momonga, when are you paying me back that money you owe me?"

Hammer wiped his hands and beamed at Momonga, who immediately felt a chill run down his spine.

"Soon, soon! I've been saving up, I swear I'll pay you back soon!"

Momonga: 'How did I forget about that? This iron rooster never forgets a debt…'

"Hmm? Are you bad-mouthing me in your head? Just so you know, my Hammering of the Soul can sense it. Better not try anything funny, unless you can glow and go giant like that old man Sengoku."

"Long time no see, Hammer-san, the sword you made is amazing."

Yamakaji was always polite, the very picture of a gentleman in the Marines.

"Haha, glad you like it. If you ever want any tweaks, just tell me, I can adjust it."

Hammer respected this man; it wasn't easy being the Marine's polite guy, dealing with all these oddballs every day.

"So, the old man Sengoku told you what the job is, right?"

"We're just making a quick trip to Punk Hazard, should be easy."

The pair was fully briefed on this bodyguard gig.

They didn't really get why someone as strong as Hammer needed protection, but with his importance now, guarding him meant guarding the Navy's secret weapon. They might even get their hands on some new gear in the process.

When Sengoku announced this mission, plenty of people had fought to sign up.

"Don't worry, Hammer, we'll keep you totally safe!"

"By the way, think you could use your awakening on me too sometime?"

"I wanna smash stuff with a hammer too!"

Just thinking about Zephyr unleashing hell got Momonga fired up.

"Uh… we'll see. Honestly, I'm hoping no enemies show up. I'm no fighter. If I wanted a brawl, why would I bring you two?"

These days, Hammer avoided fights whenever possible.

What fun was brawling compared to forging?

What if it turned into a repeat of that time he ran into Whitebeard, one punch, and he'd be hammered right into a coffin. No, thank you!

"Hmph! Hammer, just listen to yourself!"

"With your strength, why are you always such a coward?!"

"So what if it's Whitebeard? Why didn't you square up for a proper rematch?!"

Just then, Zephyr's grumpy voice boomed from outside the yard.

He'd heard every word of Hammer's gutless plan, and he was fuming.

"Uh… Teacher Zephyr, you got here fast!"

Seeing Zephyr, Hammer instantly turned meek, with such an obedient look!

Everyone watching couldn't help but click their tongues.

"Look at Sakazuki, Kuzan, Borsalino, well, forget him…"

"Every one of them made their name with their fists at sea, and then there's you!"

"Yeah, your name's big too, but that's not thanks to your fists, well, I guess it kinda is, but still! Can't you stop being such a coward?!"

Zephyr was exasperated.

Skill-wise, Hammer wasn't weaker than Sakazuki, if you didn't count the Divine Axe Rhitta. There really wasn't much difference.

Such a good seedling, but so reluctant to fight! It drove Zephyr mad!

....

Iron rooster - a stingy person who won't share a dime.