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

The perfume cruise ship of Kuja sailed smoothly on the boundless sea, like a moving luxury fortress.

However, this tranquility was soon shattered by uninvited guests.

On the distant horizon, a rugged-looking speedboat bearing the Baroque Works logo is speeding towards them, heading straight for the Kuja Pirate Ship.

The figure standing at the bow of the ship, wearing a fur coat and with a cigar in his mouth, had a golden hook that reflected a cold light in the sunlight.

It was none other than Crocodile, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.

"Lady Boa Hancock! It's Crocodile's ship!"

Arya reported immediately, her tone grave.

Hancock was leisurely sipping her flower tea on a deck chair when she heard this, and she didn't even change her posture.

She merely raised her beautiful eyes slightly, glanced at the approaching speedboat, and a cold smile, as expected, curled at the corner of her lips.

"Finally can't sit still anymore? Let him come over."

Losing a high-ranking agent might not be a big deal, but losing an archaeologist who can decipher ancient texts is a completely different story.

The two boats slowly approached each other and boarded the gangplank.

Crocodile, alone, strode with steady and imposing steps onto the mirror-like deck of Kuja.

His gaze first swept over Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine, who were working hard in the corner and dared not look up, and his eyes darkened for a moment.

The light then fell upon the empress at the bow of the ship, who was dazzling no matter when or where.

"Boa Hancock," Crocodile's voice was low, tinged with a hint of displeasure at being offended.

"Taking someone else's deputy without their master's permission... seems a bit against the rules, doesn't it?"

He deliberately emphasized "deputy" and "rules," attempting to stand on the moral high ground.

Hancock slowly put down her teacup, stood up gracefully, and her beautiful face carried an arrogant air of looking down on all living beings.

She didn't even bother with pleasantries, going straight to the point with undisguised sarcasm in her tone.

"Rules? Crocodile, when did you start talking about rules?"

She chuckled softly, her gaze sweeping over Crocodile as if inspecting merchandise.

"As for your vice president? Ha, I think it's a waste of her talent for her to be on your sinking ship. So, I'll reluctantly accept her."

This was said so matter-of-factly, as if Robin were something she could simply take if she wanted to, completely disregarding Crocodile.

Crocodile's face instantly darkened, and even the smoke from his cigar seemed to carry anger.

He suppressed his anger, knowing that confronting the Empress head-on at sea would be unwise, especially since she seemed unafraid of his abilities.

"Your Majesty, I know your abilities."

Crocodile said in a deep voice, his gaze sweeping over Hancock's face, which was enough to make anyone lose their senses, with a hint of apprehension.

"Petrification doesn't have much effect on me. As for Haki... we're both Shichibukai, if we really break off relations, it won't benefit either of us."

He paused, trying to project an air of ruthlessness, and offered a price he believed the other party couldn't refuse.

"Five hundred million Berries. I'm willing to pay five hundred million Berries for Nico Robin. That price should show my sincerity, right?"

Robin, who was hiding at the cabin door and nervously observing the situation outside through the crack, felt his heart tighten when he heard the astronomical figure of "500 million Berries".

She was well aware of Crocodile's wealth and stinginess.

The fact that he was willing to pay such a price shows his determination to acquire the ancient weapon and also demonstrates how valuable he considered himself as a "tool".

She clenched her fists instinctively, her nails almost digging into her flesh, and her gaze involuntarily fell on the white figure on the deck.

She carried a tension she herself was unaware of, and... a faint glimmer of hope.

Will she agree?

Five hundred million Berries is a huge fortune, even for a Shichibukai.

Under everyone's gaze, Hancock's beautiful face grew even more radiant with a mocking smile, yet it also grew increasingly cold.

She shook her head slightly, as if she had heard an extremely ridiculous joke.

"Five hundred million peggs?"

Her voice carried an absurdity, as if one were listening to a beggar flaunting his wealth.

"Sand Crocodile, have you been in the desert for too long? Has the sun damaged your brain, or has the sand softened it?"

She took a step forward, her powerful Conqueror's Haki mixed with her own sharp aura, pressing down on Crocodile like an invisible tsunami!

"Stop with your dirty money dealings. Nicole Robin, you belong to me now."

Hancock's voice was firm and resolute, carrying an unquestionable determination.

"Don't even think about taking her away from me again, not even if it's five billion, five hundred billion!"

These words were like the loudest slap in Crocodile's face.

The muscles in his face twitched violently, and the last trace of patience and pretense in his eyes vanished completely, replaced by overwhelming rage and sinister killing intent.

"Boa Hancock!!!"

Crocodile practically spat out the name through clenched teeth, his golden hook hand trembling slightly from the effort.

Are you declaring war on me?!

[Ding! Target Nico Robin witnessed the host resolutely refusing Crocodile's exorbitant ransom and displaying absolute protectiveness to defend her. Deeply moved, she experienced a strong sense of security, belonging, and an indescribable flutter in her heart. Infatuation +6! Current Infatuation: 36/100 (Intermediate Simp)!]

Hancock felt an overwhelming surge of pure and turbulent emotional energy welling up in her mind, and she felt incredibly happy.

This "investment" has yielded returns far exceeding expectations!

She looked at Crocodile, whose face was ashen and who was on the verge of exploding, while still wearing that lazy smile that was infuriating.

Her red lips parted slightly, uttering the final words that trampled all his dignity underfoot.

"Declare war? You think you're worthy, a dehydrated crocodile hiding in the desert?"