The air trembled with each clash of steel.
Dorry's axe carved through the air with a howling roar, meeting Brogy's colossal sword in a shattering collision that split the earth beneath their feet. Trees toppled in every direction as shockwaves rippled through the jungle. Birds fled screeching into the sky. The very world around them seemed to quake.
Luffy's eyes were wide with childlike awe.
"These guys are awesome…"
Zoro, crouched beside him, shielded his eyes from a flying branch. "They're not just swinging at each other. This is a ritual. They've done this thousands of times."
"Every day?" Luffy blinked. "Why?"
A low rumble shook the ground again. This time, it wasn't from the giants.
The distant volcano groaned to life, smoke coiling into the sky. Molten light flickered at its summit. Ash drifted downward like slow-burning snow.
Dorry pulled back his axe, a wide grin splitting his face.
"The mountain speaks!"
Brogy's laugh thundered from across the field. "The duel is on!"
With a cry that echoed into the heavens, both giants charged again.
The collision this time sent a burst of wind through the clearing that nearly knocked Luffy off his feet.
Back near the ship, Nami stood with one hand on her hip, squinting into the forest.
"That sound again…"
Usopp's knees shook as he clutched his slingshot. "That's not thunder! That's the sound of trees being murdered!"
Sanji emerged from the galley, towel over his shoulder. "They're not fighting monsters. They are the monsters."
Vivi clutched the railing, her brow furrowed. "But they're so… noble. It's like watching ancient warriors."
Nami nodded. "And that volcano—they're timing their duels with nature."
Usopp wasn't listening. He was already hiding behind a barrel again.
Deeper in the forest, Mr. 3 knelt at the base of a moss-covered stone.
Around him, a ring of delicate white candles burned steadily despite the jungle breeze. The wax pooled at their bases like small sleeping snakes. His movements were precise, methodical. Not a single drop spilled.
Beside him, Miss Goldenweek silently painted a circular sigil on a parchment. Her brush moved slowly, carefully, swirling blues and yellows in hypnotic arcs.
"We are ahead of schedule," Mr. 3 murmured, adjusting a dial on a device beside him. "Soon, Dorry will fall. The Straw Hats will break. And the mission will be complete."
Goldenweek didn't respond.
She just smiled and dabbed a splash of red into the center of the symbol.
Sanji walked through the underbrush, muttering to himself.
"Dinosaurs, volcanoes, and now giants? Can't a man find a decent mushroom around here?"
A flutter of leaves above made him glance upward—nothing but birds.
He pressed on, kicking a rock aside.
Then something glinted beneath a fallen vine.
He crouched, brushing away moss.
An iron box.
Rectangular. Seamless. No markings.
Sanji frowned.
"This isn't natural…"
He reached out—then paused.
A chill raced up his spine.
The air felt wrong.
He glanced over his shoulder.
No one.
But something felt off.
He slowly stood, backing away, eyes never leaving the box.
Back at the clearing, Dorry staggered mid-swing.
His axe dipped.
A grunt escaped his lips.
He fell to one knee, armor groaning under his weight.
Blood trickled from beneath his chest plate.
Luffy blinked. "Wait… What?!"
Zoro's hand shot to his sword hilt.
Brogy froze mid-charge, eyes widening. "Dorry?!"
The wounded giant gritted his teeth, pressing a hand to his stomach. "No… I haven't… been hit…"
Zoro scanned the jungle. "This isn't from the duel."
Luffy leapt to his feet. "Someone else is here!"
Dorry collapsed with a groan, his axe digging deep into the earth beside him.
The tremor of his fall echoed through the entire island.
Far from the battlefield, Mr. 3 adjusted his collar.
The candle flames burned brighter now.
He tapped a switch on his device.
All around him, wax tendrils began to shift—rising like vines preparing to trap prey.
"Phase one," he whispered, lips curled in satisfaction.
"Complete."
[End of Chapter 112]
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