One Piece : Prince of Charlotte Family

"Master Wilhelm…"

"Master Smoothie, Lord Strong, Lord Simon…"

"Thank God, you've finally come back safely!"

"For so many days, if it weren't for the life card showing that you are all right, we couldn't help but worry!"

"Unbelievable, does the legendary Golden Land really exist?"

"The harvest is full, and I brought back such a big golden clock!"

…

On Jaya Island.

The pirates and residents eagerly awaited the return of Wilhelm and the Smoothie sisters from Sky Island.

Since Wilhelm's orders, they had been stationed here, ensuring their safety while watching over the massive haul from Sky Island. Their anxiety had slowly subsided with the life card's confirmation of their safety. 

The pirates of the BIG-MOM Pirate Group were overjoyed, especially upon seeing the massive golden clock tower Wilhelm had brought down from the sky. The sheer magnitude and splendor of it left them awestruck.

"Little ones, let's go!" Smoothie's confident voice rang out as she stood at the helm, holding her saber high.

"Ooh-"

"Yes, Miss Smoothie!" 

The pirates and Homiz cheered in unison, their spirits high as they began to move.

"Ding—"

The massive golden bell atop the pirate ship resonated through the air.

The sound echoed far and wide, touching the hearts of the residents on Jaya Island and leaving them in awe of the grand spectacle.

The ship slowly sailed away.

"Wilhelm, are you so relaxed about those guys?" Smoothie leaned back comfortably in her chair, her legs crossed elegantly as she looked at Wilhelm with a curious gaze. Her tone was light, but there was a hint of amusement.

"That's a fortune, a huge treasure. Don't you want to take it all away?"

Strom, sitting beside her, chimed in, clearly a bit uneasy.

"With so much treasure, our ship might sink!" she added worriedly. 

Wilhelm shrugged nonchalantly. "I don't plan on returning to Totto Land's waters so soon."

"Don't worry," he continued. "Before leaving, I subdued the Sandia family and placed them to monitor Gan Fall and the others."

Sky Island, situated at an altitude of 10,000 meters, wasn't a place just anyone could easily reach. Even if pirates managed to stumble upon it, the flag of the BIG-MOM Pirate Group served as a powerful deterrent.

Not to mention, the combat prowess of the Shandia warriors and the God's Guard was formidable enough to handle most threats from the first half of the Grand Line.

"It makes sense…" Simon smiled thoughtfully. "I've seen how the Sandia clan views you as their benefactor. After fulfilling the promise of their ancestral inheritance, they see you as their savior."

She recalled the Shandia warriors who had gratefully welcomed Wilhelm, their former enemy turned ally, as they returned to their homeland.

After Wilhelm subdued the Sandia family and allowed them to return to their homeland, Apayado, personally ringing the golden bell, fulfilling the ancestral oath, the Sandia natives were overcome with excitement and fanatical gratitude. 

The Shandia tribe, under Wilhelm's guidance, showed deep reverence and loyalty. The Shandia patriarch did not hesitate to lead the tribe in making a blood oath of eternal loyalty, vowing to serve Wilhelm and his ambitions. For them, the treasures of the Sandia family held little value compared to the ability to return home and preserve their legacy.

For centuries, the wars and deep-seated hatred between the Shandia and the Angel Island inhabitants, particularly Gan Fall and his people, created a chasm that Wilhelm knew wouldn't easily be bridged. Even with Wilhelm's request for peaceful coexistence, it would take time and patience to reconcile the deep divisions.

"Before I left, I deliberately left behind the 'Six Forms' and Haki training methods. With the bravery and tenacity of the Sandia clan, there may be a few warriors who stand out and could be valuable allies in the future."

Wilhelm stretched, his muscles flexing under his attire. His large hands brushed through Fingel's snow-white, soft hair affectionately. Beside him, Smoothie lay against a rose placed there by Wilhelm, her silver-white hair flowing as her eyes were closed in meditation.

Subduing the Sandia clan was merely a strategic move, a piece in his broader plan.

"Indeed, that kid named Vaipa is very impressive," Simon said with admiration, recalling a young warrior from the Sandia tribe.

Vaipa, the descendant of the legendary warrior Carl Gala, displayed a resolve and wisdom far beyond his years. His determination and focus on the tribe's future impressed even Wilhelm's siblings.

"Is that kid? He's quite remarkable..." Smoothie adjusted Wilhelm's silver hair with care, her gaze lingering on his face before giving a slight smile. She spoke softly, "He's still too young. Even if he grows, it will take at least ten years, maybe more."

"Don't rush, Sister Smoothie," Wilhelm said patiently. "In the end, even if the BIG-MOM Pirates aim to dominate the seas, it won't be something accomplished overnight."

The current BIG-MOM pirate group, commanded by Charlotte Linlin, controlled Totto Land, but that was just a slice of the vast world. Marine Headquarters and rival pirate factions like Whitebeard's empire remained formidable obstacles. Wilhelm, however, was content to build his power slowly, carefully planning for the future.

"True…" Smoothie nodded, about to speak when her expression shifted slightly. Her eyes opened slowly, showing a trace of unease.

"What's wrong?" Wilhelm's Observation Haki, which he had honed over the years, had become sensitive to even subtle changes.

He opened his eyes, studying Smoothie carefully.

He knew that after Smoothie gained the power of the Logia-type Thunder Fruit.

Though Observation Haki itself is formidable, combined with her extraordinary ability to generate radio waves, it allowed her to achieve a super-wide range of monitoring, akin to the abilities of Enel, who had been defeated by her.

Unlike Sky Island, which perfectly aligns with Observation Haki's "heart outline," Smoothie's power was named the "heart network" by her.

Clearly, something was being monitored.

"Wilhelm, I'm in trouble..." 

Smoothie's face grew serious as she spoke in a low voice: "There are rumors that Vice Admiral 'Akainu,' a powerful candidate for Admiral from the Marine Headquarters, is sailing toward Gaya Island aboard his ship—only ten nautical miles away!"

"Oh?"

Wilhelm stood up.

He chuckled softly. "Is this his way of seeking revenge for my comrades-in-arms?"

Vice Admiral "Akainu" Sakazuki is infamous across the Grand Line for his iron-willed and ruthless nature. He is the leader of the Marine's new generation of hawks, pursuing what he calls "absolute justice." Notable hawks like Ghost Spider and Dauberman were once his classmates at the Marine Academy.

In comparison to the current hawk leader in Marine, Admiral Sengoku the Buddha, Akainu's thinking is more extreme and radical.

He never tolerates a trace of "evil" and shows no mercy toward pirates.

Like Ghost Spider, Akainu will go to any length to achieve his goals during missions. Even when facing unarmed civilians or Marine personnel, he will not hesitate to issue orders for bombardment.

Three years ago, at West Blue's renowned archaeological institution, Ohara:

Scholars were discovered researching and interpreting historical texts in secret.

The World Government, directly authorizing the action, saw Admiral Sengoku personally issuing a "Buster Call." Five Marine Vice Admirals were dispatched with ten large battleships forming a fleet. They launched a merciless bombardment on Ohara, reducing the island to ash.

Every trace of the island was erased from the world's territory.

Vice Admiral Akainu was one of the five Marine Vice Admirals responsible for this Buster Call.

To prevent scholars from escaping, he ordered the gunning down of a refuge ship carrying a large number of Ohara civilians.

It's worth noting that those soldiers responsible for organizing the boarding process and checking for hidden scholars also participated in these orders.

The future Admiral, with a cold and merciless heart, is truly a monster.

"Admiral's candidate is exactly what I want..." 

Wilhelm murmured to himself, his eyes burning with determination.

The so-called absolute justice Akainu pursues—whether it's real justice or a hollow facade—matters little to him.

Wilhelm, with countless lives on his hands, has no right to claim righteousness or question justice.

He only seeks to verify one thing:

How vast is the gap between himself and Akainu, the powerful Vice Admiral who already holds the qualifications for Admiral!