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

The Kuja pirate ship finally entered the Calm Belt, where a familiar tranquility and sense of security enveloped them.

After experiencing the thrilling Sabaody Archipelago and the suffocating "baptism of fire" from Capona.

Back in this sea that belonged to her, Hancock's tense nerves finally relaxed a little.

Before the ship even docked, a Den Den Mushi (snail phone) wearing glasses rang urgently with a "blur blur".

Hancock glanced at the distinctive design and frowned slightly.

It was the private line for Fleet Admiral Sengoku of the Navy Headquarters.

She gestured for Sandasonia to answer, while she herself leaned lazily against the throne, not speaking herself.

The Den Den Mushi (snail phone) mimics the solemn expression and voice of the Warring States period.

"Boa Hancock!"

"Marshal of the Warring States," Sandasonia responded on his behalf, his tone neither humble nor arrogant.

"My dear elder sister is resting. What can I do for you?"

"rest?"

The voice of the Warring States period carried suppressed anger.

"Do I need to repeat what she did on Sabaody Archipelago?! Attacking a Celestial Dragon, seriously injuring a CP0 member, causing a huge riot! The Seven Warlords' duty is to maintain the balance of the sea, not to let you run rampant!"

Sandasonia glanced at Hancock, who was resting with her eyes closed, and continued to answer calmly.

"Your Excellency Marshal, there's more to this than meets the eye. His Highness Charlos has personally stated that it was a misunderstanding and a friendly sparring match. The World Government seems to have accepted this explanation as well."

She cleverly pointed out that the Celestial Dragons and CP0 had admitted their defeat.

Sengoku, on the other end of the Den Den Mushi, was visibly taken aback, clearly also quite choked by this absurd result.

He was silent for a few seconds, his tone became more stern, but he lacked the confidence to accuse someone.

"Hmph! Even so, this is still too much! Hancock, you remember this! The privileges of the Seven Warlords are not unlimited! If there is a next time, even if it's just getting close to that red line, the Marine Headquarters will not stand idly by! You'd better watch yourself!"

Click.

The phone was abruptly disconnected.

Hancock slowly opened her eyes, a mocking smile curving her lips.

"Impotent rage".

She knew that this matter was temporarily over.

To save face for the Celestial Dragons, the World Government will not openly pursue the matter.

Without a solid pretext and absolute certainty, the Navy will not easily take action against her, a Shichibukai.

But the warning is real, and we need to be more cautious in our future actions... at least until we have absolute power.

As the ship docked, the residents of Snake Island lined the streets to welcome their queen's return, their cheers deafening.

Hancock maintained her haughty demeanor as she returned to the palace, surrounded by her sister and warriors.

As soon as I stepped into the palace hall, a short figure came up to me angrily, leaning on a snake-shaped staff. It was Granny Niu.

"Hancock! Look at the trouble you've gotten yourself into!"

Grandma Niu pounded the ground with her snake staff, heartbroken.

"It's all over the newspapers! How dare you lay a hand on a Celestial Dragon?! And even injured CP0?! Do you know this will bring annihilation to Amazon Lily?! You...you're too reckless and arrogant!"

Hancock was already irritated by Garp's intimidation and Sengoku's warning, and listening to Granny New's nagging only fueled her anger.

She stopped and gave Granny New a cold look.

"Grandma New, are you questioning my decision?"

"I'm not questioning you! I'm reminding you! Amazon Lily can't withstand this kind of storm! We should stay here peacefully instead of going out and provoking those we can't afford to offend!"

Grandma New did not back down.

"Behave yourself?"

Hancock seemed to have heard the biggest joke in the world. She took a step forward and looked down at Granny New.

"Like you, hiding in the Calm Belt, turning a blind eye to the evil and injustice outside, and living a life of mere survival?"

"You...!" Grandma Niu was so angry that her face turned pale.

Just then, a small, colorful snake slid out from Hancock's sleeve, wrapped affectionately around her wrist, and hissed.

This is a small, intelligent snake that she casually tamed in the Sabaody Archipelago. Finding it interesting, she brought it back with her.

When Grandma Niu saw the small snake, which was clearly from outside, she became even angrier.

"Look at you! You even brought things from outside back with you! What if..."

"That's enough!"

Hancock interrupted Granny New's incessant chatter with a cold shout.

She looked at the emperor from the previous emperor's reign who had always tried to bind her with "stability".

The desire to break free from all constraints in my heart could no longer be suppressed.

A powerful aura, far more concentrated and oppressive than before it left.

It burst forth from her without reservation!

Om-!

It wasn't aimed at everyone, but rather precisely targeted Granny New!

Intermediate Conqueror's Haki!

Grandma Niu felt an indescribable pressure rushing towards her like a tsunami.

She seemed to see the phantom of a queen high above, looking down at her with cold eyes.

That wasn't just a difference in strength, but a crushing defeat in spirit!

Her breath caught in her throat, and the rest of her words were stuck in her throat. Her hand holding the snake staff trembled slightly.

He involuntarily took half a step back, his face filled with horror.

This...this domineering aura?!

It's so much stronger than before!

What...what exactly did she go through outside?!

Hancock suppressed her domineering aura and looked at the stunned Granny New, a sense of pleasure welling up inside her.

She gently stroked the small snake on her wrist, and asked in a teasing tone, as if casually:

"Grandma New, you always say I'm willful, that the outside world is dangerous... But I've heard that when you were young, weren't you also attracted to the outside world, and even... had a little... different feelings for that man named Gol D. Roger?"

These words were like a bolt from the blue, completely stunning Grandma New.

Her wrinkled face flushed bright red instantly, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, and her voice became shrill.

"Nonsense!! Who?! Who's spreading rumors?! It was that shameless old man Rayleigh who told you, wasn't it?! That old bastard!! Back then I just... just..."

She stammered for a long time without giving a coherent explanation, which only made her seem more guilty and breathless.

The previous anger and lecturing vanished, leaving only the embarrassment of having one's long-held secrets exposed.

Hancock couldn't help but chuckle when she saw Granny New's appearance.

She laughed so hard her legs were shaking, and all her previous unhappiness vanished.

She never expected that this "little secret" would be so effective!

"Hehe, looks like it's true?"

Hancock blinked, her tone mischievous.

Grandma Niu stomped her feet in anger, but there was nothing she could do.

He could only glare at Hancock, leaning on his snake staff and muttering to himself.

"This is outrageous! It's infuriating!"

He turned and left the main hall in a flustered manner, his back view suggesting a hasty retreat.