Just a few days after the Bellamy Pirates welcomed their new member, a call came in from the other side of the world.
"Lord Bellamy, we've made contact with the person you were looking for."
Months ago, Bellamy had asked the president of the World Economic News Paper to help him find any trace of Trafalgar Law. After such a long wait, there was finally news.
"I want to speak with Law."
"Please hold."
A moment later, a voice that was both familiar and slightly distant came through the Den Den Mushi.
"Long time no see, Captain Bellamy."
"Long time no see, Law."
The last time they had met was a year ago in the North Blue. Law had entered the Grand Line a year before them; by now, he should already be in the New World.
"You went to great lengths to find me, Captain Bellamy. What for?" Although Law had many other questions for Bellamy, he started with the most important one.
"I need your help."
The Op-Op Fruit was crucial to Bellamy's future plans. His ambition was too wild, too boundless. Without a user of such a cheat-level ability to assist him, even he wasn't sure if he could make it to the end.
It was now the year 1518 of the Sea Circle Calendar. According to his plan, Bellamy would head to the New World before winter and then face Doflamingo in a battle to the death.
"Law, are you in for my fight against Doflamingo?"
Faced with Bellamy's invitation, Law was tempted. His hatred for Doflamingo was no less than Drake's. The place Corazon held in his heart was incomparable to anyone else. Now, Bellamy had suddenly stepped forward to fight Doflamingo to the death. Could there be a better opportunity than this?
Law had been in the New World for a long time, but he had found no opportunity to bring Doflamingo to his demise. The power of the "Heavenly Yaksha" was not something he could confront alone.
"Captain Bellamy, when will you launch your attack?"
Although Law didn't agree directly, his words made it clear he was interested.
"I knew you couldn't refuse," Bellamy said with a slight smile. "The latter half of the year. I'll notify you of the specific time in advance."
He certainly couldn't reveal detailed information here. They were currently using the World Economic News Paper's Den Den Mushi, an organization that dealt in information. For the right price, anyone could obtain intelligence from them. As long as Bellamy wasn't a complete idiot, he wouldn't lay out his detailed plans here.
"Wait patiently in the New World, Law."
"I understand, Captain Bellamy." Law clearly understood that they couldn't discuss their collaborative plans in a place like this. Further cooperation would have to wait until Bellamy reached the New World and they could talk in person.
Having finally contacted Law and secured a verbal alliance, Bellamy hung up the phone, satisfied. The World Economic News Paper was quite reliable. Although they had made him wait for several months, they had indeed found their man.
"Lord Bellamy, perhaps you could use some of the latest intelligence."
Bellamy was indeed in desperate need of outside information. That useless Lao G was currently hiding on some small island, only able to report some trivial news once a month.
"How much?"
"Thirty million Beri. For Doflamingo's recent movements, with the latest Marine intelligence included as a bonus."
The World Economic News Paper was in the business of information; Bellamy wasn't surprised by the price.
"When I left the North Blue, I buried several hundred million Beri on a reef. You can go dig it up yourselves," Bellamy said coolly. "Give me a rundown of every major and minor event that's happened in the last few months."
No one could say for sure what kind of person Bellamy was. But Morgans felt that an arrogant brute like him was likely above lying. And after several interactions, he got the impression that this man couldn't care less about money. The credibility of his treasure claim was high. This was a deal worth making.
"Lord Bellamy, please wait a moment."
A transaction worth several hundred million was a big deal no matter where you were. The World Economic News Paper naturally took it very seriously. They quickly compiled all the major and minor events of the past few months and began to report them to Bellamy.
October 1517: Fire Fist Ace challenges the Whitebeard Pirates in the New World. Warlord of the Sea, Jinbe, "Knight of the Sea," happens to be a guest on the Whitebeard Pirates' ship and accepts Fire Fist Ace's challenge. That day, Fire Fist Ace and Jinbe fight fiercely for five days and five nights to a draw. Fire Fist Ace, unsatisfied, challenges Whitebeard and is crushingly defeated.January 1518: Fire Fist Ace publicly announces he has joined the Whitebeard Pirates as the 2nd Division Commander.December 1517: Doflamingo secretly arrives at the Sabaody Archipelago, suspected to be in pursuit of "Mad Dog" Bellamy.January 1518: Gas-Gas Fruit user, Caesar Clown, finds Doflamingo. The two hold a three-hour secret meeting; the contents are unknown. The next day, Doflamingo leaves the Sabaody Archipelago with Caesar Clown. Their current whereabouts are unknown.October 1517: Admiral Kizaru is ordered to patrol Water 7 for half a month. He finds nothing and returns empty-handed.January 1518: Marine Headquarters holds a memorial service for Captain Smoker. At the service, his friends vow to kill Bellamy to avenge him. The next day, the Marines hold another memorial service for Vice Admiral Onigumo. Admiral Akainu personally attends but says not a single word.
These were the major events of recent times. Many of them were directly related to Bellamy, or even caused by him. After hearing the report, Bellamy was filled with emotion. He didn't know when it had happened, but he was no longer an insignificant nobody. The impact of his every move was enough to create ripples across the world. People would slowly become familiar with his name—whether with fear, hatred, or scrutiny.
After a short pause, the newspaper staff continued with some of the more minor recent events. This was information that could usually be found in the newspaper. But Bellamy was currently on an isolated island far from any shipping routes; the News Coos usually didn't pass this way. This meant he hadn't seen a newspaper in over three months.
These minor events were not reported in as much detail as the major ones. Many were just trivial matters, like someone holding a concert somewhere, or a food competition being held elsewhere. The newspaper staff didn't pay much attention to them, simply reading from their records.
December 1517: Straw Hat Luffy defeats the fish-man swordsman Hatchan.
"Wait!" Bellamy interrupted sharply.
"What did you just say?"
He felt like he had just heard something unbelievable.
The person on the other end of the Den Den Mushi was a bit surprised. Was there something wrong with that piece of intelligence? "Sea Circle Calendar, December 1517. Straw Hat Luffy defeated the fish-man swordsman Hatchan."
Bellamy's heart leaped. Luffy had set out to sea two years early.
What in the world was going on?!