While he first introduces himself as Kozuki Oden, when the mask comes off he’s revealed as Yamato, son of Kaido. The Ogre Prince is one of the strongest in Wano, with an insane level of power including Advanced Conqueror Haki. Yamato is so strong that even Luffy asks him to join the Straw Hat Pirates, but before that can happen, he has some things to finish up in Wano!
This article contains spoilers for One Piece. Catch up through MangaPlus or Viz before reading further to avoid being spoiled!
Who is Yamato?
Yamato, also known to some as the Ogre Princess, Ogre Prince, or Kozuki Oden, is the only child of Kaido. They’ve been raised mostly in isolation their whole life, whether imprisoned by Kaido or just self-isolated from the Beast Pirates. Despite the brutish parenting tactics of Kaido, he’s an idealist. Yamato grows up the opposite of what his father would want for him. It’s only the beginning of Yamato’s journey when he locks him in a cell with some former samurai of Wano.
Through the teachings of Kozuki Oden, Yamato becomes a brave warrior fighting for Wano. He defends the entire island of Onigashima along with Momo. It’s only them making sure that it doesn’t fall and crush the Flower Capitol below. While he doesn’t know a whole lot about the outside world, Yamato is incredibly adventurous. Now that he’s free from his shackles, he’s on a journey to explore the Grand Line following Oden’s blueprint.
Child of Kaido
There’s still a lot of speculation over who Yamato’s mother is, but Kaido is undeniably his father. The massive stature and horns alone designate him as part of the Oni race. Add in the massive Conqueror Haki they both command and the relation makes sense. The Emperor of the Sea has been one of the worst fathers in One Piece though. Which is saying something, because that’s a really low bar for a series full of terrible dads.
He locks Yamato up for most of his childhood, whether in a cell or with Sea-Prism Stone shackles. That’s along with the merciless beatings Kaido gives him nearly daily. On the odd days he chooses to actually acknowledge him as his child.
Dog-Dog Fruit, Mythical Model: Okuchi-no-Makami
The Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit that Yamato holds is also the form of Wano’s guardian deity, which is no coincidence. Though Kaido gives it to him in an attempt to form Yamato into his own version of a guardian, it goes entirely opposite of how he plans. Yamato trains these powers, harnessing both the hybrid and full Zoan transformations while seemingly Awakening the Fruit in the process.
While the translation of the name means Large-Mouth God Dog, it’s more massive wolf in command of ice. Yamato is able to freeze his enemies by both imbuing weapons with the power and blasting concentrated ice beams. There’s no telling what powers this could hold if he trains it more. It does also seem he has the traits of an already Awakened Devil Fruit like the smoke wreath.
Captive of Wano
Yamato, as far as we know, has never been outside of Wano during his life. He was originally allowed to roam free around the Beast Pirates base of operations on Onigashima during his youth, until he became too unruly to keep up with. Any time that Yamato would go on a rampage against the Beast Pirates, it would often take nothing short of his father or one of the Lead Performers to pacify him again thanks to his Conqueror Haki.
Kaido would lock him away for a time with some former samurai who served under Kozuki Oden, and this would begin Yamato’s obsession. These samurai teach him what it means to be a warrior, and show that they hold no ill will toward a child of their enemy. There’s no shortage of lessons Yamato learns from them in the brief time he’s interned, but Kaido soon realizes it’s helping more than hurting his child.
The Journal of Kozuki Oden
Before everything can be destroyed, Yamato gets his hands on the journal of Kozuki Oden. Unfortunately, it’s had the last few pages ripped out, an attempt by Oden to keep the secret of Laughtale from getting into the wrong hands. It helps Yamato to learn about his journeys though, and he finds out about the daring feats of Gold Roger, Whitebeard, and the others he meets along the way.
This brings Yamato into the belief that he is meant to carry on Kozuki Oden’s legacy. He does this by learning everything he can about the samurai, emulating his mannerisms to this day. It makes Kaido even angrier, refusing to acknowledge Yamato as Oden and causing him to put his son in even further isolation from the rest of the Beast Pirates and Wano.
Ace Arrives
When Ace arrives it just happens to be during one of Kaido’s prolonged absences from Wano. He washes up on the island after a brief issue and decides to seek out Kozuki Oden on behalf of his captain Whitebeard. What he learns is the unfortunate fate of Wano, and it also brings him into a skirmish with Yamato, who mistakes him for an invader. They fight for a time, but eventually find common ground when Yamato finds out Ace is one of Whiterbeard’s pirates, and the fighting stops.
The two talk for hours about the legends of Oden and Whitebeard, and Ace even reveals his parentage to Yamato. Though surprised, Yamato doesn’t skip a beat in asking Ace about the rest of the outside world, and he tells him all about Luffy. While Ace promises to return and help Yamato leave Wano one day, it’s a promise that Luffy has to fulfill for him after his death, and it changes Yamato forever.
Yamato vs. Kaido
The Raid on Onigashima is already in full effect when Yamato enters it as a late contender to the battle. He does it in full style too, demanding to join Luffy’s crew right off the bat and introducing himself as Kozuki Oden. It’s definitely a confusing point for any of the Straw Hats, but it ends up with Yamato taking on his father in a one-on-one that shakes the heavens. Yamato is crucial to the Raid on Onigashima, and leads the battle with Kaido while Luffy is briefly knocked to the ground below.
While he goes all, Haki and Ice littering the area by time he’s done, it’s not his fight to finish. Yamato decides to jump out and help Momo instead. They make sure that everyone on the floating island doesn’t die when it hits the ground. It proves his selflessness, and earns him an invitation from Luffy to join the Straw Hat Pirates. Though it doesn’t quite happen after everything is said and done.
Will Yamato Join the Straw Hats?
Yamato accepts the invitation initially, but during the massive celebration at the Flower Capital, Greenbull makes a move. Yamato and Momo are just two of the fighters that take on the Navy Admiral. Surprisingly, he’s able to tank one of Yamato’s Conqueror Haki attacks like nothing. Only through the efforts of Yamato, Momo, and the healthy Red Scabbards they win, and it isn’t an easy fight.
If someone on that threat level comes back, Wano is done for. This leads to Yamato’s decision to stay, traveling the country just like Kozuki Oden did decades before him. He’s going to journey all around, learning everything he can about the people of Wano. Yamato will learn it’s history before joining up later with the Straw Hats. While Yamato hasn’t joined them yet, the invitation is standing and available for him to take at any time. This will fulfill his role too as the Guardian of Wano, just like the Devil Fruit he holds.
What’s Next for Yamato?
As of right now, he’s traveling through Wano and making friends. The reconstruction efforts throughout the country are taking some time, but Yamato’s great strength is a huge help throughout. He’s going to keep going, as the Straw Hats are barely gone a week at this point. Maybe not now, but he’ll be on the seas in no time.
Yamato is going to be a monster of a fighter by the time he comes back to join the Straw Hats. His already incredible Conqueror Haki is on par with that of Luffy and Zoro, so he might upset the balance of the Monster Trio when he joins. Without a doubt though, Yamato is going to be a big player in the Final Saga of One Piece, whenever he decides to set sail and meet up with the Straw Hats.
