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

The perfume cruise ship of Kuja cuts through the waves, getting closer and closer to that special sea area that is isolated from the four seas.

Calm zone.

The days on the ship did not become more relaxed after the voyage to the East China Sea ended.

Instead, it was filled with a concise, introspective tension.

In the specially designed training room deep inside the ship's cabin, and even on the open deck, Hancock's figure can often be seen sweating profusely.

She is very clear about her current situation.

She inherited the body of the original owner, Boa Hancock, and possesses unparalleled beauty, the power of the Love-Love Fruit, and the foundation of all three types of Haki.

This level of strength would likely be more than enough to handle ordinary supernovas or even some of the Seven Warlords of the Sea in the first half of the Grand Line.

But if we truly place her among the top-tier powerhouses...

Compared to the Navy Admirals, the Four Emperors, and their top commanders, he seems somewhat... mediocre.

The original body's strength was more like a "bucket"-like balance.

His physical skills, Haki, and Devil Fruit development have mostly reached the "intermediate" level, but none of them have truly reached the "advanced" level or possess any unique characteristics.

In comparison:

The three admirals of the Navy have brought the development of Logia-type Devil Fruits to a near-rule-like level, using physical skills as a powerful supplement.

Rayleigh, Roger, Shanks, and others honed their physical skills and Haki to the pinnacle, using brute force to break through magic.

Monsters like Whitebeard and Kaido are true all-rounders.

He is proficient and strong in all aspects of fruit skills, Haki, and physical techniques, with virtually no weaknesses.

"Balance means that without a sharp edge, it is impossible to tear through the enemy's defenses in a top-level duel."

After a high-intensity physical training session, Hancock felt her muscles trembling slightly, and her mind was perfectly clear.

"I cannot stop here."

Thus, the return journey became her period of intense self-improvement.

The benefits of the "Simp System" are now clearly evident.

A steady stream of sycophants from his ranks.

In particular, the emotional energy drawn from mid-to-high-level sycophants like Sanji, Nami, Hawkins, and Arya.

It not only directly translates into the accumulation of her basic strength, but also acts as a universal "catalyst" and "comprehension accelerator".

Physical skills.

She abandoned some flashy but impractical moves, focusing instead on fundamentally improving speed, power, and resilience.

Every punch and kick was imbued with powerful Armament Haki, creating a muffled sonic boom in the air.

The system's energy flow allowed her to make rapid progress in her understanding of power generation techniques and muscle control.

The already impressive physical skills are transforming into something more profound and practical.

Domineering aura is the core of cultivation.

As her Armament Haki hardened, she began to struggle to reach the higher level of "internal destruction," but she always seemed to be just short of it, like trying to see flowers through a fog.

The range of perception of Observation Color continues to expand, and it can now clearly capture subtle fluctuations in aura and emotions.

She gained increasing control over her Conqueror's Haki, repeatedly trying to incorporate it into her attacks.

Although the black and red electric arcs were unstable, they were already taking shape, and each attempt unleashed a terrifying power.

As for the Sweet Fruit, she was no longer satisfied with "Captive Arrow" and "Fragrant Foot".

She explores creating a small-scale "charm field" to interfere with the mind, or subtly attaching charm energy to domineering aura for a double attack.

As our understanding of "beauty" deepens, this power seems to grow in tandem.

Her daily arduous training transformed her initially somewhat frivolous aura into a restrained yet powerful pressure stemming from absolute strength.

When she publicly practiced on the deck, her powerful aura swept across the sea like a storm.

The sharp, overwhelming aura of Conqueror's Haki, the solidified black flash of Armament Haki, and the alluring force field that stirs desire intertwine to form a terrifying domain that keeps the living at bay.

This also reduced the Empress's enjoyment considerably.

Along the route, occasionally some foolish pirate crews would covet Kuja's magnificent ships.

But now, the lookouts, sensing that aura like that of a prehistoric beast from afar, were all terrified.

"Captain! Turn! Full speed ahead! It's the Empress's ship! The aura on board is terrifying! I feel like my soul is being torn apart!"

"What?! Quick! Change course! Get away! What's this jinx doing here?!"

Wherever the Nine Serpents Pirate Ship passed, pirates fled and all evil spirits retreated.

Even large sea kings instinctively dive into the deep sea, not daring to offend them.

The Kuja warriors on the ship, witnessing the Snake Princess's increasingly unfathomable strength, felt their admiration and fanaticism grow stronger day by day.

As Arya familiarized herself with the Entangling Fruit, she trained even harder, determined to follow in Hancock's footsteps.

Hancock stood at the bow of the ship, feeling the surging power within her and the "silence" that had been created around her.

A hint of satisfaction flashed across her exquisite face.

"Not enough... far from enough."

She clenched her fist, and black and red arcs of electricity crackled at her fingertips.

"Sabaody... The New World... The Worst Generation, the Four Emperors, the Admirals... Just wait."

"I will lead an absolutely loyal legion to the summit at a speed you cannot even imagine!"

"I want the title of Pirate King."

"All obstacles... will be utterly crushed!"

The sea breeze whipped through her long, dark hair, stirring her ever-growing ambition.

The great sea route is almost within reach.