Ever since the three monsters graduated early, Hammer had gone back to his usual daily grind.
Training during the day, forging at night.
The only difference was that his mood had dropped quite a bit.
Zephyr saw all of this with his own eyes.
Watching the camaraderie between Hammer and the others reminded him of his own days with Sengoku and Garp.
With a light sigh, Zephyr decided it was time to have a good talk with Hammer.
Inside the office.
Zephyr sat at his desk, smoking, gazing at the tall, straight-standing Hammer in front of him. His eyes showed a rare glimmer of approval.
"Hammer, you're about to graduate. What's your take on the graduation assessment?"
Hammer already knew why Zephyr had called him in, this was definitely one of the reasons.
After all, with Sakazuki and the others gone, he himself was now the top of this batch's training camp.
"No opinion, sir. I'll leave it up to you, Zephyr-sensei. But… maybe don't make it too strict?"
'Can't we just skip the test and pass me automatically?' That's what Hammer was thinking inside, but of course, he didn't dare say that out loud.
He was honestly afraid of getting smacked by a Haki-infused fist to the face.
"Hm… alright, we'll go with the usual. Anyone who captures pirates totaling at least 50 million berries in bounty passes."
Hammer nodded, feeling a little happy. 'Only 50 million? Easy.'
But the next second, his heart sank.
"As for you… Well, our "little monster". Your target will be set at 100 million berry bounty. That's decided."
*Clap.*
Zephyr closed his notebook with satisfaction.
Hammer froze on the spot. The next moment, a righteous protest burst out.
"Wait, Zephyr-sensei! The Marines stand for equality! I can't get special treatment!"
"As a role model for my peers, even if I can't match Sakazuki and the others, my resolve is unshakable!"
"If word gets out about this, what will people think of me? So let's make mine 50 million too, okay?"
Zephyr's cigar nearly fell out of his mouth, and his lips twitched uncontrollably.
The hand holding his cigar slowly turned black with Armament Haki.
Hammer acted instantly. Having fully mastered the Six Powers techniques, he used Soru to vanish on the spot.
With a loud crash, he smashed right through the window.
"Damn brat!"
Zephyr cursed, but then he burst out laughing.
Looks like his worries were unnecessary. Hammer was still Hammer, the infuriating as ever Hammer.
Outside the administration building, Hammer greeted the soldiers guarding the armory and headed into his personal workshop.
This workshop was specially arranged for him by Zephyr, where he could forge as much as he wanted, though only at night.
"Graduation exam, huh… damn it. If I could, I really wouldn't want to go out to sea."
Hammer pulled on his gloves but didn't pick up a hammer.
Over the past year, he'd discovered something: to trigger a "critical crafting hit bonus," the item had to be forged using his own Devil Fruit powers.If he used external tools like a smithing hammer, it wouldn't activate.
So, he decisively gave up on all tools; just wearing gloves was enough.
Looking at the system panel in front of him, Hammer felt a bit helpless.
Name: [Hammer]
Age: [19]
Doriki Level: [3100]
Devil Fruit: [Paramecia-type, Hammer-Hammer Fruit, development level: 40%]
Armament Haki: [Awakening level: 60%]
Observation Haki: [Awakening level: 30%]
Conqueror's Haki: [Forget it. You'll probably never awaken this. Slacker!]
'Hmph! What's wrong with being a slacker?'
'I'm a slacker, and I'm proud of it!'
Hammer's life goal was to become the Marine logistics chief, so everyone would have to play by his rules!
Closing the panel, Hammer started planning.
He was determined to craft a series of equipment to help himself pass the graduation exam.
Time to get to work.
The sound of hammering instantly rang out…
A few days later, at the training plaza.
Zephyr stood with a solemn face, looking at nearly a hundred trainees.
Today was the start of the exam. Zephyr understood very well what the test meant and what awaited these young Marines once they sailed out. But if they wanted to become sharp blades, they had to face the grindstone.
"Today marks the start of the assessment."
"I'm sure you're all familiar with the contents."
"Sail out and hunt pirates. You have one month."
"Within that month, each of you must capture pirates with a total bounty exceeding 50 million berries to pass."
"Of course, this applies to all of you, except for our current top trainee, Hammer. His assessment target is a bounty of 100 million berries."
The rules were simple and clear, but everyone's hearts felt heavy.
Even Hammer, for once, was unusually quiet.
After all, it was the year 1490, soon to be 1491.
And during this period, 50 million berries were not the same as the 50 million in Luffy's era.
Not only was the value far higher, but the pirates were on a whole different level.
The bounty amounts were ridiculously high.
Of course, that was only true for ordinary people, Hammer had completely forgotten his own position.
Ever since the three monsters graduated early, he had become the top of this year's class. With a doriki level of 3100 and mastery of the Six Powers (Rokushiki), as long as he didn't act recklessly, even pirates with bounties over 100 million couldn't do anything to him.
Hammer: "Hmph! Old man, you're ruthless!"
The moment he said that, everyone around him turned pale, looking at Hammer with admiration.
After all, his target bounty was double theirs.
"For your deployment at sea, I've divided you into eleven groups," Zephyr announced."The teams are as follows: Brannew, Ous… Group One."
"Trenga… Group Two."
"Hammer… Group Eleven."
"Everyone, head to the port and get ready."
The crowd was shocked, and Hammer was dumbfounded.
"Wait, Zephyr-sensei, I'm going out to sea alone?" Hammer blurted out, unable to believe that Zephyr would be so cruel to him.
"Hmm? Of course not. Why would you think that, Hammer?" Zephyr replied calmly.
"You're a blacksmith, and a Devil Fruit user at that, how could I possibly send you out on your own?"
Hearing that, Hammer's heart warmed.
As expected, Zephyr-sensei did care about him.
But the very next second…
"Haven't you already mastered Geppo? The Sabaody Archipelago isn't far from here, just hop your way over," Zephyr said matter-of-factly.
Hammer: 'I spoke too soon. This old bastard is up to no good as always…'
Looking at Zephyr's smug expression, if not for the fact that he couldn't beat him, Hammer really wanted to give him a full-body hammer "massage".
Let him learn the difference between a small hammer (40 strikes) and a big hammer (80 strikes)!
"Alright, your ships are already prepared at the port. Just head over there."
"Oh, right, come here and let me check you. Because of your special abilities, I won't allow you to bring any items on this mission."
As expected, Hammer's biggest worry came true.
But Hammer had already seen this coming.
He wasn't carrying anything on him; even his clothes were just the standard Navy uniform, and on his hands were a simple pair of fingerless gloves.
That was it.
Zephyr searched him over, found nothing, and was finally at ease.
Little did he know the clever Hammer would "never" go without cheating.
In the end, Hammer did indeed set out to sea all by himself, without riding any Marine ship.
Zephyr had "kindly" provided him with a "decent-looking" speedboat, just enough to reach Sabaody. As for how he'd get around the sea after that? Not Zephyr's problem.
Staring at the beat-up little speedboat in front of him, Hammer was on the verge of tears.