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

The noise and conflict downstairs seemed to be separated from Hancock by an invisible barrier.

She gracefully picked up her teacup, the rising steam blurring her exquisite face.

Yet, she couldn't hide the all-knowing calmness in her beautiful eyes.

This might be a crisis for Straw Hat Boy and Zeff.

But for her... she had no interest whatsoever, not even in lifting a finger.

She knew that this was a necessary trial on the path of the main characters' growth.

If she were to intervene now and easily crush Krieg, she could certainly gain some insignificant amazement and an increase in her sycophantic points.

However, this might be counterproductive and interfere with the natural development of Luffy and his crew.

This contradicts her long-term plan to "invest" in high-quality retail investors.

Just then, Zhefu's slightly solemn voice came from outside the private room.

"Your Majesty, the situation outside is rather complicated and may affect you. What do you think..."

Hancock didn't even open the door; her cool and languid voice drifted out through the door.

The sound echoed clearly in the corridor and also faintly reached the ears of the tense crowd downstairs.

"It's nothing more than a fight between ants; why disturb my peace?"

Her voice wasn't loud, but it carried an arrogant and indifferent air that looked down on everyone else.

"Do as you please. Fight to the death; it's none of my business."

She paused, her tone carrying an undisguised sense of detachment.

"I have no interest in such farces by lowly people."

After he finished speaking, the private room fell silent.

Zhefu breathed a sigh of relief; at least this ancestor wouldn't interfere, and the situation was still under control.

Gin, who had just been fed by Sanji and was both grateful and anxious, wanted to warn everyone about the strength of Krieg's fleet.

What the hell? The Empress?

After clearly hearing what was said on the second floor, I was struck dumb and froze on the spot!

Seven...Shichibukai?

What incredible luck! I've encountered two of the elusive Shichibukai within just a few days!

Akin's mind went blank.

The overwhelming fear was like ice water poured over his head, making him stop breathing.

The strongest pirate crew in the East Blue: Krieg Pirates?

In the eyes of the true Seven Warlords of the Sea, it was nothing more than "a fight between ants" and "a farce among small fry"?

They fought desperately and suffered heavy losses to escape from the Grand Line, believing they could still reign supreme in the East China Sea.

They encountered two terrifying beings who could easily annihilate their entire fleet!

I... I was just bragging about being "the strongest in the East China Sea"... This is an absolute joke!

What have I done to deserve this?

What makes the Krieg Pirates so special that they could "alarm" two Shichibukai at the same time?

Akin felt a wave of dizzying absurdity and a deep-seated despair.

Hancock no longer paid attention to the disturbances from the outside world.

She gently put down her teacup, her gaze seemingly piercing through the wall and landing in a certain direction.

She could sense a sharp, eagle-like sword aura gathering on the distant sea horizon.

And it was rapidly heading in that direction.

Mihawk... is it finally here?

A faint smile curved her lips.

This play wouldn't be complete without you, the main character.

What happened next was similar to what the Empress saw in the original story.

Krieg's massive fleet arrived, arrogant and domineering, and besieged the floating restaurant.

In order to protect the restaurant and its food, Luffy resolutely challenged Krieg.

Sanji adheres to the chef's code of ethics and refuses to harm the hungry, leading to a clash of ideologies with Zeff.

Ultimately, he was awakened by Krieg's brutality and resolved to protect the restaurant.

Zoro engages in a fierce battle with Baru and others, showcasing the prowess of his three-sword style.

Usopp and Nami also played their respective roles in the battle and grew as a result.

Hancock remained in the box the entire time, like a god detached from the situation.

Occasionally, he would use his Observation Haki to sense the battle situation.

I was slightly surprised by Luffy's tenacious vitality and unique fighting style, nodded slightly at Zoro's swordsmanship, found Sanji's principle of prioritizing the protection of ladies in battle a little amusing, and also found Nami's behavior of not forgetting to steal the enemy's belongings in battle.

[Ding! Target Monkey D. Luffy shows zero interest in the host, classified as a 'special insulator'.]

[Ding! Target Roronoa Zoro's will has become stronger during the fierce battle, resulting in a decrease in his attention to the host. His infatuation level has decreased by 1, currently at 1/100.]

[Ding! Target Nami's desire for absolute power has increased during the crisis, and her potential dependence on the host has intensified. Infatuation value +2, current: 10/100.]

[Ding! Target 'Vinsmoke Sanji' is still distracted by the direction of the private room during the battle, his protective beliefs and affections intertwined, infatuation value +2, current: 60/100!]

The system notifications sounded occasionally, reflecting the subtle impact of the external battles on everyone's mentality.

until that moment.

A massive, green sword aura, seemingly capable of tearing the sky and earth apart, cleaved down from the distant sea without warning.

They easily cleaved Krieg's massive flagship, the Delidorard, which was considered an invincible symbol, in two!

boom--!!!

The deafening explosions and towering flames instantly stunned everyone on the battlefield.

The chaotic battlefield fell silent.

A small raft, shaped like a coffin, carried that solitary, dark figure.

Like the Grim Reaper, it slowly and deliberately sailed into this sea area.

The world's greatest swordsman, Hawkeye Dracule Mihawk, has finally arrived.

Hancock slowly opened her slightly closed eyes in the private room, a hint of anticipation flashing in them.

"The main show is finally about to begin."

She murmured to herself.

She knew that what followed would be a historic showdown between Zoro and Hawkeye, a battle about dreams and the gap between them.

And she will continue to be an observer, witnessing all of this.

And waiting... to see if I can gain something from it.