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

The perfume cruise ship of Kuja, like the royal chariot of a queen, slowly sailed into the simple harbor of Ah Long Paradise.

The serpent flicked its tongue, its cold, vertical pupils sweeping over the trembling fishmen on the shore, bringing an invisible pressure.

The boat had just come to a stop, and the footboard had not yet been fully lowered.

A group of fish-man cadres, led by Alon, were already gathered at the dock, their faces plastered with almost fawning smiles.

He was a completely different person from the cruel and arrogant man he usually was when he oppressed humans.

"Welcome! A warm welcome to Her Majesty the Empress for gracing our humble abode, Arlong Paradise! It truly honors us!"

Ah Long spoke first, his voice loud but with a slight, almost imperceptible tremor, and his jagged nose seemed stiff from forcing a smile.

He bowed slightly, trying to show respect.

But his long-standing arrogance made his action seem somewhat out of place.

"Yes, yes! Her Majesty the Empress is so beautiful!"

"No wonder she's called the 'World's Most Beautiful Woman'!"

"It is our greatest honor to meet you!"

Octopus Man Hachi, Kissing Fishman Chiu, Soft-boned Fishman Croobi, and other executives also chimed in.

Praises poured out like water, their eyes filled with instinctive awe for the strong and amazement at her stunning beauty.

[Ding! Detected that the fishman Arlong has developed 'fearful worship' and 'fawning attention' due to the host's fame and charm, meeting the inclusion criteria. Current infatuation level: 8/100.]

[Ding! Detected that the fishman Xiao Ba has developed 'simple amazement' and 'ingratiating attention' due to the host's charm, meeting the inclusion criteria. Current infatuation level: 12/100.]

Other murloc officers also provided small amounts of similar primary energy.

Hancock, escorted by female warriors including Aria, gracefully stepped off the platform, seemingly unfazed by the overly enthusiastic welcome she was receiving.

She didn't even bother to lift her eyelids, as if it were all perfectly normal.

Her gaze swept indifferently over Ah Long and the others, as if she were looking at a swarm of buzzing mosquitoes.

At this moment, Hachi, the octopus-man, excitedly jumped out to show off.

He waved his six arms and smiled憨厚ly.

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty! I, Xiao Ba, am going to show you a special skill! Watch closely!"

As he spoke, he took a deep breath, and his six arms began to spin rapidly like windmills, attempting to perform his signature act.

Takoyaki... no, I mean, rapidly spinning!

His comical appearance contrasted sharply with the tense, obsequious fishmen behind him.

A female warrior behind Hancock couldn't help but frown, placing her hand on her weapon, feeling that this was disrespectful to Lady Snake.

However, Hancock only glanced at Hachi casually, her gaze remaining indifferent.

But Xiao Ba felt as if an invisible force was choking him, and his movements froze instantly.

He stopped awkwardly, scratched his head, and stepped aside.

Seeing this, Ah Long quickly stepped forward, his face plastered with an even more fawning smile, trying to defuse the awkward situation.

"Your Majesty, your servants are ignorant of etiquette, please forgive them! We have prepared a banquet, please do us the honor of joining us and allowing us to show our hospitality..."

He adopted an extremely humble posture, secretly plotting how to squeeze some benefits out of this important figure, or at least avoid being easily eliminated by her if she disliked him.

However, as he was showering Hancock with flattery, his gaze inadvertently drifted past her.

He landed to the side behind her, on the orange-haired girl who was holding a metal box and staring at him with icy, hateful eyes.

Nami!

Ah Long's fawning smile froze instantly, as if he had been frozen in place.

His pupils contracted sharply, and his mind was momentarily blank.

Nami?

How did she end up here?

And... he was following behind the Empress?

Judging from their posture, they don't seem to be prisoners, but rather... a member of the entourage?

An extremely ominous premonition, like icy seawater, instantly overwhelmed Ah Long's heart.

This rendered all his flattery and scheming futile.

He felt as if half of his blood had turned cold.

Could it be... that the Empress came here for... Nami?!