"Vice Admiral Hammer, what's the deal with that Mihawk guy?"
"Vice Admiral Bendick, you should already know about the current Seven Warlords of the Sea policy, right? Mihawk is one of them."
Hearing this, Bendick curled his lips in disdain.
"Hmph. Using pirates to suppress pirates?"
"That kind of method disgraces the Marines."
"As for pirates… death is the only destination they deserve."
Faced with Bendick's remarks, Hammer couldn't even be bothered to respond.
He casually exchanged a few words and left it at that.
After all, there was no reasoning with people whose minds were filled with nothing but killing.
Behind G1 stood the Red Port beneath the Red Line, complete with a dedicated elevator.
After arranging matters for his officers, Hammer headed alone to the Red Port and took the elevator up to Mary Geoise.
Returning to Mary Geoise once more, Hammer was still shocked by the luxury before his eyes and inwardly sighed at how absurdly rich the Celestial Dragons were.
Arriving at the outer-city garrison checkpoint of Mary Geoise, Hammer slowly stepped toward the stationed guards.
"I am Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral Hammer."
"I wish to request an audience with the Five Elders."
"There is a visitation letter from Fleet Admiral Kong here."
As he spoke, Hammer handed over a document stamped with the Marine Fleet Admiral seal.
He had just received it from G1 Branch earlier.
Old Kong had specifically transmitted it to him via fax.
Only with this document could he pass through the stationed guards and enter Mary Geoise to meet the Five Elders.
And just as Hammer stepped onto Mary Geoise, Kong had already contacted the Five Elders.
"This is Kong."
"Vice Admiral Hammer is currently heading to Mary Geoise. He wishes to speak with the five of you."
"Oh? Speak with us?"
"Very well. Let him come."
"We'll wait for him at Pangaea Castle."
The Five Elders remained extremely calm regarding Hammer's visit, as if this had long been within their expectations.
…...
On the streets of Mary Geoise.
Since Hammer had come alone this time without Kong accompanying him, a squad of stationed soldiers escorted him instead.
Under their guidance, Hammer headed straight for Pangaea Castle.
Entering a conference room, he found the Five Elders already seated inside.
When they saw Hammer enter, all five revealed faint smiles.
"Good afternoon, Five Elders."
Hammer walked up to them and casually greeted them with the most ordinary greeting imaginable.
"What business do you have with us?"
Saint Topman Warcury spoke first.
"Wasn't it the Five Elders who wanted me here?"
The moment those words came out, all five smiled.
"You truly are intelligent, Hammer."
"In that case, you should also understand why we wanted you here."
"I do."
"You want me to join the World Government, or rather, join your side."
There was no unnecessary politeness between the two parties.
They went straight to the point.
"And your answer?"
"I will not leave the Marines, nor will I take a position directly under the World Government."
"On the contrary, I'm quite curious."
"I'm already a Marine. Technically, that already places me under your command."
"So why do you want me to leave the Marines?"
"You're even suppressing my promotion."
"I'm just a blacksmith."
"Am I really worth all this trouble from the five of you?"
That single counter-question caused the Five Elders to fall silent.
"We'll put that topic aside for now."
"Stay in Mary Geoise for two days."
"You will not receive an answer to your question today."
"Guards, escort Vice Admiral Hammer away to rest."
Two attendants immediately entered from outside the door and escorted the puzzled Hammer away.
After Hammer left, the Five Elders sat in a circle, each lost in thought.
"What do we do now?"
"Do we forcibly keep Hammer in Mary Geoise, or…"
Saint Marcus Mars stroked his beard as he spoke.
His words caused the other four to raise their heads.
"The great one's intention was for us to bring him onto our side if possible."
"Your method would only force him away."
"When that happens, are you planning to face the great one yourself?"
Saint Topman Warcury mercilessly mocked him, leaving the former looking depressed.
"Have we pushed too hard?"
"By all logic, with his achievements, the Logistics Minister position should've been his long ago."
"And according to that great one's wishes, he is destined to stand with us eventually."
"If that's the case, shouldn't we simply give him what he deserves?"
Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro held his sword while speaking calmly.
He had never approved of suppressing Hammer's promotion in order to force him to Mary Geoise.
After all, his descendants still maintained business dealings with Hammer, and the relationship between the two sides had always been fairly decent.
"Sigh…"
"There's no better solution now."
"We can only ask that great one directly."
"If something truly goes wrong, none of us can bear the consequences."
Saint Shepherd Ju Peter expressed his thoughts, earning unanimous agreement from the others.
…..
Deep within Pangaea Castle existed a chamber known as the Room of Flowers.
A slender figure was currently walking among the flowers.
Suddenly, the figure paused, changed direction, and headed toward a certain room.
And when that figure entered the room.
The Five Elders were kneeling on one knee before a throne.
The figure walked past them and slowly ascended the throne.
This throne also possessed an imposing title: The Empty Throne.
Only after the figure seated itself upon the throne did the Five Elders dare to speak.
Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro spoke first:
"Lord Imu, Hammer has already arrived at Mary Geoise."
"However, he refuses to join our side."
The figure known as Imu remained concealed within the shadows, making both face and body impossible to discern.
"And then?"
Those three words struck the Five Elders like heavy warhammers.
Cold sweat instantly appeared on all five foreheads.
"We failed."
"Hammer has developed resistance toward Mary Geoise."
"We wished to ask what should be done next."
Hearing this, Im slowly rose and walked to the right side of the Empty Throne, lowering their gaze slightly toward a certain object.
The Five Elders' eyes also followed.
There, standing firmly beside the Empty Throne,
Was a short-handled warhammer.
If Hammer had been present, his jaw would've dropped in shock.
Because the hammer, silver-black in color, looked exactly like the hammer form he took after awakening.
"Let nature take its course."
"Compensate him."
"Give him everything he deserves."
The calm voice still carried no emotion whatsoever.
But the Five Elders, who were familiar with Imu, knew,
Imu was currently angry.
Possibly even furious.
"Yes… we understand what to do, Lord Imu."
Imu didn't even bother responding to them.
After giving the warhammer another glance, Imu turned and left the room.
Only after Imu departed did the Five Elders finally let out long sighs of relief.
A long while later, the five finally stood and left the chamber.
Returning to Pangaea Castle, the five gathered once more.
"Approve Hammer's application for Logistics Minister."
"And issue him a Mary Geoise access permit."
"He may freely enter Mary Geoise from now on."
The order was quickly transmitted.
Soon, it reached Hammer's hands.
At the same time, the news was relayed by Den Den Mushi to Kong.
Both men fell into shock upon hearing it.
Especially Hammer.
Right now, he was utterly bewildered and had absolutely no idea what had happened.
First, the Five Elders had him escorted out.
And then suddenly, he got promoted?
What exactly happened in between?