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

"You've given me more tonics!"

Hancock's delicate shout, brimming with domineering presence and boundless majesty, was captivating.

Like being doused with ice water, Rayleigh and Shiki, who were on the verge of exchanging blows, instantly sobered up a bit.

The murderous aura and fighting spirit that the two men were about to unleash were forcibly suppressed at the edge of eruption.

Rayleigh slowly retracted his fighting stance, but the wariness and confusion in his eyes did not diminish in the slightest.

He looked at Hancock, his tone incredulous.

"Hancock, what's going on? Shiki the Golden Lion... how did he end up on Amazon Lily? And become... the first mate?"

He felt his worldview had been shaken; the news was as absurd as hearing that Akainu and Whitebeard were actually long-lost brothers.

Shiki snorted unhappily, but temporarily suppressed his urge to attack.

He crossed his arms, glanced sideways at Rayleigh, and had an arrogant look that said, "I'm right here, what can you do to me?"

However, a hint of resentment was hidden deep in his eyes after being scolded by Hancock.

The frost on Hancock's beautiful face had not yet dissipated. She spoke to Rayleigh first.

"Teacher Rayleigh, this is a long story. Senior Shiki is a 'guest' vice-captain whom I invited, but he is only in name. He has his own freedom and will only assist when necessary. I have my own plans and discretion."

Her tone was unquestionable, indicating that it was her decision and no one else needed to question it.

"You have your own plans?"

Rayleigh frowned, his voice low, filled with the worry of an elder.

"Hancock, do you even know who he is? The phrase 'letting the wolf into the house' perfectly describes him! His ambition and madness mean he'll never be content to be subservient to anyone!"

"Hey! You old bastard! Who are you calling a wolf?!"

Shiki immediately bristled and roared, his neck stiff.

"Where I want to stay is my business! This little girl... cough, the captain's strength and looks are quite good, she's to my liking! What's wrong with making her my first mate? Is that not allowed?!"

He spoke with a lack of confidence, but in order to save face in front of his old rival, he still forced himself to put on a show.

Hancock watched the two about to start arguing again, and felt a throbbing pain in her temples.

She took a deep breath and decided to try a different strategy.

Reasoning with these two old guys is unlikely to be effective, so it's better to...

She turned her gaze to Shiki, her tone suddenly becoming flat, yet carrying a subtle hint of guidance.

"First Mate Shiki, Rayleigh is my guest, and moreover, a senior. As the host, do you intend to 'entertain' your guest with your fists? If word gets out, it will surely damage your reputation as the Golden Lion, won't it?"

Shiki paused for a moment, then subconsciously felt that there was some truth to what he said.

Although he, the Golden Lion, is arrogant, he still has his pride.

It's definitely beneath you to lay a hand on a guest on a junior's turf.

Before Hancock could react, she looked at Rayleigh with a perfectly timed, helpless smile that carried the coquettishness of a junior.

"Professor Raleigh, you see, this is all a misunderstanding. You came all this way just to have a drink, why get angry?"

She changed the subject.

"Do you happen to have a few jars of fifty-year-old 'Daughter's Red' wine here, Senior Shiki? This would be a perfect way to welcome Teacher Raleigh and showcase your prestige, wouldn't you say?"

"Daughter's Red Wine?!"

Rayleigh and Shiki spoke almost simultaneously, their eyes lighting up instantly!

Rayleigh is a drunkard; he can't resist good wine.

Shiki, on the other hand, was captivated by Hancock's comment about "showing the demeanor of a first mate," and felt that this was a good opportunity to demonstrate his "status" and "generosity" in front of Rayleigh!

"Hehehe! That's right!"

Shiki immediately seized the opportunity, waving his hand as if the wine were his own.

"Rayle! You're in luck today! I'm in a good mood, so I'll reward you with several jars of the Nine Serpents' treasured top-grade Daughter's Red wine! Plenty!"

He deliberately emphasized the word "reward," glancing smugly at Raleigh.

Rayleigh's lips twitched as he looked at Shiki's smug expression.

Looking at Hancock's sly smile, he immediately understood that Hancock was trying to smooth things over.

However... the temptation of top-grade Daughter's Red wine is just too great!

He smacked his lips, his fighting spirit completely dissipating, replaced by an anticipation for the fine wine.

"Hmph, since Hancock and... Shiki, the 'first mate,' are so sincere, then this old man won't hold back."

Rayleigh followed suit, emphasizing the words "first mate" with a hint of teasing.

The crisis is temporarily over.

Hancock breathed a sigh of relief and immediately ordered her maids to prepare a banquet.

She personally went to Grandma New's treasured wine cellar and "borrowed" several jars of the oldest and most fragrant premium Daughter Red wine.

Anyway, my mother-in-law will definitely nag when she finds out, but I can't worry about it in order to appease these two darlings.

She certainly had her own reserves, but they were relatively new and she was a little reluctant to part with them.

Soon, on a terrace with a wide view in the palace, a banquet with a subtle atmosphere began.

The rich and mellow Nu'erhong wine was poured into the bowl, releasing its aroma.

Both Shiki and Rayleigh had huge drinking capacities, and after a few bowls of wine, the previous tension had subsided considerably.

But there's no shortage of witty banter and backstabbing between them.

"Tsk, this wine is alright, but it's not quite as good as the ones I used to steal and collect back in the day."

Shiki smacked his lips, habitually exaggerating.

"Just rob it if you want, why pretend?"

Rayleigh bluntly exposed him and then took a satisfying sip.

"But this wine is indeed quite good, Hancock, thank you for your thoughtfulness."

"Hmph! It's better than you, an old pauper, not even having money for drinks!"

"Hehe, at least this old man borrows alcohol through his own ability, unlike some people who rely on young girls to get it."

Hancock sat in the main seat, watching these two old guys, whose combined age was over 150, bicker like children, and sighed helplessly.

The only options are to occasionally interject and mediate, or to silence them with fine wine.

After a few rounds of drinks, Rayleigh put down his wine bowl, his face hazy with intoxication, but his eyes remained clear.

He looked at Hancock, his tone returning to its previous seriousness:

"Hancock, the sake is good, and I appreciate your hospitality. However..."

He glanced at Shiki, who was already somewhat drunk and was boasting about his past valor while clutching a wine jar, and lowered his voice to Hancock.

"This old lion is wild and untamed. You're only able to keep him in check now because he's still recovering from his injuries and is holding back. Once he finds an opportunity, or regains some of his strength... the consequences will be unimaginable. You should make plans early and be more vigilant."

Hancock picked up her glass, took a small sip, and her exquisite face appeared unfathomable in the moonlight.

"I have taken your advice to heart, teacher."

She smiled slightly, her gaze sweeping over the drunken Shiki, a sharp glint flashing in her eyes.

"However, please rest assured, teacher. Since I dared to invite him onto the ship, I naturally have... the reins to control him. At least for now, he cannot escape my grasp."

Her voice was soft, yet it carried an absolute confidence.

Rayleigh looked at the little girl in front of him, who was no longer the little girl he used to protect.

Instead, she grew into a powerful and cunning empress, filled with countless emotions.

In the end, he simply shook his head and drank the wine in the bowl in one gulp.

"Alright, I can't interfere too much in your affairs as an old man. I just hope you... take care of yourself."

As night deepened, the aroma of wine still lingered on the terrace.