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

Having made up her mind, Hancock immediately took action.

Having taken over the original owner's body and memories, he can use many techniques with ease, only his soul is slightly different.

The next day, the residents and warriors of Snake Island were surprised to find...

Their usually lazy and noble Snake Princess, who even seemed to need to be carried when she walked, actually appeared on the training ground!

At first, everyone thought that the Empress was just doing her inspection on a whim, just like last time.

But they soon realized something was wrong.

Hancock changed into a neat black training outfit, which accentuated her graceful figure even more.

She didn't sit on the throne to watch; instead, she went down to the stage herself!

She started with the most basic physical fitness and martial arts skills.

Long-distance running, weightlifting, combat skills sparring... they were all taken incredibly seriously.

Sweat soaked her temples, and the intense training left her breathless.

Even on her stunningly beautiful face, weariness was evident, but the determination in her eyes never wavered.

"Big sister...have you been working too hard lately?"

Marigold watched as Hancock was repeatedly knocked down by the sparring partners, only to grit her teeth and get back up, and she wrung her hands in distress.

Although Sandasonia didn't speak, her furrowed brows revealed her worry and confusion.

What happened to you, my dear sister?

Although she was powerful in the past, she relied more on her Devil Fruit abilities. I have never seen her work so hard to hone her basic physical skills.

Hancock responded to this with only a faint smile.

"I simply feel that as the Emperor of the Nine-Headed Serpent, beauty and Devil Fruit abilities alone are far from sufficient. True strength should be without any weaknesses."

She not only practiced physical skills, but also began to devote herself to studying the deeper applications of the Sweet Fruit.

In addition to the wide-area petrification of Sweet Sweet Wind and the single-target attack of Captive Arrow.

She tried to control the petrification ability more precisely, such as using localized petrification to enhance defense, or creating small areas of petrification to restrict the opponent's movements.

They even began to wonder if the concept of allure could be separated from pure visual appeal and beauty.

It integrates into sound, breath, and even domineering aura, forming an even more unpredictable attack.

As for the three-color domineering aura, it is her main target for attack.

The range and predictive accuracy of Observation Haki, the hardening strength and coverage of Armament Haki, and especially the one-in-a-million Conqueror's Haki.

How to evolve from a deterrent against minor enemies to a weapon capable of influencing powerful individuals and even interfering with reality was a topic she pondered day and night.

In her spare time, she also reaps the infatuation points of the people of the Women's Kingdom.

This almost self-torturous ascetic practice lasted for quite some time.

Hancock's progress is remarkable. Her physical skills and Haki proficiency on the panel are slowly but steadily improving, and her understanding of Devil Fruits has also deepened.

However, she also encountered a bottleneck, especially in the advancement of Conqueror's Haki, which seemed to require some kind of opportunity or higher-level guidance.

Just as she was racking her brains, a national protector came to report.

"Lady Snake Princess, a small boat is approaching from outside the island. On board is an elderly couple who claim to be your old acquaintances. One is named Shakky, and the other is named Silvers Rayleigh."

Hancock's heart skipped a beat!

Rayleigh, the Dark King! The right-hand man of the Pirate King!

And then there's Xia Qi, this senior who lives in seclusion on the Sabaody Archipelago, an intelligence expert, and even... the previous Kuja Emperor.

The unexpected visit of these two legendary figures surprised and excited Hancock.

She immediately ordered that they be received with the highest honors.

In the reception room, Hancock met the legendary couple.

Reilly was wearing a floral shirt and shorts, and glasses; he looked like a friendly, retired old man.

But those eyes, which occasionally flashed with a sharp light, revealed unfathomable strength.

Xia Qi, dressed in a smart casual outfit, still retained her charm, with a meaningful smile on her lips and sharp eyes that seemed to see through people's hearts.

"Oh ho ho, little Hancock, it's been so many years, you've grown into such a beautiful young woman. No wonder you've inherited the name of the Empress."

Xia Qi spoke with a smile, her tone familiar.

Hancock maintained the demeanor of an empress, nodding slightly.

"Senior Shakky, Mr. Rayleigh, I've long admired your names. May I ask what brings you here today?"

But she was quickly calculating in her mind:

How did they get here?

Was it because I refused the naval call-up that it attracted attention? Or was it something else?

Rayleigh laughed and took a swig from the wine jug on the table.

"Nothing much, just accompanying my wife to visit her parents. And by the way... I heard Amazon Lily's been a bit lively lately, with some capricious little empress having a naval vice admiral completely fooled?"

Hancock understood immediately; it was indeed because of that matter. She remained calm and composed.

"It's just a bunch of boring entanglements."

Shakky's gaze lingered on Hancock for a moment, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.

"Little Hancock, you seem to have changed quite a bit lately. Your aura is more solid than before. Are you cultivating?"

Hancock did not deny it: "I believe that strength is the foundation of one's existence."

"A very good realization."

Rayleigh nodded approvingly. He seemed casual, but his gaze seemed to penetrate Hancock's body and see the domineering aura flowing within her.

"Your Haki... especially Conqueror's Haki, is excellent, but it seems you've run into some trouble, like groping in the dark, unable to find your way?"

Hancock was startled!

As expected of the vice-captain of the Pirate King, he saw through her predicament at a glance.

She took a deep breath, setting aside some of her arrogance, and spoke with a hint of seeking advice.

"Mr. Rayleigh has a keen eye. I am indeed puzzled by the advancement of Conqueror's Haki."

Rayleigh smiled, but instead of answering directly, he looked at Shakky.

"Old woman, what do you think?"

Shakky rolled her eyes at Rayleigh, then said to Hancock.

"Conqueror's Haki is the gift of a king. Its power lies not only in its intimidation, but also in the user's spirit and conviction. Hancock, you possess unparalleled beauty and a powerful Devil Fruit, which has made you accustomed to conquering with charm and ability."

"But true kingly aura sometimes requires shedding all external reliance and returning to one's true self. Is your true self strong and pure enough?"

These words struck Hankko's heart like a morning bell and a evening drum.

Does her reliance on the system, her beauty, and the fruits of her labor mean she has neglected the pure tempering of her own will?

At that moment, Hancock looked at Shakky and suddenly remembered a joke she had read in a comic book in her previous life. She couldn't help but blurt it out, half-jokingly.

"Senior Shakky is right. Speaking of which, back when you were with the Rocks Pirates, you must have relied on your strong will to make those heroes, including Whitebeard and Golden Lion, admire you, right? Some people even say that you ushered in the Great Era of Oppression."

The living room fell silent for a moment after those words were spoken.

Shakky's smile froze slightly, then turned into a complex and indescribable expression as she glared at Hancock with a half-smile.

"Little girl, you know quite a lot. Why bring up those old stories?"

There was little blame in his tone; instead, there was a sense of nostalgia.

Rayleigh laughed heartily and patted Hancock hard on the shoulder, almost knocking the Empress apart.

"Interesting! Old woman, it seems even the younger generation knows about your charm! But she's right, back on the ship, quite a few guys were jealous of you!"

Shakky kicked Rayleigh in annoyance: "You old lecher!"

After this joke, the atmosphere became much more relaxed.

Hancock also realized that Shakky and Rayleigh's visit this time might not have been malicious, but rather a senior's assessment and guidance of the junior.

Rayleigh stopped laughing and said to Hancock seriously.

"Little Empress, you have a long way to go. Cultivating domineering power, especially its advanced applications, requires more than just hard work; it demands real combat experience and comprehension. If you're interested, this old man can offer you a few pointers."

Hancock was overjoyed!

To receive guidance from Rayleigh, the King of the Underworld, is an opportunity that countless powerful individuals dream of.

She immediately stood up and gave a solemn bow: "I humbly request Mr. Raleigh's guidance!"

She had a vague feeling that this visit by the two legends would be a crucial opportunity for her to take a key step on the path to becoming a powerful figure.

Xia Qi's past also gave her a deeper understanding of charm and strength.

Perhaps her "simp system" is not just about collecting infatuation points.

Behind this lies a deeper mystery concerning "conquest" and "spirit"?