One Piece Self Insert 1

Daughter of a Dragon

“Fa- Captain, please reconsider,” I tried, staring up at the mountain of a man who had sired me. Kaido, ‘King of the Beasts,’ snorted as he stared down at me. Even in his human- No, his Oni form; he isn’t a human and neither am I.

“You’re saying we should just give Oden back his land? Why?” He demanded, his voice booming out through the mostly empty throne chamber. Orochi had been sent away while we talked, which was the only reason that slimeball wasn’t busy interrupting. I feel like I’d think he was a little toad no matter what, but I have to admit that I’m kind of jealous of the Devil Fruit he has. The Yamato no Orochi just feels like a really cool creature in general, even if the power isn’t that impressive in the current Shogun’s hands.

King stood off to the side, the Lunarian staring at me impassively with his arms crossed. He offered neither assurance nor discipline, and the mask made it difficult for me to tell what he really thought of me.

Turning back to my father, I said, “The deal was already struck to give him back his land. Besides, if my plan works, we get most of what we need without needing to spend time and effort putting down rebellions or controlling the situation here. We might even get willing recruits from Wano!”

The captain of the Beast Pirates, one of the dreaded Yonko, scoffed at my declaration. “Your plan involves us giving everything back to Oden, on the insane condition that he could actually survive being boiled alive.” When he scratched at his chest, it wasn’t idle, his meaty hand drifting close to the long jagged red scar Kozuki Oden had inflicted upon him earlier this day. “Assuming he does survive, he wouldn’t give us any of the resources we need from Wano.”

“He will. With the threat of being able to blockade and stop any movements off of the island, Oden will understand that he still needs to give us arms. He can supply us with those, being the noble victor, as we expose Orochi as a cowardly snake, who took advantage of our good will. The people will see us as heroes.” Or at least, not view us unfavorably. Despite everything my father has done to make Oden look bad these past five years, Oden will turn the opinions of the people of Wano around in just one night.

I hardly had the same zeal the original Yamato had for Oden (in fact even finding a couple of the instances in his origin rather questionable), but there wasn’t any denying that he was a bold and charismatic man.

King decided to speak up here. “Your plan, young master, does seem like it would achieve your goals. I don’t doubt that you’ve thought it through thoroughly. However,” he continued, and my face fell. “At the end of the day, it will end up ceeding some power to Oden. he can use the fact that he controls all of Wano to pressure us for greater prices on his goods. Even if we controlled everything outside of Wano, the island itself is leverage he can use.”

Before I could answer, my father spoke up in a low voice. “A good point, King. Why should we give him anything? I am Kaido, and I take what I want. Why should an Emperor do otherwise?”

“I- it’s- you promised!” I shouted, desperate, even as I knew the argument was lost. “You promised you would give him back his land if he danced for five years - and he did! What’s the point of being an Emperor if you can’t keep your word? If you aren’t strong enough to do so?”

Kaido stood up slowly from his chair, his footsteps falling heavily as he walked towards me, looming large over my head. At eight years old I was already almost as tall as I’d been in my past life, but he was over seven meters tall. I don’t think Yamato ever got anywhere near that tall in canon, but the details aren’t crystal clear. 

“Words are but wind on the air,” Kaido hissed, and I felt his breath, hot and thrumming with power. Even untransformed, he carried the might of a dragon with him. “If I promise someone something and take it away the next day, that is my right as the strongest. It’s what we deserve!”

“If that’s what you think, you should give up being a Yonko and join the Celestial Dragons. You’d fit right i-” I couldn’t see the blow, he swung his arm too fast, but I certainly felt it. Blinking away the tears forming in my eyes, I saw him, standing far away. No, he’s in the same spot, I’m just over through the wall.

Shrugging off some of the bricks that had collapsed on top of me, I got to my feet and glared up at Kaido. The man just rolled his eyes, grumbling as he stormed out, “Oden is not a man worthy of your fascination. I’ve noticed you slipping out, trying to approach the man. Feh, come, watch him die tonight, and you will see he is nothing special. Nothing worthy of our consideration.”

King stayed behind a moment, walking up to me. “Come, let us get your wounds looked at,” he said, moving to take my hand.

I slapped his own hand aside. “Don’t touch me!” He didn’t react or get angry, simply retracting his hand.

“Prideful. You truly are your father’s daughter.” I glared at him but couldn’t do much else; much like Kaido, I could beat on King for hours and the only result would have been bloodying my own hands. “Very well, you know where the ointment is stored when you want to tend to your scratches.” Then he walked off, in the direction my father left. I waited until he was gone to allow myself to sob openly.

It’s no fair! I’m way stronger than I ever was back in my first life, and I’m only eight years old but… it doesn’t matter. I’m soooo far away from the strength of beasts like my father that I can’t do anything. My foreknowledge was of limited help here - at least so long as I opposed to goals of Kaido.

Part of me was tempted to feign giving up. To work alongside Kaido, or at least pretend to do so, until I became strong enough to overthrow him. Still not exactly sure on ‘how’ I manage that, Yamato couldn’t manage it in canon, but with all the future knowledge I have, surely I could manage a way, right?

It was just as much a pipe dream as it had been to convince Kaido to keep to his word. As much as he acts like a dumb brute, he’s an Emperor, with all that entails, including the level of Haki. He’d sense my hatred for him with Observation soon enough. I could only guess that so far my hope of being able to guide things on a better path and the volatile emotions of children had made him think any disputes we had weren’t a sign of serious disdain, but that couldn’t last forever.

Sniffling away the tears, I exited the room, not wanting to be here when Orochi slithered back in. Outside the decadent palace, I saw people already beginning to gather outside. It would be a few hours yet till the execution, but in this day and age, that kind of spectacle was seen as great entertainment.

The clothing looked a bit more threadbare than it had in years past, but the people were generally excited or happy. The real terrors of how much Orochi’s and Kaido’s rule would cost them hadn’t hit yet. Sometimes you had harder or better years, and Wano’s folk were too hardy and proud to complain, but as things only got worse from here, as the people started starving…

They’re here happily, not realizing that their greatest defenders are about to die. Off to the side of the plaza, below the raised steps where I knew the execution would be taking place, I saw Oden and his people. They were chained up and kept in a small cage for the time being. Jack stood watching, looming over their makeshift prison, but from how badly they were beaten, I knew there was no way they could even try to escape.

Well, maybe. I know that Oden could withstand at least an hour of boiling by this point, so if he was willing to flee, he might have a chance of doing so. Of course, running like that would be the final nail in the coffin as to his reputation on Wano. The people would see him as a coward and he’d lose all ability to fight for the land in the future, which was all my father cared about. In either case, all resistance on Wano would end with them.

I shivered, turning away. Coward. Fool. This is the world of One Piece! Where dreams and willpower drive people to unbelievable heights! Why can’t I do more? Even as I asked myself that, I knew the answer though.

One Piece was a world full of wonder and incredible things, but also filled with so many dangers. For every incredible tale the Straw Hat crew went on, there was an equally tragic tale behind it. Even these samurai would just be another part of the painful backstory of those the Straw Hats would save, for those who lived. Sometimes as far back as two hundred years ago for Noland the Liar, but still. He met a terrible end and it won’t be almost twenty years until he is proven right… 

An idea clicked in my head and I spun on my heel, racing through the street. Towards the Oden Castle, I ran, racing as fast as I could. It was in a different region, but I knew that time was of the essence. If I can succeed… Maybe I can stop this terrible fate from befalling on the country!

In addition to being tougher, I was much faster than before, and I hadn’t neglected training my body from the first moment I’d woken up in this life. I still felt eons away from reaching even the All-Stars, let alone Kaido, but I was strong enough to make the trip in an hour. Panting, I bounded up the hill to the nearest castle, hoping I was right.

“Toki! I need to see Toki!” I said, bursting through the front door recklessly. The attendant was shocked, and I believed it was only the familiarity with Oden’s outlandish actions that brought hesitation from them drawing their blade, which I used to rush inside.

Running down the halls, I skidded to a stop in front of the tall, elegant green haired woman. She looked shocked, which was all I saw before I bowed deeply in front of her, “Lady Toki, I’m sorry but I need your help!”

After a moment of silence, I chanced a glance up to see the woman waving off the attendant who had rushed behind me. “Of course, young one. What’s your name?”

“But ma’am! We need to be ready-” the attendant began but she stopped that with a quick glare. Reluctantly, he left, leaving us the room. It was decently furnished, but compared to the splendor of the Shogun’s palace, the castle was practically spartan. 

Rising fully, I saw her determined gaze. Even knowing her husband and friends will likely die tonight, she’s still willing to help me. Well, in for a penny, in for a pound.

“My name is Yamato, daughter of Kaido, and I need your advice.” That brought a sharp breath from Kozuki Toki and she looked at me again, as if seeing me in a different light. My ears caught a whisper of steel, and I guessed that beneath the robes of her kimono she was beginning to grab a blade. Ouch, but I suppose it’s fair, given I introduced myself as the daughter of her greatest enemy.

“Why did you stay here, in this age? You’ve travelled through all sorts of times, and I can hardly imagine that this time period was any kinder than the ones you’ve been in before, especially these last five years. So why not just take your family and leave? Abandon the people who have abandoned you and seek out a bright future elsewhere.”

“You know of my power? Then why…?” She glanced around, wondering if this was a trap of some kind. Upon seeing nothing of the sort, she settled down, sheathing her hidden blade again and taking a seat on one of the nearby mats, and I followed suit.

“This time has had it’s hardships, true, but I’ve also found something bright and beautiful here. When Oden first appeared, I had been about to abandon this time, but with him I found something magical… I stay here because of my love for him and our children, and their love for this land.”

“Even if it costs them yours and their lives?” I pressed, but she didn’t bend.

“Even if it costs me my life. And I will protect my children, no matter what.” I’m sure you’ll try, and in the end they’ll succeed. It’ll be so tumultuous, though.

“What if I could offer you a chance to save all of them right now?” Her breath hitched, and I could practically sense the fragile hope my words had ignited. Or maybe I’m actually sensing it? I don’t know if my Observation is that good yet, and it feels like that aspect of Haki especially has a bunch of different ways you could hone it.

Taking a seastone box I’d begged Queen to make for me and the matching key, I opened it revealing my treasure within, something I’d discovered and hidden away from even my father. Queen was an odious man, which was a shame, because otherwise I believe I would have enjoyed discovering elements of science and the world with someone as gifted as him. Ah well, at least he taught me how to smelt my own Seastone weapons for my staff, and maybe I’ll find Vegapunk someday. If this all works out, at least.

If it failed, we’d be in a worse position than ever before, I’d assuredly be locked up with the collars Yamato had been in with canon at the least, and Kin’emon and the rest would likely be dead. Bartering with evil, giving up, running away… these aren’t options I can take. I’ve got to take this chance, and try and fix things here and now. I laid out my plan. It was desperate, but so had been her prospects before this, so she eagerly agreed.

***

Running back to the Flower Capital took some time, especially while carrying Toki on my back, but we made it there, arriving before sunset, when the execution would take place. I dropped Oden’s wife off to make her own way around while I took a quick stop at the palace before I approached the prisoners.

As I tried to approach the cage, Jack moved to stop me. “Back away, Young Master. These men are set to die for their crimes.”  Oden was the first one within to look at me, the man built quite large with hair that was a perfectly flat disc on top of his head but flowy locks that waved down his back. He gazed at me with his sharp eyes, likely instantly making out my familial ties from the horns atop my head, but he didn’t say a word.

“And? Might as well get a first hand account while I can then,” I said. “Besides, Kanjuro is wanted by Orochi, the charade is over.” That earned a shocked gasp from all of the samurai except the man in question, all of them turning to look at him.

“You? It was you who betrayed us to Orochi?” Kin’emon demanded, grabbing the man by the collar. Kanjuro looked non-plussed.

“I held no hatred for you, but I shared no joy from our comradery. My loyalty has always been to the Kurozumis.” Kin’emon pulled a fist back, only to be stopped by Jack placing a hand atop the cage.

“Enough of that. Alright, you heard the Young Master, get out of there Kanjuro.” He opened the cage awkwardly with his large hands, fiddling with the lock. The other samurai glared at the traitor, but didn’t make a move to stop him, knowing they’d be attacked and cut down if they did.

Jack closed the door again, and tried to wave me off, but I shook my head. “I meant what I said about wanting to have a word with them. Besides, it’s custom for a man on death’s row to get a last meal,” I said, pulling a bowl out of a pouch within the large backpack I carried.

“No? We don’t-” Ashura began before I cut him off.

“No, you wouldn’t expect a foreigner to care about such things, but I’m just considerate like that.” C’mon, take the hint! He looked at me puzzled, but at least didn’t argue with me further.

Shooing the mammoth of a man away by waving my hands. Jack heavily sighed, but stomped off a dozen meters to let me approach, while still keeping an eye on things. At least he didn’t hear any clanking of blades from within the backpack, though that’s why I wrapped them in silk after snatching them from the Shogun’s palace. All but Oden’s blade from the Nine Scabbards were held there, and as daughter of Kaido I’d been able to use my Clout to snag them (Clout, being the name of my staff).

“I have some oden for you, Oden,” I said as I sat in front of the bars, passing the bowl of soup between them.

“Whahahaha-” he began laughing before he felt the bowl. “This is cold! You don’t serve oden cold!” Yeah well, you try and boil oden while running across regions, carrying a woman larger than you, and planning a coup! The worst part was that even as I thought that, I was sure that he probably somehow could. The universe and the man before me were just crazy like that.

“Appolgies, for the chill. But that reminds me- wait don’t share it!” I shouted, seeing his retainers gathering around. “It’s uh, just for Oden, Toki made it with love.” I felt like I was sweating bullets. We weren’t even at the difficult part of my plan, but I was worried I was too suspicious and I’d get found out, only barely resisting the urge to glance over at Jack.

Oden looked at me with his brow furrowed before he immediately began digging in. He made a face at the first bite so I encouraged him. “It’s delicious, right? You should eat every last drop.”

“So… good…” he weezed out, dutifully eating it, even picking up speed (though I wasn’t sure if that was an attempt to get through it faster). 

Seeing how quickly he was going, I picked up my own pace, giving a truncated version of the tale I had planned on giving. “It’s said that Wano’s guardian deity is an ancient wolf, with breath of frost and sharp fangs. In Wano’s greatest hour, it’s supposed to lend it’s strength to the land’s greatest champion. Mayhaps that cold oden will give you the fortitude to channel the chill of the wolf when your time to boil comes.”

Alright, don’t think I can get more direct there other than outright saying what we’re planning, not with Jack there. Here’s hoping this works. Standing up quickly, I gave them a short bow, before standing up quickly and walking to the top stage, where the execution was about to be held. There was a large flat opening where the pot of boiling oil was placed, and beyond that a pavilion where the important figures were gathered.

My father was sitting there, with Orochi beside him, the large headed man looking overly pleased with himself. What did you do, you little snake? At least my father fought to take things, not betraying his friends like a coward. I pushed down my disdain for him and sat beside them, knowing that the time to act would come soon.

King stood in the back of the pavilion, which worried me, but there was nothing I could do about it. At least Queen isn’t here too. Most of his troops are a ways away, since this is theoretically the Shogun’s show. Toki was cutting to the heart of the matter, however.

In front of Kaido, Toki was pleading for her husband’s case. “... Please, have mercy on my husband. He only acted against Orochi because he heard the man did not plan on upholding his deal. We can serve you better than he can.”

“Harlot!” Kurozumi Orochi shouted, standing up to point dramatically at Toki. “My lord, don’t listen to the lies of this witch; Oden just tried to kill you earlier today!”

Kaido looked more amused than anything, his eyes drifting back and forth between the two. He doesn’t care which pawn sits as Shogun in his place, he’ll control everything that matters on Wano anyways. Will just outright seize control in a few decades too.

Before Toki could reply, the prisoners were marched up to the top, where Oden stopped in shock. “Toki?” He questioned aloud, his voice filled with worry for the first time.

She gave him a reassuring smile, and I backed off a ways, ready for what would come next. Then, brightly, the woman turned to Kaido and a bright light began shimmering beneath his feet.

“What…?” 

“Goodbye,” Toki said simply, and in a flash of light, one of the four Yonko, disappeared, cast off to the far flung future.

The move wasn’t without its cost, however. Even as cries of alarm were ringing out, Toki’s body soared through the air. My father had swung and hit her so fast I had missed it, clearly connecting in the last instant he existed in our time. Her body crashed through the pot of boiling oil, leaving her collapsed at Oden’s feet. 

Toki’s neck hung at an unnatural angle, the body dead still. There was a moment of shock from the Nine Scabbards before Oden howled, his teeth growing sharp and long, and white fur covering his body. Frost spread across the ground as he instinctively tapped into the power of the Devil Fruit I’d fed him, unlocking the powers of the Okuchi no Makami.

As everyone was reacting, I raced to the side, opening the top of my large backpack and tossing the swords out to the Nine Scabbards. “Kaido is gone! Let Wano be free from tyranny once more. For Toki!” Then, chaos ensued.

A/N: Originally I had planned for Black Maria to be at Kaido’s side for the scene where Yamato tries to convince Kaido of her plan, before doing a wiki dive and finding out that Black Maria is only one year older than Yamato. There’s actually a decent number of members that wouldn’t make sense to be in with Kaido yet, in the timeline.

So this plot bunny morphed along the way, a lot of different ideas changing over time. First it was that Yamato would actually convince Kaido to go along with the plan. They put Oden back as the Shogun, but pressure him to still give them arms and stuff. It works for a while, but eventually Kaido screws up one of Yamato’s plans, getting Ace killed early, and Yamato realizes that he’ll always do whatever he wants - that he’s a beast who can’t be reasoned with or controlled.

Then that changed to him rejecting it instantly and having Yamato run off here. I debated whether or not Yamato would escape a couple years in the future to maybe join the Straw hats from the start or just somehow slip off the island during the Legendary Hour. The first would be easier to write and entail Yamato bonding with the crew from the beginning, while the second could have some fun meeting other characters, maybe infiltrating a Cipher Pol for a bit to learn Rokushiki and bonding with Robin over being ‘demon children.’

Ultimately though, I realized if Toki could send others to the future and with the SI being smart enough/feeling unworthy of the Inu Inu no Mi, Yamato could devise a plan to get rid of Kaido and give the samurais a fighting chance against the rest of the Beast Pirates.

Anyways, yeah, here’s a Yamato SI, or the bare bones start of one. I love One Piece, but a couple of characters introduced (especially in later arcs) have felt criminally underused, and Yamato was definitely one of them. Cool design and powers, interesting dynamic with an adoration of Oden and familial tie/hatred to Kaido… and mostly gets used as a joke with no payoff. So I thought Yamato would be the perfect character for an SI story, to explore that, and the world of One Piece more. Other One Piece ideas would be as Nami or Shirahoshi or Uta (though the latter two might be a bit overpowered). Anyways, let me know what you think.