The jungle of Little Garden echoed with the distant roars of giants and the eerie silence that followed.
The crew gathered around in a small, secluded area, away from the wreckage. The sounds of the island seemed distant now, muffled by the tense silence among the group.
"They shouldn't be fighting" luffy said quietly. "Dorry's hurt. That fight—was supposed to be fair."
Usopp nodded slowly. "Yeah. Mr. 5 rigged it. Blew up Dorry's drink mid-air. It's messed up."
Blizz leaned back, arms resting behind his head. "Mr. 5 didn't act alone," he said, eyes sharp. "He has a partner. Someone higher up in Baroque Works."
"Who?" Vivi asked, instantly alert.
"Guy goes by Mr. 3," Blizz said flatly.
Vivi's eyes widened. "Mr. 3… He's on this island?"
"Yeah, Alright, listen up," Blizz began, standing tall with his arms folded. His eyes scanned the group, focusing especially on Vivi. "We have to move quickly if we're going to save the giants… and Zoro and Nami."
Luffy's eyes flashed with concern. "Zoro and Nami?" he asked, stepping forward, voice urgent.
Blizz nodded. "They're being held hostage. By Mr. 3."
Without hesitation, Luffy clenched his fists—and bolted forward. "Then what are we waiting for?! I'm gonna beat him up and bring them back!"
Before he could get far, a blur of movement shot past him. In an instant, Blizz flickered into place right in front of him, blocking his path. Luffy skidded to a stop, face inches from Blizz's.
"You don't even know where they are," Blizz said flatly. "Can't you just wait a second?"
Luffy blinked, frustration flaring. "But—!"
"Charging in blind is exactly what Mr. 3 wants," Blizz continued, unshaken. "He's setting traps. If you go now, you're walking straight into one."
Luffy growled under his breath but didn't push past. He knew Blizz was right—even if he hated waiting.
Usopp exhaled loudly. "For once, I agree with Blizz."
Vivi, still visibly shaken at the mention of Mr. 3, stepped closer. "Mr. 3 isn't like the others. He's smart. Cunning. He plays with people's minds before he strikes. If we're not careful, he could turn all of us into statues."
Luffy looked between them, his expression torn between action and reason.
Blizz softened his tone, sensing Luffy's tension. "We'll save them, Luffy. You'll get your fight. But first, let me lead you to where they are. and trust me, rushing won't help anyone."
Luffy let out a low breath and gave a small nod. "Alright. But the second I see him, I'm not holding back."
Blizz smirked. "Wouldn't expect anything less."
"Then let's get going," Vivi said. "Before it's too late."
Usopp gulped. "Right behind you guys… waaaay behind."
With their plan coming together, the group tightened formation, moving quickly but carefully through the dense jungle. Every step brought them closer to the clearing where Mr. 3 was enacting his twisted masterpiece—where Zoro, Nami, and the giants were frozen in wax, and the final showdown was about to begin.
They arrived at the clearing, concealed behind thick vines and trees. In the middle stood a bizarre structure—a tall wax tower, slowly spinning like a twisted carousel. At its base, Dorry and Brogy stood frozen mid-roar, their bodies encased in solid white wax, unable to move.
Nami and Zoro were next—also immobilized, trapped in sculpted positions like they were part of some grotesque art exhibit. Beside the structure stood a lean, sharp-looking man with spiraling hair: Mr. 3.
Nearby sat a young girl painting on a canvas beneath a parasol—Miss Goldenweek.
"Look at them," Usopp whispered, horrified. "They're turning everyone into statues."
Blizz narrowed his eyes. "We move now. I'll take the girl. She's dangerous—mind control through paint. Vivi, Usopp—you get to Nami and Zoro. Luffy—"
"I know," Luffy interrupted, stepping forward with a grin. "I'll punch that swirly-haired freak into next week."
Before anyone could stop him, Luffy launched himself out of the trees, foot stretched back.
"Gomu Gomu no—pistol!"
Mr. 3 spun around in shock just as Luffy's punch connected, sending him skidding across the clearing.
"WHO—?!" Mr. 3 snarled, shaking off the dust. "Straw hat?! I should've known."
Miss Goldenweek stood, startled. Her hand moved for her paintbrush.
Blizz appeared behind her in a blur.
"Too slow."
A jet of fire burst from his palm, torching the canvas before she could activate it. She shrieked and stumbled back, but Blizz was already on her, knocking her out with a clean strike to the neck.
"No dreams today," he muttered, catching her as she fell and laying her gently on the ground. "Stay asleep."
⸻
Meanwhile, Vivi and Usopp had rushed to Nami and Zoro. The wax had hardened completely, trapping them like statues.
"We can't break it!" Vivi cried, yanking at the wax.
"Wait, wait!" Usopp pulled out a fire-starting kit from his satchel. "Wax melts with heat!"
"Then what are we waiting for?!"
The two of them began heating the wax carefully, softening the restraints around their friends. Zoro twitched, then groaned, flexing his fingers as the wax gave way.
"I hate art," he grumbled.
⸻
Back in the clearing, the battle had escalated.
Mr. 3 summoned his Giant Candle Champion—a hulking wax mech that towered over Luffy, its arms ending in blades.
"You think brute force can beat intellect?" Mr. 3 laughed. "I planned for everything. Every step, every variable—"
He didn't finish.
Luffy punched straight through the mech's wax chest, shattering it.
"Planning is boring," Luffy snapped, dodging a slash. "I just hit what I want to hit!"
Mr. 3's smug smile faded. "Then die already!"
He triggered his Candle Lock—giant wax cuffs designed to freeze opponents in place—but Luffy jumped, rebounded off the wax tower, and slammed into Mr. 3 with a kick that cracked the ground.
"Gomu Gomu no Axe!"
Mr. 3 hit the dirt, groaning.
⸻
Blizz, meanwhile, turned to the frozen giants.
"They've been stuck long enough," he muttered.
He raised both hands, his fingers forming a rapid set of signs. "Fire Release: Fire Bullet!"
A series of glowing red orbs formed in his palms before launching in succession—thoom-thoom-thoom—blazing projectiles slammed into the wax bindings around the giants.
With a loud crack, the wax split—and Brogy roared as he broke free.
"WHO DARES BIND A GIANT?!"
"You're free," Blizz said simply. "Now go crush the guy who did this."
⸻
As Mr. 3 staggered to his feet, bleeding and furious, he turned to see a shadowy mountain walking toward him with earth-shaking steps.
His eyes widened. "No. No. Nonono—"
BOOM.
A single swing from Brogy's axe launched him into the jungle canopy, and Dorry's laugh echoed afterward like a thunderclap.
Luffy raised a fist, triumphant. "Teamwork!"
⸻
Back with the others, Nami dusted herself off. "That was awful. But thanks for the save."
Zoro coughed out a breath, bits of wax still clinging to his shoulder as he glanced at Blizz. "Heh… Who would've thought the fire that almost blew up the ship would come in handy."
Blizz smirked, flicking residual flames off his fingertips. "Let's call it even now, yeah?"
Vivi smiled, visibly relieved. "We beat them. Another Baroque Works agent down."
"Yeah," Usopp added. "And I helped!"
"Don't push it," Nami said.
Luffy plopped on the ground, hands behind his head. "Let's eat."
Everyone groaned in agreement.
⸻
The battlefield was finally quiet. The remains of wax sculptures and scorched trees still smoked under the warm sky. Dorry and Brogy stood tall, their mighty forms battered but proud, casting long shadows over the small crew that had helped save them.
Dorry clapped his enormous hand against his chest in a salute of gratitude. "You have our thanks, brave warriors. Had it not been for your courage, we'd have remained prisoners in that accursed wax."
Brogy laughed, booming like thunder. "We owe you more than an ale barrel could hold. Ah, how could we forget the bounties still hanging over our heads—that's why those cowards from Baroque Works came in the first place."
Vivi lowered her gaze. "It's my fault," she said quietly. "The agents were after me. If I hadn't come here, they never would've followed."
Nami stepped beside her, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Don't say that."
Just then, Luffy—already sitting on a fallen log—chomped noisily on a cookie with zero care in the world. "Want one, Vivi?"
Nami blinked, hands on her hips. "Where the heck did you even get those from?!"
Vivi smiled despite herself. "Thanks, Luffy…"
Nami smirked, shaking her head. "See? Nobody here blames you for anything."
"Alright! Time for a cookie party!" Luffy cheered with both fists raised.
"Idiots," Nami muttered under her breath.
"We're in serious trouble," Zoro added, arms crossed. "The log pose is gonna take a year to record again."
"Exactly! This is no time for a cookie party!" Nami snapped. "We can't just miss this log!"
"Can't you giants do something about that?" Usopp asked, hopeful.
"Don't speak nonsense," said Dorry with a low rumble. "Even we can't change the ways of the sea."
Just then, a voice called out from the trees.
"Hello, Nami-swan! Vivi-chan! And the rest!" Sanji strolled into the clearing, striking a dramatic pose with a rose between his fingers. "Thank god you're all safe!"
"Hey, Sanji!" Luffy grinned.
"Oh, so he shows up now," Usopp deadpanned.
Sanji's eyes went wide as he saw the giants. "Are those… real?! Whoa!"
Then his gaze snapped to Nami—and her slightly torn clothes from the earlier wax situation. Hearts practically popped out of his eyes. "Nami-swan, you've been through so much! If only I'd been here sooner!"
Nami rolled her eyes. "Down, cook."
Sanji composed himself just enough to say, "I made a little detour—spoke to Mr. Zero over a Den Den Mushi."
That got everyone's attention.
"You what?!" Vivi gasped.
"Relax," Sanji said smoothly. "I told him all of you were dead. So, Baroque Works won't be hunting us for a while."
Everyone exchanged looks—relief, disbelief, and just a hint of admiration.
"And one more thing…" Sanji pulled a small, sealed device from his coat. "I got us an Eternal Log Pose. We're heading straight to Alabasta."
A beat of stunned silence passed before Usopp shouted, "Wait, you mean we don't have to wait a year?!"
Luffy stood up. "ALRIGHT! That means—COOKIE PARTY TIME!"
Usopp pointed at the nearly empty pack in Luffy's hand. "Luffy, this ain't gonna be much of a party if you've only got three cookies left!"
"Besides," Nami added with a sigh, "this isn't the time for snacks. We can't just laze around."
"We're not," came Blizz's voice as he stepped forward with a slight smirk.
With a dramatic flick of his hand, Blizz unsealed one of his scrolls. A burst of light and smoke erupted as crates and packs of preserved food, fruits, barrels of ale, and even a large grill unfolded neatly in front of the stunned crew.
"I figured we'd need this eventually," Blizz said, arms crossed, a smug grin on his face. "Call it… celebration prep."
Luffy's eyes sparkled. "YOU'RE THE BEST!"
Zoro chuckled. "Now that's more like it."
Sanji narrowed his eyes. "Hey, wait a second—that's my cooking equipment! You copied it!"
"Adapted it," Blizz replied. "Improved it."
"Oh, it's on."
While Sanji and Blizz exchanged culinary glares, Usopp was already passing around wooden mugs of ale, and the giants had happily taken seats near the edge of the clearing, laughing and recounting tales of their hundred-year duel.
Blizz approached Nami with a steaming plate. "Vegetable stir-fry. I figured you'd want something light."
She blinked, momentarily surprised, then smiled. "Thanks, Blizz."
"Don't mention it."
Vivi sat beside her, sipping a drink and looking around at the laughter and energy spreading through the group. "I was so scared this would end badly… but you all…"
Nami nudged her. "We've been through worse. This crew's weird like that."
Luffy, now with food in both hands, shouted with his mouth full, "Best! Cookie! Party! Ever!"
Usopp groaned. "This still isn't a real party! Someone get music or something!"
"I've got drums," Blizz said, producing two small bongos from another scroll.
"Of course you do," Zoro muttered.
The fire crackled, laughter echoed across the island, and for just a moment, the weight of the world—and the war waiting in Alabasta—felt far, far away.