One Piece: I am the Empress, and the more sycophants I have, the stronger I become.

After arranging to meet Bonnie near GR1 on the day of the auction.

Bonnie was confused.

But thinking that following the Empress might allow him to see the Celestial Dragons, whom she despised, having some fun or delicious food, he readily agreed.

Hancock's crazy plan became clearer and clearer.

But before that, she remembered someone.

Rayleigh, the god of the underworld.

Whether it was out of gratitude for the previous guidance or a desire to gain some intangible "confidence" from this experienced elder.

She felt she should go see him again.

Using her memory and vague senses, she quickly found "Shakky's Bamboo Bar".

Unlike the bustling sister shop on Sister Island, this place is quiet and mysterious.

She ordered Sandasonia and Marigold to wait at a distance with most of the warriors.

He approached the tavern with only Hawkins, who followed him silently like a shadow, and his loyal Arya.

Pushing open that familiar wooden door, the wind chimes rang out with a clear, crisp sound.

The tavern was still dimly lit.

Behind the bar, Shakky was leisurely wiping the glasses when she saw Hancock come in.

A smile of complete nonchalance appeared on her face, as if she had expected her to appear.

"Oh my, look who's here!"

Xia Qi put down her wine glass and said with a smile.

"Our little Hancock has caused quite a stir in Sabaody. In just a few days, she's already outmaneuvered 'Big Head' Finbottom and even recruited 'The Magician' as her henchman?"

Her gaze swept over Hawkins behind Hancock, with an all-knowing understanding.

Hawkins felt a chill run down his spine; he could sense something in this seemingly ordinary bar owner woman.

His aura was as deep as the sea, far beyond that of an ordinary person.

He bowed silently without uttering a sound.

Hancock was not surprised that Shakky had the information; she nodded slightly as a sign of respect.

His tone carried a hint of respect for his seniors, though he did so subtly.

"Senior Shaki, I have come here specifically to thank Mr. Rayleigh for his previous guidance."

"grateful?"

Xia Qi raised an eyebrow, her smile deepening.

"That old man probably can't handle it. He went swimming at the beach again, saying he wanted to exercise these old bones. You know, that's one of his few hobbies besides drinking."

She pointed towards the back door.

Hancock nodded; she knew that Rayleigh liked to swim and train in the Calm Zone.

Just as she was about to take her leave to search the beach, Xia Qi spoke again:

"I've heard about the auction."

Xia Qi's tone was casual, but her eyes sharpened.

"That's a hornet's nest over there, little Hancock. If you poke it, it'll attract a lot of troublesome bees."

She was implying something, clearly guessing Hancock's intentions, or at least sensing the hidden hostility emanating from her towards the Celestial Dragons.

Hancock's eyes narrowed slightly. She neither admitted nor denied it, but simply said calmly.

"I know what I'm doing."

Xia Qi smiled, said no more, and then spoke.

"There are still a few days until the auction starts, right? Since you're here, why don't you stay here? I have some empty rooms upstairs in my bar. They're simple, but they're quiet and safe. It's better than you finding a place to stay in lawless territory."

This suggestion piqued Hancock's interest.

Shakky's place is undoubtedly one of the safest places in the Sabaody Archipelago. With her and Rayleigh in charge, almost no one dares to provoke them.

Moreover, staying here might allow one to receive a few words of advice from Rayleigh after his swim.

She glanced at Xia Qi, whose eyes were open and honest, seemingly only out of consideration for the younger generation of her "maternal family".

After a moment's thought, Hancock made her decision.

"In that case, I'll have to trouble Senior Xia Qi."

"Hehe, no need to bother you, it's just sitting empty anyway."

Xia Qi readily took out the key.

"The rooms are upstairs, choose one yourself. As for the rules... you know, the drinks and food here aren't cheap."

She blinked, revealing her true colors as a "bargain hunter" proprietress.

Hancock, of course, didn't care about this bit of Bailey and ordered Sandersonia to arrange for the soldiers to find a place to camp nearby.

And paid the full amount.

She then took Mary Gorud, Arya, and Hawkins upstairs.

The upstairs rooms were indeed simple, but clean and tidy.

Hancock chose the largest room, but Marigold and Arya insisted on living next door to protect her.

Hawkins quietly chose the most inconspicuous little room at the end of the corridor.

After settling in, Hawkins stood by the window of his room.

Looking at the strange bubble landscape of the Sabaody Archipelago outside, my heart was far from calm.

"Rayleigh... the right-hand man of the Pirate King... is actually living in seclusion here! Moreover, this Ms. Shakky is no ordinary person either."

Hawkins recalled Shakky's unfathomable gaze and indifferent attitude, and was secretly alarmed.

The Empress had such a close relationship with these legendary figures that she could so naturally move into their place.

This further elevated his opinion of Hancock.

The empress's background and power were far greater than he had deduced from the bounty and rumors.

Choosing to follow her based on the divination results... might be more correct, but also more dangerous, than I imagined.

He subconsciously drew out the tarot cards again, wanting to divine the fortune of his trip.

The cards remain chaotic, and the implications are unclear.

It's as if the trajectory of the future has been disrupted by a powerful force.

Hancock stood at her room window, also looking out the window.

Living here gave her a strange sense of security.

It's as if the turmoil and danger of the outside world are all isolated by this little bar.

She touched her smooth back; the marks hidden there remained a thorn in her heart.

I must get my hands on the [Marking Disguise Paste] blueprint, which is a reward from the system mission!

The key is to complete the "Tragedy of the Celestial Dragons" quest.

"Rayleigh... Intermediate Conqueror's Haki..."

She murmured to herself, a determined light shining in her eyes.

With intermediate-level Conqueror's Haki, her strength will undergo a qualitative leap, and she will be more confident in dealing with any unexpected events that may occur at the auction.

For the next few days, Hancock stayed at the "Bamboo Bar".

She would occasionally go to the beach and see Rayleigh swimming in the calm sea like a white streak in the waves, but she would not go up to disturb him.

Most of the time, she would sit quietly in her room, trying to calm herself down, or go to Shaki's bar.

Listening to the fragmented information gathered from various sources, I further refined my plan.

Hawkins, on the other hand, was like a shadow, spending most of his time in his room or a corner of the bar, engaging in his divination and meditation.

However, he carried out Hancock's orders with increasing meticulousness.

Arya dutifully fulfilled her duty as a guard.

However, the look in his eyes as he looked at Hawkins still carried a hint of barely perceptible rejection.

The calm before the storm enveloped the small bar.