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

Luffy has no concept of beauty, but he is exceptionally sensitive to words related to "power" and "adventure".

Nami and Usopp discussed with lingering fear how terrifying the Seven Warlords of the Sea were, and how they were recognized by the World Government as one of the three major powers.

Luffy's ears, which had been focused on the food, suddenly perked up.

"The Seven Warlords of the Sea? Are they that powerful?"

With his mouth full of meat, Luffy asked indistinctly.

"Of course it's amazing! You idiot!"

Usopp waved his arms.

"They are on par with the Marine Headquarters and the Four Emperors..."

Luffy interrupted him directly, his eyes shining brightly.

"Are they all on the Grand Line? Do I have to pass through their area to become the Pirate King?"

Zoro, holding his sword, gave a cold snort.

"Pretty much. What, you want to go and fight them right now?"

"Hehehe!"

Luffy adjusted his straw hat, revealing his signature bright smile.

"Isn't that interesting? I'm determined to be the Pirate King! So I'll have to face those Seven Warlords of the Sea sooner or later!"

His thinking was simple and direct, completely skipping over the perception of the Empress's personal charm and directly classifying her as one of the "challenging stages on the road to becoming the Pirate King".

This pure, goal-driven way of thinking left Sanji, who was hiding behind the pillar still infatuated with the Empress's charm, speechless.

Meanwhile, Nami's mind was racing.

She looked in the direction the Empress had left, then glanced at the carefree Luffy.

A bold idea quickly took shape in her mind.

The Seven Warlords of the Sea... possess the legal right to plunder, and are so powerful that even the Navy dares not easily provoke them...

If we could borrow her power...

Nami thought of Cocoyasi Village, of Arlong's reign of terror, and of the 100 million Berries that weighed heavily on her.

If... if we could get on the Empress's good side, perhaps solving Ah Long's problem would be a piece of cake!

Even if it's just temporarily using her name...

Greed and the urgent desire to save the village temporarily overshadowed the fear of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.

Nami took a deep breath and composed herself.

With a smile that was her forte—sweet yet slightly pitiful—she crept stealthily toward the "Pearl Shell" private room where the Empress was.

The door to the private room wasn't closed properly. Nami knocked lightly, then pushed it open a crack and peeked inside.

"Um... Your Majesty the Empress?"

Hancock was elegantly sipping her tea, seemingly unsurprised by Nami's arrival, merely raising her eyelids slightly.

"Oh? You little thief, do you need something from me?"

She had long seen through the shrewdness and calculation in the orange-haired girl's eyes.

Nami squeezed into the private room, closed the door, clasped her hands together, and spoke in her most touching tone.

"Your Majesty, you are so powerful and beautiful! The moment I saw you, I knew you must be the most powerful woman in the world!"

She started by showering him with flattery before getting to the point.

"Um... I actually have a favor to ask... I... I admire you very much, and I wonder... could I join your crew? Even just temporarily? Or... could you help me? I have a very hateful enemy named Arlong, the captain of the Arlong Pirates, who has taken over my village..."

Nami recounted the story with great emotion, exaggerating Arlong's brutality and the village's misery in an attempt to evoke the Empress's sympathy.

Or at least make her feel that dealing with Ah Long is profitable.

Hancock listened quietly, her slender fingers tapping lightly on the table, her beautiful face revealing no emotion.

It wasn't until Nami finished speaking and looked at her with expectant yet apprehensive eyes that she finally understood.

Hancock suddenly chuckled.

The laughter was like pearls falling onto a jade plate, crisp and melodious, yet carrying a hint of knowing-it-all playfulness.

"Little girl, you've got quite the mind."

Hancock's beautiful eyes swept over Nami.

"Do you want to use my influence to deal with that fishman? Or do you think that following me will help you gather your 100 million Berries faster?"

Nami's heart sank, and her face instantly turned pale.

She hadn't expected the Empress to see through her little scheme at a glance, and even seem to know about the 100 million Berries?!

Seeing Nami's panicked state, Hancock found it even more amusing.

She didn't dislike this ambitious young man who knew how to utilize resources.

Especially... this "little thief cat" seems to have pretty good aptitude.

[Ding! Target 'Nami' has been detected to exhibit 'exploitative approach' and 'desire for absolute power' towards the host. The emotional energy is complex and meets the special inclusion criteria. It is recommended that she be added to the 'Simp Group' observation and training list.]

The system notification tone sounded at the appropriate time.

Hancock's heart skipped a beat.

Although Nami's motives are not pure now, as one of the main characters, her potential is undeniable.

If only we could have such a smart girl with special talents.

From "wanting to exploit" to "genuine worship," they were brought under their control...

A grand, even somewhat absurd, blueprint flashed through Hancock's mind.

If I could find the most promising and talented individuals in this world...

Regardless of gender or race, they were gradually brought under her control, transformed into devoted sycophants who were utterly loyal to her...

She imagined that scene:

In the future, all the Navy Admirals, the Four Emperors, and the Revolutionary Army may have their own people planted by her or conquered by her charm.

The world's number one power?

Perhaps it will no longer be the World Government, nor will it be any of the Four Emperors' crews.

Instead, it's her all-encompassing, ubiquitous "simp group" that's Boa Hancock everywhere in the world!

The thought made her heart race.

Although it sounds outrageous, with the system and her charm and methods, it is not impossible to achieve it step by step!

She looked at the nervous and uneasy Nami as if she were looking at a rough, uncut piece of jade.

Hancock's smile deepened.

She leaned forward slightly and said to Nami in a slightly seductive tone:

"Helping you is not out of the question. It's even possible that you could temporarily serve me..."

Nami's eyes lit up instantly, filled with hope.

"……but,"

Hancock changed the subject, a smile playing on her red lips.

"That depends on your performance and how much value you can demonstrate that I find worthwhile."

She decided to give this clever little cat a taste of sweetness and hope first.

Then he slowly closed the line, completely incorporating her into his "simp group" training plan.

The trip to the East China Sea seemed to be even more fruitful than she had anticipated.