One Piece : Prince of Charlotte Family

"Boom…" 

The battlefield was filled with chaos—violent winds, crashing waves, and the relentless clash of elements. 

Two figures remained suspended in the air, their feet dancing on the atmosphere, avoiding the perilous sea below. 

"Ahem…" Wilhelm coughed, silver hair cascading around his face as he gripped his Shichiseiken and Nidai Kitetsu tightly.

Blood dripped from the corner of his mouth as he wiped it away, his voice steady but pained. "It's not easy being a candidate for Marine Admiral. Sakazuki, your Haki is incredibly powerful… and the gap between us is Grand line." 

Wilhelm's eyes gleamed with awe as he stared down Akainu, who stood before him, tall and imposing amidst the smoke and heat.

The intense heat from Akainu's burning lava scars had left their mark—his beautifully toned abdomen bore a deep, reddish imprint, a stark contrast against his flawless, invulnerable skin. 

"You're really insane," Wilhelm continued, his voice laced with respect tinged with frustration. "Trading injuries for your life... You truly are Marine's most radical leader, the hawk of the new generation." 

Akainu, despite the minor wound on his shoulder, remained calm and composed. His fiery magma surged around him, red and scorching, blending seamlessly with his advanced Armament Haki. He glanced indifferently at his own injury, acknowledging it as a minor setback. 

"You really can't afford to be careless, Wilhelm." Akainu's voice was low, grim. "Is your steel-like skin comparable to Charlotte Linlin's? You survived my Dark Hound, but it left only a scratch—a minor wound." 

Wilhelm, though injured, had an unyielding determination. His physique, inherited from Charlotte Linlin, remained remarkably resilient, withstanding even the scorching heat of Akainu's volcanic attack. Yet, despite his monstrous endurance, the difference in Haki mastery was undeniable. 

"You're still a monster," Akainu said, narrowing his eyes. "Your continuous use of teleportation makes it even harder to predict your movements, but I'll adapt." 

Their eyes locked, and the battle continued, with neither side willing to yield.

For Sakazuki, this battle was no longer just about strength—it was a battle of attrition, a test of endurance.

This little kid from the Charlotte family, despite his monstrous abilities, was not immune to exhaustion. As time wore on, Wilhelm's physical reserves would inevitably dwindle, and Sakazuki knew it. He didn't believe for a second that Wilhelm could maintain his peak state indefinitely.

But Sakazuki wasn't naive enough to think Wilhelm would fight him to the bitter end. Knowing his opponent's unpredictability and teleportation ability, Sakazuki had devised a plan. By feigning a flaw, he lured Wilhelm into a trap, setting up for a devastating blow.

Even if Wilhelm's Transfer Fruit could move him instantaneously, Sakazuki wagered that the young Charlotte's ability to respond would have its limits. He would rely on the immense power of his Dark Hound—a magma-infused, nearly unstoppable punch—to deliver the final blow.

This calculated gamble came with risks. Sakazuki had to maintain a tight defense while preparing for the perfect moment.

Hastily condensing his Haki defense, entwining it with his Armament Haki, he guarded against Wilhelm's relentless strikes. However, it came at a cost—a shallow wound on his left shoulder, an ache that wouldn't slow him down.

Experience sharpened his senses, allowing him to spot the briefest lapse, the briefest stagnation in Wilhelm's movements. That infinitesimal moment was all Sakazuki needed.

When Wilhelm charged forward, slashing through his defense, Sakazuki saw the opportunity.

With blinding speed and a merciless force, the Dark Hound struck Wilhelm's abdomen. The impact sent Wilhelm flying, his body vanishing into thin air as he activated his Transfer Fruit, teleporting just in time.

Still, even with his quick reflexes, the blow wasn't enough to finish the job. Dark Hound, usually a lethal attack, only left Wilhelm with deep burn marks on his indestructible skin—a testament to his unnatural resilience.

Sakazuki stood there, breathing heavily, watching as Wilhelm reappeared moments later, bloodied but defiant.

"Charlotte Linlin," Sakazuki hissed through clenched teeth, "that abnormal, monstrous woman… is a freak."

Wilhelm's silver hair gleamed in the lightning, his expression calm, though his body was riddled with burns. His voice cut through the tension. "You're just a loyal dog of the World Government, bound by their chains."

"Your potential is limited," Wilhelm sneered, wiping blood from his mouth, "while mine stretches endlessly into the future."

Sakazuki's gaze darkened, the murderous intent in his eyes sharper than ever. He knew this wasn't over. The battle of wills, of strength, and of ideologies, would continue.

Who can't talk a lot?

However, Wilhelm didn't plan to directly use the healing abilities of his Ope Ope no Mi (Op-Op Fruit) to heal himself.

From the very beginning, Wilhelm intentionally sought him out.

It wasn't just to gauge how far he was from Akainu.

He also wanted to fully test the results of his years of training, to see how far he could push his limits, and take the opportunity to sharpen himself further.

It had to be acknowledged that going all-out against these top powerhouses of the sea had made him more focused than ever.

His battle instincts were sharper than ever, and the adrenaline was at its peak. Wilhelm was beginning to enjoy the thrill of these kinds of fights.

There was no need to get hurt. He could just treat himself quickly without affecting his combat effectiveness.

Plus, Chiyu Chiyu no Mi Fruit wasn't limitless. It required physical energy to use, and it took a lot of stamina.

There was no need for that yet.

"Crack, crack..."

The waves on the rough sea crashed.

Sakazuki was furious and launched himself at Wilhelm with immense force, yelling: "A rotten pirate with evil blood flowing in your veins, what future are you talking about? Charlotte's kid, your future is to be buried right here!"

His fists clenched tightly, veins bulging, and with all his might, he swung his magma-infused fists towards Wilhelm.

Without hesitation, he launched another brutal offensive.

Full of murderous intent, pouring every ounce of his strength into the attack, leaving nothing held back.

"Hoo... hoo..."

The magma fist marks filled the sky, moving through the air at high speed, turning into afterimages.

The atmosphere itself was torn apart as they came flying one after another.

Dazzling.

"Clang!!" "Clang!!"...

The cold light of Wilhelm's blade clashed with the incoming hot fists.

The sharp, high-pitched sound of metal meeting metal rang out, and sparks flew everywhere.

With the power of advanced Armament Haki, Sakazuki's magma fists were harder than steel.

But still, with every powerful collision, Wilhelm was pushed back by the overwhelming force, sent flying.

His hands felt numb and trembled uncontrollably.

Both the Shichiseiken and Nidai Kitetsu nearly slipped from his grip.

"This monster-like power..."

Staring at the menacing Akainu, who was stomping on the air with explosive force and rushing forward without hesitation, Wilhelm felt the tingling in his arms.

He had to admit that Akainu, the Admiral candidate, was truly amazing.

The terrifying strength built through years of continuous training, his powerful body perfectly synchronized with the Magma-Magma Fruit's abilities, his rich combat experience, and his abilities far superior to Wilhelm's Armament Haki and Observation Haki...

Even in the middle of the sea, with his unpredictable fruit abilities, Wilhelm couldn't get an advantage. He couldn't suppress Akainu in the slightest.

If they were on land, facing Akainu in his fully prepared state...

Wilhelm feared he'd already be injured.

"But that's what makes it interesting..."