"These are the superhuman abilities I've extracted."
"A body of steel, physical prowess beyond human limits!
"Originally, I was struggling to integrate these traits into stronger soldiers."
"But my dear friend, your words awakened me! What lineage could surpass my own research?"
"Combining these powers with my Lineage Factor will create the ultimate warriors!"
"And there's more! Much more!"
"If we follow your suggestion and combine some of these abilities with the raid suits, making the suits themselves possess special attributes, then pair them with super soldiers… the combat strength could be pushed to its absolute peak!"
Judge's crazed demeanor forced Hammer to nod along, though internally, he sighed.
'Are all scientists like this?'
If he remembered correctly, Caesar Clown acted the same when obsessed. Even Vegapunk wasn't exactly "normal."
Truly, no researcher is sane.
"You're absolutely right, my friend. For abilities-toxins, flames, lightning, brute strength, and invisibility. How's that?"
"These are the powers the legendary 'evil army' should wield!"
To avoid setting Judge off, Hammer played along.
"Yes! Exactly! With these, I'll forge the mightiest super soldiers!"
"HAHAHA!"
......
Later, aboard the Marine warship…
"Hammer, is it really fine to let him leave like this?"
Lance watched the distant war fortress with unease.
Hammer, however, looked utterly drained.
"Just let him go. You have no idea what I endured these past hours."
Judge had dragged him into a long talk, and it only ended when the clone soldiers woke up.
Now inspired with new ideas, Judge had gone back to immerse himself in research.
Hammer was happy to let him do so. As long as Judge wasn't causing trouble, he didn't care what he did.
In the end, Vinsmoke Judge gave Hammer a Den Den Mushi to contact him, then left with his Germa Kingdom.
The mission was now more or less complete.
"Oh right, I also grabbed some firearms."
As he spoke, Hammer took out a pile of guns from his storage ring and placed them on the deck.
Everyone stared wide-eyed at the guns in disbelief, looking at Hammer like he was crazy.
"Did you just go on a shopping spree?"
Lance silently picked up a strange-looking gun and examined it.
If he wasn't mistaken, this was a flamethrower.
"Hey, I couldn't come back empty-handed. And these were a gift from Judge himself."
"That thing you're holding is a flamethrower."
"Supposedly, it can release flames at around 300 degrees Celsius, has a range of ten meters, can continuously spray for ten minutes, and needs to be reloaded once the fuel runs out."
"As for fuel, here, this canister."
"Just regular power fuel inside."
Hearing the specs, Lance got excited and was about to try it out, but Hammer quickly stopped him.
"Are you trying to kill us? Testing it on the ship? If it sets the ship on fire, we're swimming back to Marineford!"
Lance sheepishly put the flamethrower down.
"The rest of the guns include rapid-fire heavy machine guns made by Germa. They're excellent, just light on ammo. Couldn't carry too many. But don't worry, I'll drop by the Kingdom of Stanford or Sabaody next time, we'll be fully stocked."
Heavy machine guns weren't rare in this world, but most pirate crews couldn't afford them. Only kingdoms used them, so ammo wasn't widely available. It had to be bought from the underworld.
"That tube-looking one is a portable rocket launcher. Even fewer rounds. I'll see if I can hammer out a few of my own later."
Hammer brought back a total of 30 guns:
5 Flamethrowers
2 Heavy Machine Guns
15 Submachine Guns
3 Rocket Launchers
5 High Precision Sniper Rifles
More than enough to arm his squad.
Ammo would be a problem, but nothing unmanageable.
"Hammer, how about you catch up and grab a few more?"
Lance was thrilled looking at the weapons in front of him.
Especially the sniper rifles. As a sharpshooter, these were a perfect match.
He had just tested it, with Germa's custom scope, he could clearly aim at a target 1500 meters away.
Combine that with his gun skills, and he'd be a phantom and killer on the battlefield.
"Tch. You think Judge is a good guy? He's only nice now because he has amnesia and forgot I once hammered him. Otherwise, we wouldn't have seen a single gun."
Grumbling, Hammer retreated to the forge.
He planned to replicate Germa's firearms and see if he could improve upon them.
He also hadn't finished testing his Soul Hammering technique. Right now, he didn't want to do anything but forge.
"I was just joking…"
"Prepare to set sail! Destination: Sabaody!"
"Move it! Stop gawking at the guns! You'll get to try them out on the way!"
With Lance giving orders, the warship slowly departed from Notice, heading toward Sabaody.
....
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, the mission is complete. Germa's actions have been investigated, no signs of an intent to start a war."
"Ssss... well done, Hammer. Germa is still an allied nation. As long as they don't strike first, I don't need to interfere."
"Understood. With the mission complete, I'll return now, I still want to get back to forging."
"Ah... Hammer, you might not be coming back just yet. Sakazuki needs you. He's got something for you."
"...What? Why is Sakazuki looking for me?"
"Well, he originally planned to dispatch a unit from HQ, but since you're already in the North Blue, Captain Hammer, this task falls to you. Sakazuki is currently at North Blue Branch 177. Head there directly."
"No way... I'm exhausted. I need rest."
*Click*
The Den Den Mushi fell asleep mid-protest.
Hammer stood frozen, then exploded.
"DAMN! these old bastard are the worst!!"
The next moment, Hammer roared in fury and slammed his right fist down onto the table.
*Crack!*
How could an ordinary wooden table withstand that blow? It instantly shattered into pieces all over the floor.
"Lance! Toss this broken table into the sea!"
"Also, change course, head for North Blue Branch 177!"
How to deal with anger and frustration?
Forge.
Without another word, Hammer returned to the lounge and began forging.
*Duang!**Duang!*
But this time, the hammering sound wasn't slow and steady.
It was full of force, each blow resonated through the air. Anyone hearing it could feel the burning fury in Hammer's heart.