"Give me all the recent intelligence you have on this Straw Hat kid. All of it."
"I know you have it. Find it now!"
Having spent several hundred million, Bellamy certainly had the right to bark orders at these information brokers. The newspaper staff didn't seem to mind. With their big boss standing by without a word, who were they to complain?
Soon, the intelligence Bellamy wanted was dug up, piece by piece.
October 1517: The boy, Straw Hat Luffy, sets out to sea in a wooden barrel. A few days later, he is caught in a sea storm and nearly drowns. Fortunately, he is rescued by a cargo ship.
Immediately after, Straw Hat Luffy is sold as a slave by the unscrupulous merchant to a nearby black market.
A few days later, the Straw Hat boy escapes from the black market. The details of his escape are unknown.
Afterwards, Luffy sets out to sea again, this time in a small fishing boat.
November 1517: In Bear Paw Village in the East Blue, Straw Hat Luffy participates in a food competition and befriends a chef. The next day, the chef, "Big Bear," accepts an invitation to join the Straw Hat Pirates.
December 1517: Straw Hat Luffy encounters the Black Heart Pirate Crew at sea. After a fierce battle, the Black Heart Pirate Crew is narrowly defeated. During this time, Luffy befriends the pirate hunter, "Ghost." The next day, the pirate hunter Ghost is invited to join the Straw Hat Pirates.
December 1517: In Cocoyasi Village, Straw Hat Luffy defeats the fish-man swordsman Hatchan. The Arlong Pirates are annihilated. The next day, the "Cat Burglar" Nami is invited to join the Straw Hat Pirates.
January 1518: Straw Hat Luffy encounters the Buggy Pirates at sea and is crushingly defeated. His current whereabouts are unknown.
This was all the recent intelligence regarding the Straw Hat boy.
After hearing the report, Bellamy couldn't help but take a deep breath. "It's changed. Everything has changed."
Is it because of me?
The world's original destined path had been completely altered.
Wait a minute.
Something wasn't right.
Why did he assume that the anime he had seen in his past life was this world's predetermined destiny? That perception was completely wrong. If everything was fated, then what was the point of all his efforts? Didn't the changes in the Straw Hat boy's journey prove that things that seemed destined were, in fact, changing?
The realm of fate was not something Bellamy was qualified to touch. He had no knowledge in this area. Faced with the changes that had happened to Luffy, all he could do was stare blankly.
"Forget it. Let it be," he muttered to himself.
"This information has been very useful to me."
"Thank you for your business, Lord Bellamy." Morgans had made a hefty profit and was naturally pleased. "If you need anything else, please contact me at any time."
"I will." Bellamy hung up the phone and sat on the ground, lost in thought. He only snapped out of it when the sky began to change color.
"No matter what, my own strength is the foundation of everything."
He would have to find answers to these questions later, when he had the chance.
Boin Archipelago - Carnivorous Plant Zone.
Early this morning, Bellamy had brought Drake here.
"Your Observation Haki is only a step away from awakening."
But for some reason, even though Drake's Armament Haki could already cover both his fists, his Observation Haki just wouldn't awaken. Bellamy suspected it might be related to him being a Zoan-type Devil Fruit user. Zoan users tended to rely too much on the strength of their own bodies, which could dull their sensitivity to danger. The inability to experience that thrilling sensation of a life-or-death moment had become the final barrier to Drake awakening his Observation Haki.
Today, Bellamy had brought him here to give him a push, to help him forcibly awaken it. If this method worked, then Ross, Heracles, Mia, and Muret would all be brought here for a visit. This carnivorous plant zone would become their special training ground for Observation Haki.
"Drake, you should be well aware," Bellamy began, his tone serious. "If you get entangled by these carnivorous vines, not even a Sea King can break free."
Even at full power, Drake was only about ten meters tall after transforming. Compared to the average thousand-meter-long Sea King, he was less than an insect. Once caught by these carnivorous plants, he was almost certainly dead. Not even Bellamy was sure he could save him.
"I know."
Bellamy had explained everything clearly before they came. They had discussed his theories about why Drake couldn't awaken his Observation Haki several times. The fact that Drake was willing to come here meant he was fully prepared.
"Captain, let's begin."
"Not so fast. Let me give you a demonstration first."
Bellamy had often come here to train alone during this period and was very familiar with these carnivorous plants. It wasn't just their immense strength; it was their terrifying explosive speed, their swarm-like attack patterns, and their seemingly insignificant but actually razor-sharp thorns. The slightest mistake, and Drake would meet his end here.
"Watch closely."
Bellamy stomped heavily on the ground. In an instant, the ground trembled violently. Sensing the vibration, the dormant carnivorous vines underground all awakened at once. In the blink of an eye, a countless number of thorny vines swept towards them like a tidal wave. The smallest of these vines was thicker than Heracles's waist. The sheer terror of this sea of vines rushing towards them made Drake break out in a cold sweat for Bellamy.
Fortunately, Bellamy didn't need his concern.
Maintaining his height at around 1.6 meters, Bellamy fully utilized his smaller frame, weaving through the gaps between the vines with effortless grace.
"Pay attention, Drake," Bellamy called out. "These vines can suddenly accelerate."
Just then, he added a sudden reminder. Before his words had even faded, several vines beside him shot forward, nearly striking his body.
"Don't rely too much on Paper Art. Let your mind control your body."
In that explosive moment, the air itself had been shattered by the vines. The evasion of Paper Art relied entirely on sensing the flow of air. Without understanding this, those few strikes could have easily landed.
Bellamy punched a nearby vine, using the rebound force to leap out of the area.
"Did you see that clearly?" he asked, landing softly. "If you did, then go."
There was nothing more he could do to help Drake. Drake needed to charge into that sea of vines and struggle between life and death. If Bellamy interfered too much, it would defeat the purpose of the training. All he could do was try to pull Drake out at the most critical moment. But without trying, even Bellamy didn't know if he could actually snatch someone back from the grasp of these vines.
"Destiny, in the end, must be grasped with one's own hands," Bellamy said, his eyes fixed on his first mate.
"Drake, your future is not meant to end in this place."