Starting with helping Zhao Kai ascend the throne in the snow

With Buffalo's arrival, Shen Qing secretly pinched her thigh and perked up again.

Soon, everyone arrived at the main hall of the castle. Shen Qing sat in a chair, and the doctor named Corbyd picked up a stethoscope, blood pressure monitor and other medical instruments to conduct a full examination on Shen Qing and draw blood for testing.

After Kobe put down the equipment, Shen Qing asked eagerly, "Dr. Kobe, what are the results? What kind of treatment is needed?"

Hawkeye, Dover, and the old swordsman also cautiously pricked up their ears.

Kobe frowned deeply, his forehead creased with deep wrinkles, and he said with a hint of doubt in his eyes, "You said you were poisoned, but my tests show no toxins in your blood. However, your heartbeat is a bit abnormal."

Shen Qing was stunned for a moment upon hearing this, then suddenly realized and slapped his forehead, saying, "I had forgotten that there is no such thing as Gu in the One Piece world."

Shen Qing immediately explained the principle of Gu poison to Kobe, telling him that the Gu he was afflicted with was caused by a tiny worm implanted inside the body. Normally, the worm hides within, but when the Gu poison takes effect, it bites the corresponding organs, causing fatal damage. Of course, there are also poisonous Gu worms, but these are easily detected because they cause poisoning symptoms. Therefore, most people choose non-poisonous Gu worms, which are more covert and harder to defend against.

"I see." Kobe looked enlightened upon hearing this, then his eyes lit up as he said, "What amazing Gu worms! They can actually burrow into the human body and survive. Let me observe them a little longer." He then took out the stethoscope again and began to examine Shen Qing's heart.

After a lot of tinkering, Kobe reluctantly put down the machine, saying with a hint of regret, "I'm sorry, your condition is no longer within the scope of traditional medicine. I'm afraid I can't help you."

Kobe's words made everyone present feel uneasy. They hadn't expected that a doctor from the Drum Kingdom would be unable to solve Shen Qing's problem. This was quite unexpected and caught everyone off guard.

"Corbid, are you really unable to cure this Gu worm?" Doflamingo asked Corbid with a grim expression. He had previously assured Shen Qing how skilled his doctors were, but he never expected to be proven wrong so quickly.

"Your Majesty, to remove the Gu worms from this gentleman's body, we need to first operate to remove his heart before we can cleanse the Gu worms. This kind of medical technique is not my forte, so I am truly unable to do it," Kobid explained earnestly to Doflamingo.

When everyone heard Kobe say that Shen Qing's heart needed to be removed for treatment, they gasped in shock. Heart surgery is one of the most advanced medical techniques in the world today; no wonder Kobe lacked confidence. Such surgery often requires multiple top doctors working together to ensure the patient's safety; he simply couldn't do it alone.

"Brother Shen Qing, don't worry. It's just a top doctor. My Donquixote family is rich and powerful. I'll find a top doctor to treat you right away." Doflamingo was overjoyed when he heard Coby's words and immediately said generously.

He was just looking to befriend Shen Qing, and unexpectedly, he encountered such a good opportunity. The more troublesome and costly it was, the better. As long as he could save Shen Qing this time, he would gain Shen Qing's favor, and Shen Qing would surely think of him when good things came up in the future.

"Bru, bru..." Just then, the Den Den Mushi on Doflamingo's body rang. As the call connected, the Den Den Mushi immediately transformed into Trebol's image.

"Trebol, didn't I tell you not to bother me unless it's important? I'm busy with other things." Doflamingo's tone was somewhat displeased. He was trying to earn Shen Qing's favor and didn't want to be disturbed.

"Dover, I have two important pieces of news to tell you," Torrebol said with a chuckle, sniffling.

“Speak,” Doflamingo said.

"First piece of news: our family's peripheral members have obtained the Flame-Flame Fruit. I've already sent Diamante and Serca to retrieve it." Trebol's words were always surprising, dropping a bombshell right from the start.

The Flame-Flame Fruit is known to everyone in the One Piece world. As one of the most powerful Logia-type Devil Fruits, its previous owner, Ace, was a very famous person. He became the second division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates with the power of the Flame-Flame Fruit, and once fought a three-day and three-night battle with the Shichibukai Jinbe to a draw.

Although the Flame-Flame Fruit was jokingly called "even dogs wouldn't eat it" by many people in the later part of the manga, it was mostly just a joke. As one of the Logia-type Devil Fruits representing fire, its power is undeniable. Once someone obtains it, it can easily create a Shichibukai-level powerhouse.

Therefore, Doflamingo was greatly surprised when he heard that the Flame-Flame Fruit had fallen into the hands of the Donquixote Family. Then, an uncontrollable smile appeared on his lips. This was a good thing that could increase the strength of his side.

"What's the other news?" Having received the first piece of good news, Doflamingo asked with a hint of anticipation.

"The Blackbeard Pirates have sent us a note, wanting to purchase a batch of weapons and equipment from us at 30% below market price, and promising that the Blackbeard Pirates will send people to help the Donquixote Family if they encounter danger in the future." Trebol's voice came through the phone again.

"The Blackbeard Pirates want to buy weapons at 30% below market price? Absolutely not." Doflamingo rejected the offer without hesitation the moment he heard it.

Although the Blackbeard Pirates are currently enjoying great success, after the Marineford War, the remnants of the Whitebeard Pirates are eager to eliminate them. Even though Whitebeard is dead, the remaining division commanders are all renowned pirates, enough to cause Blackbeard a lot of trouble.

Therefore, Doflamingo doesn't care about the friendship of the Blackbeard Pirates. He might even get himself into trouble and be attacked by the remnants of the Whitebeard Pirates, which would be a loss for him.

"Wait a minute, Mr. Doflamingo. I hope you will grant Blackbeard's request and have him come to Dressrosa." Just as Doflamingo clearly refused and was about to hang up the phone, Shen Qing suddenly spoke up from the side.

Doflamingo was unaware of Blackbeard's power, but Shen Qing, who had watched the anime, knew of Blackbeard's strength. In the near future, the Blackbeard Pirates would definitely be one of the Four Emperors, and with Aokiji joining, they would be considered the strongest of the Four Emperors.

Most importantly, Shen Qing had previously considered getting in touch with the Blackbeard Pirates. After all, Blackbeard, who possessed the ability to hunt Devil Fruits, was someone worth befriending, as it would greatly benefit the future development of his forces. By befriending Blackbeard, he might gain a stable channel for acquiring Devil Fruits in the future.