Seven days after crushing Doro's fleet, the Oro Jackson arrived at an island on the outer rim of the New World.
Its name was Ironwall Port.
The island was ringed with hidden reefs, leaving only a few safe routes that ships could use. The harbor itself was not large, but it was the first resting and resupply stop for many pirates entering the New World.
"We rest here for two days."
Roger stood at the bow and announced,
"Top off fresh water and food, and while we are at it, see what news is floating around the New World lately."
The crew cheered.
After days of sailing through vicious seas, everyone needed the feeling of solid ground under their feet.
Akaba, in Bullet's body, went ashore with the others.
The streets of the little port town were narrow and crowded, the air thick with the smell of booze, fish, and the sweat of pirates.
People of every skin tone and style wove through the streets, most with weapons at their hips and wary eyes that never really relaxed.
"The pirates here feel more... real than in Paradise."
Shanks walked at Bullet's side, lowering his voice.
He was not wrong.
In the Grand Line and the Blues, pirates still carried a thin veneer of romantic adventurer.
Here, in the New World, their eyes held mostly naked ambition and cruelty.
Everyone was fighting for survival and their own hunger.
The two of them pushed into a tavern called the Old Sea Dog.
The moment they opened the door, a wave of noise crashed over them.
The place was packed, most of the seats taken by pirates.
At the bar, a one eyed old barkeep was polishing glasses.
Wanted posters of various pirate crews were pinned all over the walls. The newest one was Doro's 230 million berry bounty.
"Heard that bastard Doro got wrecked a few days ago."
In a corner, a scar faced brute took a swig of liquor.
"Six ships flattened by one man. Makes me laugh myself sick."
"For real? Who did it?"
Someone at his table asked.
"They say it was a rookie on Roger's ship. Can turn into a black dragon a few hundred meters long..."
His voice was not quiet. The tavern dimmed a notch as the noise eased off.
Quite a few people stole glances at the two who had just come in.
Shanks' red hair and Bullet's tall frame were far too conspicuous.
Bullet's expression did not change. He walked to the bar and sat down.
"Three rums."
The old barkeep gave him a quick look and silently poured.
Around them, whispers began to stir.
"That red haired brat... that is Shanks from Roger's crew, right?"
"And the big one next to him, that has to be..."
Shanks took his drink and grinned.
"Looks like we are famous now, Mister Bullet."
"Does not matter."
Bullet took a sip. The burn of the liquor running down his throat made him half narrow his eyes.
"Reputation is just an accessory to strength."
...
Right then, the tavern door was kicked open hard.
Five burly pirates strode in, the one in front a bald giant.
He was three meters tall, an eyepatch over his right eye and an anchor tattooed down his bare left arm.
All of them had the same mark inked on their chests: crossed hammer and anvil.
"The Iron Hammer Pirates..."
Someone whispered.
The bald giant swept his gaze across the room and locked onto Bullet.
He bared a mouthful of yellow teeth in a grin.
"Heard someone took down Doro."
"That would be you, right?"
The mood in the tavern tightened at once.
More than a few people quietly got up and drifted toward the exits.
Bullet set his glass down and turned to face them.
"You need something?"
"I am Iron Hammer Hank, captain of the Iron Hammer Pirates."
The bald giant stomped closer until he stood in front of Bullet.
"Bounty, one hundred fifty million berries."
"I hear you are pretty strong."
"Funny thing is, I have been looking for a stepping stone to make my name."
Shanks frowned and dropped his hand to his sword, but Bullet lifted a hand to stop him.
"You want to challenge me?"
Bullet asked calmly.
"Challenge?"
"No, I came to crush a bug."
"That trash Doro was worth two hundred million?"
"If I butcher you today, my bounty will at least double."
The four pirates behind him sneered and drew their weapons, blades and clubs glinting in the lamplight.
Bullet stood up.
He was clearly taller than Hank.
His calm presence made the air in the tavern feel like it had frozen solid.
"Change the venue."
He said,
"This place is too small. Not enough room."
Hank blinked, then burst out laughing.
"Fine! To the docks!"
"My ship is right there. I will give you a spectacular death."
...
They walked out of the tavern, a trail of pirates following behind to watch the show.
Word spread fast. By the time they reached the harbor, hundreds of people had gathered along the pier.
The Iron Hammer Pirates' ship was a heavily armored warship.
Metal plates covered the hull, and a massive cannon was mounted in the prow.
Its name, the Anvil, was painted in red along the side.
"We fight on my ship!"
Hank hopped up onto the deck and turned back, taunting.
"Dare to, kid?"
Bullet did not answer.
He simply made a light jump and landed on deck. His movement was so effortless it hardly looked human.
Shanks stayed on the pier, not following.
But his hand never left his sword.
On deck, Hank had already stripped off his shirt, revealing muscles like carved stone.
His arms began to change.
His skin turned a dull metal gray, muscles bulged, and his hands warped into two gigantic iron hammers.
"Paramecia, Iron Iron Fruit."
Hank grinned cruelly.
"I can turn any part of my body into steel."
"So, brat, can your claws tear through steel?"
Bullet just raised his right hand and slowly curled his fingers.
Black scales crawled from the back of his hand up to his forearm, his fingers turning into hooked claws.
Faint dark gold light rippled on the surface of the scales.
It was the subtle evolution born from devouring the metal of Doro's fleet.
"Try and see."
He said.
Hank roared and charged, both hammers swinging down.
Armament Haki coated the iron, deepening its dull sheen.
The force of the strike was enough to crack a cliff face, the wind alone whipping the ropes on deck into a frenzy.
Bullet did not step aside.
His dragonized right claw rose to meet the blow, wrapped in Armament of its own.
Clang!!!
The impact thundered in everyone's ears.
The shockwave rippled outward. Pirates standing too close on the pier staggered backward.
Hank's hammers stopped dead in midair, clamped tight in that black dragon claw.
What truly horrified him was what he saw next.
Five deep claw marks appeared on the surface of his iron hammer arms, cutting through his Haki and steel alike.
"You are kidding me..."
Hank's eyes bulged.
Bullet's claw tightened, fingers driving deeper into the metal.