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

Crocodile fled in disarray, and the sea returned to calm.

The atmosphere remained tense aboard the perfume cruise ship in Kuja.

Hancock could clearly feel the gaze coming from inside the cabin, a gaze filled with shock, complexity, and a hint of barely perceptible anticipation.

She knew that the power she had displayed and her contempt for Crocodile had already planted a huge rock in Robin's heart.

She was not in a hurry to achieve results.

He handled matters as usual, but gave Robin significantly more freedom.

That night, the moonlight was as clear as water.

Robin arrived at Hancock's hatch again, this time with less hesitation and more determination.

"Come in."

Robin pushed open the door and entered, seeing the stunningly beautiful figure by the window, bathed in the soft glow of the moonlight.

She walked up to Hancock and bowed deeply.

"Your Majesty, thank you for your protection today."

Robin's voice was more composed than ever before.

"I... want to know, why would you go to such lengths to oppose Crocodile and keep me by your side? What do you expect me to do? Is it merely to decipher the Poneglyphs?"

Hancock turned around, the moonlight illuminating half of her face, breathtakingly beautiful, yet also unfathomable.

Instead of directly answering the question about the historical text, she raised a much grander, even rebellious, goal.

"Robin, you have witnessed the darkness of this world government and experienced the destruction of Ohara."

Hancock's voice was calm, yet it possessed a strange penetrating power.

"What do you think of the world government that maintains the current order over this ocean?"

Robin's pupils contracted slightly; she hadn't expected the Empress to ask that.

She remained silent for a moment, a deep hatred and sorrow flashing in her eyes.

"Covering up the truth and trampling on life is nothing more than a rotten machine disguised in the cloak of justice."

"Yes, decay."

Hancock repeated the word, her red lips curving into a cold and arrogant smile.

"Then, how about we overthrow it and establish a new order determined by me?"

Overthrow the world government?!

Even with Robin's composure, he couldn't help but gasp and feel his heart pounding.

This goal is too outrageous, far more insane than becoming the "Pirate King".

It also resonates even more with her deepest, long-suppressed hatred for the World Government!

Hancock took in her shock and continued.

"My ambition to become the Pirate King is not merely for the title, but to accumulate power strong enough to shake the very foundations of this world. The truth of the Poneglyphs is the sharp blade that unveils their falsehoods, and one of the cornerstones for building a new world."

Her gaze was fixed intently on Robin.

"Your wisdom, your knowledge, your understanding of ancient weapons, and your knowledge of how world governments operate will all be indispensable forces in this transformation. I need you, not as a tool, but as... an important companion on the way to that goal."

She paused, her tone unusually carrying a hint of almost equal respect.

"Of course, I never force you. If you still have doubts, or are unwilling to be caught up in this potentially catastrophic storm, I can now give you a small boat and enough supplies to leave. Whether you return to Crocodile's side and continue to be his tool, or seek your own slim chance of survival, is the choice."

Give her a choice!

This is the most skillful way to advance by retreating.

After demonstrating absolute power and protection, and presenting Robin with a grand goal that could ignite the deepest hatred and desire in her heart, he then gave her a seemingly free choice.

This is more effective than any coercion or bribery.

Robin stood there, his body trembling slightly.

leave?

Go back to Crocodile, who only sees her as a tool and could abandon or even kill her at any time?

Or continue to live alone, hiding in the shadows, not knowing when the CP organization will find you?

Or... should we stay?

Follow this powerful, willful empress who seems to have the ambition to overturn the world?

To embark on a crazy and dangerous gamble, betting on the possibility of uncovering the whole truth, or even taking revenge on the world government?

The raging fire of Ohara flashed through her mind, as did Saul's last smile, and her own twenty years of wandering...

And an almost obsessive desire for the truth.

After a long while, Robin slowly raised her head, though a trace of fear for the future still lingered in her eyes.

But more than anything, it is a resolute determination to find direction, and a flame ignited by a grand goal.

She looked at Hancock and said, word by word.

"I... choose to stay."

She did not immediately swear allegiance, but that choice itself said it all.

She was willing to risk everything to see if this empress could truly lead her to tear away the disguise of this corrupt world.

[Ding! Target Nico Robin resonates with the host's deepest hatred and desires due to the host's subversive goal, and feels respected for being given a choice, resulting in a significant increase in trust and identification! Current infatuation level: 50/100 (Intermediate Simp)!]

[Ding! Long-term time-limited mission 'The Archaeologist's Return' completion rate: 50/100! Good progress, please keep up the good work!]

Feeling the energy flow coming from Robin's side, which, although not yet at its peak, had already stabilized considerably, Hancock was satisfied.

She knew that Robin's loyalty would not be achieved overnight; it would require time and many more events to solidify.

But now, she has successfully planted this seed of wisdom firmly on her ship and ignited the flame within her.

"very good."

Hancock nodded slightly.

"Then, from this day forward, you will be a guest scholar on my ship. You will enjoy corresponding freedom and resources, and I expect you to demonstrate your value."

She did not demand absolute loyalty, but rather bound Robin to a more flexible relationship.

This is easier for Robin to accept at this stage.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Robin bowed again, this time bending deeper, her posture less distant and more accepting.

Watching Robin leave the cabin, Hancock walked to the window and gazed at the boundless sea.

Three months... that's neither a long nor a short time.

Nico Robin, I will show you how I climbed to the top and turned this world upside down.

At that time, you will naturally and willingly dedicate everything to me.

The real subjugation is only just beginning. And Hancock has enough patience and the means.