Deep within Little Garden stood an exquisite cabin made entirely of wax.
The walls, tables, chairs, and even windows were all crafted from wax, filling the air with a stifling waxy scent.
In the corner of the room, the little girl Miss Goldenweek sat quietly on a small wax stool, still dabbing at her canvas with a paintbrush.
Two figures entered, bringing with them the dry heat from outside. It was Mr. 5 and Ms. Valentine, both wearing unpleasant expressions, especially Mr. 5, whose face beneath his sunglasses was dark with anger.
Mr. 3 sat with his back to the door at the dining table, elegantly sipping his black tea. Without turning around, his voice drifted over slowly, laced with feigned concern:
"My, my... Look who's here. Our fifth-ranked senior agent duo, Mr. 5 and Ms. Valentine. You both seem quite worked up."
"Cut the crap, Mr. 3!"
Mr. 5 interrupted him irritably, his voice buzzing with anger: "Where have those Straw Hat bastards hidden themselves? This time I'll blast them to ashes!"
"But I heard you failed at Whiskey Island?"
Hearing the mocking tone in Mr. 3's voice, Mr. 5's face darkened further.
"That was entirely due to my carelessness last time! I won't let them get away next time we meet!"
Mr. 3 finally turned around leisurely, wearing his trademark hypocritical smile. He adjusted his glasses, the lenses flashing with a white light.
"Don't rush, don't rush," he said gently, as if soothing a misbehaving child. "No need to look so grim. Have some tea first. There are still plenty of opportunities on this island."
He gestured to the wax dining table where an exquisite tea set was arranged, then picked up the teapot and began pouring black tea into the empty cups before Mr. 5 and Ms. Valentine, continuing his smooth narration.
"This island is much more lively than either of you imagine," he said, picking up his teacup, giving it a gentle swirl, blowing on it, then taking a small sip.
Mr. 5 snorted impatiently: "Spit it out! Stop beating around the bush!"
Mr. 3 set down his cup, his voice suddenly dropping to a mysterious whisper: "Mr. 1... and his partner have also landed on the island. I already met them both before you arrived."
"Wh...what?!"
Mr. 5 was shocked, gritting his teeth. He felt that the mission that should have been theirs had been taken away, indicating the boss was losing trust in them.
His sunglasses slipped slightly from his contorted facial expression, revealing his somewhat stunned eyes.
"That guy?! Why is he here too?!" Ms. Valentine also clicked her tongue quietly, gripping her umbrella tightly and kicking at the air in frustration, complaining:
"Then what's left for us to do! All the credit will definitely go to him!"
Mr. 3 watched their reactions with great satisfaction, the smile on his lips deepening. This was exactly the effect he wanted.
"Hehehe..." He chuckled softly, his fingers lightly tapping on the wax table. "That's precisely why, my dear Mr. 5 and Ms. Valentine, I say our opportunity... has truly arrived."
"Opportunity?" Mr. 5 frowned, completely baffled. "What opportunity? The chance to let that guy steal our credit?"
"Of course not..." Mr. 3 sneered inwardly but maintained a concerned expression on his face.
"Use your head, Mr. 5." His voice dripped with persuasion as he began outlining the beginning of his plan. "That fool who thinks he's invincible just because he ate a Devil Fruit... The boss sent him because initial intel suggested there was an extraordinary old man aboard the Straw Hat Kid's ship."
"Old man?" Ms. Valentine tilted her head, looking confused.
Mr. 5, however, seemed to recall something. Rubbing his still-aching abdomen, he gritted his teeth. "Hmph! I didn't see any old man... but there was definitely a troublesome bastard! He ambushed me when I wasn't paying attention!"
Beside him, Ms. Valentine silently rolled her eyes but didn't expose him.
"That's not important."
Mr. 3 waved his hand dismissively and continued, "What matters is, if that guy really exists, someone who can rival him, or even... defeat him?"
He deliberately paused, observing Mr. 5's reaction.
"You mean...?" Mr. 5 seemed to be catching on to what the wax man was saying.
Mr. 3 smiled and revealed the core of his plan. "We just need to wait until those two battle-crazed maniacs have worn each other out... That's when we make our move! We only need to appear at the critical moment! Then we can capture them all in one fell swoop! With your bombs and my wax!"
Growing more excited, he suddenly pulled out a yellowed old paper from behind him and slapped it onto the table.
"And look at this!"
Mr. 5 and Ms. Valentine leaned in to see a very old bounty poster featuring two ferociously grinning giant heads.
"This is... the captains of the Giant Warrior Pirates from a hundred years ago, Ogre Dorry and Ogre Brogy!"
Mr. 3's voice grew sharp with excitement. "They're on this island! Their combined bounties total..." He held up two fingers toward Mr. 5.
"Two hundred million Belly!!"
"T-two hundred million?!" Mr. 5 and Ms. Valentine gasped simultaneously. Though somewhat fearful, they were also stimulated by the Belly—a figure far beyond their imagination.
Seeing their mix of fear and growing greed, Mr. 3 knew the timing was right and presented his final, boldest bait.
"Don't worry, those two from the Giant race have about as much intelligence as pigs and are nothing but brawlers."
"So, I need your help. If we work together, we can capture the Straw Hat crew, that princess, and these two giants worth a combined two hundred million..."
His voice dropped to a whisper, filled with dangerous temptation.
"...By the way, we'll leave the exhausted Mr.1 and Miss Doublefinger permanently on this primitive island... When we return with such achievements, both your team and ours will undoubtedly receive significant promotions!!!"
The room fell silent instantly, leaving only the occasional crackle of burning candles.
Mr.5 fell silent, his eyes flickering intensely behind his sunglasses. He was weighing the options - though somewhat fearful of Mr.1's power, he couldn't resist the temptation of promotion.
Greed ultimately overwhelmed fear...
He raised his head and looked at Mr.3, his voice hoarse: "That's... quite a bold plan. Mr.3."
Mr.5 grinned, revealing a ferocious smile.
"But I agree!"
"Excellent!" Mr.3 also smiled, everything was proceeding according to his script. "Now let me tell you how we should perform next."
His gaze swept over the quiet Miss Goldenweek and the excited Ms. Valentine, finally settling on Mr.5.
The web of conspiracy had quietly been woven within this stuffy wax room.