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

The arrival of Shiki the Golden Lion was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples throughout Amazon Lily.

Grandma New's worries, her sisters' confusion, the public's curiosity and slight unease...

These issues were temporarily suppressed by Hancock's absolute authority and the argument that "the benefits outweigh the drawbacks."

She knew that to truly make this "crippled lion" work for her, she needed to...

Even in the event of a potential future crisis, a mere empty title and promise are far from sufficient to become a reliable asset.

She must demonstrate value and potential that would earn his attention.

The most direct way is to quickly improve the capabilities of oneself and one's core team.

The existence of the Second Fruit Aperture is like an empty throne, urgently awaiting the arrival of a powerful "king".

Hancock's gaze fell upon those powerful beings at the top of the Devil Fruit system.

Natural-type, top-tier Paramecia-type, even Mythical Zoan-type... She needs information, she needs clues.

She first contacted Hawkins, who was in the Sabaody Archipelago.

The Den Den Mushi (snail phone) mimicked Hawkins' perpetually calm and expressionless face.

"leader."

"Hawkins, I need you to use every means to gather information about the appearance or possible location of top-tier Devil Fruits. Especially Logia-type, or Paramecia-type and Mythical Zoan-type fruits with special abilities."

Hancock cut to the chase, her voice carrying an unquestionable command through the Den Den Mushi.

Hawkins remained silent for a moment, seemingly engaged in some kind of divination or contemplation, before responding.

"Understood. I will keep an eye on black market news and rumors from the underworld, and use divination to filter them. However, Boss, top-tier fruits are rare and hard to come by. Even if there is news about them, it is often accompanied by huge risks and competition."

"I will assess the risks myself; you only need to provide the information."

Hancock said calmly.

"Also, what's the situation in Chambord?"

"The winds of change are gathering, and the worst generation is constantly clashing. Naval activity is frequent, but there has been no large-scale conflict yet. Everything is still under control."

"Keep monitoring in place and report any abnormalities immediately."

"Yes."

After ending her communication with Hawkins, Hancock pondered for a moment, then rose and walked towards the back of the palace, to the side hall where Shiki the Golden Lion was temporarily staying.

This "first mate" certainly knows how to enjoy himself, taking over the most spacious cabin with the best view.

He was sitting with his legs crossed, a cigar dangling from his lips, puffing out smoke at the sea of ​​clouds outside the window, lost in thought.

"Shiki-senpai."

Hancock's voice interrupted her thoughts.

Shiki turned around, saw it was Hancock, and raised an eyebrow.

"Oh? Little girl, you want something from me?"

Although he agreed to take the temporary post, his tone still carried the casualness of a seasoned veteran.

Hancock didn't beat around the bush; she walked over and sat down elegantly opposite him, asking directly.

"Senior, you have traversed the seas for decades and possess vast knowledge. I would like to ask, do you know the whereabouts of any top-tier Devil Fruits currently on the high seas? Or... did you hear any rumors or clues about certain powerful fruits back then?"

"A top-tier Devil Fruit?"

Upon hearing this, a glint of light flashed in Shiki's eyes. He took a puff of his cigar and slowly exhaled a smoke ring.

"What? You're interested in those things? I thought you were confident enough in your beauty and those sweet fruits."

His tone was teasing, but his eyes sharpened, as if he were assessing Hancock's ambitions.

Hancock remained calm and composed.

"Strength is fundamental. Beauty and charm are certainly weapons, but what I pursue is absolute power on the path to the top. The more top-tier abilities I have, the more certain I am to succeed."

"Hehehe! Well said! Now that's more like a great pirate!"

Shiki seemed to appreciate her undisguised ambition and laughed.

"Top-tier fruits, huh... I knew a few back in the day."

He was lost in memories, lighting his cigar to sting the air.

"As for Roger's ship, let's not even talk about it. Even if there were any, they'd probably be scattered somewhere long ago. As for Whitebeard, you can forget about getting any good fruit; he'd probably give it all to his sons first."

"My own Floating Fruit back then was one of a kind! As for the other fruits, they were all rather ordinary."

He pointed to himself smugly.

"Also... that old bald monk Sengoku probably has some, but it's likely kept at Marine Headquarters. However, it won't be easy for you to snatch something from Marine Headquarters."

"Lingling, that crazy woman's 'Soul-Soul Fruit,' is very strange and not to be trifled with."

"Kaido's 'Fish-Fish Fruit, Mythical Zoan, Azure Dragon Mode' is just as tough as him, and he's practically indestructible."

He rattled off several renowned names and achievements, all of which were or were still standing at the pinnacle of the ocean.

"As for the rest..."

Shiki touched the stubble on his chin.

"During my years imprisoned in Impel Down, and later hiding on this floating island, I was somewhat out of touch with the outside world. However, I do remember some ancient tales..."

His gaze became somewhat distant.

"It is said that in the waters near Laugh Tale, the final island, or rather, near the end of the Grand Line, there are some strange fruits related to the secrets of the world's origin, with incredible abilities. However, that place is extremely sinister; without skill and luck, going there will only lead to your death."

"Furthermore, the World Government definitely possesses a lot of valuable resources. Those guys at CP0 occasionally use some powerful abilities that we've never seen before, which they probably take from their treasury. Deep within the Pangaea city in Mary Geoise, there might be quite a few treasures hidden."

"besides……"

Squier paused, glancing at Hancock.

"Don't forget the legends of those ancient weapons. Pluto, the god of the underworld, is a warship, but Poseidon, the god of the sea, is the power of a mermaid princess. Uranus, the king of the heavens... who knows what form it actually takes? Perhaps, it's also an ultimate Devil Fruit power."

Some of the information he provided was common knowledge, while others were secrets known only to people of his level and generation.

Although most of them pointed to specific but extremely difficult-to-achieve goals, they did indeed point Hancock in the general direction.

"Thank you for your guidance, senior."

Hancock silently memorized this information. Although the road ahead was difficult, she finally had a clue.

She looked at Shiki and suddenly asked another question.

"Senior, do you know of any method that can accelerate the awakening of a Devil Fruit's power?"

Upon hearing this, Shiki scoffed.

"Awakening? That's not something you can achieve by just burying yourself in hard training! It requires extreme emotion, a profound understanding of the nature of the ability, and an epiphany on the edge of life and death! Back in the day, I was driven to the brink by the Navy and Roger, watching my fleet be destroyed, when I finally had a flash of inspiration and touched the threshold! Shortcuts? There aren't any!"

His answer was simple and direct, yet it revealed the true meaning of the awakening of fruit.

Hancock seemed to be deep in thought.

Emotions, understanding, epiphanies...

This is indeed consistent with her previous understanding.

Leaving Shiki's place, Hancock already had a clear plan in mind.

They rely on Hawkins' intelligence network to gather information on currently circulating or potentially emerging top-tier fruits.

At the same time, we should take a long-term view and pay attention to clues related to the final island, the World Government's treasure vault, and even ancient weapons.

Improving one's own and one's subordinates' strength, especially the in-depth development of the Haki Hammer Chain and Devil Fruit abilities, is of paramount importance.

"A top-tier fruit... I am determined to obtain it."

She gazed at the distant sea, her beautiful face filled with determination.

Whether through cunning or force, or through equal exchange, she must find a worthy "master" for that vacant "Second Fruit Aperture".