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

Nine Serpents City, Council Hall.

Hancock sat high on his throne, his gaze sweeping across the land below.

On the left is a group of conservative elders led by Grandma New, their faces filled with disapproval.

On the right are the loyal supporters led by Sandasonia and Marigold.

And several young warriors she had marked as having potential, with burning eyes, were among them, including Arya.

"My mind is made up."

Hancock's voice was cold and carried an undeniable authority.

"A trip to the East China Sea is imperative."

"Lord Snake Princess!"

Grandma Niu, leaning on her snake-shaped cane, said urgently.

"The East Blue is the weakest of the four seas, barren of resources and sparsely populated with powerful individuals. Going there is a complete waste of time! The Grand Line is where we should focus our efforts! There are countless opportunities and formidable opponents there, allowing you to quickly enhance your strength and the prestige of Kuja!"

Hancock's lips curled slightly, carrying a hint of all-knowing mockery.

"Grandma New, you're right. The Grand Line is indeed like a box filled with dazzling jewels, where surprises may be hidden at every turn."

She changed the subject, her tone becoming profound.

"But precisely because there are so many jewels, it's easy to become dazzled, lose one's way, or even... be injured by a hidden blade."

She stood up, her magnificent skirt trailing on the ground, and walked down the steps of the throne.

"The East Sea may seem empty, but it is precisely because of its emptiness that it is like a treasure chest waiting for us to fill. And who says that an empty chest can't contain unique treasures?"

She thought of the boy with the straw hat and a smile as bright as the sun, and the potential, yet-to-be-discovered, "high-quality simp" in the East China Sea.

More importantly, in terms of timing, that "treasure" had already set sail.

She had to make her move before too many people noticed.

She stopped in front of her second and third sisters, her tone softening slightly, but still carrying a commanding air.

"Sandasonia, Marigold, Amazon Lily is my foundation and our home. During my absence, you two are fully responsible for its protection. Strengthen patrols and defenses. The Calm Belt is our natural barrier, but you must not be complacent."

"Yes, my lady! We swear to protect Kuja to the death!"

The two younger sisters responded in unison, their eyes filled with determination.

Then, she looked at the young warriors she had chosen, including Arya, a total of four.

These four individuals have all performed exceptionally well recently, and the system panel shows that their "Infatuation Value" is close to or has already reached the threshold of the "Intermediate Simp".

Their loyalty is trustworthy, and their abilities are also reliable.

"You, you, and you, and Arya."

Hancock pointed at them and said, "Get ready to come with me on my trip."

The people whose names were called were so excited that they trembled all over, especially Aria, who felt like her heart was about to jump out of her chest.

What an honor it is to be able to accompany Lady Snake!

"Lady Snake Princess, please reconsider!"

Grandma Niu wanted to persuade her again.

Hancock ignored him and walked straight out, leaving only one sentence behind.

"When I am away, domestic affairs are discussed and decided jointly by my two imperial sisters and Granny Niu. In case of emergency, we can contact each other via telephone insect."

At the port, the perfume-themed cruise ship, pulled by the distinctive snake-like towline of the Kuja region, is ready to go.

Hancock stood at the bow of the ship, the sea breeze blowing her long hair, making it flutter.

She turned back for one last look at the lush Amazon Lily, a fleeting hint of longing flashing in her eyes, but it was quickly replaced by an even more resolute light.

"Let's set off, cross the doldrums, destination—the East China Sea!"

The snake swung its enormous body, pulling the boat slowly away from the harbor.

Then it accelerated suddenly, breaking through the eerily calm sea surface of the windless zone in a way that defied common sense, and sped eastward.

On the ship, Hancock watched as Amazon Lily shrank, silently chanting to herself.

"The jewels of the Grand Line are certainly tempting, but that 'straw hat' in the East Blue might be the lever that can move the entire world. Hopefully... it won't be too late."

She felt the gazes from Arya and the others around her, a mixture of admiration, loyalty, and excitement.

The stable "simp value" energy flowed into the body.

Although this team is small in number, they are all promising talents.

She believed that this trip to the East China Sea would not be in vain.

The vast ocean awaits, and new adventures and "harvests" are about to begin.

……

On the boundless blue sea, the Kuja Perfume Cruise Ship is sailing gracefully along the Grand Line.

The East China Sea is not close to the doldrums of the Amazon Lily; the cruise ship needs to pass through the Grand Line and the doldrums on the other side.

Two enormous snakes meandered in the water, providing powerful propulsion.

This allowed the magnificent ship to navigate the unpredictable and treacherous sea routes with ease.

Hancock reclined on a specially made luxury lounge chair at the bow of the ship, with soft, expensive furs spread out beneath her and an exquisite parasol overhead.

She wore sunglasses, revealing only her perfectly sculpted jawline and vibrant red lips, lazily enjoying a sunbath.

On the small table beside me are chilled honey and cut seasonal fruit.

Arya, who was standing by, was ready to hand it over at any time.

"We must not let ourselves suffer, even if it means suffering for others."

This is Hancock's creed.

Therefore, for this trip, she not only brought a considerable portion of the Berries from Amazon Lily's vault, but also the best helmsman, the most experienced navigator, and the most skilled chef from Amazon Lily.

This team combines comfort and practicality.

The ship was sailing smoothly towards the doldrums, and soon it would enter that special sea area that separated it from the four seas and the Grand Line.

Just then, the navigator's slightly nervous voice came through.

"Lady Boa Hancock, two pirate ships have appeared at the two o'clock and ten o'clock positions, and they are approaching us! Judging from the flags... they are newcomers to the Grand Line, with a bounty of around 8000 million Berries."

Hancock didn't even lift her eyelids, she just lazily took a sip of nectar.

He gave the order in that unique voice, which carried a hint of nonchalance yet was captivatingly alluring.

"Oh? Where did this reckless fool come from... Move the boat closer."

"yes!"

The helmsman carried out the order without hesitation.

The serpent pulled the perfume-scented cruise ship, gracefully tracing an arc.

They took the initiative to meet the two seemingly menacing pirate ships.

The pirates on those two ships initially thought that such a magnificent and seemingly weakly defended vessel was a windfall, a chance to make a fortune.

They roared and brandished their swords and muskets, preparing for boarding action.

However, as the distance gets closer.

The unique serpentine design, the nine-serpent emblem on the ship's hull, and the stunningly beautiful figure standing at the bow, whose unparalleled elegance was undeniable even with sunglasses on... gradually became clear.

"That...that is..."

The captain of one of the ships, a burly man with a fierce face and wearing a horned helmet, began to tremble violently with his hand holding the binoculars.

The greed and ferocity on his face froze instantly, then melted away like ice and snow, replaced by disbelief and a deep-seated fear.

"Nine...Nine Serpents...Empress...Empress!!!"

He practically screamed the name, his voice distorted and twisted.

The captain of the other ship also saw it clearly, and the scimitar in his hand fell to the deck with a "clatter".

His face turned deathly pale instantly, his lips trembled, and he couldn't utter a single word.

Shichibukai!

Boa Hancock, the "most beautiful woman in the world"!

These newcomers, struggling in the first half of the Grand Line with a power of 8000 million, are nothing more than ants in front of the Seven Warlords of the Sea!

Kidnapping the Empress?

What's the difference between this and jumping into the sea to commit suicide?

Hancock seemed to have finally been bothered by their noise. She slowly raised her hand and used her slender fingers to pull her sunglasses down.

She revealed a pair of beautiful eyes that could captivate anyone and strike fear into the hearts of enemies, and glanced at them indifferently.

With just one glance, the two captains almost knelt down on the spot.

"Your Majesty... Empress! It's a misunderstanding! A huge misunderstanding!"

Captain Bullhorn Helmet's voice was choked with sobs as he frantically waved his hands.

"We didn't know it was your ship! We're leaving now! Right now!"

"Yes, yes, yes! We're leaving right now! We'll disappear from your sight immediately!"

The other captain quickly echoed, wishing he could slap himself a few times.

Hancock looked at their terrified and tearful expressions and found it rather boring.

She didn't even bother to use her powers; she simply parted her red lips slightly and uttered a single word in a cool, clear voice:

"roll."

"Yes, yes, yes! We're leaving! Right now!"

The two captains, as if granted a pardon, hurriedly directed their crews.

He turned the boat around at the fastest speed he had ever seen, wishing he could attach ten pairs of wings to it.

They fled the area, not even bothering to retrieve the knife that had fallen into the sea.

Hancock put her sunglasses back on and lay back down lazily, as if she had just casually shooed away two annoying flies.

In my mind, the system notification flickered almost imperceptibly.

A tiny amount of "distorted attentional" energy entered the account from the extreme fear and shock generated by the two captains and their crews, which was better than nothing.

"What a... boring newbie."

She whispered softly, her gaze once again fixed on the distant, windless zone she was about to enter.

And beyond the Calm Belt lies the East China Sea, where the "Straw Hat" lies hidden.

"Speed ​​up," she ordered.

The snake hissed, and the boat sped up again, resolutely heading towards its destination.