Marine Headquarters Conference Hall

As the nine Celestial Dragons took their seats, Fleet Admiral Kong's brow furrowed even tighter.

"So then, Fleet Admiral Steel Bone Kong, where exactly is Master Orne now?"

Saint Ori got straight to the point, wasting no time.

Facing his questioning, old Kong carefully chose his words before answering calmly:

"Sait Ori, esteemed Celestial Dragons."

"Vice Admiral Hammer is not currently at headquarters. He is en route to the New World."

"I'm sure you're all aware of what happened before, Hammer was severely wounded by Whitebeard but was fortunately rescued by the Riku royal family of Dressrosa."

The Celestial Dragons all nodded.

They knew the story; they'd even put a massive bounty on Whitebeard afterward. As for Hammer, they'd initially assumed he was dead and started hoarding his forged weapons in bulk; some of them were even heartbroken about it. Of course, those were mostly the ones who hadn't managed to buy anything.

"And then? Master Orn must have returned to HQ since then, so why isn't he here now?"

"Saint Ori, Hammer is, after all, a Marine Vice Admiral. He has missions to carry out. We've tried to minimize his deployments at sea, but if he volunteers for a mission, I can't exactly stop him, can I?"

Kong and Ori squared off verbally, neither giving an inch.

On the side, Sengoku's forehead twitched watching them spar.

"Hehehe… Fleet Admiral Kong, you overthink it. We simply wish to know when Master Orne, ah, no, Vice Admiral Hammer, might next grace Mary Geoise with his presence."

"We do miss him dearly, you see."

'Deflection, pure deflection. Ori really lived up to the prestige of the Warrior God of Finnance clan's young prodigy. Arguing with him was exhausting!'

"Don't worry, once Hammer returns from his mission, I'll inform him right away that the esteemed Celestial Dragons have been waiting for him."

Ori: 'This old bastard, playing dumb too.'

Both of them understood exactly what was going on but pretended otherwise.

It was obvious: Ori's visit was to take Hammer away from the Navy.

Did Kong not get it? Of course he did, but take Hammer away? Dream on!

Even if the Five Elders themselves came in person, he wouldn't hand Hammer over, let alone a young upstart like Ori.

"I've heard that Master Orne has crafted many divine weapons that defy nature itself, greatly strengthening the Navy."

"I'm just an amateur collector myself. I like gathering rare ores and steels. So I brought Master Orne a little gift this time."

"Since he's not here, I'll have to trouble you, Fleet Admiral Kong, to pass it along for me."

As he spoke, Ori waved his hand.

The CP0 agents beside him immediately brought over a chest and placed it on the table.

An agent opened it, and a dazzling light instantly filled the room.

Even Kong and the others couldn't help but stare.

"Rainbow ores? Might be enough for two more custom weapons…"

Sengoku's eyes practically lit up, completely forgetting that this was the Celestial Dragons' "gift."

"Judging by your faces, I trust Master Orne will like these ores, so that puts my mind at ease."

"Oh, and a word from my grandfather, he's very curious to see whether his Supreme Grade Great Blade, the First Genration Kitetsu, is stronger or weaker than Master Orne's forged weapon the Winterborne."

At this, Kong's face changed instantly.

'Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro'

'That old monster loved nothing more than high-quality weapons, wielding a Supreme Grade blade from the Twelve Greats, and arrogant as ever.'

'To think he was personally stepping in to poach Hammer… damn it!'

'Damn you, Hammer, why do you have to be so popular??'

"Ah, right, how forgetful of me. Allow me to introduce these two ladies."

"Marcus Lute."

"Topman Dorothy."

At Ori's introduction, the two female Celestial Dragons rose slightly, each carrying a subtle air of arrogance.

Kong's face darkened even more.'

'Relatives of two more Elders…'

'The Warrior God of Justice Saint Topman Warcury.'

'The Warrior God of Environment Saint Marcus Mars'

'So this was daylight robbery, they really came to steal Hammer away.'

Fine. If Hammer went with them willingly, Kong would eat his coat.

When it came to Hammer, Kong had absolute confidence.

Though if Hammer were here, he'd probably ask: "Old man, who gave you that confidence and courage?"

And so, the first skirmish between the Celestial Dragons and the Marine HQ top brass ended for now.

.....

Back aboard the World Government ship.

Marcus Lute looked puzzled and turned to Ori Saint:

"Brother Ori, is this Hammer really worth all this trouble?"

Ori smiled faintly.

"Why do you think I'm here? Grandpa himself gave the order."

"Apparently, this Master Orne, or rather, Hammer, really has forged some incredible weapons. So far, we know of the Divine Axe Rhitta and the Fist of Tekko.

"And according to recent CP0 reports, that massive cold wave at Marineford? Likely his doing."

"Then there's Dressrosa's princess suddenly awakening Conqueror's Haki, all linked to Hammer."

"Most crucially, Hammer has connections to Punk Hazard as well."

Marcus Lute nodded, understanding the implications.

'So the Elders want this kind of talent working for them in Mary Geoise…'

'But will it really go that smoothly…?'

.....

Back at Marine HQ, after seeing the Celestial Dragons off, Kong returned to the conference room with Sengoku and Tsuru, and immediately ordered someone to fetch Zephyr.

"Hey! Kong, what'd you drag me here for? I've got training drills piling up!"

Zephyr's voice arrived before he did, full of irritation.

"Hmph! Training? Training my ass! Keep 'training' and your precious good son is about to get snatched away!"

Zephyr: ???

"What's going on? What's Hammer done now?"

Sengoku silently recounted the Celestial Dragons' visit for him.

"WHAT?! Those damn Celestial Dragons want to take Hammer back to Mary Geoise?!"

"No way! Absolutely not! That Hammer is a complete slacker. If he goes to Mary Geoise, he'll be over the moon! No way! No way!"

Sengoku: …

Kong: …

Tsuru: …

'Why did that suddenly sound… kind of reasonable?'

Especially Sengoku, when he thought about Hammer's current situation: 'H's clearly powerful, yet every time he went to sea, he still begged me for bodyguards…

'If he found out he was invited to live comfortably in Mary Geoise, he'd probably agree on the spot…'

'No way! Absolutely not! For the sake of my own custom weapons, Hammer has to stay in HQ!'