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

Charles Saint was so frightened that he almost lost control of his bladder and was on the verge of a mental breakdown.

The cold system notification in Hancock's mind rang out like heavenly music:

"Ding! Special limited-time quest [The Tragedy of the Celestial Dragons] completed!"

"Mission Evaluation: S. Successfully instilled extreme fear in the target Celestial Dragon, causing widespread impact."

"Reward: Conqueror's Haki proficiency greatly increased, directly advancing to [Intermediate]!"

"Mysterious Reward: [Forced Contract Paper] x1 (A one-time use item that can force a master-servant contract to a target of elite level or below [Intermediate Simp], locking their loyalty at [Advanced Simp] level, ensuring they will never betray you, and slightly increasing their potential."

A torrent of power, far more powerful and intense than any previous enhancement, surged into Hancock's limbs and bones.

Ultimately, they converged in her spiritual sea of ​​consciousness.

She felt as if her "spirit" had broken through some invisible shackles, instantly expanding and solidifying several times over.

A powerful feeling arose that allowed me to perceive and interfere with the external material and spiritual world more clearly.

Intermediate Conqueror's Haki!

She finally made it!

This is no longer a simple deterrent, but a real capability to influence reality and even launch initial attacks.

The bottleneck that Rayleigh had painstakingly guided him through for months without being able to break through immediately was finally overcome in one fell swoop.

At the same time, a scroll phantom, shimmering with strange silver runes and neither paper nor silk, appeared in her system space; it was the [Forced Contract Paper].

Hancock was overjoyed; this was simply a divine object!

With it, she can instantly transform a potential "intermediate simp" into an absolutely loyal and never-betraying "advanced simp".

This was crucial to her plan to build a core "simp army".

"Ding! Detected extreme worship and infatuation towards the host from 'Gluttonous Woman' Jewelry Bonney. The emotional concentration has reached the threshold, meeting the standards of [Intermediate Simp] (Fanatic Worship Type)! Determined to be an elite simp, absorbing energy!"

"For accepting a new [Intermediate Simp], you are rewarded with a special passive skill: [Glutton's Blessing]. By eating, the host can slightly accelerate the recovery speed of stamina and injuries."

Another surprise!

Bonnie has become a mid-level simp, and she even comes with a useful skill.

[The Gift of Gluttony]?

Hancock immediately thought of Luffy's indestructible physique, which was to some extent maintained by eating like crazy.

Although this skill is basic and its effects may be limited, it is absolutely a life-saving skill in prolonged battles or after being injured!

She suddenly found Bonnie, this carefree girl, much more agreeable.

All these spiritual transformations and systemic feedbacks happen in the blink of an eye.

Outside, Charles Saint was still howling like a pig being slaughtered, and the auction house was in complete chaos.

The CP0 members struggled to get up, but their movements were slowed by their injuries and the shock they felt.

Just then, the auction house doors were suddenly flung open, and two powerful auras rushed in, accompanied by hurried footsteps!

"Stop! Everyone stop!"

A calm yet anxious voice rang out.

Two men wearing naval vice admiral's righteous coats led a large group of elite marines into the room.

One of them had curly hair, wore glasses, and had a serious expression.

The other man was tall and had a resolute expression. He was the vice admiral stationed in the Sabaody Archipelago, who had rushed to the scene upon hearing the news.

Storobelli and the Ghost Spider!

As soon as they entered, they saw a chaotic auction hall and Celestial Dragons slumped in their seats, displaying their ugly side.

The CP0 member who collapsed to the ground, and the pirate empress in the arrogant stance whose aura seemed even more unfathomable than the intelligence reports suggested, like a female war goddess!

The two lieutenant generals' hearts sank to the bottom.

The worst has happened!

The Seven Warlords of the Sea and the Celestial Dragons have clashed directly, and it seems that the Celestial Dragons have suffered a great loss, with even CP0 being defeated.

Stollobelli suppressed his shock and stepped forward.

He looked at Hancock with a serious expression, trying to keep his tone calm.

"Boa Hancock! Stop what you're doing immediately! Do you know what you're doing? Attacking a World Noble and seriously injuring CP0 is a serious crime! Stop now, and there might still be room for maneuver!"

Onigumo, with an even more fiery temper, added menacingly, his hand on the hilt of his sword.

"Empress! Don't make a mistake! We've already notified Marine Headquarters! An Admiral is on his way! If you continue to be obstinate, you will face a thunderous blow!"

"general?"

Hancock repeated the word softly, her face showing no fear, but rather even more confidence and composure due to her newly advanced intermediate Conqueror's Haki.

She even gracefully straightened her skirt, which had become slightly disheveled from the brief exchange.

Then, with those beautiful eyes that seemed to see right through people, she swept them over the two vice admirals who looked like they were facing a formidable enemy.

Her red lips curved into a meaningful smile.

"Oh? The general made a request? That's quite a show of force."

She paused, her voice suddenly turning cold, carrying an invisible pressure from her newly advanced intermediate level of Conqueror's Haki, like a cold wind passing by.

"But, two lieutenant generals... do you really think that, before the general arrives, you and these remnants of your army are enough to defeat us..."

Her gaze swept meaningfully over the limp Celestial Dragon, the struggling CP0, and the terrified Marines around them.

"...Can you stop me?"

boom--!

A terrifying aura, far more condensed and powerful than before, seemingly carrying a substantial weight, erupted from Hancock's center!

It wasn't aimed at everyone, but rather, like a precise battering ram, it primarily pressed down on Vice Admirals Storoberry and Onigumo.

Intermediate Conqueror's Haki!

The two lieutenant generals' expressions changed drastically, and they suddenly unleashed their domineering aura in resistance.

But I still felt as if I were in the middle of a raging storm, my breath caught in my throat, and my body swayed slightly uncontrollably.

The marines behind them fainted en masse, like wheat blown down by a strong wind!

Even the howling Charlos Saint was instantly silenced by this terrifying pressure.

Her eyes rolled back, and she almost fainted.

Hancock did not make any further moves, but simply maintained this powerful sense of oppression.

She looked down at the two vice admirals like a queen.

Her scarlet dress fluttered in the invisible air currents, and her exquisite face wore a cold smile.

The scene descended into an extreme standoff and stalemate.

On one side is the Seven Warlords of the Sea Empress, who is all alone yet exudes an overwhelming aura and has just completed her breakthrough.

On one side are two powerful but under immense pressure vice admirals, and on the other side are a group of CP0 members who have lost their fighting ability and Celestial Dragons who are on the verge of collapse.

In the distance, there was a chaotic crowd fleeing, and Bonney hiding in a corner, staring at Hancock with fanatical eyes.

Hawkins, who was nervous but whose divination results seemed acceptable, quietly adjusted his position.

The sky over the Sabaody Archipelago seemed to darken because of this standoff.

The impending threat from the general hung like the Sword of Damocles.

But at this moment, within this small auction house, the Empress's will temporarily prevailed over everything!

Stroberry and Onigumo had cold sweat beading on their foreheads, and their palms, gripping their weapons, were drenched in sweat.

They knew that the Empress's words were not empty promises.

They reported the matter to the admirals, but all three admirals were busy with their own affairs and none of them wanted to take on the Celestial Dragons' business.

Before the general arrived, they were not absolutely certain they could capture her, and it might even cause greater casualties and chaos.

What should I do?

To fight or to make peace?

Or... wait for the upcoming... ultimate combat power that can truly determine the situation?

The air inside the auction house was so thick it was almost suffocating.