บท 30: Chapter 31: The Trap and the Betrayal
Josh wanted to say it out loud: Mr. 5 was insane.
The plan Mr. 5 proposed was completely absurd. A mind-boggling strategy.
Ms. Liberty, with her unique Gasoline-Gasoline Fruit ability, could produce gasoline in either liquid or gas form, making her a dangerous asset. Paired with Mr. 5's Bomb-Bomb powers, the two were a volatile combination. Literally.
Mr. 5 laid out the scheme: one of the giants was drinking alcohol on the beach—a special barrel spiked with gasoline. Ms. Liberty had already soaked the area in gasoline, which Josh only realised after hearing the plan.
"And my role?" Josh asked, his eyebrow arching.
"The most important one," Mr. 5 responded smugly. "You're the distraction while we sneak behind them and blow everything up."
Josh nodded, but his thoughts were miles away.
He thinks I'm an idiot.
But as the saying goes, the real fool is the one who believes he's the smartest.
Mr. 5 was clearly underestimating Josh. It was obvious—the second Josh tried to distract the giant, he'd be blown to bits along with the creature. Even if the explosion failed to kill the giant, the furious behemoth would most certainly finish off Josh.
"Let's move," Josh said to Mikita. The two began walking ahead, exchanging subtle glances that carried a hidden message.
When their eyes met, Josh gave Mikita a slight nod. She returned the gesture, signalling that she understood.
Josh turned his gaze forward and disappeared with a swift movement.
Mikita, lightening her weight again, opened her umbrella and floated up. "I'll keep an eye from above," she said, maintaining her cover in front of Mr. 5 and Ms. Liberty.
---
Josh approached the giant, who towered 20 meters tall. This massive creature, with his long blonde moustache and beard, was unmistakably Brogy.
"Oh? A human?" Brogy said with a grin, curiously eyeing Josh. The giant put down his barrel of alcohol, thankfully before he took a drink.
"Yes, unless you know something I don't," Josh quipped, glancing at the nearby barrels—the ones Mr. 5 intended to turn into explosives.
"It's been ages since I last saw one of your kind," Brogy said, laughing heartily. "Or anyone besides Dorry here for that matter! I almost forgot how small you humans are!"
"Long time indeed," Josh said, watching as Brogy took a large bite of dinosaur meat. "By the way, what's your name?"
"I'm Brogy. And what brings you to this island, tiny human?"
"Business," Josh said with a shrug.
"Business, you say? You must be hungry then!" Brogy offered a large chunk of meat, but Josh waved it off.
"Thanks, but I'm good."
Josh jumped onto a nearby tree to ease the strain on his neck from looking up at the giant. "Much better," he muttered, rubbing his neck.
"Why are you really here, little human?" Brogy asked, his tone suddenly more serious.
Josh waved his hand toward the barrels. "I came to warn you. There's gasoline in those drinks. Some bounty hunters are planning to blow you up—and me with you."
Brogy frowned, glancing at the barrels.
"Mind taking a few steps back?" Josh asked casually.
Brogy complied, his massive steps shaking the earth.
Josh reached into his storage and pulled out a sleek silver lighter, a prize from one of his many lotteries. It featured a lion's head, and when lit, fire shot from its mouth.
With a flick of the lighter, Josh set one of the barrels on fire before disappearing in a flash, using Shave to reappear a hundred meters away.
BOOOM!!!
The explosion was massive, lighting up the area with flames. Brogy's eyes widened in shock as he realised what could have happened. Quickly, the giant leaped into the air, swinging his axe to create a gust of wind that blew the flames away.
"Thank you, friend!" Brogy said, his heart pounding in relief. "I could've lost my life—and my honour in my fight with Dorry!"
Even giants, with their tremendous vitality, were vulnerable from the inside.
"Don't mention it," Josh said with a nod.
Meanwhile, Mr. 5 and Ms. Liberty had been sneaking around, assuming that Josh had fallen into their trap. It was time, they thought, to dispose of him and Mikita.
However, Mikita had been paying close attention. The explosion was her signal.
As Gem was sneaking ahead, Ms. Liberty turned toward Mikita with a sinister look. But before she could act, Mikita landed softly on the ground, her stance shifting to one of martial readiness.
"What are you doing?" Ms. Liberty asked, confused by Mikita's sudden change.
With a grin, Mikita condensed all her weight into her fist. In a split second, she swung forward, increasing her weight to five tons just as her punch connected.
Ms. Liberty didn't even have time to react before she was sent flying across the island, her body collapsing under the sheer force of the impact.
"Kyahahaha… Took me ages to perfect that," Mikita said, brushing her hands off. She had been itching to punch Ms. Liberty ever since the woman caught Josh's eye.
Lightening her weight once again, Mikita floated away in search of Josh, who was likely facing off with Mr. 5.
---
"Thank you for the warning, my friend," Brogy said, grateful. "Do you need any help with those hunters?"
Josh shook his head. "Maybe later. For now, just focus on your fight."
Brogy chuckled. "I've been here a hundred years. I'm not leaving until this is over."
Josh couldn't help but be impressed. "A hundred years, huh?"
Brogy proudly lifted his axe. He and his fellow giant, Dorry, had been locked in combat for a century. Neither would leave until one had won.
"I hope you find another way," Josh said, offering a suggestion. "I could even help mediate between you two."
Brogy let out a booming laugh. "Hahaha… Impossible, human!"
"Yeah, figured as much," Josh muttered, jumping off the tree. "Your pride, your problems."
Just as he was about to walk away, a voice called out. "You failed your mission, Mr. 7."
Josh turned to see Mr. 5 approaching, a smug look on his face.
Josh grinned. "Actually, you're the one who failed."
Brogy, realising what was happening, gripped his axe and shield. "Was it you who planted the explosives?" he roared, glaring at Mr. 5.
Without hesitation, Mr. 5 launched an explosive booger toward the giant, but Brogy defended himself with his shield.
"I'll handle this," Josh said, stepping forward. He didn't want the giant to get caught up in their fight.
"Little brat!" Brogy muttered, furious.
"Mr. 7, you've betrayed Baroque Works," Mr. 5 said coldly. "I'm taking your head to the Boss."
"Yeah, but are you fast enough for that?" Josh shot back, drawing a dagger.
"You're just number seven. I'm five."
"There's a reason for that," Josh said, a sly grin forming on his face.
"And what is it?" Mr. 5 asked, readying himself.
"I was wasting time... with your mom."
With that taunt, the fight began.
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