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

Hancock's hooked words, "The Navy... is truly dedicated," had barely faded from her lips.

Tashigi, on the opposite warship, felt her cheeks burning even hotter, and her heart pounding uncontrollably.

She adjusted her glasses, which had slipped down a bit.

He tried to mask his inner turmoil with seriousness and stammered in response.

"This is our duty! Even the Seven Warlords of the Sea must maintain order!"

Hancock looked at the female swordsman who was so serious that she was almost cute.

She couldn't help but chuckle as she held the famous sword "Shigure" tightly in her arms.

The laughter was like a clear spring splashing on a stone, pleasant to the ear, but it made Tashigi even more nervous.

"order?"

Hancock's beautiful eyes darted around, her gaze landing on Tashigi, as if she could see through the desires in Tashigi's heart.

"Little girl, you hold this famous sword, yet your eyes hold a mixture of confusion and longing for power. Tell me, what is your dream? Is it to become like the former owner of this sword… the 'World's Strongest Swordsman'?"

Tashigi shuddered, abruptly looked up, and stared at the Empress in disbelief.

The dream deep within her heart, a dream she herself dared not even look at directly, was spoken of by the other party so casually!

"I...I..."

Tashigi opened her mouth, under the gaze of those beautiful eyes that seemed to see through everything.

She found herself unable to lie, and unable to escape.

He could only remain silent, with a barely perceptible hint of determination.

"Yes...yes! I want to collect all the famous swords stolen by villains. I want to...become stronger! I want to prove that women can also become top-tier swordsmen!"

As she spoke these words, it seemed as if she had used up all her strength, her chest heaving violently.

Hancock's smile deepened, carrying an air of dominance over the world.

"The world's strongest swordsman? An interesting dream. But who says a woman can't?"

She slightly raised her chin, her voice clear and powerful, as if declaring an undeniable fact.

"I, Boa Hancock, also aspire to become the one and only 'Pirate King' on this vast sea!"

One Piece?!

The Empress wants to become the Pirate King?!

These words were like a thunderclap, shocking not only Tashigi but also causing Smoker's pupils to shrink, and he almost forgot to smoke his cigar.

A woman and a Shichibukai openly declare that they want to become the Pirate King?!

What arrogance, and what... spirit!

Hancock ignored Smoker's shock.

He continued speaking to Tashigi, his tone carrying a rare, almost guiding quality.

"As for the title of the world's greatest swordsman... the one currently sitting there is Dracule Mihawk. I happen to have some connection with him."

She looked at Tashigi's eyes, which lit up instantly with longing and disbelief, and her red lips curved slightly.

"I eagerly await the day when I will see you, or a woman like you with dreams, stand before him and challenge him. Then the world will have a new look."

These words were like a spark ignited in Tashigi's heart.

They not only recognized her dream, but also painted a picture of a future for her that seemed far away but was full of hope!

Even the possibility of making contact with Hawkeye seems to have been slightly pushed open!

A tremendous sense of encouragement and indescribable admiration swept over Tashigi's heart like a tsunami.

[Ding! Target 'Tashigi' has developed extreme admiration and worship due to the host's recognition of her dreams, her vision for the future, and her mention of her connection with Hawkeye. Emotional energy purity has increased! Infatuation value +10! Current infatuation value: 25/100. Reached beginner-level simp standard, elite level!]

[Ding! Congratulations, host! Due to the acquisition of high-purity emotional energy from an elite-level target, you have received feedback: a slight improvement in swordsmanship comprehension! (Current level: improved from 'Apprentice Swordsman' to 'Ordinary Swordsman' basic understanding.)]

A stream of subtle knowledge about the basics of kendo, such as power generation, footwork, and slashing angles, flowed into Hankoko's mind.

Although still superficial, it did give her a basic understanding of swordsmanship and some fine-tuning of her body coordination.

Hancock felt the pitiful amount of swordsmanship knowledge that had suddenly appeared in her mind, and her lips twitched almost imperceptibly.

I play with swords?

The scene was too beautiful for her to imagine.

However, even a mosquito's leg is meat, and this improvement is better than nothing. At least I'll be able to better judge how people use swords in the future.

Tashigi, still immersed in immense excitement, looked at the Empress as if she saw a guiding light, and couldn't help but blurt out.

"R-Really? Is it really possible for me?"

"It all depends on human effort."

Hancock offered an ambiguous yet powerful answer.

Just then, Smoker, who had been ignored all along, finally couldn't hold back any longer.

He let out a heavy snort, and white smoke unconsciously emanated from his body.

This reveals the turmoil in his heart.

He stepped forward, blocking the somewhat flustered Tashigi, and stared sharply at Hancock.

"Empress! What exactly are you trying to do?! Are you trying to seduce naval officers?!"

Hancock's gaze then lazily shifted to Smoker, lingering for a moment on the white smoke swirling around him.

As if she had just noticed him, her tone carried a perfectly timed hint of surprise:

"Oh? A Logia-type Smoke-Smoke Fruit? That's a rare ability."

She tilted her head, pretending to think, and then spoke in a tone that seemed to feel sorry for him.

"With such abilities, yet only serving as a branch captain in the East Blue... isn't the Navy Headquarters being a bit... too wasteful of their talents?"

Smoker: "!!!"

He never expected the Empress to say such a thing!

Because he upheld his sense of justice and refused to compromise his principles, he was indeed ostracized in the East China Sea, which was a thorn in his side.

Being so bluntly exposed by the Empress, a pirate, instantly filled him with annoyance at being seen through.

But deep inside, there was a subtle, indescribable ripple.

How much does this woman actually know?

What does she mean by saying that?

[Ding! Target Smoker has developed complex emotions due to the host's words touching a sensitive spot and implying "approval." Annoyance, a feeling of being seen through, and a subtle sense of agreement—Infatuation +3! Current Infatuation: 8/100 (Beginner Simp).]

Hancock, seeing Smoker's ever-changing expression, knew that she had already exceeded her expectations for the day.

She said no more, only left a meaningful smile, turned around, and her skirt drew an elegant arc.

"Let's go, Arya."

"Yes, Lady Snake Princess!"

The Kuja pirate ship ignored the naval fleet, which was on high alert and uneasy, and calmly sailed into the distance.

Smoker watched the magnificent ship disappear into the distance, took a deep drag on his cigar, and his eyes were filled with complex emotions amidst the swirling smoke.

Tashigi continued to gaze in the direction the Empress had left.

His hands were clenched into fists, and his eyes burned with an unprecedented fighting spirit.

"One Piece... Can a woman become the Pirate King?"

Smoker muttered to himself, then shook his head vigorously, dismissing the unrealistic idea.

"Hmph, wishful thinking! Tashigi, abandon your ambitions! Don't forget who we are!"

"Yes... Mr. Smoker."

Tashigi lowered her head, but the spark ignited in her heart by the Empress had already quietly taken root and sprouted.

Hancock stood at the bow of the ship, feeling the intermittent signals from Tashigi and Smoker.

Although the amount of sycophantic energy was small, it was of good quality, which made me feel happy.

Sabaody... Supernova... High-class simp...

Her gaze was fixed on the Grand Line, filled with anticipation and a desire to conquer.

My chessboard needs more pieces added.