Two terrifying punches clashed in midair.
Though Garp had restrained his Conqueror's Haki, and Zephyr's Armament Haki was purely physical, the sheer force of their blows was evenly matched.
The shockwaves cracked the air itself as their fists collided.
Two legends, Fist Bone and Black Arm, both titans of the sea, had just reminded everyone present what true power looked like.
The cadets were thrilled beyond belief. Witnessing such a moment? They'd be dreaming about it for weeks.
Hammer, however, was shocked. He had personally experienced how devastating Conqueror's Haki could be.
The fact that Zephyr was able to hold it off using only raw Armament Haki, even if Garp was holding back his punches, was mind-blowing.
His respect for Armament Haki just skyrocketed.
With a final shout, both withdrew their power, and the overwhelming pressure finally dissipated.
"Not bad, Zephyr. I thought you'd gotten rusty after all these years off the front lines, but you're still the mighty Black Arm Zephyr that I knew of."
Garp clapped Zephyr heartily on the back.
"Hmph, you bastard. If that punch of yours had landed, my entire training ground would be a crater!"
"Are you out of your mind? Using that kind of technique in the headquarters?!"
Zephyr was furious, first at Garp for attacking out of nowhere, then at the fact that he'd aimed at Hammer, and finally for the sheer recklessness of using such strength here.
One hit and this place would've been dust!
"Hahahaha! Alright, alright, I admit it!"
"It's just, when I thought I saw Hammer's ghost, I got a little carried away!"
Suddenly, Garp darted over to Hammer and began inspecting him from top to bottom like a curious child.
Hammer was not amused.
"Garp, you senile fossil, were you trying to kill me?"
"And I'm not a ghost! I won't die that easily!"
"And what kind of reunion starts with a punch, anyway?!"
Then Garp let out a dramatic shout that nearly ruptured everyone's eardrums.
"WHAT?! Hammer, YOU'RE ALIVE! YOU'RE REALLY ALIVE!"
Hammer nearly passed out.
"STOP! SHUT UP! Quit screaming!"
To save his eardrums, Hammer clamped Garp's mouth shut, only for things to get worse.
"What the, Vice Admiral Garp is being possessed by Hammer's ghost?!"
"Don't worry, sir! I'll save you, Yasakani no Magatama!!"
A cold, bizarre voice echoed from the sky, followed by a downpour of blinding golden light aimed directly at Hammer!
And that wasn't the end of it.
"Borsalino, I think you're right. Let me assist you!"
Searing magma exploded toward Hammer from the front, forming a pincer attack with the golden lights.
The two reacted instantly, Garp leapt backward while Hammer activated his Burst Hammer, launching himself away using recoil.
The combined attacks of Borsalino and Sakazuki left a massive crater where the two had just stood.
"WHAT THE HELL, DOG BRO! MONKEY BRO! ARE YOU ALSO TRYING TO KILL ME?!"
"You two little brats have gone TOO FAR!"
Garp and Hammer shouted in unison.
As the light and magma faded, Borsalino and Sakazuki walked forward, faces grim.
"Hammer… you bastard! Do you know how tragic I felt when I thought you were dead? Tsktsk tsk... not even one of your custom weapons could fill that emotional void..."
Borsalino wiped fake tears from his eyes, trying not to laugh halfway through.
Sakazuki's scowl softened, but quickly turned serious.
"Hammer. Since you're alive… why didn't you notify HQ?"
"Sakazuki's right. We were heartbroken for nothing, you know?"
The two glared at Hammer like they were about to beat him senseless if he said the wrong thing.
Before he could finish, two more voices rang out.
It was Sengoku and Kong, the last two to arrive, both staring at him in shock.
Then they rushed over and started grabbing and patting every inch of him like a couple of old doctors.
After several seconds of examining.
"OW! YOU TWO OLD FARTS! WHY'D YOU PUNCH ME?!"
Each had given Hammer a heavy punch in the face. Both his eyes instantly blackened.
"To the office. Hammer, you'd better explain everything you've been through since you vanished!"
With that, they dragged Hammer away like a criminal, leaving the stunned recruits behind.
Everyone exchanged bewildered glances.
"Why do all our Navy commanders seem... kinda unhinged?"
Later, in the Fleet Admiral's Office…
"So yeah. That's what happened."
"I came back as soon as I woke up! Didn't even waste a second!"
Hammer gave a highly edited version of his story. No way was he telling them about what happened with Scarlett.
If he did, he'd never leave the office alive.
The room went silent as everyone mulled it over. Hammer gave Sakazuki a sharp glare.
"All this happened because Sakazuki insisted on charging in like a maniac. That was Conqueror's Haki, by the way."
"I took the hit for him and nearly lost half my life!"
Sakazuki scratched his head. That part was… yeah, kinda his fault.
Once a fight started, he tended to lose control. Must be the fruit's influence.
Hammer: 'Like hell. I don't buy that. You're a walking volcano and a walking disaster.'
"That was definitely Sakazuki's mistake. We've already reprimanded him," said Sengoku.
"Hammer, since you're still recovering, you're on leave. Rest, forge, do whatever you like, we won't assign you any missions for now."
Even Kong nodded in agreement.
This sudden kindness had Hammer suspicious.
'Did the sun rise from the west today? Why are these two acting so nice?'
"Tsk tsk. Oh, poor Sengoku-san. Is this you buttering up Vice Admiral Hammer for a custom weapon?"
Borsalino's voice dripped with sarcasm.
"Borsalino! No one asked you, shut up!"
Hammer finally caught on, 'so that's what this is about.'
'Exclusive weapon, huh? Heh… not happening, old fart Sengoku. You wish.'
He exchanged a glance with Monkey Bro.
Hammer: Monkey, you in? Got materials?
Borsalino: Golden Light Rock. I can use it too!
Hammer: Nice. We fleece him. Half at least.
Borsalino: Done. I'll back you up, let's go.
Sometimes, tacit understanding needed no words.
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
[email protected]/DaoistJinzu