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

Back on the Nine Serpents ship, which was temporarily moored by the sea of ​​clouds, Arya finally couldn't help but step forward and ask in a low voice.

"Lady Snake Princess, that golden lion clearly has ill intentions and knows this sky island inside and out. We have no chance of winning this gamble! Why did you agree to it? Can't we just force our way out?"

Hancock walked to the window, a helpless, bitter smile appearing on her beautiful face, and sighed softly.

"Arya, do you think I don't want to leave?"

She turned around, her gaze sweeping over Arya and Robin, who also looked worried, her tone unusually grave.

"Although that old fellow is not as strong as before and his mind isn't as sharp, he is still a monster who once rivaled Roger and Whitebeard. If he were to recklessly unleash his abilities and control this entire sky island to besiege us, I might be able to protect myself, but you... and this ship, I'm afraid..."

She didn't finish speaking, but Arya and Robin both understood the danger involved.

It would be unwise to fight a legendary pirate with such a wide range of abilities on their home turf.

"Therefore, I have no choice but to take a risky approach, first to keep him calm, and then to find a way to escape."

Hancock rubbed her temples, as if she also had a headache.

Just then, the system notification sounded in her mind again:

[Ding! Special Opportunity Quest Triggered: The Crippled Lion's Approval]

[Mission Requirements: In the bet with Shiki the Golden Lion, outwit him and gain a certain degree of his approval (not just pure infatuation).]

[Mission Reward: One random Devil Fruit.]

[Mission Penalty: None.]

Random Devil Fruit!

Hancock's eyes lit up instantly.

She now possesses a second fruit acupoint and is currently struggling to find a suitable and powerful fruit.

This reward was incredibly tempting for her!

What was originally just a stopgap gamble has now become an opportunity that she must seize, and one that must be seized through "outsmarting" her!

The worry on her face vanished instantly, replaced by a sly, confident smile.

She gently shook her index finger at the still worried Arya and Robin, exuding an aura of dominance, and spoke in a way that seemed to transmit her voice telepathically.

"However... what I said earlier about having no choice and being unable to leave was actually meant for a certain old guy who was eavesdropping with his Observation Haki."

Arya and Robin were both taken aback when they heard this, then they suddenly understood!

Robin's eyes flashed with wisdom as she understood the Empress's intention.

Show weakness to lull your opponent into a false sense of security!

Hancock walked to the table, sat down gracefully, and picked up a cup of floral tea served by a maid.

He gently blew on the hot air and continued speaking in a secret language.

"That old lion may seem crazy, but he is actually very suspicious, arrogant and sensitive. The more helpless I appear, the more I am 'forced' to accept the bet, the more he will believe that his scheme has succeeded, and thus relax his vigilance."

A calculating smile curved her lips.

"He thought he had everything under control, that he had set up a gamble that was absolutely in his favor. But he forgot that finding something sometimes relies on more than just familiarity with the terrain..."

She gave Robin a meaningful look: "What you need even more is... knowledge and intellect."

Robin immediately understood and nodded slightly: "What does Your Majesty need me to do?"

"No rush."

Hancock took a sip of tea, calm and collected. "Let him hide his token first. Once he's hidden it, we'll go and have some fun with him."

She closed her eyes, and her powerful intermediate-level Observation Haki spread out like invisible ripples.

She could vaguely sense an Observation Haki, imbued with scrutiny and smugness, emanating from the distant floating island shaped like a lion's head, enveloping their ship.

They were indeed eavesdropping...

Hancock sneered inwardly.

Golden Lion, you think you're on the second level and consider me on the first? Too bad... I'm on the fifth level.

She said this deliberately to Arya and Robin.

"Alright, what's done is done, there's no point in thinking about it anymore. You all go and rest, recharge your energy. Tomorrow... we'll do our best."

After performing this act, Hancock actually closed her eyes to rest, as if resigned to her fate.

In the distance, on the Lion Head floating island.

Shiki the Golden Lion withdrew his Observation Haki, revealing a savage smile of absolute confidence.

"Hahaha... Just as I thought, a woman who's all bark and no bite! She got scared when she heard about my bet! Now you know how powerful I am!"

He proudly shook the ship's wheel on his head.

"Tomorrow, I'll show you how to mess with me! Once you're my woman, let's see if you still dare to be so arrogant!"

He immediately took action, his figure soaring into the air.

He traversed the vast floating islands, carefully selecting three extremely secluded and dangerous locations to hide three specially made keepsakes imbued with his aura.

Throughout the entire process, he was full of confidence, believing that his setup was flawless and there was absolutely no possibility of him being found.

Unbeknownst to him, after he left, Hancock on the Kuja ship slowly opened her eyes.

"Alright, the actors are in position, and the script is finished."

Hancock stood up, her skirt swaying.

"Now, it's our turn. Robin, analyze the ecological structure of this sky island and any possible ancient traces; Arya, be ready to deal with any sudden dangers."

"yes!"

The two women responded in unison, their eyes no longer showing any worry, only absolute trust in the Empress.