After resting on Sun and Moon Island for a period of time, Bellamy's crew was preparing to set sail for the next island. As the newly recruited intelligence agent, Lao G naturally wouldn't be traveling with them. According to Bellamy's arrangements, the "deceased" Lao G would quietly make his way to some remote islands after a while. Bellamy's demands for this turncoat were not high; he just needed to provide important intelligence at regular intervals.
What Bellamy hadn't expected was that just before they left, Lao G suddenly offered him a crucial piece of information.
"My lord, if you're interested in important intelligence, I think there's something you might need to know."
Lao G was well aware that there was no turning back for him. From the moment he was forced to retract his life force and burn his Vivre Card, he was officially a dead man in the eyes of the Donquixote Family. If anyone discovered he was still alive, Doflamingo would not spare him. As a family officer, Lao G knew far too much. Selling out even a fraction of that information could cause the Donquixote Family enormous losses. If his faked death were ever discovered, he would undoubtedly be hunted down until he was truly dead.
"What intelligence? Spit it out."
Bellamy frowned slightly. This old man was still not being entirely honest. He had important information but chose not to say anything earlier, only deciding to speak up now. He must have still been hesitating.
"Lord Bellamy, Marine Vice Admiral Onigumo is currently in close pursuit. He's about to catch up to you."
The Marines' movements could be hidden from others, but not from local powers like them. Onigumo's relentless pursuit, without any attempt to conceal his tracks, had been noticed long ago.
"Onigumo!"
The moment he heard the name, Bellamy felt a faint ache in his chest. That sword strike had been truly painful.
"So he's been following me this whole time."
He had known the Marines would make a move, but he hadn't expected Onigumo to be this close.
"How far behind us is he?"
"In about two to three days, Vice Admiral Onigumo should arrive at Sun and Moon Island."
That was an incredibly close pursuit. If Bellamy lingered here for even a short while, he would be caught. Logically, upon hearing such news, a pirate like Bellamy should immediately set sail and flee to the next island. This was what Lao G was thinking. It was perfectly normal for pirates to be chased by the Marines.
But Bellamy was clearly not a normal person.
Upon learning that Onigumo was chasing him relentlessly, a cruel smile spread across Bellamy's face.
"Everyone, get the hell off the ship."
"Captain, aren't we leaving?" the crew asked, greatly surprised. The voyage plan had already been set; why the sudden change?
"I'm going to settle things with Onigumo, once and for all, right here on this island!"
The killing intent in Bellamy's heart was now boiling over completely.
"There the captain goes again..."
Drake and the others felt their mouths twitch. They all knew Bellamy was starting to go mad again. To face a Marine Vice Admiral head-on... it was sheer insanity. They had only been at sea for a little over two years. Was this really a good idea?
Lao G, unfamiliar with Bellamy's style, stood to the side, clicking his tongue in amazement. This guy was this aggressive? No wonder they called him the "Mad Dog."
But if Bellamy died in battle, wouldn't that mean...
If Bellamy won, it would prove he hadn't backed the wrong person. If he lost, even better—he would be completely free. Lao G secretly pondered this for a moment, his face remaining impassive. No matter what, whether Bellamy won or lost, there was no downside for him. Lao G was more than happy to see this fight happen.
"Lord Bellamy, are we just going to wait for Onigumo here?"
"No. Find a quiet place. I need to meditate for the next few days."
To accumulate energy in his new form, Bellamy needed to be in a state of quiet meditation. The more strenuous the activity, the greater the energy consumption. Only in a state of seated meditation could Bellamy absorb the naturally dissipating energy within his body with maximum efficiency and store it. During this time, he would also need to consume large amounts of food and water and maintain constant control over the four types of energy within him.
The efficiency of natural absorption was extremely low. Bellamy had tried it; while maintaining a meditative state, minus the expenditure, he could refine enough energy in one hour to fight for about fifty minutes. If he relied on natural absorption, he'd be lucky to absorb enough for one minute of combat in an hour. The vast difference was a significant drawback of the Life Essence Apertures.
Although the apertures were distributed throughout the body, they were ultimately just small, special points. Without being deliberately guided, the energy would not flow into them on its own.
It would be great if I could create a natural cycle that encompasses all the apertures.
As Bellamy thought this, he realized... if he actually managed to do that, how would it be any different from the internal energy in Wuxia stories? If this thing could circulate on its own, aside from not having a Dantian to reside in, wouldn't it just be a unique form of internal energy?
His expression suddenly turned a bit strange, because this idea actually had potential. Given some time, Bellamy might really be able to figure it out.
Don't tell me I'm going to end up mastering the Dragon-Subduing Eighteen Palms and then charge into Mary Geoise to beat the hell out of the Celestial Dragons.
The thought was actually quite exciting, even if the style would become a bit bizarre.
"Ross, you stand guard at the docks. The moment you see Onigumo's warship, report to me immediately."
For the next few days, Bellamy would enter a state of seclusion, not to emerge until the decisive battle.