One Piece : Strongest Vice-Captain Mr. 3!

The setting sun hung low at the edge of the Calm Belt's shoreline, drenching the entire Amazon Lily Island in a warm orange glow. 

In the heart of the island, Mr. 3 stood on the largest street of Kuja City, gazing at the hundreds of female statues, both large and small, scattered around him. Scratching his head with his right hand, he couldn't help but feel a sense of frustration. 

If he were at his peak, covering all these figures with wax wouldn't be a problem. 

However, his recent battle with the Gorgon Sisters had left him drained. To make things worse, Hancock had pushed him to the brink, triggering his latent Conqueror's Haki. Now, his remaining stamina was dangerously low. 

There was no time to rest or recover—circumstances demanded immediate action. Without hesitation, Mr. 3 pulled out the "Devil Fruit Ability Development Capsule" from deep within his system inventory. 

He had already reviewed the item's effects when he first obtained it. 

[Devil Fruit Ability Development Capsule: A blue-and-white capsule with extraordinary properties. Once consumed, it enhances a specific attribute of the user's Devil Fruit ability by 20%, significantly reducing the time required for training and mastery.] 

[Current Devil Fruit Ability: Wax-Wax Fruit] 

- Precision: 66% (Can create weapons such as swords, armor, and keys with wax-based constructs.) 

- Strength: 73% (Liquid wax offers excellent cushioning, while solidified wax hardens to near-steel durability.) 

- Specialization: 70% (Can produce wax figures identical to real individuals to deceive enemies.) 

[Note: When all attributes reach 100%, the Devil Fruit ability will awaken.] 

From the data, it was clear that Mr. 3's original mastery over the Wax-Wax Fruit was already impressive. His reputation as the "Master Locksmith" wouldn't have been possible otherwise. 

This time, Mr. 3 had a specific goal—enhancing the precision of his wax constructs. 

With more precise control, he could avoid unnecessary waste, allowing him to conserve as much stamina as possible. 

Gulp. 

After inspecting the capsule one last time and finding nothing suspicious about it, Mr. 3 tossed it into his mouth and swallowed it in one go. 

[Devil Fruit Ability Development Capsule successfully consumed. Current Precision: 86%.] 

Whoosh! 

A wave of cool refreshment surged through his body, spreading to every corner before pooling in his mind. In that instant, a profound sense of clarity took over, as if a heavy fog had lifted. 

Ideas and insights about controlling the Wax-Wax Fruit flooded into his mind like a tidal wave. What would have taken years of training became second nature within mere seconds. 

Hancock's voice broke through his concentration. "What did you just eat?" she asked, striding over in her heels, her piercing gaze filled with curiosity.

Behind her stood the Snake Sisters, along with the crew and officers of the Kuja Pirates.

"A secret medicine that can restore stamina."

Feeling quite good about himself, Mr. 3 flexed his wrists and glanced at the petrified onlookers, still maintaining a relaxed demeanor in front of Hancock. "After all, unlike you, a ridiculously strong monster, I'm just an ordinary person with limited stamina."

"An ordinary person with Conqueror's Haki? If any pirates from the New World heard you say that, they'd probably chop you to bits," Hancock snorted coldly.

"Ahem."

Mr. 3 cleared his throat awkwardly.

From the disapproving looks cast his way by the Snake Sisters and many of the Kuja crew members, it seemed he had indeed been a bit too boastful…

"Then, I'll start now!"

Worried about being struck down by jealous glares, Mr. 3 wasted no more time. He stepped forward, and his signature hairstyle ignited with flames.

Thick, wax-like candle wax continuously flowed from his arms. With increased precision, it moved like a sentient liquid, accurately reaching every statue along the streets of Amazon Lily.

Once the surface of the statues was completely covered, it hardened instantly, forming a sturdy, evenly thick protective shell of wax.

In the blink of an eye, hundreds of wax statues appeared before Hancock and the others!

But that wasn't all. As beads of sweat appeared on Mr. 3's forehead, the area covered by the liquid wax continued to expand, spreading further down the street. 

To avoid attracting the Marines' attention, Hancock hadn't concentrated the petrified residents of Amazon Lily in one place; instead, they were scattered throughout.

This undoubtedly increased the burden on Mr. 3's abilities, but he was eager to test just how far his enhanced precision control could go!

Ultimately, the range of the liquid wax reached an area over fifty meters away.

This meant that, as long as he had sufficient stamina, Mr. 3 could create an extremely advantageous "candle domain" within a radius of fifty meters!

Thinking deeper, if he incorporated micro-explosives similar to his special move, "Grand Candle Eruption," into this domain, the results…

It could absolutely blow him to bits!

Considering Mr. 3's frail physique, he shook his head lightly, temporarily setting aside such a reckless idea.

However, with this level of precision, was it possible to create wax soldiers similar to the Biscuit Soldiers of the Big Mom Pirates' Sweet Commanders?

Compared to the massive Grand Candle Eruption that could inflict heavy self-damage, this development direction was definitely worth a try!

Of course, the top priority was still the task of covering the residents of Amazon Lily with wax.

Ten minutes later…

Exhausted and panting, Mr. 3 leaned against a wall, barely managing to keep himself upright as he caught his breath.

"Just as expected, the residents of Amazon Lily have all been successfully covered with a candle protective layer!"

This remarkable feat stunned everyone present.

As the members of the Kuja Pirates responsible for the relocation mission gazed at the white candle art pieces lining the street, they couldn't help but exclaim in awe.

"Such incredible control! Is this what it means to be a high-ranking officer in the Buggy Pirates?" 

"What should I do? Suddenly, Mr. 3 seems much more likable than he did at first. Is this what they call a man's charm?" 

"Give it up! A man like him wouldn't look at you." 

"Shut up! Did I say anything?" 

"Give it up! A man like him wouldn't be interested in you." 

"Bitch! You actually repeated that!" 

…

Granny Nyon stepped out from among the girls, and even with her extensive experience, she couldn't help but praise, "As expected of a man with Conqueror's Haki; the level of control he has over that fruit's ability is truly eye-opening for this old woman."

"Granny Nyon, you won't be much help from here on out. Are you ready?" 

Hancock looked down at Granny Nyon. As her words fell, the Love-Love Beam came forth. 

She had been unable to contain her curiosity and wanted to study whether the petrifying light really had beautifying effects. 

Now that the opportunity was before her, she certainly wouldn't miss it! 

"Snake Princess! Is this how you treat the elderly—" 

Before Granny Nyon could finish her sentence, the light pierced her body, turning her into a stone statue. 

After waiting a few seconds, Hancock lifted her hand and reversed Granny Nyon's petrification. 

Granny Nyon continued the sentence she hadn't finished: "Do you even know what politeness is? Do you—" 

"Love-Love Beam!" 

Caught off guard by the spittle flying from Granny Nyon's mouth, she was once again transformed into a stone statue. 

Hancock retracted her hand from the ability, recalling how there had been no change; Granny Nyon was still as ugly as ever, which made her frown slightly. 

Strangely, the petrifying light really didn't have any beautifying effect… 

Her gaze shifted to Mr. 3. 

So, what's up with Mr. 3? Is it really because he's putting wax on his face?? 

As she pondered this, the sun in the sky had already set more than halfway, and the darkness of night was slowly creeping in from the horizon!

"Sandersonia, Marigold, you can begin executing the lure plan now." 

Mr. 3, unaware of Hancock's inner confusion, only knew that time was running short! 

"Understood!"

Standing by and ready for action, Sandasonia and Marigold nodded and turned to leave.

One began directing the members of the Kuja Pirates in transferring the wax figures of the residents, while the other went to the entrance of Amazon Lily, opening the gates to let the Kuja Pirates' ship, the Perfume Yuda, which was powered and ready to go, slowly sail out of the island.

On the spacious deck, all the members of the Kuja Pirates were assembled, standing sternly with serious expressions.

Some held long swords or large spears, while others carried muskets and cannons, exuding an intimidating aura, as if they were gearing up for a major battle!

Behind these members, flanked by two enormous snake-women, their captain, Hancock, sat gracefully in the main seat with her knees crossed, her cape billowing in the sea breeze.

Her expression radiated a ferocious, beast-like killing intent, reminiscent of a sea empress about to embark on an expedition!

"Mr. 3's abilities really come in handy; he can manage even this level…" 

Looking at the wax figures prepared in advance on the Perfume Yuda, Sandasonia couldn't help but murmur.

These incredibly lifelike wax statues were so realistic that even she, from a distance, couldn't tell the difference between them and real people without getting close enough!

This was an indispensable part of Mr. 3's diversion plan, a response to the Navy's threat of a "total offensive at sunset."

As soon as this pirate ship, gathering all the combat power of the Kuja Pirates, appeared in the Navy's sight, it would definitely attract their attention, causing them to concentrate most of their forces and prepare for action.

In doing so, the surveillance capabilities of the other positions on Amazon Lily would inevitably decrease, ensuring that the transfer plan would be flawless!

With a reluctant gaze, Sandasonia watched as the Perfume Yuda, the ship that had accompanied them on their adventures for many years, took on its final task, slowly sailing toward the Navy ships out at sea.

At that moment, the shadows of the night began to envelop them. From a distance, the Perfume Yuda, sailing into the darkness, resembled a proud and lonely warrior, steadfastly heading toward the abyss known as "destruction."

This would be its last journey, representing the prestige and honor of the Pirate Empress…

Set sail!

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