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

Amazon Lily enjoyed a few days of apparent tranquility.

Hancock spends his days training and instructing his subordinates, and enjoys imperial service at night.

Secretly, he was planning the creation of a famous top-tier fruit and the balancing of the Golden Lion, leading a fulfilling but... turbulent time.

That afternoon, she had just finished instructing Aria on Observation Haki.

Just as I was about to enjoy the chilled melon served by the maid, a familiar yet powerful scent wafted through me.

It appeared within her perception range without warning and was rapidly approaching Nine Serpents City!

This aura is vast and mellow, carrying a sense of profound experience.

Yet, like a dormant volcano, it contains a power that can make your heart race.

Hancock recognized the newcomer almost instantly.

Hades, Silvers Rayleigh!

"Rayleigh?"

Hancock raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised.

This old man is the kind of person who only visits the temple when he has something to ask, so why would he suddenly come to Nine Serpents?

Before she could think further, a figure appeared as if by magic, silently landing on the square in front of the palace.

It was Rayleigh himself!

He was still wearing those simple clothes, and his silver hair was neatly combed.

His face carried a hint of languor from a hangover, but his eyes were as sharp as an eagle's.

Rayleigh patted off non-existent dust from his clothes and smiled knowingly toward the female guard.

"Little girl, is your empress here? Is she here? This old man is a bit short on cash again. I'm just passing by, could you lend me some money for drinks?"

Before he could finish speaking, his gaze habitually swept across the square, and then...

His gaze suddenly fixed on a person not far away, who was smoking a cigar.

A blond figure was directing several young female soldiers to help him carry a large wine barrel!

Time seemed to freeze at that moment.

Rayleigh's lazy smile vanished instantly, replaced by extreme shock and solemnity.

He blurted it out almost without thinking, his voice rising several decibels:

"Shiki?! Shiki the Golden Lion?! What are you doing here?!?!"

Just as Shiki was about to enjoy the treatment of "first mate," he heard that familiar voice that was so unforgettable yet made him grit his teeth in hatred, and he turned his head sharply.

When he recognized Rayleigh, he was first taken aback, then his lion-like eyes instantly blazed with fury and...

A hint of shame and annoyance at having his old rival see his current predicament!

"Silbaz Reilly!!!"

Shiki threw away his cigar, and his violent and domineering aura erupted uncontrollably, causing the female warriors beside him to stagger backward.

"You old bastard! How dare you show your face in front of me?!"

When enemies meet, their eyes are filled with intense hatred!

Although Rayleigh's main grudge was Roger, as Roger's first mate, he was naturally also seen as a thorn in Shiki's side.

What's more, the fact that Rayleigh saw him in such a state of "living under someone else's roof" only made him more furious and embarrassed!

"Hmph! Where I am is none of your business!"

Shiki grinned maliciously, cracking his wrists and ankles, a terrifying fighting spirit surging into the sky.

"Perfect! I've been itching for a good time lately, I'll use you to stretch my muscles! Let me show you that I'm still got it!"

Rayleigh's eyes sharpened completely, despite his seemingly lazy demeanor.

But when facing a fierce person like the Golden Lion, there is absolutely no reason to be careless.

He slowly assumed a fighting stance and said in a deep voice.

"Ski, it seems you haven't changed your ways since escaping Impelton! Want to fight? I'm ready!"

Two legends from the old era confront each other again after decades apart, and the grudges and fighting spirit that have been suppressed for decades are about to erupt like a volcano!

The atmosphere in the entire square instantly plummeted to freezing point; the air itself seemed to solidify.

Just then, Arya rushed into the side hall where Hancock was like a whirlwind, her usually cold and beautiful face showing an unusual anxiety:

"Lady Boa Hancock! Something terrible has happened! The first mate... the first mate is facing off against Rayleigh in the plaza! It looks like they're about to fight!"

Hancock, who was elegantly picking up a piece of melon with a small silver fork, suddenly jerked her wrist upon hearing Arya's report.

The glistening melon fell back onto the plate with a "plop".

She jumped up from the soft couch, her beautiful face initially showing surprise.

Then a surge of inexplicable anger and...headache welled up inside me!

"Those two old bastards!!!"

Hancock practically spat out those words through gritted teeth.

One is the "first mate," whom she painstakingly managed to tie onto the chariot and who requires careful balancing.

One is a "senior" who has a master-disciple relationship with her, whose strength is unfathomable and who also knows many secrets.

If these two were to fight on her turf, destroying Nine Serpents City would be the least of her worries!

More importantly, if the commotion becomes too big and attracts the attention of the Navy Headquarters, many of her plans may be exposed.

"Truly... he never gives me a moment's peace!"

She no longer cared about maintaining her imperial demeanor and flashed away.

It transformed into a white blur and sped towards the plaza!

Her skirt billowed, carrying a fragrant breeze, leaving behind only a dumbfounded maid and a lone piece of melon on the plate.

When Hancock arrived at the plaza, she witnessed a tense scene where Rayleigh and Shiki were locked in a fierce confrontation, their auras clashing, and they were about to come to blows!

"Stop it, all of you!!!"

A sharp, resounding shout, brimming with domineering aura and boundless majesty, echoed across the plaza like a thunderclap.

A captivating pink aura spread outwards, accompanied by a powerful presence.

It forcefully inserted itself into the almost frozen aura of the two legends!

Hancock landed between the two, her beautiful face covered with a layer of frost.

His gaze first fell on Shiki, who was eager to try and had a fierce look on his face.

Then he turned to Rayleigh, whose face was solemn and ready to strike.

She rubbed her aching temples and said irritably.

"Teacher Raleigh, are you here to borrow money for drinks, or to demolish my house?"

"And you, First Mate Shiki! On my turf, you dare to lay a hand on my guest? Who gave you that right?!"

Her voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable sense of control, freezing the two legendary figures of the old era, who were about to erupt into action, in the moment before they made their move.

In the square, even the wind seemed to have stopped.

All the Nine Serpent Warriors who rushed to the scene held their breath.

Watch as their Empress, single-handedly, suppressed the conflict between two legendary pirates!

Rayleigh and Shiki were both stunned for a moment, staring at the stunningly beautiful yet furious woman in the middle, their auras blazing. For a moment, they were both speechless.