Chapter 3 : The Kidnapped Princess, Viola's Request

"Ah! Someone, please save me!"

"Damn it, it's a pirate... protecting the princess!"

"Let go of Her Highness, you filthy pirate!"

"Bring the princess back!"

"Prince Scarlett…"

"Jie ha ha ha! This princess will fetch a high price on the market!"

"Why would I ever return her to you?"

"Bang… bang…"

"Ahhh!"

Just as Wilhelm was about to leave…

At the port of Dressrosa, chaos erupted.

The air was filled with the sound of gunfire, desperate cries, and the mocking laughter of pirates. A ruthless crew had kidnapped Princess Scarlett of the Riku family, the royal clan of Dressrosa.

The king's army fought to rescue her, but they were no match for the seasoned pirates—men who lived with death every day and wielded their weapons with deadly skill.

The soldiers fell one after another under the pirates' overwhelming firepower.

Scarlett, a young girl with long pink hair, dressed in elegant, royal attire, was tied up and trembling in fear. Her pale face was streaked with tears, her eyes wide with terror. Two brutish pirates held her captive, their grips unyielding.

The pirates' leader, a tall and muscular man with a cruel face, loomed over her. He wore a black cloak, and an eyepatch covered his left eye.

"I'm 'One-Eyed' Basara, the infamous pirate with a bounty of 55 million berries!" he declared arrogantly.

Grinning wickedly, Basara looked at Scarlett, her beauty and royal demeanor only fueling his sinister intentions.

"Jie ha ha ha! Don't count on anyone to save you…"

Turning to the battered soldiers of the king's army, who lay bleeding and powerless on the shore, he sneered.

"Listen up, you weaklings!" he shouted. "If you want your precious princess back, tell King Riku to prepare one billion berries as ransom!"

"I'll give you three days! If I don't see the money, I'll sell her to the Celestial Dragons as a slave!"

"Alright, boys, prepare to set sail!"

"Oh-oh-oh!"

The pirates, loud and shameless, raised their weapons and cheered excitedly.

Meanwhile, the defeated king's army, unable to fight back, could only watch in despair.

Their faces twisted with fury and frustration.

"Damn it—"

"Your Highness!"

But anger alone wouldn't change their fate.

They were too weak, and no amount of rage could make them stronger.

All they could do was stand by helplessly as the arrogant pirates dragged Scarlett, the eldest princess of Dressrosa, onto their ship and set off.

"It's about time to leave."

In a quiet corner of Dressrosa…

Wilhelm was preparing to depart when he suddenly paused.

He lifted his head, his sharp senses picking up on something unusual.

"Hmm?"

"Viola, are you using your ability to spy on me again?"

His voice was calm, showing no surprise.

Beside him, a snow-white mastiff with fluffy fur began to transform. It grew larger, its form shifting into a majestic eagle-like vulture.

Wilhelm climbed onto its back, ready to take off.

"Hoo… hoo…"

Just then, a young girl—around twelve years old—came running toward him.

She had short, dark-brown hair and a pretty face, but she was out of breath and sweating heavily.

"Wait a minute, Wilhelm big brother!" she called out desperately, trying to catch up.

The young girl looked up anxiously at the tall, handsome young man, her voice full of desperation.

"My sister Scarlett was captured by pirates. Please, can you help me save her?"

Wilhelm glanced down at her, his expression cold and unmoved.

"That has nothing to do with me," he replied flatly. "I have no obligation to save your sister."

He continued, his tone indifferent. "Although I once considered using your Paramecia Gaze-Gaze Fruit ability to locate a Devil Fruit, you didn't find what I wanted. We don't share any deep bond."

A few days earlier, Wilhelm had arrived in Dressrosa.

It was then he discovered Viola, a young princess of the Riku family who had eaten the Paramecia Gaze-Gaze Fruit.

Their first interaction was purely by chance. Viola, curious and using her power to observe the world around her, had accidentally spotted Wilhelm and approached him out of intrigue.

Wilhelm, on the other hand, saw an opportunity. He hoped her ability—granting her enhanced vision and sharp insight—might help him find the Paramecia Heal-Heal Fruit he was searching for.

But despite her best efforts, Viola had been unable to locate it. Ironically, it was the small Tontatta Tribe that eventually tracked down the fruit for Wilhelm.

Viola froze, her heart sinking at Wilhelm's cold rejection.

Her wide, teary eyes lingered on him. He was unlike anyone she'd ever met—his silver hair and striking appearance made him almost impossible to look away from.

Gathering her courage, she wiped her tears and spoke again, her voice trembling.

"Wait… please!" she said, her dark eyes shining with determination. "I did find a Devil Fruit, though it might not be the one you want!"

Hurriedly, she reached into her pocket and pulled out a small, oval-shaped Devil Fruit. It was black and covered in strange swirling patterns, no larger than her palm.

Wilhelm raised an eyebrow, surprised but intrigued.

"Interesting," he murmured, studying the fruit. "I have to admit, your ability is more useful than I thought."

He gave a calm nod. "Alright. This Devil Fruit will be mine. In return, I'll help you rescue your sister."

Viola's eyes widened in relief and joy, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Thank you!" she cried, her voice trembling with emotion. She clasped her hands tightly, overwhelmed by gratitude.

Looking at the silver-haired young man in front of her, who carried himself with an air of confidence and elegance, Viola couldn't help but feel a mix of awe and admiration. Even as a princess of Dressrosa, she found herself humbled in his presence.