Haki is definitely something Dan needs to learn. Although his Devil Fruit abilities have awakened, making him quite powerful—possibly even stronger than Oden at this point—his "Take Over" ability is dependent on his physical stamina. If his base strength isn't sufficient, his Take Over form might deactivate quickly during combat.
The Take Over ability does enhance his strength even in his normal state. For example, Dan estimates that his current strength is roughly equivalent to Luffy's when he first set out to sea, or perhaps even slightly weaker.
Additionally, there's one thing most people who find themselves in the world of One Piece can't avoid: the collection of Devil Fruits.
The Take Over Magic isn't limited to just absorbing demons.
"What's the current situation in Ringo?" Dan asked.
"Ringo?" Kurozumi Semimaru was puzzled by Dan's sudden interest in Ringo but answered truthfully, "Ringo is also under the rule of the Shimotsuki clan. The current daimyo of Ringo is Shimotsuki Ushimaru."
Dan nodded. In the anime, his impression of Ringo was that it was a desolate, snow-covered land, but at this point in time, it wasn't as bleak as it would become in the future.
The reason Dan asked about Ringo was to see if Yamato's Mythical Zoan-type Devil Fruit, Inu-Inu no Mi, Model: Okuchi no Makami, might be located there.
Yamato's Devil Fruit, the Okuchi no Makami, is based on the guardian deity of Wano's legends. Given that the fruit's powers are ice-based, it's highly likely that Kaido obtained it within Wano. Combined with the fact that Ringo is a snowy region, Dan speculated that the fruit might be found there.
However, this was just speculation.
"Do we have enough manpower? I plan to collect Devil Fruits."
"Well... we don't have many people, but if you need Devil Fruits, we can put other matters on hold," Semimaru replied without hesitation.
Dan shook his head.
"No, let's focus on the main task for now," he said, walking to the edge of the room and sliding open the shoji door to look outside. Devil Fruits were important, but they weren't an immediate necessity for him.
While the Take Over ability had no limit on the number of things it could absorb, the different Satan Souls couldn't influence or stack with each other. In contrast, improving his own strength was far more important.
"Wano... this name doesn't sound good," Dan murmured as he stepped outside. He decided that once he took control of the country, he would change its name.
—To Inazuma.
Time was of the essence. Dan remembered that Oden would pacify Kuri within two years of leaving the Flower Capital. To beat him to it, Dan had to make every second count.
With that in mind, he deactivated his Take Over form, reverting from his Yamata no Orochi state.
After exiting the Yamata form, his appearance didn't change much, but the dark shadows around his eyes disappeared, and the cold, eerie aura around him vanished. The parts of his clothing that had transformed into serpentine forms returned to normal.
Dan immediately began training.
He needed to seize every moment.
Originally, he had considered asking Semimaru to prepare some ordinary beasts for him to absorb using his Take Over Magic. As the strongest of the Satan Souls, Dan could absorb ordinary animals as well.
Essentially, aside from humans, he could absorb any living creature.
Of course, the stronger the target, the more difficult the absorption. Otherwise, Dan could just go and absorb Zunesha and call it a day.
But seeing how frail and elderly Semimaru looked, Dan decided to wait until Orochi returned and have him handle it.
By evening, Kurozumi Orochi returned from the daimyo's estate. When he saw Dan, his face lit up with fanatical excitement, and he immediately knelt on the ground, saying, "Kurozumi Orochi greets the great lord."
Orochi was surprised to see Dan in human form, and Dan, in turn, was surprised by Orochi's transformation. In Dan's memory, Orochi had always been that grotesque, block-headed figure with a face larger than his body.
But now, while Orochi's head was still large and ugly, his body had become muscular and well-built, and he stood tall and straight.
"My name is Dan Deeznuts Lyon."
"Yes, Lord Dan."
"Orochi, I heard you've been training hard this past year and have become quite strong?"
"I wouldn't dare say I'm strong, but for the sake of making you the shogun of this country, I, Kurozumi Orochi, must train myself and be ready to give my life for you at any moment," Orochi said, kneeling respectfully.
Dan couldn't help but marvel at the power of the Yamata no Orochi's Serpent Mark. It had completely altered Orochi's personality.
Unfortunately, this technique wouldn't work on true powerhouses. Although Orochi had grown stronger, his innate talent limited his potential.
"In that case, Orochi, when you have time, teach me how to use Haki," Dan said. Orochi's Haki was only at a beginner's level, but that was enough. Once Dan grasped the basics, he could refine it through training and combat.
"But... Lord Dan, there's no need for you to exert yourself. I will become your blade, Semimaru will be your shield, and Higurashi will devise strategies to seize this country. You only need to wait for us to present everything to you. How could we let you suffer?"
"Strength is necessary, Orochi. If I were strong enough, I could take control of this country right now. Moreover, this world isn't limited to Wano. Don't let your vision be confined by this country."
Dan shook his head. While he had no desire to become the king of the world, he knew that as the era progressed, the world's order would collapse, and Wano would inevitably be swept into the chaos.
Although he didn't care for Oden as a person, he agreed with the idea that Wano needed to open its borders.
In truth, Dan didn't particularly like either Orochi or Oden, but since Orochi was now his servant, he had no reason to oppose him.
"Orochi, in the coming decades, a world-shaking storm will arise. Only with sufficient strength can we secure our place in this world!"