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

Snake Island, deep within the palace.

Hancock was reviewing Robin's preliminary research report on the connection between ancient scripts and historical texts, constantly speculating in her mind the possibility of obtaining more fragments of the truth in the future.

Just then, Arya strode in, holding a newspaper delivered by the newsbird, her expression slightly strange.

"Lady Snake Princess, breaking news from Alabasta... Big news!"

Hancock raised her eyes and took the newspaper.

Her gaze swept over the bold, blacked-out headline on the front page, and a rare hint of surprise appeared on her beautiful face.

[A stunning reversal! Shichibukai Crocodile's plot exposed, defeated by Straw Hat Luffy! The Alabasta civil war ends!]

The report details how Luffy was repeatedly defeated by Crocodile, brought to the brink of death, yet miraculously rose again time and time again.

Finally, in the fourth confrontation, in the square in the rain, in front of countless people, the arrogant "Sand Crocodile" was completely defeated!

Crocodile, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, was stripped of his title by the World Government and arrested.

Straw Hat Luffy's bounty has soared to 100 million Berries!

"Four times..."

Hancock put down her newspaper, spoke softly, and a complex and unfathomable light flashed in her beautiful eyes.

Although she knew Luffy was the "chosen one" with incredible resilience, she was still somewhat shocked when she heard about the specific details of the battle.

It seems that because of her interference, Luffy did one more sit-up.

"As expected of... Monkey D. Luffy. This tenacity truly matches the relationships behind him."

She could almost picture Crocodile's repeated "sit-ups" of counterattack from the rubber boy.

The process progressed from initial contempt to astonishment, then to anger, and finally to a breakdown into despair.

They lost the interference of high-level agents like Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine, and even more so, they lost the assistance of Robin, their core strategist, and the Ancient Weapon Key.

Crocodile's defeat seems to be more thorough and humiliating than the original "plot".

"The sand crocodile... is outdated after all."

Hancock shook her head and casually tossed the newspaper aside.

Crocodile's downfall was insignificant to her; she was even pleased, as it eliminated a potential problem.

Luffy's rapid growth, however, intensified her sense of urgency.

Just as she was pondering how to speed up her pace, an annoying, personal Den Den Mushi rang.

"Pulu pulu, pulu pulu".

Hancock's brows furrowed instantly, and her face revealed an undisguised extreme impatience.

This Den Den Mushi connects to the Holy Land of Mary Geoise, to some Celestial Dragon idiot who has a crazy possessive desire for her!

She wanted to hang up immediately, but then she thought of the other person's persistent nature.

Occasionally, he could provide some "insider information" that ordinary people couldn't access. She still forced herself to accept the call despite feeling nauseous.

The Den Den Mushi simulates a fat, greasy face with eyes full of obsession and greed.

"Hancock! My goddess! You finally answered my call!"

A nauseating, affectedly sentimental voice came through.

"How have you been lately? Have you missed me? If you just nod, I'll immediately send someone to fetch you to Mary Geoise in the most magnificent ship..."

"Shut up."

Hancock interrupted him coldly, her voice like shards of ice.

"If this is all the nonsense you've got, then I'm done for."

"No, no, no! Something's wrong! It's important!"

That day, the dragon man quickly said, his tone ingratiating.

"I recently heard some incredible news about an extremely rare and incredibly powerful Paramecia-type Devil Fruit! It's bizarrely powerful!"

Hancock's heart skipped a beat, but her tone remained indifferent.

"Oh? Tell me about it."

She knew that although these Celestial Dragons were stupid, being at the center of world power meant they had access to secrets that ordinary people could not imagine.

"The specifics of its capabilities are still unclear; it's under a very high level of secrecy!"

The Celestial Dragon lowered his voice, a hint of smugness mixed with... barely perceptible fear.

"But I heard that this fruit... seems to have some connection with the 'Knights of God'!"

Knights of God!

Hancock's pupils contracted slightly!

As a member of the Seven Warlords of the Sea and the ruler of a country, she vaguely knew of the existence of this secret armed organization that was directly under the "Hollow Throne" and responsible for protecting the highest interests of the Celestial Dragons!

Its members are mysterious and powerful, and are said to possess strength comparable to that of a naval admiral.

Anything associated with the "Knights of God" is anything but simple!

That dragon continued, his tone tinged with lingering fear.

"I overheard an elder in my family mention it by chance. It seemed to be prepared for some reserve member, or perhaps it was excavated from some ancient ruin under their control... I didn't dare to inquire further. Those guys are terrifying; they're all cold and intimidating..."

"It seems he'll be eating the fruit in public soon, completing the formal ceremony. How about we go watch it together...?"

He rambled on about his fear of the Knights of God, but then became engrossed in his fervent infatuation with Hancock.

"But don't worry, Hancock! As long as you're willing to come with me, I'll definitely find a way to get you more and better fruits in the future! What about the Knights of God? As long as we..."

Hancock had no interest in listening to the rest of the nonsense; her brain was racing.

Top-tier Superhuman Series!

They have connections with the Knights of God!

These keywords combined made her heart race involuntarily.

This is a terrifying ability that far surpasses that of ordinary Paramecia-type users, and may even be comparable to some top-tier Logia-type users!

Its value is immeasurable!

The source of this information surprisingly points to the core military organization deep within the World Government—the Knights of God.

The risks involved are also enormous and unimaginable!

"I have received the message."

Hancock forcefully suppressed the turmoil within her and asked in her still icy tone, "Is there anything else?"

"Huh? N-nothing... Hancock, what's your decision? Come to Mary Geoise..."

The Celestial Dragons are still relentlessly pursuing this.

"Click."

Hancock hung up the Den Den Mushi immediately, shutting out the nauseating sound.

She sat alone on the throne, her exquisite face flickering in the lamplight.

Slender fingers tapped lightly on the armrest.

"The Knights of God... the ultimate superhuman fruit..." she repeated the two words in a low voice, her eyes flashing with a dangerous yet excited light.

Risk? Absolutely huge!

But the profits were just as enough to drive her crazy!

Although that Celestial Dragon idiot was detestable, the information he provided this time was like a key, opening a door to a higher level of power for her.

"We must make good use of this information, and that idiot's obsession..."

Hancock's lips curved into a captivating yet coldly calculating smile.