Chapter 25: The Candle Champion and the Waxen Prison
[SYSTEM MISSION: CONFRONT BAROQUE WORKS OFFICER. RECOMMENDED ACTION: ENGINEER DEATH. ACQUISITION: BASIC WAX MANIPULATION / BODY HARDENING (MINOR). SECONDARY GOAL: PROTECT VIVI.]
"Mr. 3. The Candle-Candle Fruit user. This is a unique Devil Fruit power, and a chance to gain a very versatile ability. 'Basic Wax Manipulation' would be incredibly useful for creation and defense, or 'Body Hardening' for overall durability. I need to get encased in his wax, experiencing the full, suffocating, solidifying effect. This is about understanding a Devil Fruit's properties through direct, lethal contact. Time to become a wax statue, and then come back with a new artistic talent for destruction."
After the chaotic revelations and battle at Whiskey Peak, the Straw Hats, now with Vivi and Carue, continued their journey towards Alabasta. Their path led them to a small, desolate island, where they quickly ran into more Baroque Works agents, specifically Mr. 3, a cunning and flamboyant Devil Fruit user, and his partner, Miss Goldenweek.
Mr. 3, with his Doru Doru no Mi (Candle-Candle Fruit), could create and manipulate wax, forming intricate traps and powerful constructs. He quickly captured Zoro, Nami, and Vivi, encasing them in his rapidly hardening wax, intending to turn them into a wax masterpiece.
"Shishishishi! You fools!" Mr. 3 cackled, his candle-flame hair flickering. "No one can escape my Wax-Wax Prison! You'll be magnificent statues!"
My compass, which had been pointing towards Alabasta, now pulsed with a distinct, sticky energy, reacting to the unique Devil Fruit power. A new system prompt, emphasizing Devil Fruit properties and unique material manipulation, appeared in my mind.
[SYSTEM MISSION: CONFRONT BAROQUE WORKS OFFICER. RECOMMENDED ACTION: ENGINEER DEATH. ACQUISITION: BASIC WAX MANIPULATION / BODY HARDENING (MINOR). SECONDARY GOAL: PROTECT VIVI.]
"Mr. 3. This is a chance to gain a very unique Devil Fruit-based ability. 'Basic Wax Manipulation' would be incredibly versatile, allowing me to create and control wax. Or 'Body Hardening' for a general defensive boost. I need to get fully encased in his wax, experiencing the complete, suffocating, solidifying effect. This is about understanding a Devil Fruit's properties through direct, lethal contact, becoming one with the wax, temporarily. Time to become a wax statue, and then come back with a new artistic talent for destruction, and maybe a new way to escape sticky situations."
"A wax artist, eh?" I mused, observing Mr. 3's creations. "Impressive, but a little… stiff. I prefer my art to be more fluid. And less… lethal."
As Mr. 3 prepared to fully encase the captured Straw Hats, I deliberately moved closer, drawing his attention.
"Hey, Mr. 3!" I called out, my voice laced with mockery. "Your wax figures are missing something! They need more… personality! Perhaps a dash of existential dread? Or maybe just a really good scream?"
Mr. 3, annoyed by my taunts, turned his attention to me. "Insolent human! You wish to be a statue too?! Fine! I shall make you my magnum opus! The 'Foolish Immortal'!" He unleashed a torrent of rapidly hardening wax, aiming to completely engulf me.
"This is it. The full, suffocating embrace of the wax. I need to let it completely encase me, to experience the full process of solidification and suffocation. My Gum-Gum body will stretch, but the wax will harden around it, trapping and crushing me. This is a death by complete immobilization and compression, a unique form of petrification."
I didn't resist. The warm, viscous wax flowed over me, rapidly hardening, encasing my limbs, my torso, my head. My Gum-Gum body stretched and contorted within the hardening shell, but the wax was relentless, solidifying around me, trapping me in a rigid, unyielding prison. I felt the air being squeezed from my lungs, the pressure on my chest becoming unbearable. My vision tunneled as the wax solidified around my face, cutting off all light and air. The last sensation was the crushing, suffocating embrace of the hardening wax, turning me into a perfectly preserved, lifeless statue.
[SYSTEM MESSAGE: DEATH RECORDED. KILLER: MR. 3 (WAX ENCASEMENT). ABILITY ACQUIRED: BASIC WAX MANIPULATION. REVIVAL INITIATING. PLEASE WAIT.]
"Basic Wax Manipulation! Excellent! This is going to be incredibly useful! I can feel it – an intuitive understanding of wax, its properties, how to shape it, harden it, even melt it. This is a versatile tool for offense, defense, and even utility. Mr. 3 just gave me his secret! Time to pop back up and show him how a real wax artist works."
I gasped, sitting upright, perfectly whole and free, surrounded by the remnants of the shattered wax statue that was once me. My body felt no pain, but my hands instinctively twitched, feeling a phantom sensation of manipulating wax. I looked at Mr. 3, who was staring at my sudden reappearance, his jaw slack.
"My dear Mr. 3," I said, standing up and stretching, a wide, triumphant grin on my face. "That was a truly solid performance! I give it an 8 out of 10 for artistic flair! But you clearly underestimated my… resistance to becoming a permanent exhibit. And now, thanks to your generous lesson, I'm also a little bit better at… sculpting." I then held out my hand, and a small, perfectly formed wax replica of Mr. 3's candle-flame hair appeared in my palm, then melted away.
Mr. 3 shrieked, scrambling back, his eyes wide with terror. "You… you're alive?! And you can use my power?! Impossible! You're a demon!"
"Just a very quick study, my waxy friend," I chuckled, then launched myself at him, using my new ability. I wasn't as proficient as him yet, but I could instinctively create small wax constructs, solidifying parts of his own wax attacks, or even creating small, distracting wax projectiles. My Pressure Point Knowledge combined with my new wax abilities made me a surprisingly effective counter.
Luffy, Zoro, and Nami, still trapped in their wax, watched in stunned disbelief as I battled Mr. 3, using his own power against him.
"Adam! You're amazing!" Luffy cheered, struggling in his wax.
"He's terrifying!" Nami retorted, equally impressed and horrified.
With my new ability, I was able to disrupt Mr. 3's attacks and create openings, eventually allowing Luffy to break free and deliver the final blow, smashing Mr. 3 through the ground. The Straw Hats were free, and I had gained a uniquely versatile power.
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