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

I spent several days hiding in Xiaqi's bar.

All sorts of strange and monstrous figures gathered, and the movements of the supernovas became increasingly frequent, creating a sense of oppression in the air.

Hancock learned this through Hawkins' divination and scattered information revealed by Shakky.

Kidd seems to have suffered a loss at her hands and has not yet shown up in the Sabaody Archipelago.

I guess he's gone somewhere to lick his wounds.

This gave her a slight sense of relief; with one less irritable troublemaker, the plan could proceed more smoothly.

She had initially harbored a sliver of hope that Rayleigh would secretly cover for her, but by the morning of the auction day, Hades was still nowhere to be found.

I wonder which sea area they're playing with sea monsters in now.

"It seems I can only rely on myself."

Hancock stood in front of the mirror and tidied her appearance one last time.

Today, she specially changed into a more gorgeous and flamboyant scarlet dress, the hem of which was adorned with tiny gemstones.

Under the lights, her radiant beauty made her already stunning appearance even more breathtaking.

Like a flame burning in the dark night, beautiful yet dangerous.

She knew this was a dangerous place, and she had to be extremely assertive.

"Big sister, everything is ready."

Sandasonia reported in a deep voice, his eyes showing a hint of worry, but more so, determination.

Marigold clenched her fists, ready to clear any obstacles for her sister at any moment.

Arya, like the most loyal hound, scanned her surroundings with sharp eyes.

Hawkins remained silent.

However, the constant shuffling of the cards in his hands betrayed his inner turmoil.

"Let's go."

Hancock took a deep breath, suppressing the murderous intent surging within her as she was about to face the Celestial Dragons, along with a barely perceptible tension.

She knew very well that this place was too close to Marineford and Impel Down.

If things go wrong, the consequences will be unimaginable.

She has to find the right balance.

The group left the bar, boarded a bubble car, and headed straight for the center of the lawless zone.

GR1, the location of the human auction.

The closer they got to GR No. 1, the more eerie the atmosphere became.

There were noticeably more arrogant nobles on the streets.

And some slave traders and black market merchants with greedy eyes.

Of course, there were also the serious-looking marines, who became noticeably more tense when they saw Hancock's group, as if facing a formidable enemy.

The auction house was built like a huge circular fortress, with heavy guards at the entrance.

When Hancock appeared at the entrance, it was as if an invisible force rippled outwards, and the originally noisy crowd instantly fell silent.

All eyes, regardless of gender or social status, were involuntarily drawn to that red figure.

Amazement, fascination, fear, apprehension, greed... a complex mix of emotions permeated the crowd.

"It's...it's the Pirate Empress!"

"How did she end up here?!"

"Oh my god...it's so beautiful..."

"Are the Seven Warlords of the Sea also interested in this auction?"

Whispers rose like a tide.

Hancock seemed oblivious to all of this, holding her head high and walking with elegant and firm steps.

As if returning home, they walked straight to the auction house entrance.

The guards clearly recognized her, and their faces turned ashen.

They wanted to stop him but didn't dare; what was the point of risking their lives for a salary of a few thousand peggs?

They could only bow stiffly.

The auction hall was dimly lit and bustling with noise.

The huge circular venue has a display platform in the center, surrounded by tiered seating.

There are also many ornately decorated private rooms, which are reserved for the Celestial Dragons and their most distinguished guests.

Hancock's arrival was like a drop of water falling into a boiling oil pan, instantly igniting the entire scene.

Almost everyone's gaze shifted from the display stand to the entrance.

The lighting technicians seemed to subconsciously shine a spotlight on her, making her the sole focus of the entire event.

She stood on the high platform at the entrance, her gaze sweeping coldly over the dark mass of people below.

He took in all those gazes, whether they were filled with amazement, fear, lewdness, or curiosity.

She could sense, in the shadows of those private rooms, several even more repulsive gazes, filled with an innate sense of superiority and possessiveness.

Like sticky tentacles, they landed on her body.

The Celestial Dragons... are right there!

She forced herself to calm down, maintaining her signature haughty and aloof expression.

Ignoring all gazes, she led her sister and subordinates straight to the best reserved seats in the front row.

Wherever she went, people avoided her as if she carried a plague.

After taking her seat, Hancock leaned back slightly, crossed one leg, and her scarlet skirt spread out like flower petals.

She didn't even look at the display stand, but closed her eyes to rest, as if she had no interest in the auction exhibits.

But her Observation Haki had already spread out like a spider web, capturing every subtle movement in the room, especially the atmosphere in those private rooms.

Sandasonia and Marigold stood guard on either side of the entrance, like door gods.

Arya stood behind Hancock, her eyes scanning the surroundings warily.

Hawkins sat a little further away, silently performing his divination.

Her face was paler than usual, suggesting the divination results were not optimistic.

The arrival of Empress Boa Hancock has injected the most unstable and explosive factor into this already dark auction.

The auction began in an eerie and oppressive atmosphere.

The host, Disco, sported a comical hairstyle and tried his best to liven up the atmosphere.

But most of the audience's attention was still subtly drawn to the extremely beautiful Shichibukai.

The first few items auctioned were ordinary jewelry and antiques, and the bidding was lukewarm.

Hancock didn't even bother to lift her eyelids. Until the fifth item was brought up for auction.

A huge, transparent tank filled with seawater imprisoned three young female mermaids!

They huddled in the corner, their beautiful fishtails slapping the water weakly, their faces filled with fear and despair.

Mermaids, especially female mermaids, have always been exorbitantly priced commodities in the slave market and are highly "favored" by certain perverted nobles.

"Distinguished guests! Behold these three priceless treasures! Young female mermaids from Fish-Man Island! They possess the most beautiful voices and the most captivating figures! Starting bid: fifty million Berries!"

Disco shouted at the top of his lungs.

A collective gasp of greed and excited chatter filled the room.

Several aristocratic-looking men's eyes lit up, and they couldn't wait to start raising their placards.

"Sixty million!"

"Seventy million!"

"Eighty million!"

Prices rose rapidly.

Hancock kept her eyes closed, but her slender fingers resting on the armrest twitched slightly.

The merfolk… She remembered Fisher Tiger’s kindness.

Moreover, she intended to re-establish ties with Fishman Island during this trip.

Just when the price reached 100 million pegories.

A strange voice, emanating from a bubble hood, rang out from a private room, filled with undeniable arrogance:

"One hundred and fifty million! These mermaids are for Charles Saint!"

The entire room fell silent instantly.

The Celestial Dragons have made an offer!

And it directly increased by fifty million!

No one dares to compete with the world's nobles for anything; this is an ironclad rule of the Sabaody Archipelago.

Disco's face lit up with a smile, ready to bring down the gavel.

However, just as the hammer was about to strike, a lazy yet clear female voice rang out.

Like ice beads falling onto a jade plate, the sound resounded throughout the entire venue:

"Two hundred million."

Everyone was stunned, staring incredulously at the source of the sound.

It's still that pirate empress with her eyes closed!

She actually... she actually dared to bid against a Celestial Dragon?!

An angry snort came from the private room where Charles Saint was; he seemed surprised that someone dared to compete with him.

"Two hundred and fifty million!"

"Three hundred million."

Hancock's voice remained calm, as if he were spending money, not just numbers.

"Three hundred and fifty million!"

Charles Saint's voice was tinged with anger.

Hancock finally opened her eyes slowly, her beautiful eyes devoid of any emotion.

He merely glanced in the direction of the Celestial Dragons' private room, then spoke in an almost pitying tone, lightly:

"Four hundred million. It seems... even the esteemed 'Descendant of the Creator' is a bit strapped for cash? Or perhaps, in your eyes, these mermaids are only worth this much?"

The sarcasm in those words was like a sharp knife, piercing the sensitive and fragile pride of all the Celestial Dragons.

The entire room fell silent!

Everyone was terrified!

How dare she?! How dare she openly mock the Celestial Dragons?!

"You bastard! You lowly pirate! Five hundred million!!"

Charlos Saint stood up in anger, his face flushed red even through his bubble hood.

Prices have been inflated to an outrageous level.

Hancock suddenly chuckled, a laugh filled with utter contempt, and elegantly shrugged.

"Since His Excellency Charles is so 'fond' of these mermaids and is even willing to give them away, then I... will not take what belongs to him."

She actually... gave up?!

The entire audience erupted in uproar!

She deliberately inflated the price to 500 million, just to deliver a sarcastic remark to the Celestial Dragons and then gracefully give up?!

Charlos Saint spent 500 million Berries to buy three mermaids that could have been acquired for around 300 million Berries.

He was humiliated in public, which made him scream in anger, but he couldn't vent his anger directly at the auction.

He could only glare fiercely at Hancock, wishing he could tear her to pieces with his eyes.

Hancock, however, acted as if nothing had happened, closed her eyes again, and sneered inwardly.

Five hundred million Berries, that'll be enough to make this fat pig feel the pinch for a while.

Moreover, she has already achieved her goal.

He successfully drew all the hatred and delivered the first psychological blow to the Celestial Dragons.

The system's mission requires intimidation, to instill extreme fear in them.

That move just now at least made Saint Charles feel extreme anger and humiliation, and he was not far from fear.

However, her actions also drew the attention of another force within the venue.

In an inconspicuous, shadowy corner of the auction house sat three people wearing eerie masks.

It is the world government's top secret intelligence agency.

CP0!

The leader of the group had a terrifyingly grim expression beneath his mask. He was gripping the pen in his hand so tightly it almost snapped in two.

"Boa Hancock...what exactly is she trying to do?"

A deep voice came from beneath the mask, carrying a chilling killing intent.

"Openly provoking a Celestial Dragon... Has she forgotten her identity, forgotten the mark on her back?"

Another CP0 member whispered, "Should we intervene? Or... notify headquarters?"

The leader remained silent for a moment, then slowly shook his head.

"Not for now. Let's see what tricks she's up to. Her status as a Shichibukai is a protective shield, but if she really crosses the line... Hmph." He didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was clear.

The auction continued in an extremely tense atmosphere.

Hancock didn't bid on the next few items, as if everything she had just done was just a whim.

But she could feel the icy gaze from CP0, like a venomous snake, constantly coiling around her.

She knew that the real test might be yet to come.

But she was fearless, for the intermediate level of Conqueror's Haki, for that mysterious reward, and for venting the hatred that had been building up in her heart.

She had to keep acting in this role, and she had to do it spectacularly!

Her gaze returned to the display stand, awaiting the next item...

Props that would allow her to continue performing appeared.