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

As soon as Hancock finished saying, "I'll get rid of the junk for your boss," a faint pink light appeared at her fingertips.

Mr. 5 and Miss.'s mental defenses completely collapsed on Valentine's Day.

"Thump!"

Miss Valentine was the first to give in; her legs buckled, and she collapsed to her knees, her parasol falling to the side.

Her exquisite makeup was smeared with tears and dust, and her voice trembled with sobs.

"No...don't turn me to stone...please, Your Majesty! That...that's worse than death!"

Mr.5 also lost all his toughness, and snot and tears streamed down his face.

He even forgot to pick his signature booger, he cried out in despair.

"Kill us! Your Majesty, just kill us! We failed our mission and were captured by you. If the boss finds out, he'll torture us in ways far worse than death! Going back is the same – we're doomed anyway!"

They knew Crocodile's methods all too well; betrayers and losers never fared well in his hands, and the thought of such an end sent chills down their spines.

In comparison, it seems more swift to be killed by the Empress.

Hancock looked at the two agents at her feet, who were making a fool of themselves and were in despair, and the light at her fingertips gradually faded.

She had originally intended to get rid of them casually, but now she changed her mind.

Killing them would only save Crocodile two errand boys, offering him no benefit whatsoever.

But if...

She looked down at him and spoke in a nonchalant tone, as if discussing the weather.

"Oh? Since you're so afraid of death and punishment when you go back... I can show you a 'clear path'."

Like drowning people grabbing onto a piece of driftwood, the two suddenly looked up, a faint glimmer of hope igniting in their eyes.

"I happen to be short of servants to do odd jobs recently."

Hancock said slowly and deliberately.

"You'll all stay on my ship as the lowest-ranking laborers. Your daily tasks will include cleaning the deck, moving cargo, and handling garbage... Well, your wages will be five hundred Berries a day."

Five hundred Berries a day?!

Mr.5 and Miss. were stunned on Valentine's Day; the price was simply outrageously low!

Hancock seemed oblivious to their stunned expressions and continued speaking in her unique, calculating, and languid voice.

"Based on this calculation, the one hundred million Berries you owe me can probably be paid off in two or three hundred years of work. Of course, if you perform well and I'm in a good mood, I might give you a raise, so perhaps it could be paid off in one or two hundred years?"

This isn't a legitimate path; it's clearly a contract of servitude!

Or it's an almost endless contract of servitude!

However, unexpectedly, Mr. 5 and Miss. Valentine's Day ended after a brief period of dazedness and mental arithmetic.

His face didn't show anger, but rather ecstatic joy!

You don't have to die immediately! Nor do you have to be turned to stone!

They even... temporarily escaped the terrifying shadow of Crocodile's boss.

Although the wages were pitifully low and the debts were astronomical, at least... I was alive.

Moreover, living under the command of another Shichibukai seems to make him even "safer" in some ways.

"We are willing! We are willing! Thank you, Your Majesty, for sparing our lives! Thank you, Your Majesty, for giving us this opportunity!"

The two shouted it out almost in unison, kowtowing repeatedly.

As long as they can live, they'd accept being a laborer or even a slave!

[Ding! Target 'Mr.5' has developed extreme gratitude and fearful dependence due to the 'lifeline' provided by the host, meeting the inclusion criteria. Current infatuation level: 20/100 (Beginner Simp).]

[Ding! The target 'Miss Valentine's Day' has developed extreme gratitude and fearful dependence due to the host's granting of a 'way out of her life,' meeting the inclusion criteria. Current infatuation level: 22/100 (Beginner Simp).]

Hancock felt satisfied to feel the two weak but relatively stable flows of energy flowing in.

Even a mosquito's leg is still meat, and these two guys are Devil Fruit users after all.

Besides doing odd jobs, they might come in handy in other ways.

She gestured to Arya beside her.

"Arya, you're in charge of these two. Give them the dirtiest and hardest jobs, and keep a close eye on them."

"Yes, Lady Snake Princess!"

Arya accepted the order, stepped forward, and swept her cold gaze over the two of them.

The power of the entangled fruit fluctuated slightly, causing Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine to feel a tightness around their bodies.

As if bound by invisible ropes, they dared not make any unusual movements.

Hancock gave them one last look, her tone suddenly turning cold, carrying a chilling edge.

"I remind you, since you have chosen this path, you had better behave yourselves. If you dare to harbor any disloyalty, or attempt to escape..."

She paused, a cruel smile curving her red lips.

"I guarantee you will experience what it truly means to be 'worse than dead.' Compared to your Crocodile Boss's methods, my approach might make you think... he's as merciful as an angel."

This undisguised threat, coupled with the cold smile on her stunningly beautiful face, sent a chill down Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine's Day's spine.

The fleeting thought that had just arisen vanished instantly, and he hurriedly made a promise.

"No way! Absolutely not! We will definitely work honestly and without any disloyalty!"