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

The Kuja pirate ship sailed smoothly along the edge of the calm zone, relying on the power of two giant serpents to break through the calm sea surface.

Inside the cabin, Hancock closed her eyes and sensed the newly acquired intermediate-level Conqueror's Haki within her.

That tangible power flowed through her spiritual sea of ​​consciousness, bringing her an unprecedented sense of security and strength.

"Big sister."

Sandasonia walked in carrying a newspaper delivered by the latest newsbird, her expression somewhat grave.

"The news from the Sabaody Archipelago... has already spread."

Hancock opened her eyes and took the newspaper. The headline on the front page was written in bold.

"The Seven Warlords of the Sea, Boa Hancock, wreaks havoc at the auction house, startling the Celestial Dragons and causing CP0 to suffer a crushing defeat!"

Below was a slightly blurry picture, but you could still tell she was standing proudly.

The article goes to great lengths to embellish the story, depicting how she provoked the Celestial Dragons, defeated CP0, and finally left in a strange atmosphere.

"Let it spread if it wants."

Hancock casually tossed the newspaper aside, her tone indifferent.

She had anticipated this, and it was part of her plan to "make a name for herself".

Today, she has over a hundred "sycophants" under her command.

While most are novice sycophants with limited resources, there are a few intermediate sycophants, and even Hawkins, an absolutely loyal high-level sycophant core.

The increase in her strength and the initial formation of her power gave her much more confidence.

"Unless I face a sneak attack from a general, or the arrival of one of the Four Emperors, what do I have to fear?"

She slightly raised her chin, and the aura of a mid-level Conqueror's Haki inadvertently emanated from her, causing Sandasonia to feel a tremor in her heart.

My dear sister, you've really changed.

The ship sailed slowly, passing Judiciary Island, which resembled a giant gate.

Looking at the building that symbolized the absolute justice of the World Government, Hancock's eyes became somewhat complicated and silent.

That place bears too much injustice and oppression; it is one of the sources of her suffering, and the suffering of countless others.

But now is not the time.

"Accelerate, return to Kuja."

She gave the order, wanting only to return to her relatively peaceful country as soon as possible.

However, fate always seems to like to throw new waves when people relax a little.

Just as the ship was about to fully enter the calm zone, less than a day's journey from Amazon Lily, the female warrior on the watchtower sounded an urgent alarm:

"Lady Boa Hancock! A naval warship has been spotted ahead! It's...it's the dog-headed warship!!"

A dog-headed warship?!

Hancock's pupils contracted sharply, and she instantly stood up from her throne, quickly walking to the bow of the ship.

In the distance, on the horizon, a large warship with a giant dog head sculpture carved on its prow could be seen.

It was approaching them at a seemingly leisurely, but actually extremely fast, speed.

That unique design is one of a kind in the entire navy!

Marine hero, Monkey D. Garp!

How could it be him?!

How did he end up here?!

Isn't he usually stationed in the East China Sea or at the Navy Headquarters?

An unprecedented sense of tension, like icy seawater, instantly overwhelmed Hancock!

This is a true monster standing atop the ocean!

He is a legend who rivaled the Pirate King Roger and repeatedly cornered him!

He is a naval hero whom even the Four Emperors would not easily provoke!

Garp's strength is pure, overwhelming power!

His Armament Haki is unparalleled, and his physical skills are truly deadly.

More importantly, his unbridled iron fist, which only believed in the "justice" in his heart, would not care about her status as a Shichibukai or her so-called charm!

She's not Luffy; she doesn't believe Garp would let her go.

If Garp is after what she did in Sabaody Archipelago...

Hancock's heart began to pound uncontrollably.

She had no doubt that even if she gave it her all, along with her two sisters and all the Kuja warriors, they probably wouldn't be able to hold out for long against Garp!

That was not even a contest between people of the same level.

"All personnel on high alert! Prepare for battle!"

The Nine Serpent Warriors quickly took their positions, nocked their arrows, and drew their swords, instantly lowering the atmosphere to freezing point.

Hancock stared intently at the approaching dog-headed warship, her palms even sweating profusely.

Her mind raced, considering every possible solution.

The dog-headed warship showed no sign of slowing down, and its massive shadow gradually loomed over.

In the midst of this suffocatingly tense standoff, on the deck of the dog-headed warship.

A robust old man with gray hair and bulging muscles, wearing casual clothes with the word "Justice" written on the back, appeared at the bow of the ship.

He was holding a bag of rice crackers and munching on them.

His seemingly casual gaze swept over the Kuja pirate ship with an almost tangible intensity, finally settling on the stunning red figure at the bow.

Monkey D. Garp has arrived!

Hancock's muscles tensed instantly, like a cheetah encountering its natural enemy.

Garp tossed the last senbei into his mouth and patted the crumbs off his hands.

Then... he grinned, revealing a set of white teeth.

"Oh! So this is Kuja's ship! They're all girls, just as I thought!"

Karp's voice was so loud that it made people's eardrums buzz.

"You're that Empress Boa Hancock who's been causing quite a stir lately?"

As he spoke, without any warning, he casually threw a punch towards the sea in front of the Kuja Pirate Ship.

But the moment he threw the punch, Hancock's pupils contracted sharply.

She felt an indescribable, extremely concentrated, terrifying power erupt from Garp's fist.

That wasn't the impact of Conqueror's Haki, but rather the purest and most extreme manifestation of Armament Haki.

boom!!!

The air in front of Garp's fist seemed to be instantly sucked out, compressed, and then exploded violently.

A shockwave with real destructive power, like an angry dragon emerging from the sea, slammed heavily onto the sea surface less than a hundred meters in front of the Kuja pirate ship.

boom!

The sea surface instantly caved in, creating a huge hemispherical vacuum area with a diameter of tens of meters, and the surrounding seawater was blocked as if by an invisible wall.

It stirred up a ring-shaped giant wave tens of meters high, which surged wildly in all directions!

Even the underwater reefs were reduced to dust by this attack.

Like a leaf in a storm, the Kuja pirate ship was violently rocked by the terrifying aftershocks, its hull groaning under the strain.

The female soldiers on the ship were staggering, their faces pale, and many of them even collapsed to the ground.

Hancock clung tightly to the gunwale, barely managing to keep her balance.

Is this the casual strike of Garp, the top combatant of the Navy and a naval hero?

A show of force!

This is an undisguised display of absolute power!

Garp withdrew his fist, as if he had just casually swatted a mosquito.

He picked at his ear, still sporting that same hearty smile.

"Oh dear, I'm getting old, and I'm a bit clumsy now. I hope I didn't scare you?"

Hancock forcibly suppressed the turmoil in her heart and took a deep breath.

I tried to keep my voice steady, but there was still a slight, barely perceptible tremor.

"Vice Admiral Garp... what does that mean?"

"What do you mean?"

Garp scratched his messy gray hair and laughed.

"Nothing much, just stretching my muscles! I heard you made those arrogant guys in Chambord lose face? Well done! Hahaha!"

When he said that, Hancock and her sisters were stunned.

Karp continued speaking to himself, lowering his voice and adding a touch of mockery.

"Those good-for-nothings, all they do is bully others because of their ancestors' legacy. I've had enough of them for a long time! You've really given a lot of people a chance to vent their anger this time! Not bad, not bad at all!"

His words made no attempt to hide his disdain for the Celestial Dragons, and even carried a sense of admiration, as if to say, "You did what I've always wanted to do but never had the chance to."

But then, he changed his tone, his gaze sharpening again as he stared at Hancock like a hawk.

"However... little girl, don't get too cocky. The title of Shichibukai is just a facade. If you wear it well, everyone will be at peace. But if you tear that facade off..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but that invisible pressure descended once more, making Hancock feel even more uneasy than the punch he had just received.

She understood that Karp's trip was not specifically to cause her trouble, but rather a "warning" and a "reprimand".

He appreciated, or rather was pleased, that she caused trouble for the Celestial Dragons, but he also clearly drew a red line.

Her status as a Shichibukai is currently her protection; she shouldn't go too far.

Otherwise, even Garp would have to take action when it was his duty.

"I... know what I'm doing."

Hancock gritted her teeth and squeezed out those words.

Faced with overwhelming power, she had no choice but to temporarily yield.

"As long as you know your limits!"

Garp reverted to his usual carefree demeanor and waved.

"Alright, you guys can go now! I need to get back to headquarters for a meeting; that Sengoku guy is so long-winded!"

After saying that, he actually ignored the Kuja Pirate Ship and turned to shout at his subordinates.

"Men! Turn around! Back to Marineford!"

The dog-headed warship slowly adjusted its course, brushed past the Kuja pirate ship, and gradually disappeared into the distance.

It was as if that devastating attack had never happened.

Only when the terrifying warship completely disappeared above the horizon did Hancock feel the oppressive weight on her heart finally dissipate.

Her legs went weak and she almost couldn't stand up. She quickly grabbed the gunwale, her back completely soaked with cold sweat.

Sandasonia and Marigold breathed a sigh of relief, their faces showing lingering fear.

Arya collapsed to the ground, panting heavily.

"Big sister... are you alright?" Sandasonia asked with concern.

Hancock shook her head, gazing in the direction Garp had left, her eyes filled with complex emotions.

There was a sense of relief at surviving a disaster, awe of absolute power, and an intense desire to become stronger!

Today, Garp taught her a lesson with his invincible Armament Haki.

At the top of the ocean, charm and scheming have very limited effect; only absolute strength is the true passport.

"Speed ​​up, back to Kuja!"

She commanded in a hoarse voice, with a hint of barely perceptible fatigue.

But more than anything, it is a rekindled and even more intense determination to become stronger!

The road ahead is still long.

And she, Boa Hancock, will surely continue to walk this path of the strong without wavering!

Until one day, we will no longer be forced to "behave with restraint" under anyone's fists!