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

Ah Long Paradise.

"Brother Long! Something terrible has happened! Two ships are coming from the sea! They're heading straight for our amusement park!"

A murloc sentinel scrambled into the hall, shouting in panic.

Ah Long sat high in the main seat, his long, serrated nose exuding cruelty.

He was leisurely sipping the fine wine offered by humans when he heard this, and didn't even bother to lift his eyelids, waving his hand impatiently.

"Which reckless human pirate crew is it again? Or maybe the Marines? Tell them to get lost! I don't have time for them! In this East Blue, no one dares to mess with Arlong!"

"No, no, Brother Long!"

The merman sentinel's voice was trembling.

"One of them...that pirate flag...it's Kuja! It's the Kuja Pirates!"

"Nine Serpents?"

Ah Long chuckled and downed the wine in his glass in one gulp.

"What are the Kuja Pirates doing in the Calm Belt of the Grand Line, all the way to the East Blue? Are you seeing things? Or is some clueless imposter..."

His words came to an abrupt end.

Because another fish-man executive with excellent eyesight, Kissing Fish-man Chiu, rushed in, jumping and running, his face full of horror, and screamed.

"Boss Ah Long! It's real! I saw it clearly! It's definitely the Nine Serpents' ship! The snake-like tow rope! And that symbol! There's no mistake!"

Ah Long jumped up from his seat, his laziness and disdain instantly replaced by shock and a hint of barely perceptible panic.

"Are you sure?! Did you see that clearly? What are the Kuja Pirates doing here?!"

"Absolutely true! And...and..."

He swallowed hard and pointed out the window.

"I think... I think I saw... a woman sunbathing on the deck... She's so, so beautiful... She's almost inhuman... I can't think of anyone else but 'Pirate Empress' Boa Hancock!"

"An Empress?!"

Ah Long's voice suddenly rose, filled with disbelief.

He rushed to the window, grabbed the binoculars, and looked toward the horizon.

In the footage, the magnificent and powerful perfume cruise ship is clearly visible, its unique serpent and nine-snake emblem gleaming in the sunlight.

On a luxurious lounge chair at the bow of the ship, a woman in a white dress with an exquisitely graceful figure was lounging lazily.

Even from such a distance, her breathtaking beauty and noble aura seem to penetrate the lens and strike straight to the heart!

Ah Long's hand trembled slightly.

It's really her!

Boa Hancock, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea and known as the Pirate Empress!

How could a monster of this level suddenly appear in the East China Sea?

And they even headed straight for his Ah Long Paradise?

Countless thoughts flashed through Ah Long's mind:

Were they just passing by? No, the direction is too clear.

Were they sent by the Navy Headquarters? To deal with me?

Impossible. I don't have the influence to warrant the personal intervention of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.

Or perhaps... Tiger's past grudges?

He racked his brains but couldn't find a reasonable explanation.

However, regardless of the circumstances, the arrival of a Shichibukai, and a powerful empress with unfathomable strength, was something he absolutely could not ignore, much less offend!

fear.

And a kind of innate flattery that arises when facing an absolute powerhouse instantly replaced his previous arrogance.

"Hurry! Hurry!"

Ah Long put down his binoculars, forced a forced and even distorted "enthusiastic" smile, and yelled at his men.

"Everyone, perk up! Prepare the best food and wine in the park! Band! Where's the band?! Play music! Welcome! We will welcome Her Majesty the Empress to our Arlong Paradise with the most solemn ceremony!"

While frantically giving instructions, he nervously straightened his clothes, trying to make himself look more "respectable".

His mind was still racing, trying to figure out how to please this unexpected big shot—whether to offer him treasure or something else.

Or is it a sign of submission?

As long as the Empress isn't here to cause trouble, he'll do anything!

All his attention was focused on the approaching Kuja pirate ship, and he was lost in thought about how to curry favor with the Empress.

So much so that they completely overlooked the small Going Merry, flying the Straw Hat Pirates' flag, which was right behind the Kuja Pirates' ship.

Nami stood beside the Empress, looking at the distant Arlong Park, which was faintly visible.

The figure, who had suddenly become flustered and on high alert due to the arrival of the Empress, curled up a cold smile that was a mixture of hatred and pleasure.

Ah Long... are you ready to pay the price for everything you've done?