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

Hancock's command was clear and concise: "Move the ship closer."

With a slight adjustment of its bow, the Nine Serpents Perfume Cruise Ship gracefully and steadily approached the sea area where merchant ship wreckage and drowning victims were floating.

The magnificent ship stood in stark contrast to the surrounding mess, like a swan that had strayed into a chaotic pond.

On the deck, Hancock remained languidly leaning back, as if the explosion of the cannonball she had just detonated from a distance was merely a casual brush away of a speck of dust.

Her gaze swept calmly across the sea, finally settling on the piece of driftwood carrying Nicole Robin.

They didn't linger on her for long, as if she were just an insignificant one among many who had fallen on hard times.

"Arya, clean this up, it's in the way."

Hancock gave the order in a slightly impatient, languid voice, as if she were simply directing the cleaning of the deck.

"yes!"

Arya accepted the order, a fierce glint flashing in her eyes.

She stepped forward, facing the remnants of the Giant Axe Pirates who were still struggling in the water, some even trying to approach the Kuja ship.

And a few panicked merchant sailors waved their arms.

"Entanglement - Sea Binding!"

In an instant, it seemed as if an invisible arm reached out from beneath the sea, transforming into a strong rope.

They precisely bound those who tried to approach or seemed ill-intentioned when they fell into the water, and then dragged them away without mercy, far from the range of the Nine Serpents' boats.

For ordinary drowning victims who are simply floating in terror, the entanglement force merely pushes them away gently.

It was directed toward other floating objects without causing any damage.

This precise and efficient cleanup once again demonstrated the Nine Serpent Warriors' strength and... indifference.

They only carry out the orders of Lady Snake; the lives of those who are not involved are not within their concern.

Robin watched all this quietly, his heart filled with turmoil.

She was ordered by the Sand Crocodile to clean up some things, but when she saw many civilians on the boat, she couldn't help but feel a pang of pity.

The Empress's intervention seemed so casual, as if she simply found the noise annoying rather than intentionally trying to save her.

This attitude, on the contrary, made her even more unpredictable.

If the Empress recognized her and had ulterior motives, she shouldn't have been so cold.

If he didn't recognize her, how did he so precisely defuse her crisis?

Just then, Kuja's small boat was lowered, and a female warrior spoke to the driftwood where Robin was, her tone neither enthusiastic nor impolite.

"Madam, please board the boat. It's not safe at sea."

Robin hesitated.

This is a clear invitation, or rather, an order.

Refusing a Shichibukai who just saved you and whose strength is unfathomable is not a wise move.

She took a deep breath, did not use the Flower-Flower Fruit's power, pulled her hat down even lower, and gracefully boarded the small boat, where she was taken back to Kuja's main ship.

As she stepped onto the smooth, mirror-like deck, she immediately felt countless eyes on her.

Curiosity, scrutiny, and vigilance.

She remained calm, her gaze serenely meeting that of the stunning woman at the bow of the ship.

It was at this moment that she caught a glimpse of two figures in rough work clothes scrubbing the floor in the corner of the deck.

The familiar silhouette and the faint aura made her pause slightly.

Mr. 5? Miss. Valentine's Day?

Robin almost thought he was seeing things.

How did a top agent from Baroque Works end up on Kuja's ship, doing the lowest-ranking menial work?!

Shouldn't they be on a mission in Alabasta?

Mr. 5 and Miss. saw Robin on Valentine's Day, and their faces instantly turned pale, wishing they could bury their heads in the bucket of water used for scrubbing the floor.

The embarrassment of being exposed to their most vulnerable side in front of their "superiors" was far more unbearable for them than the physical exhaustion.

Countless guesses flashed through Robin's mind in an instant.

Were they captured? Or did they surrender?

Or... what happened between the Empress and the boss?

This discovery made her even more suspicious of the Empress's intentions and also caused her some concern about the current situation of Baroque Workshop.

Hancock took in Robin's fleeting surprise and the deep thought that followed.

She chuckled inwardly; the very existence of these two "laborers" was a silent declaration and a deterrent.

She finally turned her gaze to Robin, her beautiful eyes carrying the aloofness and scrutiny typical of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, as if she were seeing her for the first time.

He spoke in that cool, clear voice, as if it were merely a polite inquiry from someone in a superior position.

"Who are you? Why are you being attacked here?"

Robin was certain.

The empress pretended not to know her.

This aligns with the status of the Seven Warlords of the Sea and provides both sides with a buffer and room for testing.

She bowed slightly and greeted him again, her voice gentle and restrained, disguising herself as an ordinary scholar.

"My name is Nicole, and I am an archaeologist. I was traveling to Alabasta on a merchant ship for an academic expedition when I unfortunately encountered pirates. I am grateful for Your Majesty's assistance."

She deliberately omitted her surname and used a pseudonym that was least likely to attract a joint signature.

"An archaeologist?"

Hancock raised an eyebrow slightly, her tone carrying a hint of nonchalant amusement.

"Going to turbulent Alabasta to do academic research? That's quite a bold scholar."

She neither pointed it out nor investigated it further, as if she had truly accepted her flawed identity.

Her gaze swept over the few well-protected thick books in Robin's arms, and she asked casually.

"It seems you value your books very much. Knowledge is indeed priceless."

These seemingly ordinary words made Robin's heart tighten again.

She always felt that the Empress's words contained a deeper meaning, as if they were hinting at something.

"Yes, Your Majesty. Knowledge helps us understand the past and see the present clearly."

Robin responded cautiously, trying to glean more information from the Empress's expression.

However, Hancock's face only held that condescending, languid smile, as if she knew everything but was too lazy to say it.

She dropped the subject and instead gave instructions.

"Arya, take this scholar Nico to the guest room to rest, change her clothes, and prepare some tea and refreshments."

"Yes."

Robin was led by Arya away from the deck and towards the cabin.

As she passed by Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine, she could clearly feel the almost palpable fear and embarrassment between them.

After entering a room that wasn't particularly spacious, but was clean and comfortable.

Alone, Robin finally had the chance to sort out his chaotic thoughts.

Empress Boa Hancock... what exactly does she want to do?

She definitely recognized me, but pretended not to.

She saved me, but her attitude was so ambiguous.

Mr. 5 and Valentine's Day were spent doing hard labor on her boat... which implies a conflict between her and her boss...

When she mentioned that "knowledge is priceless wealth," was it just a casual remark, or was it something she meant?

Robin leaned against the door, listening intently to the sounds outside, his fingers unconsciously stroking the book cover.

Having experienced too much betrayal and deception, she had long been accustomed to assuming the worst of others.

The Empress's help did not reassure her; instead, it made her feel as if she were in a fog, filled with uncertain dangers.

This Shichibukai was unlike any other powerful person she had ever encountered before.

She is beautiful, powerful, and willful, yet she seems to harbor extremely deep scheming.

Unlike Crocodile, she doesn't wear her desires on her sleeve, nor does she openly display her threats like the World Government.

Her thoughts are like the deepest trench, impossible to fathom.

"For now... we can only take it one step at a time."

Robin muttered to himself, his eyes gleaming with wisdom and vigilance.

She must be even more careful before she can figure out the Empress's true intentions.

[Ding! Target Nicole Robin has fallen into deep thought and vigilance due to the host's series of unpredictable behaviors, developing a strong curiosity and desire to explore the host, and an initial emotional connection has been established. Infatuation value +3! Current infatuation value: 3/100.]

Hancock, standing at the bow of the ship, felt the subtle yet undeniably real increase in energy, and a barely perceptible smile appeared on her lips.

Curiosity is the beginning of being captivated.

Nico Robin, I have plenty of patience. I'll play this game of wits with you slowly.