Magma is a peculiar substance, a molten body with unique physical properties. It resembles both a solid and a liquid, flowing and bending like glowing-hot glass, yet remaining extremely dense and rigid.
The Black Rod was a product of the Paramecia-type Cage-Cage Fruit, while magma was a product of the Logia-type Magma-Magma Fruit.
Since the Black Rod could be forged, there was no reason magma couldn't be, too.
Previously, Hammer hadn't attempted forging magma simply because he didn't know where to start. But ever since he mastered the Shape Hammer ability from his fruit, he had a new idea.
"Whoa, it's so hot! What is this?"
As soon as he took the magma out, it started emitting extreme heat.
The container he used was lined with steel infused with Seastone properties, only that could contain magma. Any normal container would've melted long ago.
But Hammer quickly realized a problem: this stuff was too hot. If he placed it on his usual anvil, it'd probably destroy it.
'How the hell am I supposed to forge this…?'
Suddenly, a lightbulb went off in his head. If magma couldn't touch things… then what if he forged it in midair?
But his powers caused massive vibrations, and if he did this in the armory, it could be completely destroyed. Sengoku would definitely make him pay for that.
"Hina, wait here. I'll be right back."
In a flash, Hammer vanished using Soru, running full speed out of the armory. He used Geppo to dash through the sky to the back of Marineford's fortress.
He found a patch of empty land.
Dragging his magma container with him, he grinned.
"Shape Hammer: Anvil!"
With it in one arm, he raised the other and activated his ability.
After a few intense hammer strikes, a new anvil was formed in the open space.
Then, Hammer poured out the magma.
The semi-solid, semi-liquid magma oozed out, and he immediately began hammering it with no precise technique, just raw power and Devil Fruit ability.
He activated Omnidirectional Hammer, covering his hands in Armament Haki, and started pounding the magma like mad.
Soon, the magma was hammered into a rough cube.
"Just hammering it into shape won't be enough… Hmm… Maybe salt will help?"
He tried adding flux, but the extreme heat disintegrated it instantly.
"Tch. Looks like regular methods won't cut it. Let's think…"
"If I want to maintain its semi-solid state, I'll need Flameweave Stone…"
"To shape it… Maybe Mithril will work."
"For hardness… Let's go with Diamond."
Wasting no time, he placed Flameweave Stone, Mithril, and Diamond onto the magma block.
The Omnidirectional Hammer activated again.
Worried the heat wasn't enough, Hammer unleashed his Flame Hammer ability too.
Hammer strikes echoed through the back of Marineford. Even the main HQ building could hear it clearly.
Vice Admiral Tsuru was the first to notice and peered out the window.
"That noise… Is that Hammer?"
She immediately went to Kong's office, only to find Sengoku already arriving with the same idea.
The two exchanged a glance and entered together.
Inside, Kong was already at the window, watching the direction of the hammering.
"You're here. That brat's probably forging something insane again."
"That racket is no joke."
The number of spectators increased the three high-ranking officers watched through the window, using Observation Haki to monitor things.
The heat aura continued to rise.
Sweat trickled down Hammer's brow, but his eyes gleamed with excitement.
At last, the magma was forged into the shape of a massive battle axe.
Panting, Hammer admired his creation with satisfaction.
But he wasn't done yet; he continued fine-tuning it with precise strikes.
He then melted the remaining materials and poured them into the axe handle to reinforce it.
At that moment, a powerful aura surged from the axe, and the air around it seemed to ignite.
Hammer could feel the strength radiating from it, and a proud smile spread across his face.
"It's done!" he whispered, joy thick in his voice.
"Hoh? A battle axe? That's one hell of a weapon!"
A deep, surprised voice echoed from the side. Zephyr had silently been watching from a distance.
"I figured I felt several gazes on me. Besides you, Teacher Zephyr, I bet Old Man Kong and the others are spying too, right?"
"Fine, look all you want, but don't distract me, I'm not done yet!"
The final step of the forging process had arrived: quenching.
But here came the real issue
This axe was made of magma combined with Flameweave Stone; the heat was insane.
Regular quenching methods wouldn't work. And without quenching, the axe's quality couldn't be guaranteed.
"Tch… Looks like I'll have to use the most brute-force method possible."
"Hey! You guys watching, come help out! Otherwise, this thing's gonna go to waste!"
Hammer knew that brute-force quenching was beyond his power alone. He needed help from the old-timers.
Zephyr was already present, so no problem there. Kong immediately jumped out the window when he heard the call. Sengoku and Tsuru sighed and followed him.
Soon, the four Marine top brass gathered around Hammer.
"Hammer, you little rascal, what do you need from us?" Kong asked, eyes twinkling with excitement as he stared at the battle axe, heart practically in his eyes.
"Old Man Kong, this axe still needs to be quenched."
"But its core materials, Sakazuki's magma and Flameweave Stone, make the temperature far too high. Normal quenching just won't cut it."
"There's only one path left, brute-force quenching. And I can't pull it off alone."
"So, I need you guys to unleash your violence and beat this thing into submission."
The three veterans understood instantly.
Zephyr rubbed his hands together, black Armament Haki coating them in an instant.
"What if I break it?"
"Just control your strength a bit. But the axe's materials include Mithril and Diamond, and it's solid. Not far off from Seastone in durability."
"Alright then. Hammer, toss it in the air, I'll start."
Hammer nodded and hurled the axe skyward, pretty high too.
Zephyr leapt after it, his devastating fists at the ready.
"Black Arm: Destruction Barrage!"
A savage flurry of punches battered the axe from all sides.
"Not enough," Hammer muttered. "It's working… but not enough."
"Sengoku, Old Man Kong, you two, jump in!"
Watching closely, Hammer quickly realized Zephyr alone wouldn't be able to complete the violent quenching.
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
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