Chapter 14 : Fruit For Everyone, Make The Best Use Of Everything?

Sea Circle Calendar 1503, April 2nd

Following the guidance of the Log Pose, Wilhelm successfully arrived at the Drum Kingdom.

If his hunch was correct, there was a high chance that a Zoan-type Devil Fruit could be found on this snowy, winter island, frozen and covered in ice year-round.

Based on his research, it was most likely in areas where reindeer herds gathered. This narrowed the search significantly.

Even with the smaller search area, Wilhelm wasn't entirely confident he'd find it.

But luck seemed to be on his side.

"Finally found it?"

Snowflakes danced in the air as the wind roared through the forest.

Holding a peculiar, spiral-patterned fruit in his hand, Wilhelm's face lit up with a grin.

He had spent half a month scouring the forest, almost ready to abandon his search.

But now, in his grasp was the fruit he'd sought.

The fruit was small, shaped like a mushroom, with a red cap and a white base, decorated with intricate patterns.

"Roar—" Finley let out an excited cry, startling the nearby herd of reindeer. The animals scattered, fleeing in all directions.

"Let's go!" Wilhelm said with a chuckle, tossing the mushroom-shaped Human-Human Fruit lightly in his hand. "Once Smoothie and the others arrive, we'll head for Sky Island!"

Still, he couldn't help feeling a pang of disappointment.

The Paramecia-type Munch-Munch Fruit, which he had been hoping for even more, had yet to show up.

Wapol, the prince of the Drum Kingdom, had not become a Devil Fruit user yet.

Half a month earlier, Wilhelm had searched the treasure vault of the Drum Kingdom but found no Devil Fruits.

Still, finding the Human-Human Fruit was a worthy consolation prize. Better this than leaving empty-handed.

"The pirates are coming…"

"It's the Big Mom Pirates!"

"Oh no! Why are New World pirates here?"

"Run!"

At the Drum Kingdom's port, a medium-sized pirate ship slowly approached.

Panic spread among the townsfolk, and the royal army quickly armed themselves.

But the sight of the flag of the Big Mom Pirates made them freeze in place, too afraid to act.

Some soldiers could feel cold sweat dripping down their faces.

A tall, striking young woman with long legs and a high brown ponytail stepped forward confidently.

Her sharp eyes scanned the frightened crowd at the port and the trembling royal army who dared neither step forward nor fire a single shot.

"What a bunch of cowards," sneered Charlotte Simon, the sixteenth daughter of the Charlotte family. With her left hand on her hip and her right resting on the hilt of her sword, she smirked with contempt.

"Wet yourselves just from seeing Mother's flag?" she scoffed, her voice laced with pride.

It was a source of satisfaction for her.

Everywhere she went lately, people reacted the same way.

Even the Marines, who preached justice, rarely acted against them.

Ordinary pirates fled in terror, and these weak royal armies were no exception.

"Our mission isn't to cause trouble. We don't need unnecessary attention from the Marines…"

A head of wavy white hair cascaded loosely down her back. She stood tall, her height exaggerated by the heritage of the Longleg Tribe. 

"What's that guy doing all the way out in this frozen backcountry?" she muttered, her tone curious yet dismissive. 

"Who knows…" 

Charlotte Strong, the fifteenth daughter of the Charlotte family, crossed his arms. His broad, towering frame leaned casually against the ship's mast as he spoke with indifference. 

"Wilhelm has always been the odd one out in the Charlotte family," Strong said. "Even if Mother gives him a direct order, he might not follow it completely." 

"Jee—" 

At that moment, a shadow appeared in the white sky. 

A massive vulture soared through the air, its powerful wings cutting through the wind. 

On its back stood a striking figure, draped in silver and white. 

"His Highness Wilhelm!" 

"So cool!" 

"Still as dazzling as ever!" 

"Lord Wilhelm's brilliance is blinding!" 

"Welcome, Master Wilhelm!" 

... 

Onboard the Big Mom Pirates' large ship, the crew and numerous Homies quickly noticed the noble silver-haired figure atop the vulture. 

Their reactions were almost fanatical. 

Eyes sparkled, voices cheered, and hands waved wildly. The scene was like a crowd of devoted fans greeting their idol. 

"Wilhelm!~" 

"You're finally here!" 

Even the Smoothie sisters, who had been grumbling moments ago, couldn't help but brighten at the sight of him. 

The three sisters, accustomed to such lively receptions, exchanged knowing smiles. 

Their younger brother's popularity within the Big Mom Pirates was undeniable. 

Unlike other siblings, whose age differences were either too large or too small, Wilhelm was close in age to them. They had grown up playing together, forming a naturally strong bond. 

Not only was Wilhelm the most handsome of the Charlotte children, but his once "adorable little boy" charm had transformed into an undeniable "dazzling beauty." His looks were so flawless that even the sisters sometimes felt envious. 

On top of that, he had inherited terrifying strength from Charlotte Linlin, born with monstrous power and talent. 

This combination of good looks, overwhelming ability, and an icy, distant personality made Wilhelm an icon—a "star" in the Big Mom Pirates. 

Even their eldest brother Katakuri, often hailed as the "greatest masterpiece of the Charlotte family," couldn't match Wilhelm's allure. 

Over time, the sisters had to admit it. 

Although Wilhelm's cool, indifferent personality often left them feeling ignored, even a moment spent quietly admiring his flawless face felt like a privilege. 

Wilhelm's existence raised the bar for everyone around him. 

Ordinary men now seemed utterly unremarkable in comparison—dull, unworthy of attention, and utterly unimpressive next to Wilhelm's cool, handsome demeanor. 

He had turned them all into hopeless admirers of perfection.

"Swoosh!"

In the blink of an eye, Wilhelm vanished from Finley's back, the vulture continuing its swift descent.

He reappeared aboard the pirate ship, standing directly before the three Smoothie sisters.

"Don't get in the way," he said coldly, his tone sharp and commanding.

A faint frown crossed his face as his piercing, falcon-like gaze swept across the crew. His eyes, icy and unrelenting, made it impossible for anyone to meet his stare.

The previously exuberant pirates and Homies froze in place, their cheers and excitement evaporating. Cold sweat formed on their brows as they nervously swallowed.

This "nobleman of trembling presence" commanded both fear and respect.

"Wilhelm, you're as cold as ever," Smoothie said with a playful smile, her eyes lingering on his striking figure. "Everyone's just happy to see you!"

"I didn't expect you to come all the way from the New World..."

Ignoring the pirates and Homies, Wilhelm turned his attention to the three long-legged sisters standing before him. His voice was blunt and direct as he spoke:

"The Big Mom Pirates may have a fearsome reputation, but there are many enemies in these seas. Venturing into the first half of the Grand Line recklessly is dangerous."

"You think we can't handle ourselves?" snapped Simon, her confidence brimming as always. She glared at Wilhelm, clearly irritated. "Don't underestimate the three of us!"

"Don't say that, Wilhelm..." Smoothie said, her long legs crossed casually as she rested her chin in her hand. She looked at her brother with a teasing smile. "We came all this way to see you, and you act like you don't even want us here. It's enough to make your sister feel heartbroken..."

"Huh? Wilhelm, what's that in your hand?"

Strom's eyes narrowed as she caught sight of the fruit Wilhelm was holding.

"A Devil Fruit?"

"That pattern—it looks just like one!" exclaimed Simon, her surprise mirroring Strom's.

Smoothie, too, turned her gaze to the mushroom-shaped fruit, clearly intrigued.

"This?" Wilhelm said, holding up the fruit. "It's a Zoan-type Devil Fruit, the Human-Human Fruit."

The three sisters stared at it, their curiosity piqued.

"It's useless to ordinary humans," Wilhelm explained nonchalantly. "But if an animal eats it, it gains human characteristics. It can think, learn, and act like a human."

"Zoan… Human-Human Fruit?"

The sisters exchanged amazed glances.

Smoothie took the fruit from Wilhelm, examining it with interest, turning it over in her hands.

Strom and Simon, however, quickly lost interest.

"So it just makes animals act like people," Simon muttered, folding her arms. "That doesn't sound like a powerful ability."

"Don't underestimate it," Wilhelm said calmly, his tone unwavering. "The potential of any Devil Fruit depends entirely on how it's used."

To most, the Human-Human Fruit's ability might seem unimpressive. At best, it could turn a strong beast into a companion with human intelligence.

But Wilhelm had no intention of "wasting" it like that.

Whether this fruit could reach its full potential depended on the success of his next experiment. His mind was already calculating the possibilities.