When Kurozumi Higurashi roughly completed her transformation, it looked as if there were two identical Dan standing in front of Yukiko.
"That's about right. Although there are still some subtle differences in demeanor, even close acquaintances would find it hard to notice," Dan said with a smile as he looked at the other version of himself.
Hearing this, Kurozumi Higurashi also chuckled a few times, then quickly used her left hand to touch her face and revert to her original appearance.
She felt it would be disrespectful to continue appearing as Dan when it wasn't necessary.
"Lord Dan, this way, we can deceive Kozuki Sukiyaki," Higurashi said with a smile. After all, Sukiyaki had never met Dan before. As long as the appearance matched, even if the demeanor was vastly different, it wouldn't be exposed.
"Mm," Dan sat down and then asked, "Higurashi, after using the Clone-Clone Fruit to transform, can you replicate the abilities of the person you've transformed into?" This was something Dan had always been curious about.
"That... that's not possible, Lord Dan," Kurozumi Higurashi shook her head.
Although the Clone-Clone Fruit allows the user to imitate others, it doesn't grant the abilities of the person being imitated, at least not before awakening. Perhaps with further development of the fruit, more could be achieved, but Higurashi didn't have the time for that.
Different users could bring out entirely different powers from the same Devil Fruit.
For example, in the game, Pato the Tanuki, who followed Red Count, was essentially a brush and also a Mythical Zoan user of the Dog-Dog Fruit, Model: Bake-danuki.
However, when it came to using the Tanuki abilities, Pato himself was far less skilled than Red Count.
Thinking of Red Count, Dan suddenly had an idea.
Instead of aimlessly searching for the possibly non-existent Trans Town, there was a faster way to confirm whether the Vampire Fruit existed: by inquiring about Red Count himself.
As someone from the same era as Roger and Whitebeard, Red Count must have already set sail by now.
If that were the case, there might already be a bounty poster for him at sea. If this person truly existed, then it was highly likely that Trans Town and the Vampire Fruit also existed.
With this in mind, Dan said, "Higurashi, put the search for Trans Town on hold for now. The next time you set sail, keep an eye out for any bounty posters for someone named Patrick Redfield. If there aren't any, then there's no need to search for Trans Town."
If Redfield didn't exist in this world, then the Devil Fruit that existed in the game might also not exist. Even if it did, it might not be in Trans Town, making it somewhat unnecessary to waste resources searching for it.
Especially now, when they were still in the early stages of development, doing so would be quite extravagant.
"Never mind, I'll go myself," Dan thought for a moment and decided to take this opportunity to set sail. After all, in everyone's eyes, he had indeed left Kuri. Since that was the case, he might as well make it official.
"Lord Dan, you're going to set sail?" Higurashi's expression changed slightly, and she quickly advised, "The dangers overseas are far greater than those within the country. How can you take such a risk so casually?"
"Don't worry. I'm well aware of the forces in this world that are best not provoked. On the side of justice, there's the World Government and the Marines. On the side of evil, there's the Rocks Pirates. As long as I avoid them, there shouldn't be any major issues."
Dan planned to take this opportunity to set sail, and he also had his own goals. At this point in time, Enel either hadn't been born yet or was just an infant, so the Rumble-Rumble Fruit was still unclaimed.
Aside from Devil Fruits, Dan also intended to recruit some fresh blood to cultivate. In short, in preparation for the future, Dan had already begun planning his Raijin Kindergarten.
As for the brats Kaido would later take under his wing, Dan wouldn't let them slip away if he encountered them.
"If that's what you've decided, my lord..." Kurozumi Higurashi couldn't stop Dan, so she had no choice but to agree.
At this point, Dan turned to Yukiko and asked, "By the way, Yukiko, does Yuriko know some ancient script?"
"I believe so," Yukiko nodded. "Yuriko's family used to have some books on ancient script."
"That's perfect. I'll take her and Mari with me on this voyage."
"Take Yuriko and Mari?" Yukiko asked in surprise. "Why? Mari is one thing, but Yuriko might not be able to handle the rough seas."
"I need someone who can read ancient script," Dan explained. If this trip confirmed Red Count's existence, he would do his best to locate Trans Town. Finding the fruit's location would require someone who could read ancient script. As for the rough seas, that wasn't a concern—he could fly.
Aside from Devil Fruits and children, Dan also had his sights set on wealth. The golden city of Shandora on Skypiea could be looted when he went to find the Rumble-Rumble Fruit. Gold was a universal currency.
After discussing this matter, Dan asked a few more questions.
This time, Higurashi had also brought back some Den Den Mushi. Wano had its unique communication snails, which operated on the same principle as Den Den Mushi, but the two couldn't communicate with each other due to a language barrier.
Moreover, the signal range of Wano's snails wasn't very far, so once Higurashi set sail, the only way to communicate would be through written letters.
However, with Den Den Mushi, communication would be much more convenient.
The Den Den Mushi Higurashi brought were the most basic type. There were no Visual Den Den Mushi, let alone the rarer Black Den Den Mushi or White Den Den Mushi.
The former was used for eavesdropping, while the latter was used to prevent eavesdropping.
But in Wano, there was no need to worry about that. After all, the snails and Den Den Mushi couldn't understand each other, so there was no need for strict precautions, nor was it possible to use Den Den Mushi for eavesdropping.
In fact, they had already begun breeding some of the local snails in the daimyo's residence. However, in this era, it seemed most people hadn't yet discovered the usefulness of these snails, and wild Den Den Mushi were also quite rare.
The daimyo's residence had a dedicated area for breeding the snails they had found. Both Den Den Mushi and the local snails were natural creatures, and Dan wondered if breeding them together would allow them to learn each other's language.
"Let Sayo and Saori take care of breeding the snails and Den Den Mushi. I remember they like small animals," Dan said after some thought. "Higurashi, list out the key points for raising Den Den Mushi so they don't suffer from climate and environment."
Yukiko and Higurashi both nodded.
Though Yukiko wanted to say that while Sayo and Saori liked small animals, they preferred the fluffy kind, not these slimy, strange bugs.