One Piece : Prince of Charlotte Family

You can read the advance chapters here : patreon.com/Vigilante04

---------------

"I'll be uploading my chapters on Web novel as usual, but from now on, even free members can read them earlier on Patreon. Join me on Patreon for early access to my book before it goes live on Web novel!"

---------------

"Those who can?" Shiryu of the Rain asked, slightly surprised, looking at Wilhelm in confusion.

Isn't Wilhelm trying to recruit these Devil Fruit users?

After thinking for a moment, Shiryu hesitated and said, "At this level, apart from those who have already been frozen to death, there should be about four or five ability users locked up here."

Wilhelm asked, "What are their abilities?"

"'Steel' Saker, with a bounty of 150 million Barries, is a Paramecia-type Steel Fruit user. He's in the cell on your right, Mr. Wilhelm, just curled up there, trembling, his face covered in ice shards..."

"The one here is 'White Bear' Babar Kerry, with a bounty of 200 million Barries. He's a Zoan-type Bear Fruit user, Polar Bear form..."

"And here is 'Thorn' Alva, with a bounty of 185 million Barries, a Paramecia-type Thorn Fruit user."

"And the prisoner behind... the one still alive..."

Ten minutes later.

In Shiryu's stunned and shocked gaze, five Devil Fruits, each with a unique shape and strange patterns, were placed before him. They seemed to glow with an otherworldly allure, tempting anyone to eat them.

Paramecia Iron Fruit, Paramecia Thorn Fruit, Paramecia Saw Fruit, Zoan Bear Fruit (Polar Bear form), Zoan Dog Dog Fruit (Dachshund form).

Three Paramecia, two Zoan.

These were the abilities of the Devil Fruit users imprisoned in the freezing cells of the fifth floor.

All stripped from the prisoners by Wilhelm's transfer ability, leaving behind the fruits, which had quietly been brought up from the kitchen on the fourth floor of Impel Down.

"Tsk tsk, this is incredible..." Shiryu muttered, still trying to process the scene. "You can even take the Devil Fruit abilities and transfer them out."

He looked at Wilhelm, his eyes burning with excitement.

Shiryu had already guessed that Wilhelm hadn't hesitated to take the risk of coming to Impel Down on purpose.

Such an ability, such talent...

The man in front of him might truly one day rise to the throne of the king of the world.

Before, Shiryu had some reservations, but now, he was fully committed. He realized that following Wilhelm was the right decision.

The ability to directly steal Devil Fruit powers...

With proper planning, Wilhelm could form an army of incredible ability users in the future.

"As a reward for your decision to leave your post as the warden of Impel Down and follow me, you can choose one ability from these prisoners' Devil Fruits," Wilhelm said generously, looking at Shiryu with fiery eyes.

For someone like Shiryu, talented and strong, Wilhelm didn't hesitate to offer a reward. He saw Shiryu as one of his first recruits and was willing to invest in him.

"Thank you so much, Lord Wilhelm!" Shiryu's voice was filled with excitement. He was overjoyed by the offer.

For a moment, he felt a rush of shock and anticipation.

There were so many criminals in Impel Down, many with powerful Devil Fruits. Shiryu had always envied their abilities, and now, one was within his reach.

He carefully gathered the five Devil Fruits and packed them into a suitcase, which had been brought up from the fourth-floor warehouse.

Wilhelm then turned to Shiryu. "As the warden, you should have access to the prisoner files, correct?"

"Of course," Shiryu said with a sly smile. "I'll bring them to you right away!"

He licked his lips, clearly eager to act.

"Don't rush, I won't leave right away. I'll find a place to stay first!" Wilhelm waved his hand casually.

Using his powerful and unique Observation Haki, Wilhelm effortlessly located the entrance to the 5.5th floor.

He and Shiryu of the Rain soon arrived there.

The scene was unexpected. A large number of criminals were gathered, and a banquet was underway. The atmosphere felt almost too luxurious for a place like Impel Down.

"What!?" Shiryu was taken aback. This was nothing like the grim and oppressive environment he had known in the prison. The lavish surroundings made him feel disoriented.

As the warden of the deep-sea prison, he had been working here for years but had never known about such a place within Impel Down.

"..."

In an instant, Wilhelm vanished like lightning.

Moving with the speed of a hurricane, he swept through the area, cutting down several prisoners who had escaped through hidden channels over the years. In the blink of an eye, they fell, lifeless, into pools of blood.

"What a terrifying ability..."

Watching this gruesome scene, Shiryu once again felt the true power of Wilhelm and was deeply impressed.

Looking around the vast, empty cave-like space, Shiryu couldn't help but mutter in disbelief, "I never imagined a place like this existed in Impel Down!"

With a simple gesture, Wilhelm activated his transfer ability.

The scattered bodies instantly vanished from the floor and were transported to the pile of dead bodies in the freezing cells on the fifth floor.

Having cleared the area of any evidence, Wilhelm shrugged and explained casually, "It seems that some ability user managed to dig a hidden tunnel.

The prison staff were too careless to properly restrain them with seastone, and the prisoner took the opportunity to escape. They left a hidden passage leading here for others."

"That makes sense..." Shiryu nodded thoughtfully, sneering, "No wonder some prisoners have mysteriously disappeared over the years. There's even a strange rumor that they were 'invited by the devil' and escaped to this place."

"The life of these prisoners... they've really got it good. No wonder things have been disappearing from the warehouse every few days," Shiryu muttered, eyeing the luxurious decor around him.

Looking at the wine, food, oil lamps, and fine furniture, he was a little speechless.

Under the pressure of that bastard Magellan, maybe he himself hadn't lived as well as these prisoners were now.

"This place is our temporary secret stronghold..." Wilhelm said as he settled onto a lavish couch that the prisoners had likely stolen from Impel Down.

With a flick of his finger, he summoned an unopened bottle of red wine and a fresh glass from the wine cabinet. Pouring himself a glass, he looked at Shiryu and added, "If you have any questions, feel free to come to me directly."

"Yes, I'll start looking into the prisoner files now," Shiryu replied.

Wilhelm took a sip of the bright red wine, savoring it before nodding and saying, "Go ahead."