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

Rayleigh kept his word.

In the days that followed, this legendary Hades actually settled down on Amazon Lily.

He settled on the edge of Amazon Lily, away from the town, and became Hancock's temporary coach.

The training location was chosen in a secluded, windless area deep within the island, with several large Kuja ships forming a temporary training ground.

In his first practical demonstration, Rayleigh showed Hancock what a top-tier powerhouse who doesn't rely on Devil Fruits at all looks like.

There are no fancy lighting effects, and no eerie elemental designs.

Rayleigh simply stood there, his breath calm, yet he seemed to be one with the surrounding sea and sky.

When Hancock unleashed her full power with "Captive Arrow," Rayleigh didn't even draw his sword.

With a seemingly casual turn and a raised hand, his fingers, covered in deep Armament Haki, precisely flicked the side of the arrow.

The pink arrow, powerful enough to petrify boulders, instantly changed direction and shot into the sea.

"The speed is acceptable, but the intention is too obvious."

Rayleigh commented, "The flow of Haki reveals the attack trajectory before you even make a move."

When Hancock attempted to get close and use her Fragrance Kick, Rayleigh's figure flickered like a ghost.

Her kicks always landed on empty air, or were easily deflected by Rayleigh's Armament Haki, the recoil making her ankles go numb.

"Concentrating power on one point is good. But there are too few variations, making it easy to predict."

Rayleigh continued to comment while easily dodging the attacks.

"The essence of martial arts is to effectively strike the opponent and protect yourself. Your movements are too focused on aesthetics; they are flashy but impractical."

After several attempts, Hancock was exhausted and drenched in sweat, but she hadn't even managed to touch the hem of Rayleigh's clothes.

She finally realized how easily her ability to rely on the fruit could be restrained in the face of a truly powerful master.

During a break, Hancock looked at Rayleigh, who was sitting leisurely drinking by the ship's railing, and was filled with shock and... a strange association.

"Is this the strength of the Pirate King's vice-captain? It's terrifying... He relies entirely on his unparalleled mastery of all three types of Haki and his honed physical skills."

She recalled Rayleigh's battle with Kizaru in the Sabaody Archipelago, and how he accurately located Luffy and led him away from Marineford before the Marineford War.

And then, in just two short years, he transformed Luffy from a rookie who only knew Gear Second and Gear Third into the Fifth Emperor of the Sea, capable of skillfully wielding advanced levels of Haki…

"Two years..."

Hancock stroked her chin, her eyes darting around.

"Luffy has been transformed after studying under Rayleigh for two years. Rayleigh's teaching efficiency truly proves that a great teacher produces a great student."

But as she thought about it, her thoughts started to wander.

"However... let's talk about crash courses."

A more extreme example suddenly popped into her mind: "Is there an even more efficient way?"

"For example... Kaido-sensei's crash course in Hellfire and Tensei?"

Hancock's lips twitched slightly as she imagined the scene:

Repeatedly struck by the Thunderous Eight Trigrams, he forcibly comprehended the Conqueror's Haki during a near-death experience?

That kind of teaching method is practically gambling with your life!

Excluding the influence of the protagonist's halo.

Although the effects were remarkable, the mortality rate was estimated to be alarmingly high.

She touched her smooth face and shivered.

"Forget it, such a pretty face can't withstand that kind of abuse. If it gets disfigured, even the 'simp system' will collapse..."

"And there's also a crash course in Observation Haki for Katakuri..."

She thought of that powerful man on Whole Cake Island again.

Through a near-desperate battle, being unilaterally crushed, he was forced to develop Observation Haki, which allows him to foresee the future, on the verge of life and death.

That method demands an abnormal level of psychological fortitude and willpower.

"Being beaten and humiliated for over ten hours, just to learn how to predict the next few seconds..."

Hankko facepalmed.

"Although the result is very appealing, the process is too painful. Moreover, Katakuri, being a siscon, can only teach his opponents if they are worthy of his attention."

In comparison, Hancock suddenly felt that Rayleigh's strict but gradual and individualized teaching method was like a VIP supreme tutoring class!

Safe, reliable, and effective!

While it may not have the immediate dramatic effect of Kaido and Katakuri, it has laid a solid foundation.

"As expected, there are no real shortcuts in cultivation."

Hancock composed herself, her eyes regaining their resolve.

"Mr. Raleigh's guidance is exactly what I need right now! Laying a solid foundation is essential for going further in the future!"

Having figured this out, she no longer had any other thoughts and devoted herself wholeheartedly to Rayleigh's guidance.

Rayleigh also saw her determination and talent, and taught her even more diligently.

From the domineering and precise control, to the improvement of physical strength techniques, and then to the analysis and judgment of the battle situation.

This has been laying a solid foundation for Hancock, bit by bit.

The training was tough, but Hancock could clearly feel herself improving every day.

On the panel, the proficiency bar for the three-colored Haki was increasing at an unprecedented rate, and more ingenious ideas were emerging for the application of the Sweet Fruit.

She even began to try combining the Haki techniques taught by Rayleigh with her own alluring qualities.

For example, incorporating the intimidating power of Conqueror's Haki into one's gaze can create a stronger psychological impact.

Alternatively, one can use Armament Haki to subtly cover specific areas of skin, unleashing a captivating effect upon close contact to disrupt the opponent's mind.

Even Rayleigh was amazed by this unique path of cultivation.

"Little Empress, your approach... is quite unique. However, what suits you best is the best approach."

As time went by, Hancock's strength was undergoing a qualitative transformation.

She is no longer just a porcelain doll relying on her beauty and fruit abilities, but is gradually moving towards becoming a truly comprehensive and powerful queen.

All of this laid a solid foundation for her future journey to the larger stage of the Sabaody Archipelago.

She was already somewhat looking forward to seeing those arrogant supernovas, or some ill-intentioned guys.

What kind of expression would one have when facing an empress who possesses both unparalleled beauty and solid, top-tier domineering cultivation?

It will surely be very interesting.