"Ugh… oh…!"
Just then, Brogy, the giant who was pinned down by wax and a giant wax sword, let out a muffled growl.
His fighting spirit, which had been somewhat subdued by being trapped by the giant sword after a long struggle, was now completely re-ignited by Tomioka's inhuman burst of power and terrifying sword skills!
"Brat!!! You've got guts!!!"
Brogy roared, his massive body once again exerting immense force, trying to break free from his restraints, "Then I'll join in too!!! How can I lose to a little guy like you!!!"
The power of the giant, wearing a horned helmet and a cape, began to manifest, and the wax layers holding him let out creaking sounds.
Tomioka's gaze quickly swept across the entire scene.
Nami and Vivi next to him were still restrained, and their faces were already looking unwell from inhaling the wax fumes.
The giant below was struggling to break free; it seemed he would be a potential ally, or at least not an enemy. Mr.3 and the two agents next to him were definitely clear enemies. The two others pinned down nearby were uncertain, but he'd categorize them as enemies for now.
The crucial point was the wax spread throughout the area! He had to completely destroy this wax cake!
High temperatures could melt it, but Nami and Vivi didn't have enough strength to free themselves, and time wouldn't allow them to take it slowly anymore.
The key to breaking the situation!
Tomioka's gaze suddenly locked onto the several thick candles still burning with flames at the very top of the cake!
Now!
"Water Breathing, Ninth Form: Splashing Water Flow, Turbulent!"
Tomioka's Blade moved instantly! The blade's light danced wildly along his trajectory, precisely cutting into the wax cake beneath his feet and the surrounding wax structures!
Swish! Swish! Swish!
As the blade flashed, the huge cake began to shake violently, and large chunks of wax were sliced off.
What shocked Mr.3 even more was that Tomioka's Blade, with each slash, gradually began to emit high heat, its color turning to a fiery crimson!
"Ergh ah ah! Stop! My masterpiece!!!" Mr.3 watched everything unfold, screaming in panic, trying to continue aiming his giant wax sword at Tomioka, but he simply couldn't keep up with his speed.
Boom!
The cake's structure finally reached its breaking point, on the verge of complete collapse!
Nami looked at the falling wax chunks and said, "What should we do! Vivi and I are still pinned down."
Tomioka seized the opportunity, pushed off with his feet, and leaped high into the air, his crimson Blade raised above his head, all his strength and breathing condensed into this one strike!
"Water Breathing, Eighth Form: Waterfall Basin!"
It was like a waterfall descending from the sky! A massive slash crashed down, directly shattering the core of the tottering wax cake!
Boom—!!!
A deafening roar echoed! The huge wax cake completely collapsed from within!
Burning candles, melting wax, and broken wax chunks splattered everywhere!
Many flaming wax chunks began to scatter in the air, rapidly melting more wax layers. In a blink of an eye, a sea of fire began to spread, and the high temperature rapidly softened all the wax products on the battlefield!
"Now!"
Tomioka twisted his body in the air, his gaze fixed on Nami and Vivi, who were falling with the collapsing cake. He stepped on the falling debris in the air, making several lightning-fast leaps, arriving by their side.
The wax layers on them had already visibly softened under the high temperature.
"Grab me!" Tomioka's voice was short and powerful.
Nami and Vivi didn't hesitate for a moment, immediately using what little freedom they had regained to firmly grasp Tomioka's outstretched arm.
Tomioka landed steadily, shielding the two behind him. The remaining wax layers on them also fell off with the impact of landing and the surrounding high temperature.
After confirming that the two were temporarily safe, Tomioka didn't pause for a second, his figure flashed, and he rushed in front of Brogy, who was roaring and exerting force.
The crimson Blade cut through with several precise trajectories!
Clang! Clang!
The giant wax sword pinning the giant and the wax layers covering his entire body snapped!
"Wooooh oh oh oh! Free!!!" Brogy suddenly stood up, his massive body exuding immense pressure. He flexed his thick arms, letting out an earth-shattering roar.
And all of this, from Tomioka breaking free from the wax to the cake collapsing, then rescuing the two, and finally freeing the giant, the entire process took no more than a mere ten seconds.
Mr.3 stood frozen in place, staring dumbfounded at the chaotic scene before him.
Flames burned, wax flowed, the cake turned to ruins, all the wax figures on the cake were freed, and there was even an additional giant who had broken free, glaring at him with a face full of rage… His perfect plan had vanished in an instant.
Ms. Valentine and Ms. Goldenweek, who were beside Mr.3, were also completely stunned, their mouths agape, clearly unable to comprehend the sudden, astonishing reversal before their eyes.
After a brief silence, Ms. Goldenweek was the first to react. The little girl, who had been painting with an expressionless face, very simply raised her finger and pointed at Mr.3, who was still at a loss, saying:
"Big brother, it has nothing to do with us two."
"He ordered all of it."
"We were all forced."
"Ah?! Ah! Yes, yes, yes!" Ms. Valentine seemed to suddenly understand something, immediately agreeing in a panic, almost dropping her umbrella.
"That's right! It was all Mr.3! This pervert forced us to do it! It has nothing to do with us! Please spare us!"
Tomioka listened to this sudden infighting, slightly startled. His gaze swept over the two women next to Mr.3, then looked at Mr.3's ashen face.
If they didn't resist, he didn't want to harm them… His goal was to deal with the source of the trouble.
He nodded slightly, accepting their explanation, then refocused his icy gaze on the sole enemy, Mr.3.
"You… you guys???"
The isolated Mr.3 trembled with rage, pointing at his two partners who had already retreated far away, roaring, "You dare… you dare to betray me?! If the boss finds out! Do you know what your fate will be?"
"Where's Mr.5?! Where did that useless Mr.5 go?! Why hasn't he dealt with that guy playing with a slingshot yet?!"
Just as he descended into complete panic and impotent fury.
"I'm here!!!"
A familiar and incredibly energetic voice, which Tomioka found vibrant, boomed from deep within the jungle behind Mr.3!
Immediately after, a figure riding a duck burst out of the jungle, landing steadily in the clearing, kicking up a cloud of dust.
Mugiwara, Monkey D. Luffy, and Dash had finally arrived! Luffy pushed his Mugiwara back on his head, his expression more serious and angry than ever before.
His gaze quickly swept across the entire scene… Tomioka, with faint steam rising from his body and several wounds; Nami and Vivi, bruised and still with a bit of wax on them; Dorry, already collapsed; and Brogy, who had just broken free and was roaring in anger.
Finally, his eyes were fixed on the lone standing, glasses-wearing man, Mr.3, who looked like the culprit.
Luffy lowered his voice, suppressing the anger that was about to erupt, and he roared, enunciating each word:
"You—! This—! Bas—! Tard—!"
"What! Did you do! To my crewmate!!!"