One Piece : Prince of Charlotte Family

"Roar—"

The snow-white mastiff suddenly leaped into the air.

In an instant, it transformed into a massive, ferocious eagle, its pure white wings moving with a slight flutter.

A powerful hurricane burst forth, causing the residents of Asuka Island—watching from a distance—to panic. They dared not come any closer, and some even struggled to keep their eyes open against the strong winds.

With a light jump, Wilhelm landed smoothly on Finley's back.

The giant eagle flapped its wings and soared into the sky, leaving the stunned residents of Asuka Island far behind.

"Gulp! Do you think that person... turned into a monster?"

Someone asked in a trembling voice.

"Of course! There's no way that could be human…"

Another person, gathering their courage, shouted, "That must be some kind of terrible monster! No human has claws and fangs like that!"

As they recalled the mysterious, cold figure transforming into such a terrifying beast, everyone turned pale. Fear filled their hearts, and they shivered where they stood.

Staring blankly at the ruins before her, the witch Maggie suddenly snapped back to her senses. Her expression changed drastically as she cried out, "No! The jade that seals the Seven-Star Sword in the lake—it must have been destroyed!"

"That's bad! That cursed blade, the Seven-Star Sword, has been taken by a monster like that!"

The old witch, now looking toward the sea with worry etched on her face, murmured, "I hope nothing terrible comes of this…"

"Woohoo—"

"Buru~~~ Buru~~~"

The snow-white eagle soared through the sky, its wings cutting through the night air.

Wilhelm lay lazily on Finley's back, using his arms as a pillow. He gazed at the glowing full moon in the sky, its silver light washing over him.

Unlike other members of the Mink Tribe, Wilhelm didn't show any signs of transforming into a moon lion, even after staring at the full moon for so long.

Just then, a phone den den mushi rang in his hand. Picking it up, he spoke calmly, "This is Wilhelm. What do you need?"

"Wilhelm, it's me, Smoothie..."

A pleasant female voice came through the phone den den mushi. "Where are you? We've arrived at the Sabaody Archipelago!"

"You're already at Sabaody Archipelago?" Wilhelm raised an eyebrow before replying without hesitation, "Then just follow my Vivre Card to find me. I'll be waiting for you at the Drum Kingdom."

"Honestly, don't you feel bad for your sister, Wilhelm?"

The phone bug mimicked the face of another speaker, a handsome figure with fluffy white hair, who complained, "We've been sailing for days, rushing all the way from the New World just to find you!"

"You're the ones who couldn't stand staying in Totto Land and decided to come out. I didn't ask you to leave. Besides, think of it as a chance to toughen up."

Wilhelm spoke calmly, his expression indifferent. "If that's all, I'm hanging up now."

He didn't seem the least bit worried about Smoothie and the others.

In the first half of the Grand Line, with the strength of the three sisters and their Homies soldiers, they'd be fine unless they had extremely bad luck.

Meanwhile, on the other end of the call.

Far away at the Sabaody Archipelago, on a secluded shore, a medium-sized pirate ship rested under the dim glow of scattered lights.

Three tall figures stood near the ship. Their exceptionally long legs, each tattooed differently, were more than twice the length of their upper bodies.

Nearby, a humanoid Homie soldier busily carried out its tasks, while a few human pirates, all members of the Big Mom Pirates, worked in the background.

"That guy is always so cold and distant," grumbled Charlotte Smoothie, the 14th daughter of the Charlotte Family, her forehead twitching in irritation as she stared at the phone den den mushi Wilhelm had hung up.

"Speaking of which, Sister Smoothie, it's still surprising that you gave up that Devil Fruit that should've been yours…"

The comment came from Charlotte Citron, the 15th daughter of the Charlotte Family. Despite her bloated appearance, she was still incredibly tall and imposing.

"Indeed..."

Simon, the 16th daughter of the Charlotte Family, stood tall with her heroic brows furrowed as she wiped her sword.

Her ponytail swayed slightly as she said, "Back then, when Mama wanted Sister Smoothie to eat the Paramecia Squeeze-Squeeze Fruit, you gave it to me without hesitation—just because of Wilhelm!"

To be honest, the Paramecia Squeeze-Squeeze Fruit is already a powerful ability.

Over the past few years, after mastering and developing its powers, Simon felt more than satisfied with her strength.

"I don't know why either..."

Smoothie shrugged.

She lazily swung her long legs over the side of her seat, sitting comfortably. "At that time, when he made that serious promise, I just couldn't refuse him!"

Smoothie trusted Wilhelm completely and without question.

There was a reason for that.

When she was just ten years old, Smoothie was almost killed in one of Mama's terrifying food cravings, during which Linlin often failed to recognize her own children.

At that critical moment, Wilhelm—her younger brother—stepped in and saved her life.

Three years ago, Smoothie, as the most gifted of the long-legged triplets, caught Charlotte Linlin's attention. Mama had chosen her to receive the Paramecia Squeeze-Squeeze Fruit, impressed by her talents.

However, Wilhelm, known as a "little monster" in the Charlotte Family for his extraordinary abilities, strongly advised her against it in private.

He insisted that she should wait and not rush to become a Devil Fruit user. Wilhelm promised he would find her an even stronger and more suitable Devil Fruit in the future.

Trusting Wilhelm completely, Smoothie gave up the Squeeze-Squeeze Fruit without hesitation and passed it on to her sister, Simon.

Of course, Smoothie never regretted her decision.

She didn't pressure Wilhelm to fulfill his promise either. To her, the strength of a Devil Fruit depended more on how it was developed than the fruit itself.

Even if Wilhelm failed to find a better Devil Fruit for her, it didn't matter.

With the power and resources of the Big Mom Pirates, it wouldn't be hard to find a decent Devil Fruit later.