One Piece: Start by Rebuilding Kuri

Mari had mixed feelings about her own "burden." On one hand, it somewhat hindered her training, which frustrated her. On the other hand, it seemed that Lord Dan quite liked it, which made her feel a little proud.

As Mari was lost in thought, she saw Dan walk in, holding a fruit.

She quickly swam to the edge of the hot spring, propping herself up to look at him. She had seen Devil Fruits before, but she couldn't identify them.

"Dan-sama, what kind of fruit is this?"

"It's the Arctic Fox Zoan-type Devil Fruit," Dan replied, placing the fruit aside. Yuriko was still in the hot spring, and eating the fruit would make her body even more weak and limp.

The hot spring wasn't seawater, but it still contained trace amounts of seastone particles, which would have a certain restraining effect on Devil Fruit users.

In this world, even water vapor contained seastone particles. However, the extent of their effect on Devil Fruit users depended on the concentration of these particles.

After a while, the two finally emerged from the hot spring. After drying off and changing clothes, they followed Dan out. The samurai on Onigashima had already prepared dinner for them. Originally, they wanted Dan to stay overnight, but he decided it would be better to leave under the cover of night.

"Let's have dinner before eating the Devil Fruit. Otherwise, I'm afraid you'll be too nauseous to eat," Dan said. He had never tasted a Devil Fruit himself, but the description of it being "as disgusting as excrement" was deeply ingrained in everyone's minds.

After dinner, Yuriko finally took a bite of the Devil Fruit.

Only the first bite of a Devil Fruit was needed to gain its full power. Eating the entire fruit was just asking for unnecessary suffering.

"How does it feel?"

"It's... really disgusting," Yuriko said, her face pale as she pressed a hand to her chest, trying to suppress the urge to vomit.

"Can you use the fruit's power now?"

"Yes, Dan-sama. After eating the fruit, I just knew. It feels like a sudden instinct," Yuriko replied softly after regaining her composure. She glanced at Dan, her gaze unexpectedly alluring, like a charming fox.

It seemed that even in human form, the user would be somewhat influenced by the fruit's power. However, the appearance of adults usually didn't change much. Those in their growth period who ate Zoan-type fruits often developed animal-like features or changes in physique.

Mari squatted nearby, her eyes sparkling as she eagerly watched her mother prepare to demonstrate her new abilities.

"First..." Before Yuriko could finish, her body began to change. A white tail emerged from behind her, and her already curvaceous figure became even more enchanting. Her eyes grew narrower, and sharp claws sprouted from her delicate hands.

"So cool! You grew a tail and ears! Even your hair turned white!" Mari exclaimed, her eyes wide with amazement. She really wanted to reach out and touch them, as they looked so soft and fluffy. But remembering that this was her mother, she hesitated.

These were the most obvious changes. The rest were more subtle, like the shift in her demeanor. Yuriko now seemed even more captivating, capable of enchanting someone with just a glance.

"Mother, you've become even more beautiful! I really want to eat a Devil Fruit too!" Mari said enviously.

"In that case, Mari, you'll have to work hard," Yuriko said, gently patting her head.

"Mom, can I touch your tail?" Mari asked eagerly.

"No, the tail is very sensitive!" Yuriko said, raising her tail and speaking sternly.

"Then..."

"The ears are off-limits too!"

Mari's hope for life was crushed.

"Yuriko, there's another transformation, right?"

"Yes," Yuriko nodded. Her body began to grow white fur at an astonishing rate, soon covering her entire skin. Her facial features also started to change, her mouth and nose elongating and protruding slightly. Her body shrank a bit, and soon, the kimono she was wearing collapsed as a white fox jumped out from it, snuggling affectionately into Dan's arms.

"You really turned into a fox!" Mari exclaimed excitedly, not caring that this fox was her mother. She rushed forward and started petting the fox.

"So soft and fluffy, so cute! If Saori and Saya saw this, they'd absolutely love it!"

The Arctic Fox version of Yuriko rolled her eyes in a very human-like manner, then used her tail to sweep Mari away. What did she mean by Saori and Saya loving it? She wasn't a real fox!

Saori and Saya were sisters bought by Yukiko, who loved fluffy animals. They were currently working at the Daimyo's residence, tasked with raising Den Den Mushi and snails.

"Dan-sama, after eating this Devil Fruit, I feel much better. It's like my whole body is filled with energy!" Yuriko, now in her Arctic Fox form, spoke.

"It's so magical! You can still talk even as a fox!"

Before Dan could respond, Mari exclaimed in amazement. This kid probably needs a good spanking, Yuriko thought angrily.

"Mari, I'm not a real fox!" Yuriko was a bit annoyed that Mari was treating her like an actual fox.

"Alright, it's time for us to set off," Dan said.

In truth, he had plenty of time. Higurashi had gone to the Flower Capital and might stay there for about a month. Even if Dan didn't return within a month, Kurozumi Higurashi could continue impersonating him at the Daimyo's residence.

Honestly, even without the impersonation, no one would know that the Daimyo of Kuri had already set sail.

But Dan still wanted to hurry. His goal for this trip was simple: first, gather information about Red Count to confirm his existence. Then, send people to look for the Trans Town. He wouldn't waste time searching for a small town himself.

Another goal was the Rumble-Rumble Fruit and the gold of Shandora.

Enel's hometown was on a sky island called Birka, which he later destroyed. The Rumble-Rumble Fruit was likely on Birka.

As for the locations of other fruits mentioned in the original story, Dan wasn't entirely sure. He would have to take things one step at a time.