Empowered by his Germa Raid Suit, Yonji's raw physical strength far surpassed the limits of an ordinary human. His limbs wrapped around Bellamy like the tentacles of an octopus, tightening relentlessly, attempting to crush him inwards.
Springs. Just common little components, really. Nobody pays much attention to the fundamental properties of a simple spring. Even Bellamy himself, if he hadn't eaten the Spring-Spring Fruit, likely wouldn't have delved into researching the unique physics of springs. Yonji certainly wouldn't know that the best way to kill a Spring Human isn't a slow crush, but a single, overwhelming blow designed to shatter them completely.
Applying pressure gradually like this, twisting and contorting Bellamy's body, caused deformation but inflicted no actual substantial damage. Instead, the immense external force being applied was completely absorbed by Bellamy's spring-like body, converting into stored potential energy within him. Due to the inherent nature of his Spring Human physique, Bellamy's entire form began to compress under the strain.
Seeing Bellamy seemingly buckle and deform under the pressure, Yonji's face lit up with triumph. Finally! The bastard's breaking! He didn't understand what this outward compression truly signified. The tighter a spring coils, the more terrifying the explosive force when it rebounds.
The two remained locked in a desperate struggle in mid-air. One, Yonji, spitting blood from his internal injuries but refusing to release his death grip. The other, Bellamy, remained expressionless, seemingly just barely enduring the crushing pressure. For a moment, it seemed like a stalemate, neither able to overpower the other.
Aboard several warships observing from a distance, someone saw this apparent stalemate and got an idea. A treacherous one. "A perfect chance." Kuro of a Hundred Plans slipped silently from his own ship's deck, moving stealthily towards the grappling figures using his Pussyfoot Maneuver. Capone Bege watched, considered intervening for a moment, but ultimately decided against it. The Sea King attacks were growing more frequent, and his own large fleet contingent was currently facing significant trouble dealing with them. Now wasn't the time for opportunistic risks.
Farther out, Smoker frantically urged HQ again via Den Den Mushi, but the response was disheartening. "Damn it! Still too far out!" The nearest reinforcements were still at least half a day away. By then, the fight between the Hyena and the Vinsmoke kid would likely be long over. And regardless of who won, the outcome likely wouldn't be favorable for the Marines' interests. "Tashigi! Keep an eye on things here! I'm going in for a closer look!" After agonizing deliberation, Smoker finally decided he had to intervene somehow. "But Captain," Tashigi protested, "Our orders..." HQ had specifically ordered them not to interfere directly. "It's fine. I'm just going to 'observe'," Smoker growled back, already transforming into smoke. If, by some chance, the two combatants ended up severely injuring each other, well, HQ couldn't really fault him for being nearby then, could they? But Smoker had a sinking feeling that hope was slim indeed.
——————
"Why...?!" Yonji gasped between ragged breaths, blood staining his teeth. "Why aren't you dead yet?!" He could feel Bellamy's body twisting, deforming under his immense pressure! Why wasn't the bastard even bleeding?!
Bellamy simply stared back at Yonji, his face an impassive mask, offering no explanation. The energy within him, absorbed from Yonji's relentless crush, was reaching its absolute limit. The moment for release was imminent.
Just then, his Observation Haki picked up another figure approaching rapidly from behind. Locked in Yonji's grip, Bellamy was momentarily unable to maneuver freely. The figure slipped swiftly behind him.
"Scoop Death!" came a whispered hiss – Kuro's silent step technique. Bellamy felt a sudden, sharp sting across his back, like something sharp had grazed him.
"Got him!" Kuro thought triumphantly. He'd managed to land a blow so easily! This Hyena Bellamy wasn't so tough after all! Kuro gripped his Cat Claws tightly, preparing to drive them deep into Bellamy's exposed back.
Suddenly, strands of Bellamy's blond hair whipped backwards, morphing into thick, rope-like tendrils that instantly ensnared Kuro's arms and legs, binding him tightly. Life Return! Kuro struggled frantically, but quickly realized the strength emanating from the hair-ropes was immense, far beyond his ability to break free. Only then did Kuro realize, with dawning horror, that attacking this monster might have been a fatal mistake. Seeking death indeed.
Bellamy effortlessly yanked the bound Kuro around in front of him. He recognized the attacker instantly. One of the East Blue small fry. Kuro of a Hundred Plans.
"Trash," Bellamy hissed, his voice dangerously low. "How dare you?"
Since this battle began, through several incredibly perilous exchanges, Bellamy hadn't taken a single significant injury, hadn't shed a drop of blood. And now, here, locked in a grapple, he'd been wounded—even if only superficially—by this... this garbage.
"You worthless piece of filth actually dared to injure me?!" Bellamy's eyes flashed crimson with sudden, explosive rage. Even taking the hit from Trebol hadn't angered him like this. To be wounded by this level of fodder... it was an unforgivable insult! A humiliation!
Kuro felt his soul trying to flee his body. He didn't know what madness had possessed him to attack this monster. If he could turn back time, he'd choose to stay safely back in the East Blue, plotting in the shadows! The sheer fury radiating from Bellamy was so intense that even Yonji, still locked onto him, felt a tremor of unease.
"GET OFF ME!" With a furious roar, Bellamy unleashed the stored energy. His muscles exploded outwards. The rebounding force, amplified by all the energy absorbed from Yonji's crush, was exponentially greater than the combined strength of both Yonji and Bellamy's counter-punch. Yonji's constricting grip was instantly shattered, his arms thrown violently aside. The shockwave of terrifying power jolted through Yonji's body, leaving him momentarily numb despite the protection of his Raid Suit.
Seething with rage, Bellamy grabbed Yonji's wrists and ankles. Like twisting a wet towel... he brutally twisted Yonji's limbs, snapping bones and tearing ligaments with sickening cracks. He didn't kill him outright—not yet. With a final, contemptuous punch, he sent Yonji's crippled form plummeting from the sky towards the warship below.
Then, Bellamy turned his full, incandescent fury upon Kuro, still bound by his hair. He grabbed Kuro's head in one hand, lifting him effortlessly.
"Trash," Bellamy snarled, his voice dripping venom. "Didn't you enjoy living? Wasn't staying safe in your pathetic East Blue good enough for you? Why did you have to come here seeking death?"
Kuro felt an iron grip crushing his skull. He knew, with absolute certainty, that his head was about to explode. "Bellamy-sama! A misunderstanding! This is all a misunderstanding!" Kuro shrieked, all pretense of composure gone. But realizing his terror now? Utterly useless.
"Since you seem to dislike living so much," Bellamy whispered, his voice chillingly soft now, "let me personally show you... just how blissful an experience death can truly be."