Umm... Sub 3 isn't too hard, but you gotta know what to do

If you've tried TAing this mission by taking the regular route, you probably would have a time barely under 4 minutes, right? The question I should ask is... How many enemies would you have defeated if you defeated every enemy at the end? If it was over 60, you're taking too long. If it's under 60, you're missing something. If it's exactly 60, but still over 4 minutes, let's speed it up. There are approx. 79 Black Arms in this level, 2 of which you will skip by taking the upper path and the others you will skip entirely by not taking the key door. The way this guide will be written will be done by assuming you have a firm knowledge of the level.

Light Dash the rings in front of you and skip the loop. Right before the dash pad launching you to the first checkpoint, break the thing to the left or right of it. When you land (assuming you kicked it in the air), spindash over to the other side. Break the Shadow crate and get the Egg Vacuum. Suck up the 2 Black Warriors here (don't forget the Sand Worm) and the one up ahead (4). Hit the dash pad, suck up the 2 here (6), and take the upper route. Skip the loop and get the Black Warriors up ahead, the Death Leeches, and the Black Wings (13), then enter the tornado. Meet up with Doom's Eye and skip the double loop. Skipping ahead, get more Egg Vacuum ammo from the Shadow crate. There are 2 Black Warriors and a Sand Worm in here (16). Another Black Warrior and 6 Death Leeches are past here (23). 2 more up ahead (25). You should have reached Hero Shadow, so keep running without hitting anything. Hurry to the tornado area and when you get close to it, quickly use Chaos Control to skip the tornado and save a chunk of time. Sometimes the Hero gauge will completely empty before you get there. It's all a matter of how fast you get there. Chaos Control probably isn't needed for sub 3, but you'd be cutting it close Next, there are some Sand Worms and Death Leeches (30). Don't get any more Vacuum Egg ammo. You have enough. 2 Black Warriors await (32). Next, Black Warriors, Death Leeches, and a Sand Worm are ripe for the picking, then a Black Warrior guarding the spring cage (42). Suck up the 2 Black Wings, the Sand Worm, and the 2 Black Warriors (47). Chaos Control to the end. Now, suck up everything here and you should get a total of 60, thus ending the level.

And there you have it. A route that will secure you a sub 3:00 time if you perform it correctly and quickly.