After a long period of reflection, Yamato decided to give this Devil Fruit to Black Maria. Although she hadn't asked Maria directly, she could sense that the girl wanted to become stronger. Maria simply wasn't built for the same soul-crushing physical training that Yamato put herself through every day. In that case, a Devil Fruit was the most efficient way to close the gap.
Compared to that Ancient Type spider fruit she gets in the original timeline, the Okuchi-no-Makami model in my hand is infinitely better. Maria is one of my only true friends; she deserves this, Yamato thought.
Among the high-ranking members of the Beasts Pirates, Maria was one of the few who remained fiercely loyal to Kaido. If Yamato wanted to build a future for herself, she needed reliable allies by her side.
A few days later, Yamato returned to the Flower Capital.
"Oh my, Yamato! You're back. Is there something you need?" Maria asked, her face lighting up with genuine happiness at the sight of her friend.
"Maria, come here. I have something to tell you," Yamato said, beckoning her into a private room.
Maria looked puzzled but followed without question. They sat down across from each other, and Maria watched Yamato curiously, sensing the gravity of the situation.
"Maria, you want to get stronger, don't you?" Yamato asked, her voice low and serious.
Maria was stunned for a moment, her eyes widening in surprise. "Why do you say that?"
"Just a feeling. We've known each other for years, so I can tell when something is on your mind. I've come to offer you a choice," Yamato said. She wasn't one for long-winded explanations. She reached into her sleeve, pulled out the white, spiraled fruit, and placed it on the table between them.
Maria's breath hitched. "Is this... a Devil Fruit?"
"That's right. I found it by accident. I don't know exactly what power it holds, but if you want strength, this is your chance. The question is—do you have the courage to gamble?" Yamato's gaze was sharp and unyielding.
Under that piercing look, Maria felt her heart skip a beat. Silence stretched between them for several seconds before Maria took a deep breath. "Yamato, what about you? You want power more than anyone. What if this is an incredibly rare fruit?"
"Don't worry about me. I have my own path. Eat it, Maria. I think you'll be surprised," Yamato replied, shaking her head.
"Alright. I'll do it. Thank you, Yamato," Maria said, her hesitation vanishing. She picked up the fruit and took a determined bite.
"Ugh..." She immediately furrowed her brows. The taste was absolutely repulsive.
"One bite is enough," Yamato said with a small smile.
Maria nodded, setting the rest of the fruit aside and forcing herself to swallow. Ten seconds later, her expression shifted drastically as her body began to pulse with a strange, ancient energy. Before Yamato's eyes, Maria transformed. Her form grew more lean and powerful, covered in snow-white fur. She looked like a majestic, dignified wolf king.
"There it is. It really is the Dog-Dog Fruit, Mythical Zoan Model: Okuchi-no-Makami," Yamato said, her final worry disappearing.
Maria looked at her paws and felt the raw power overflowing from within her. "Is this really the strength of a Devil Fruit?"
"I've got to go. Maria, I'll keep relying on you to bring me those bento boxes in the future," Yamato said, standing up to return to her training grounds.
"Wait, Yamato! Don't you want to know what this power is?" Maria called out. She felt a wave of guilt; she realized this was a Mythical Zoan, a power as prestigious as Lord Kaido's own. Yamato had found it, yet she had simply given it away.
"It's a Mythical Zoan, right? Haha, looks like my hunch was correct. Just make sure you master its abilities, Maria. Don't let it go to waste," Yamato chuckled, waving her hand over her shoulder as she walked out.
Watching her go, Maria was moved to tears. "I will work harder than anyone to master this power! I won't let you down! One day, I will definitely be the one to help you!"
"Mhm. I believe in you," Yamato's voice drifted back from the hallway. Maria wiped her eyes and smiled; she knew she would never forget this moment. A gift like this was something she could never truly repay.
In a flash, ten years passed.
Onigashima.
The steady clack-clack of geta sandals echoed through the stone halls. A tall, slender figure appeared, her long, gradient-colored hair cascading down her back like a shimmering waterfall of white, green, and blue. Crimson horns, polished like gemstones, protruded from her head. Her face was mature and peerlessly beautiful, but it was her golden eyes that drew the most attention—they radiated nobility and a fierce, commanding Haki.
She wore a white kimono adorned with blue patterns that fluttered in the sea breeze. Despite her elegance, she carried an aura of absolute strength.
"Young Master!" the members of the Beasts Pirates shouted, bowing their heads in respect.
"Thanks for your hard work," Yamato said with a slight nod and a faint, confident smile. She strode toward the main headquarters.
Once she was out of earshot, the subordinates began to whisper excitedly.
"Look at her! She's incredible. She looks just as imposing as the Three All-Stars!"
"Of course she does! She's Lord Kaido's child. Didn't you hear? Ten years ago, when she was only eight, she was already running laps with 4 tons of Sea Stone on her back!"
"I heard she fought Lord Jack recently. They say she actually won, though I'd never say that to his face."
"Shh! Quiet! If Lord Jack hears you talking about his loss, he'll kill us all!"
The pirates shuddered at the thought. Jack the Drought was the youngest All-Star, and at eighteen years old—the same age as Yamato—his temper was famously explosive. He relied on the Ancient Type Mammoth fruit to crush his enemies, and he absolutely hated the fact that Yamato had bested him.
Yamato, however, wasn't thinking about Jack. Her eyes were on the horizon.