Bear and Hammer

The crew on Water Seven continued to stay where they were during the time that had passed as Carrot continued to watch over the others and gain more experience there.

Many pirate crews came one after another and made trouble for the shipwrights and the people there so this made it easier for those that remained there to make some money after defeating them, collecting their bounties and selling the spoils of war.

Just like Tristan and Alyssia who were the monster trio of the group, Carrot took to the seas to further practice her swimming and underwater training.

Although she did not have the very cold environment to provide her a more extreme training method, she was able to gradually get comfortable enough to survive an aqua luguna that would occasionally come to flood the lower parts of Water Seven.

She was becoming quite bored staying in one place for so long but Alyssia had reminded her that the surrounding forces were not something that could be left to the others since Archie may be strong and very resilient but in front of a Six Powers user, he would suffer many losses unless he used his Electro exposing himself to further trouble.

Following her wishes, Carrot continued to train in seclusion along with her followers while the new ship was being built in between Archie and the other shipwrights' work time learning at the Gallery-La shipbuilding area.

Anyone else that had too much free time were given the option to stay or to assist the merchant or mercenary groups in whatever way they could.

The metal ship was being built and progressing smoothly and many parts for Alyssia's own ship had been completed and sent to Baldimore via several ships belonging to the White Storm merchant group.

Meanwhile within the container room where most of their operations were centred on, there was the sound of clashing of hammer and metal.

Each time it continued to follow a certain rhythm until finally it came to a stop.

A largely built man who had slightly tanned skin and sweat coming from his muscles began to wipe his forehead while looking down at the final pieces of his new masterpiece. "I really have outdone myself this time! I really have to thank Alyssia for bringing me here, my skills have improved greatly and I have got to rejuvenate my love for crafting."

He had a very large grin on his face as he made some final touches to it and started to do the same with many other large pieces of metal.

After he had finished he waited for everyone to arrive from their work shift in Gallery-La while placing the new item he had created within a large box.

As the door opened, the room became lively once again but the room became silent as the large box was kicked in front of Archie.

He looked at the blacksmith with a look of confusion. "What is the meaning of this?"

The blacksmith smiled calmly and replied. "It is something that Alyssia requested for you. It took some time but it was finally completed according to her specifications. Try it on."

After opening the box, Archie's eyes sparkled as he gazed down at the contents. "I will be right back!"

He escaped with the box to an empty room to get dressed and after leaving the room he looked much more intimidating.

He wore a large helmet that protected the top of his head and the back of his neck, a chest and back plate, shoulder guards, wrist guards and leg armor that formed a domineering presence on his large body.

"Armoured bear!"

"So cool!"

"Hey boss! When do we get ours? Hehe."

The blacksmith went by his side and added quietly. "These are just pieces to be put together with leather and straps to suit your body but they will provide you the best defense around. The metal is also perfect as a conductor for electrical attacks, it is not as heavy as most metals too so it will last a long time."

Archie placed his large bear paw on his shoulders and smiled. "You have done a great job! However this time, your little display may have earned you too many admirers hehe."

The blacksmith rolled his eyes. "Not anyone can get my best creations so easily, I need to continue working on my own way of protecting myself in the future if I am to continue sticking around with you people."

He could tell that they were not ordinary people with small dreams and that some day he may get left far behind if he did not continue to improve himself.

If he spent too much time working on shields and armour for the armour unit under Archie, he would never be able to focus on his own projects.

He continued to say. "Just remember to thank your captain for this and Alfred for acquiring so many good metals to work with."

Archie nodded as he went to a large space to practice his own style of fighting that included many charging, sumo and wrestling techniques and found that the armour did not restrict his movements.

A small smile stayed on his face as he continued with his test of his new armour.

What he did not know was that a rare metal vein had been found on Raijin Island within the first three islands past the Red Line and had made its way onto the black market.

It was sold on the black market and found its way into the Grand Line but there was a very limited amount of the Raijin Ore to be sold since the people of Raijin Island were limiting the amount that would leave their island because it was very precious to them.

After receiving it, the blacksmith had been able to produce a set of armour for Archie after using some for practice leaving a small amount left to make a set of smaller weapons or a single large weapon.

The blacksmith went back to his room where he had his tools, furnace and forge and took out a blueprint examining it closely. "The captain does know her own crew quite well and is able to know what they need to help them grow stronger. Even in my case, she has satisfied me with this design and the training plan she had set up for me. She even told me to send it to her for additional modifications once it has been completed so this isn't the final design."

On the blueprints were several designs of different types of blacksmithing hammers, some were blunt on both sides while others sharp on the back, some rounded while others triangular or square with different sizes.

His eyes went to a set of two blacksmithing hammers that had the front shaped like a gem while the back was similar to a tooth shape and had a suitable handle to allow him to use them during his work and in combat without sacrificing any of his movements when using them. "I will choose you."

During his spars with the others he had gained a lot of experience to improve his own fighting style but he still lacked a real weapon that was strong enough to hurt strong opponents, he had been making use of his own blacksmithing hammers that he used for work but now he saw the potential in his new weapons as if they were already within his hands and was ready to wield them.