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

The Kuja ships sailed on the sea, and Hancock did not slow down because of the previous crisis, since there was no suitable top-tier Devil Fruit at the moment.

Hancock, on the contrary, focused more on improving his own strength and that of his subordinates.

Because Robin was promoted to a higher level, the system rewarded him with a system space.

Hancock put some important things in there, including the treasures that the original owner had accumulated over the years.

On the deck, she was instructing Aria on the training of Observation Haki.

"Relax, Arya, don't try to see with your eyes, feel with your heart."

Hancock's voice was cool and focused.

"To sense changes in airflow, to listen to the sound of all things breathing, and even... to predict my next move."

As she spoke, her figure swayed like a ghost, and her attacks were as swift as lightning, heading straight for Arya.

Arya closed her eyes tightly, focusing all her senses on her senses, and subconsciously used the Entangling Fruit's power to create a defensive barrier around her.

At first she was a little embarrassed, but with Hancock's accurate guidance and her own unremitting efforts, she recovered.

She gradually became able to catch a faint trajectory, and her dodging and blocking became more and more methodical.

[Ding! Under the host's guidance, the high-level simp Aria has significantly improved her Observation Haki, her gratitude and loyalty have increased, and the energy she provides has slightly increased.]

Meanwhile, at Hancock's request, Robin also began to try out the basics of Armament Haki.

"Armament Haki originates from the strength of the body and an unwavering will."

Hancock looked at Robin's hands, which were more suited to reading books than clenching fists for fighting, but her tone was not contemptuous.

"You have endured countless hardships, and your will is strong enough. Now you need to guide this power, let it cover your body, and transform it into a strong shield and a sharp blade."

She demonstrated herself, her dark, domineering aura covering her arms like flowing metal, radiating a chilling presence.

Robin studied very hard, but his progress was slow.

Armament Haki is completely different from her Hana Hana no Mi (Flower Flower Fruit) ability and Observation Haki, which she excels at. It requires more physical strength and instantaneous bursts of power.

However, she did not get discouraged and gave it her all in every attempt. Occasionally, a faint black light would flash across her fair arms.

[Ding! Target Nico Robin is training in Armament Haki under the host's guidance. Sensing the host's sincerity in imparting all her knowledge, her sense of closeness and dependence continues to deepen.]

Hancock watched the two diligently training, pondering her future goals.

Strength is fundamental, but influence is equally important.

How can we expand our influence more quickly and recruit more "high-quality sycophants"?

A new world? The four seas?

Or perhaps those hidden, ancient forces...

Just as she was lost in thought, the once clear sky suddenly changed color.

In the distance, where the sea meets the sky, dark clouds gather and churn at a visible speed, and muffled thunder rumbles like war drums.

The sea was no longer calm; it began to rise and fall violently, with huge waves surging up like mountains!

"A storm! A huge storm!" the navigator cried out in alarm.

"Steady the helm! Rank the sails!"

Hancock immediately gave the order, her powerful Observation Haki sensing the extraordinary nature of the storm, the immense natural power it contained was terrifying.

However, the ferocity of nature far exceeds imagination.

A massive waterspout, stretching from the sky to the sea, formed not far from the ship, frantically swallowing seawater and air, generating an irresistible suction force.

Faced with the might of heaven and earth, the Nine Serpents' ships were tossed and rocked like toys!

"Lady Snake Princess! The ship is going out of control!"

The helmsman frantically turned the steering wheel, but to no avail.

Hancock's eyes narrowed, and she was about to use her domineering aura to forcefully stabilize the ship.

But from the center of that enormous waterspout, an incredibly thick column of water, like a spear hurled by an invisible giant, shot up from the sea with overwhelming force!

The trajectory of this water column was perfectly aligned, striking the bottom of the Nine Serpents Ship.

"boom--!!!"

The immense impact sent the entire ship hurtling into the air as if it had been hurled by a giant hand.

The ship groaned under the strain, and the people on deck were caught off guard and thrown about!

The moment Hancock felt the weightlessness, her intermediate-level Observation Haki and powerful physique allowed her to quickly regain her balance.

Arya grabbed the nearest railing, and with her other hand she quickly reached out, activating the power of the Entangling Fruit. An invisible force acted like a seatbelt, firmly securing the other crew members and Robin to her side.

Hancock cast an admiring glance at him.

Propelled by this incredible column of water, the ship sped towards the sky at an astonishing speed, piercing through the thick clouds.

All around were the howling wind and splashing water, as if we were on a crazy flying journey!

After an unknown amount of time, the upward thrust suddenly disappeared, and the feeling of weightlessness returned. The ship broke through a layer of soft, cloud-like material and then landed heavily... on a solid and peculiar piece of land!

"Bang!"

The ship shook violently before finally coming to a stop.

Hancock released her grip, steadied herself, and her beautiful face showed a hint of surprise and wariness.

She looked around and found herself in unfamiliar land.

Beneath my feet was a soft, white "sea of ​​clouds," and in the distance were peculiar plants that looked like cotton candy. The air was incredibly fresh.

Looking up, there is a clear blue sky, as if you could reach out and touch it.

"Is this... a Sky Island?"

Hancock frowned slightly, recalling the place she had tried to find but failed to reach before.

She remembered Estée having been on God's Island, ruled by Enel.

"Enel's territory?"

However, after his initial shock, Robin carefully observed the surroundings, shook his head, and spoke with the rigor of an archaeologist mixed with a hint of surprise.

"Your Majesty, this place seems... not to be the floating island we were looking for. Look at the plants over there, and... the scent in the air, they're completely different. And..."

She pointed to a huge shadow that was faintly visible in the distance, moving through the clouds. The outline seemed to be... a giant lizard? Or some kind of ancient bird?

Its size far exceeds conventional understanding!

"The creatures here... are all unusually large."

Robin drew a conclusion, her eyes gleaming with the light of exploration for the unknown.

Hancock also noticed the enormous silhouettes of those creatures and the diverse ecosystem of this land.

Her senses detected an ancient and powerful life force permeating the area.

"It's not Enel's Sky Island..."

A hint of interest flashed in Hancock's beautiful eyes.

"It seems that we were taken to an unexpected place by that strange column of water."

"No matter where this is, now that I'm here..." She lightly leaped from the bow of the ship onto the pure white cloud ground, feeling the peculiar texture.

"This is my territory."

"Arya, Robin, come with me... and explore this new world."