Yamato

Yamato is the daughter of Kaidou of the Four Emperors and proclaims to be "Kozuki Oden". This profound admiration for the legendary samurai has led Yamato to embody everything related to the samurai to the extent of proclaiming to be a man as well, and Yamato is widely referred to as Kaidou's son.

After meeting Monkey D. Luffy, Yamato decided to defect to the Ninja-Pirate-Mink-Samurai Alliance waging war against Kaidou, and once Kaidou is defeated, Yamato intends on going out to sea with Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates.

Appearance
Yamato is tall, being almost twice Luffy's height but not nearly as tall as Kaidou. Yamato has long, white hair that is bound between orange rods into a ponytail at the back, which fades into aqua green and then blue the further down it goes, and ends in rectangular locks similar to Kaidou. Yamato also has large, orange eyes with prominent eyelashes, and wears gold hoop earrings on both ears and has red horns. Clothing-wise, Yamato wears a pair of red hakama pants and sandals, and, much like Oden, wears a large purple and white nio-daisuki behind the back.

Yamato's current outfit is a sleeveless white garment with a diamond-shaped design on both sides and an indigo, wisp-patterned bottom half. This garment was originally a sleeved kimono with long white sleeves, but these were later ripped off, leaving the garment sleeveless and making it more form-fitting. Also, while in disguise, Yamato originally also wore a hannya mask, which has a blue wig with an extremely long and wild mane attached to the top and a long blue goatee attached to the bottom.

Around four years ago, Yamato wore a similar long-sleeved outfit, but with different symbols on the breast area. The symbols resemble an oden skewer.

At age 8, Yamato's outfit was nearly identical to today, except with a slightly different mask with shorter horns and beard and without the nio-daisuki. In the manga, Yamato's outfit lacked the diamond-shaped design.

Personality
Yamato holds immense admiration for the legendary samurai Kozuki Oden, emulating every aspect of him, including his name, appearance, goals, and even his gender, reasoning that, since Oden was a man, then it was also necessary to become a man. Yamato wishes to fulfill Oden's dream of reopening the borders of Wano Country. Due to this admiration of Oden, Yamato often does things and considers certain actions based on assuming the identity of Oden himself. This led to Yamato being considered delusional by Luffy, Ulti, Shinobu, and Momonosuke.

Kaidou
Damn it, that bull-gorilla!! He was seriously trying to kill me!!! I understand!! He is not a parent anymore!!!

Kaidou is Yamato's father and the two have a strained, spiteful relationship with one another, as Yamato idolizes Kaidou's enemy, Kozuki Oden. When Yamato told Kaidou of the desire to be Oden, Kaidou responded with violent beating and has subsequently been cruel to Yamato numerous times since childhood, having kept Yamato imprisoned on Onigashima since the age of eight years old, earning both Yamato's hatred and contempt for his actions, as Yamato wants nothing to do with Kaidou or his plans. When hearing Kaidou's plan for the New Onigashima Project and his desire for Yamato to be Wano's Shogun as a part of the plan, Yamato was visibly upset by the news, openly yelling that such a thing would never happen. He even had Yamato cuffed with explosive shackles to prevent a possible escape. Despite being openly spiteful against Kaidou, Yamato still showed signs of familial ties with him, shown when Yamato had doubts about Kaidou's many threats, including using explosive cuffs to kill Yamato in the event of an escape attempt. Despite Yamato's original doubts that they would explode, after Luffy removed them and they did in fact explode, Yamato realized that Kaidou was actually willing to kill his own child and, as a result, chose to sever relations with him, such to the point of proclaiming that there would not be any concern for Kaidou if he were killed during the raid on Onigashima, and to the point that Yamato did not hesitate to openly side with Luffy and his alliance and to attack any and all Beast pirates members, despite some members' confusion as to why.

Kaidou's overall view of Yamato is unknown. Although, Yamato has emulated Oden for the past 20 years to the point of even dressing up as a man like him, and although Kaidou disapproves of this idolizing of him, he does refer to Yamato as his son, in a way possibly respecting Yamato's desire be a man just like Oden was. However, Kaidou does not seem to be aware that Yamato wishes to fulfill Oden's dream of opening Wano's borders, a cause which he is opposed to. Furthermore, though he has called Yamato an "idiot," he wished to have Yamato participate in his party during the Fire Festival and later announced across Onigashima his intention for Yamato to replace Orochi as shogun, showing that he places great trust in Yamato to assume such a position.

Beast Pirates
As the daughter of Kaidou, the majority of the Beast Pirates showed a great amount of respect towards Yamato, referring to them as "Lord Yamato", and had a great respect and fear of Yamato's strength, though most are perplexed by Yamato's self-declarations as "Kozuki Oden". Despite this, they openly followed Kaidou's every order to restrain and keep watch over Yamato for the last 20 years, and after Yamato officially cut ties with Kaidou, Yamato openly attacked any and all members of the Beast Pirates, despite some members confusion as to why Yamato was fighting with the enemy. After Yamato's rebellion from the Beast Pirates was made apparent, they were ordered to immediately fight Yamato back, cementing them officially as enemies.

Monkey D. Luffy


After failing to set sail with Ace, Yamato had been waiting for his brother, Monkey D. Luffy, to arrive at Onigashima. For this reason, Yamato chased and clashed with Luffy after finding him, ignoring his time constraints in order to talk to him, even if for just five minutes. Yamato then trusted Luffy enough to request his help in achieving Oden's dream of opening Wano's borders, and told him that Kaidou was their father and then expressed a wish to be freed from Kaidou and an intent to leave Wano with Luffy's crew as a means to be free and explore the sea like Oden did. Therefore, after Luffy removed the explosive handcuffs Kaidou had used to imprison Yamato, the two decided they would fight Kaidou together. Their trust has slowly grown and Luffy even entrusted Yamato to help them protect Momonosuke.

Luffy refers to Yamato by the nickname "Yama-o" (ヤマ男), similar to the nicknames he uses for Trafalgar Law, Bartolomeo, and Eustass Kid. Yamato appears to not understand Luffy's use of nicknames, as evidenced by the attempt to correct Luffy with the former's actual name, as well as Ulti's name when Luffy gives her a nickname as well. When battling Kaidou, Yamato openly told him that he would lose to Luffy, believing that he would return, calling him "the one that Oden was waiting for", and that after that, Yamato would go to sea with Luffy and the Straw Hats, which upsets Kaidou.

Portgas D. Ace


Yamato met the pirate, Ace a few years ago and was initially antagonistic towards him due to his excessive rampage on Onigashima. The two quickly became friends, however, after Ace recognized that Yamato was being held captive by Kaidou. As they drank sake together, they talked about the current generation of pirates and Ace's little brother, Luffy. Yamato would have liked to sail out of Wano with the Spade Pirates, but was kept prisoner on Onigashima, shackled with explosive handcuffs. However, Yamato created a Vivre Card for Ace so they could meet again.

Yamato thought highly of Ace and believed he would be the one leading the new generation of pirates, until his untimely death at Marineford two years ago. This is also evidenced by the conversation with Luffy in which Yamato fondly stated that Luffy was reminiscent of Ace and that, although it was not possible to set sail with Ace, it would be possible to leave with Luffy due to them being brothers.

Kozuki Momonosuke
Kozuki Momonosuke!! I am Oden!! I will protect you!! Yamato initially believed that Momonosuke had died 20 years ago in Oden Castle. Yamato had tried to save him from Kaidou at the time, but was powerless to do anything. Yamato believes that Momonosuke is important for the "Dawn of the World".

Upon meeting Momonosuke in the present, Yamato referred to him as "my son" due to assuming Kozuki Oden's identity, but Momonosuke was confused by the fact that Yamato proclaimed to be Oden and was initially mistrustful. However, after watching Yamato take on incoming attacks from Sasaki and his Armored Division to protect Momonosuke, he and Shinobu recognized Yamato as an ally. Later, Momonosuke was shocked to hear that Yamato was Kaidou's daughter, but did not hold it against Yamato.

Overview
I recognize your value…as a soldier!!!

Yamato is a very powerful warrior, with Black Maria noting that bringing Yamato back to Kaidou's fortress after having escaped would be a difficult task. In the past, Yamato was able to clash against Ace, a powerful Logia user, on equal ground. Afterwards, Ace acknowledged Yamato's abilities and lamented that Yamato could not join his crew. During the battle on Onigashima, Yamato clashed with Kaidou, a particularly notable feat considering the Emperor's nearly unparalleled physical might.

Physical Abilities
Yamato possesses immense physical strength resembling that of Kaidou, being capable of wielding a large and heavy kanabo and using it to knock out Ulti, an Ancient Zoan user and one of the Tobiroppo, with just one blow. Yamato was also able to physically match Luffy's strength with relative ease, even when he increased his strength exponentially with Gear Second and Gear Third. When Yamato countered a punch from Luffy with a kick, the powerful collision destroyed part of the nearby wall and ceiling and blew back the Beasts Pirates around them. Yamato could easily run while carrying Luffy with just one arm and was able to shatter the extremely tough armor and weaponry of the Beasts Pirates' Armored Corps.

Yamato is extremely fast, being able to lunge forward with blinding speed to attack, as well as outrun members of the Beasts Pirates in pursuit, and eventually completely elude the pirates and escape to the attic with Luffy without anyone seeing them. Yamato also possesses tremendous durability, having emerged from being struck by multiple explosive bazooka blasts with only superficial bruises and cuts, though eventually began taking more serious wounds as the bazooka strikes continued.

Devil Fruit


Yamato has eaten the Inu Inu no Mi, Model: Okuchi no Makami, a Mythical Zoan-type Devil Fruit that enables transformation into a divine wolf, as well as a hybrid between a human and that animal. According to Kaidou, this beast is a "Guardian Deity of Wano Country". Yamato ate this fruit purely out of hunger despite the fact it was not meant for them.

As a Zoan, this fruit greatly bolsters Yamato's physical abilities. Yamato was able to clash near-evenly against their father, Kaidou, an Emperor of the Sea, while the latter has assumed his extremely powerful human-dragon form. Furthermore, being a carnivorous animal, this animal transformation grants Yamato heightened predatory instincts, as well as equipping them with fangs and claws that are well-suited for combat.

Being a Mythical Zoan, this fruits bestows special powers that a regular wolf does not possess. Yamato is able release a powerful blast of fire/ice (unclear which one) from their mouth that can clash evenly with and cancel out Kaidou's flame breath blast.

Busoshoku Haki
Yamato is a highly skilled user of Busoshoku Haki, as shown having imbued their hand and kanabo with it while preparing to attack Hatcha, resulting in a lightning-like effect. Yamato can use Busoshoku Haki to an advanced degree, being capable of projecting it a great distance forward and hitting faraway opponents with tremendous force with a simple kanabo swing. Yamato can also use it to hurt Logia users, having clashed against Ace's fire when they first fought and managed to successfully injure him.

Kenbunshoku Haki
Yamato also possesses Kenbunshoku Haki.

Weapons


Yamato wields a giant kanabo club much like Kaidou, albeit studded and more slender, while Kaidou's is spiked and a bit thicker. Coupled with Yamato's immense strength, the kanabo can wreak tremendous damage to objects and opponents with a single hit, and with Yamato's strength and Haki, it can be used to perform flying strikes that can even resemble energy blasts. In addition to the kanabo being a powerful blunt weapon, Yamato has masterful technique with it, being capable of moving it to counter Luffy's rapid attacks with little effort.

Attacks

 * Raimei Hakke (雷鳴八卦): A technique used by Kaidou and imitated by Yamato, in which the user lunges forward at their target with blinding speed and swings their kanabo horizontally, striking the target with tremendous force. The attack was first seen used against Ulti in her full-beast transformation, knocking her out instantly. It is called Thunder Bagua in the VIZ translation. However, while Kaidou uses only one hand to swing his kanabo, Yamato swings it with both hands instead. Ulti disdainfully calls this Raimei Yonke (雷鳴四卦) instead, but coughs blood at the same time.




 * Narikabura (鳴鏑): Swinging the kanabo upward, Yamato unleashes a vertical energy projectile to hit opponents from below with great force. It was first used against Hatcha, and immediately knocked him unconscious upon striking him in the head. Narikabura is another term for Kabura-ya ("turnip-headed arrow"), arrows used by samurai which made a whistling sound when fired. It is called Narikabura Arrow in the Viz translation.

Past
At the age of eight, Yamato was present at Kozuki Oden's execution during the Legendary Hour twenty years before the events of the story, and was mortified by the sight. After the execution, Yamato rushed to Oden's Castle to save Kozuki Momonosuke, but could only watch as Kaidou threatened the boy.

Although angered and saddened by Oden's death at the hands of Kaidou and Kurozumi Orochi, Yamato felt a burning passion rise, and after discovering Oden's logbook in Kuri, Yamato realized that someone needed to carry on Oden's will, and so began to emulate everything about Oden himself as to carry on his legacy. At some point in the latter's childhood, Kaidou learned about Yamato's desire to emulate Oden and responded by beating Yamato up. He would also put explosive shackles on Yamato to prevent any chance of escape from Onigashima. At another point in time, Yamato was hungry and unwittingly ate the Inu Inu no Mi, Model: Okuchi no Makami, a Zoan-type Devil Fruit that Kaidou had worked hard to acquire. The fruit took away Yamato's ability to swim, giving Yamato even less hope of escape.



Around four years ago, Kaidou and his top subordinates were away from Onigashima on an expedition. During that time, Yamato met the pirate Portgas D. Ace when he came to the island to kill Kaidou. After Ace did so much damage to Kaidou's castle, Yamato decided to fight him because of boredom. During the scuffle, Yamato broke the dragon statue at the island's entrance to show disdain for Kaidou. Ace then left a mark on the statue and took responsibility for breaking it. Afterwards, Yamato and Ace became acquainted. Yamato had expressed the desire to go to sea with Ace and his crew, but because of the explosive shackles that threatened to blow up if Yamato had left, there was no choice but to remain behind. While drinking sake together, Ace told Yamato about Monkey D. Luffy and his dream. Before parting ways, Yamato gave Ace a Vivre Card. After some time, Yamato decided to wait for Luffy to come to Onigashima.

Wano Country Arc


On the day of Kaidou and Kurozumi Orochi's party during the Fire Festival, Yamato disappeared from Kaidou's mansion to look for Luffy. Yamato passed Eustass Kid's group which raised a small commotion, and ended up finding Luffy fighting Ulti near the front entrance of the mansion. Seeing as how Luffy was being held down by Ulti, Yamato immediately knocked Ulti out in one blow, and quickly carried Luffy off to a private space to talk and reveal being the son of Kaidou. Since Luffy was in a hurry and had no desire to talk, the two engaged in a powerful and destructive clash with Yamato managing to counter all of Luffy's attacks, all the while trying to convince him to listen. However, with Luffy stubbornly continuing to refuse to listen, Yamato was starting to get annoyed, but then remarked that this fight with Luffy was reminiscent of past fights with a certain someone.

Eventually, Yamato took Luffy to the attic immediately after their clash and was able to get him to stay and talk for five minutes, in which Yamato first discussed how Oden had left behind a logbook and that someone needed to carry on Oden's will. Yamato then removed the mask that had been covering their face this whole time and exclaimed that the two of them should fight alongside each other to achieve the legendary samurai's dream of opening Wano's border. Upon seeing that Yamato was actually a girl, Luffy exclaimed out in surprise, and Yamato explained that since Oden was a man, then it was also necessary to become a man as well. Yamato then complimented Luffy on how strong he was and then told Luffy how he was just like Ace. Afterwards, Yamato asked for a ride on the young pirate's ship since he was Ace's younger brother, while proclaiming to be speaking as Oden himself. Hearing this, Luffy objected and complained how it was not possible for Yamato to be Oden. In response, Yamato conceded that it was impossible to truly be Oden since it was not possible to be free like Oden would be. Yamato then showed Luffy the explosive shackles and revealed to him how it had been impossible to leave Onigashima with Ace and his crew despite wanting to do so. Hearing this, Luffy offered to remove the shackles, but reminded Yamato that he would be beating up Kaidou. Kaidou's speech then started and the two listened on, but they then fell out of the attic when the floor collapsed below them. Afterwards, Kaidou exclaimed his "son" would be the the next shogun of Wano, with Yamato immediately refusing out loud while running towards the platform with Luffy as the latter asked for the path towards Momonosuke.

As the two ran through the Beasts Pirates, Luffy told Yamato that Momonosuke and his retainers were alive the whole time, much to Yamato's shock. Luffy then removed Yamato's handcuffs and tossed them away before they detonated and caused a huge explosion that sent them flying to the Performance Stage. Seeing the explosion, Yamato realized that Kaidou was truly willing to kill his own child, and so chose to completely sever relations with him. The two then arrived at the Live Floor with Yamato telling Luffy to hurry so that they could attack Kaidou alongside Oden's retainers. However, they are intercepted by Ulti, with the two briefly clashing and Ulti questioning Yamato for attacking her earlier. Yamato then replied that it had to be done and made a statement about becoming Kozuki Oden at last, to which Ulti exclaimed her confusion at what she just heard. One of the Beast Pirates then reported to Yamato that Kaidou was being attacked and that there were enemies everywhere, but Yamato made it clear that they were now on opposing sides and that it did not matter if Kaidou died.

Later, Momonosuke was freed from the crucifix, and Luffy asked Yamato to help Shinobu protect him, to which Yamato wondered if it was okay, but then quickly realized that it was obviously natural to do so as Momonosuke's "father." When meeting Shinobu and Momonosuke, Yamato once again fell under the delusion of being Oden by exclaiming to be Oden himself, unintentionally scaring Shinobu and Momonosuke and causing the pair to run away instead of accepting Yamato's help.



Yamato ran after the two for a while until they were attacked by Sasaki's platoon. After Shinobu was wounded, Yamato stepped in to protect them, shielding the two from bazooka fire and sending one of Sasaki's men crashing into a wall. The Armored Corps continued with their onslaught on Yamato, and Sasaki prepared to step in as Yamato defeated more of them. In response, Yamato began using their Zoan transformation, but was suddenly interrupted by the arrival of Hatcha chasing General Franky. Hatcha slammed his club into the floor, causing it to fall out and sending Yamato, Shinobu, and Momonosuke falling. Yamato decided to utilize this opportunity to make an escape and told Franky to handle the Armored Corp. Yamato then unleashed a long-range kanabo strike upwards that struck Hatcha and knocked him out. After landing on the floor below, Yamato told Momonosuke that he must survive as he was the one who would guide the world to the dawn.

Yamato later got out of the Skull Dome with Momonosuke and Shinobu, but by that time, Kaidou already lifted the entire island above sea level. They then hide out in the storeroom inside the dome. When Momonosuke asked about the discarded dragon statue, Yamato revealed that Ace once came to Onigashima to kill Kaidou. Yamato told Momonosuke about the meeting with Ace and revealed that Ace was Luffy's brother and Gol D. Roger's son. Yamato also gave Oden's journal to Momonosuke.

Later, a mouse with an eye mask wandered into the storeroom. Yamato caught the mouse and revealed that it was a cyborg from Kaidou's surveillance unit. Their location was compromised and a group of Beasts Pirates stormed the storehouse. While hiding Momonosuke, Yamato and Shinobu fought their way out. In the Right Brain Tower, Yamato and Shinobu continued moving as Yamato asked Momonosuke if he was okay. Momonosuke said that he felt disgusted with himself because everyone thought highly of him yet he saw himself as weak and foolish. Shinobu denied this and called him brave, but Momonosuke refuted this claim and transformed into his dragon form at the same time, which surprised the two. Momonosuke returned to normal and returned to his hiding spot, and Yamato expressed surprised at his ability's resemblance to Kaidou's, expressing the wish to become a monster like him and a desire to defeat him.



Yamato then prepared to go out with a Momonosuke decoy doll in order to draw the Beasts Pirates forces away from him and Shinobu, though the duo noted that Yamato's real desire was to go and fight. Upon reaching the third floor of the castle, Yamato was spotted by some Beasts Pirates but swiftly took them out. Yamato quickly arrived on the Dome roof and called out to Kaidou, who was standing on the ground outside the Dome, referring to him by his name. Kaidou told Yamato to refer to him as "Father", but Yamato refused and expressed the desire to break the chains holding them together as well as to go out to sea with Luffy after Kaidou was defeated. Kaidou stated that Luffy was dead and there was no way Yamato could beat him; Yamato acknowledged the latter, but still believed Luffy would return and so was prepared to hold Kaidou off until then as the duo clashed. Soon into the fight, Yamato was in their Zoan Human-Beast form.

Major Battles

 * Yamato vs. Portgas D. Ace
 * Yamato vs. Monkey D. Luffy
 * Yamato vs. Ulti (Onigashima Live Floor)
 * Yamato vs. Sasaki and Armored Division
 * Yamato vs. Kaidou

Anime and Manga Differences
In the anime, Yamato was shown to be the unknown figure who observed Robin and Jinbe when the Straw Hats enter into Onigashima's castle. The manga has yet to show whether the person was Yamato or not.

Trivia

 * "Yamato", meaning "Great Harmony", is an ancient name for Japan (originating from the Yamato Province) and can can also refer to the Yamato period of Japanese history, which lasted into the 8th century. Relating to that, Yamato is the dynastic name of the ruling Imperial House of Japan and further refers to the dominant ethnic group of Japan, the Yamato people. Otherwise:
 * Yamato Takeru is a legendary Japanese prince of the Yamato dynasty, prominent in mythology.
 * Yamato is the name of a prominent WWII-era Japanese battleship.
 * Yamato nadeshiko is a phrase that refers to the idealized image of a Japanese female.


 * On a request from a fan in Volume 99's SBS, Oda drew a personification of the side of Yamato's breast, or "sideboob" (横乳).
 * Hannya, which Yamato's mask is based on, are well known in Japanese theatrical stage culture for representing characters who are the physical manifestation of twisted female souls.
 * Yamato seems to be inspired by Oscar François de Jarjayes, from the shōjo manga The Rose of Versailles, who is a woman raised by her father as if she were a boy in order to succeed him as the commander of the Royal Guard at the Palace of Versailles.
 * Additionally, in the Chapter 945 author's comment, Oda talks about reading The Rose of Versailles for the first time and being surprised to find out Oscar was a woman.
 * Yamato's favorite food is oden and raw salmon eaten by biting into it.
 * Yamato possesses some notable parallels to Kozuki Momonosuke, with both of them being born 28 years ago and given the shogunate of Wano as their birthright. Interestingly, however, each of them share traits and goals moreso with the other's father rather than their own. Yamato has been trapped on Wano and wishes to leave and set sail with a pirate crew like Oden, while Momonosuke has been out on the sea but wishes to rule over Wano, much like Kaido. Additionally, Yamato desires to directly become Oden while Momonosuke possesses the very same Devil Fruit transformation as Kaido.
 * Both Yamato and Momonosuke ate their Devil Fruits purely out of hunger without even knowing what they were consuming.
 * Yamato being forced to wear exploding handcuffs by their father in order to fulfill the father's plans for them and prevent them from leaving their homeland is very similar to what happened to Sanji in the Whole Cake Island Arc.
 * Yamato battling Ace to a draw to defend the territory of one of the Four Emperors, then later befriending Ace and taking an interest in Luffy due to Ace's relationship with him, also occurred with Jinbe.

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