Starting with helping Zhao Kai ascend the throne in the snow

Dressrosa, as the first country after entering the New World, attracted a large number of pirates and caravans due to its unique geographical location, making the country very prosperous. Of course, the premise of prosperity is that the lawless pirates can be suppressed.

While the navy and merchants could easily cross the Red Line to reach the New World, pirates had to venture through Fishman Island, thousands of meters deep, to reach the New World from the seabed. After venturing through the deep sea, Dressrosa was the first island with abundant resources, a must-pass place for pirates, and a strategic location where they needed to replenish their supplies.

The World Government once tried to have the Navy establish a base here to protect the member state Dressrosa. However, faced with the endless waves of pirates, the Navy's base became a huge live target that attracted firepower. Those pirate crews that were on the verge of running out of supplies could not avoid Dressrosa. As a result, they had to fight the Navy to the death in order to survive, causing the Navy to suffer continuous casualties.

While naval officers at the admiral level might be able to withstand the losses, lower-ranking naval personnel often suffered heavy casualties. Every battle resulted in countless casualties, and each death or injury required exorbitant compensation payments. The massive military expenditure caused by such a meat grinder-like mass casualty was so enormous that even the World Government felt the pinch. Compared to the membership fee for protecting Dressrosa, the military expenditure was more than ten times that amount. Ultimately, the World Government was forced to make concessions and adopt the Seven Warlords of the Sea system, using pirates to counterbalance pirates in order to reduce the enormous military expenditure.

Since Roger ushered in the Great Pirate Era, the number of pirates has increased several times over compared to before. This surge in pirates has had a profound impact on the world order. Pirates are everywhere, wars are happening everywhere, suppression is needed everywhere, and casualties are everywhere. On one hand, there are constant battles breaking out all over the world, and on the other hand, the huge casualties among the lower-ranking naval soldiers have resulted in insufficient manpower. Ultimately, the naval power has been absolutely suppressed, and it has been forced to reduce its forces and only protect important areas.

It was against this backdrop that Doflamingo became one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, reclaiming Dressrosa from the Riku family. The reason it's described as "reclaiming" is because Doflamingo's ancestors were originally the kings of Dressrosa, one of the original twenty member states of the World Government. At the inception of the World Government, they chose to go to Mary Geoise and become Celestial Dragons, which is why the Riku family became the new royal family of Dressrosa.

Returning to the topic, Doflamingo, as one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, coupled with the powerful Donquixote Family, suppressed the lawless pirates after becoming the King of Dressrosa. In addition, Doflamingo's shrewd business acumen meant that he did not excessively pressure those pirate crews on the verge of collapse, but instead gave them opportunities to trade, which led to Dressrosa's rapid prosperity.

Therefore, in Shen Qing's view, although Doflamingo's rule over Dressrosa, due to the arms trade, turned some people into toys in sweatshops, which was somewhat excessive, it also indirectly protected the people of Dressrosa from the constant onslaught of pirate crews. Judging from the performance of King Riku's family in the original work, Shen Qing really didn't believe that they could guarantee the safety of Dressrosa; they probably couldn't even handle a Supernova-level pirate.

Truth often lies within the range of cannon fire. Without strong power and connections, how can one protect the Kingdom of Dressrosa?

Later, Admiral Fujitora used the Straw Hat crew's victory over Doflamingo to free Dressrosa from the rule of the Seven Warlords and return it to the Riku family. It seemed like a perfect ending, but as long as the pirate wave in the world continues, pirate crews will continue to choose to go to Dressrosa. At that time, without the deterrent power of the Donquixote Family, it is unknown whether those pirates will still obediently abide by the laws of Dressrosa as they did during Doflamingo's reign.

On a stretch of sea off Dressrosa, Doflamingo stood alone on a pirate ship, a hint of anticipation in his expression. The time he had agreed upon with Shen Qing was fast approaching.

Just then, he felt a burning sensation from the anchor in his hand, and the next second, the black ship appeared in the sea next to him, glowing with an eerie light.

"Brother Shen Qing, senior." Doflamingo greeted the two with a bright smile upon their arrival. If outsiders saw Doflamingo like this, they would be utterly astonished; the infamous Shichibukai of the Sea was now so amiable.

Seeing Doflamingo standing on a pirate ship, the old swordsman grabbed Shen Qing and leaped onto the deck where Doflamingo was. Shen Qing then took the opportunity to put the black ship into his body.

Two days had passed since Shen Qing last left. During these two days, Shen Qing had a good sleep and replenished his energy. The black ship, with the help of the old sword god, was also full of energy.

Including the few days Shen Qing spent as a guest at Eagle Eye's house last time, about five days have passed, leaving only three days before the Gu worms in his body take effect.

After returning to Dressrosa, Doflamingo, in order to prevent the unusual phenomenon of Shen Qing's appearance from being discovered by intelligence agents from other forces hidden within the kingdom, set sail early this morning and waited on a secluded spot on the sea.

At this moment, Doflamingo successfully picked up Shen Qing and the old sword god, and then began to return to Dressrosa with the two of them. Along the way, the small boats flying the Donquixote Family flag were able to roam freely in the vicinity of Dressrosa. Other ships would give way and make way for them when they saw them from afar, which shows that the Donquixote Family's power should not be underestimated.

Before long, Doflamingo's ship arrived safely near the port of Dressrosa. Trebol, who had already received the news, was waiting near the port with all the family members. Except for the undercover agent Vergo, Diamanti and Serca who were out on business, the entire family was present.

"Trebol, we have distinguished guests at our family's door today. Immediately have a grand banquet prepared at the palace." Doflamingo stepped off the ship, looked at all the assembled executives, and gave the order to Trebol with a satisfied expression.

Then, Doflamingo gestured to Shen Qing and the old sword god, saying, "Brother Shen, Senior Li, please come with me. Dressrosa is my territory. Don't be shy here, make yourself at home."

Shen Qing nodded to Doflamingo and stepped off the ship, with the old sword god following closely behind him.

The Donquixote Family executives on the shore were all taken aback by Doflamingo's actions. They knew that even Marine Admirals or some famous pirates had never received such treatment from Doflamingo when they came to Dressrosa.

Ovilette, standing in the crowd, stared at Shen Qing and his companion in shock. As a member of the Riku royal family, she had always dreamed of overthrowing Doflamingo's rule. She was well aware of Doflamingo's power, so she found it hard to imagine what kind of person could have made Doflamingo like this. Even the legendary Celestial Dragons, the world's nobles, might not have made Doflamingo like this.

Shen Qing noticed the gazes directed at him and immediately spotted Olivier. She quickly lowered her head to avoid them, chuckled lightly, and followed Dover into the palace.

Shen Qing was also very curious about what Dover was thinking regarding Ovilette's existence. Not only did he imprison her father and seize the throne, but he also kept this woman, whom he knew was hostile, by his side. Shen Qing really didn't know how to guess Dover's intentions unless it was true love.

Meanwhile, many intelligence agents in Dressrosa were also drawn to the scene at the dock, and soon all sorts of news were passed on to the intelligence leaders of various factions.