So I was trying to test some theories on why the Smiley Navel fight is faster on the JP version and stumbled upon a trick that allows for a 3-cycle kill! This is on the NA version of the game, so not only will this trick allow for a huge time save on the current WR, but calls into question which version of the game has a faster time potential. It may be that the JP version can achieve a 2-cycle kill with this trick and would still be the faster version, but if not, the NA version is likely faster due to the bonus game text skip.

I will post video evidence of the trick (hopefully in the form of a new WR) soon.