"Hey, Lord Ozz, what story are we hearing today?"
Hanging from Ozz's neck like a koala, Yamato beamed with excitement and anticipation. Even the way she addressed him had unconsciously shifted he was now Lord Ozz.
"You've already drained me dry, Yamato~"
Over the past few days, Ozz had basically exhausted his entire repertoire of adventures. For places he hadn't visited personally, he'd filled in the gaps using his knowledge of the plot, helping to expand Yamato's worldview.
But the girl was insatiable. She clung to him day after day, constantly begging for more stories.
"One day, you'll have your own adventures, Yamato."
He ruffled her hair with a smile.
"Seeing it with your own eyes is a thousand times more exciting than hearing it secondhand."
"But..."
Yamato's smile faltered. Her eyes dimmed with a flicker of gloom.
"Father would never allow that. Neither would the adults in the pirate crew..."
She had grown up confined within the Beast Pirates. Kaido never allowed her to leave, and it weighed heavily on her young heart.
And if she ever told him that she wanted to follow in Ozz's footsteps instead? He'd clamp down even harder.
"That's only because you're still little, Yamato."
Ozz looked down at the dejected little oni girl. He gently touched her hair and her small horns, then smiled with calm confidence.
"When you're older and ready to set out to see the world... if Kaido still tries to stop you, just give me a call."
"I'm sure he'll show me that much respect."
"Whoa..."
Yamato's eyes lit up like stars. She felt the warmth of Ozz's hand on her head and the confidence behind every word.
"So this is what it means to have a king's presence... that's so cool!!!"
She was overjoyed.
Not only had she found such a kind and amazing friend, but someone who was even willing to stand against her father for her. Tears welled up and spilled down her cheeks.
In her heart, a bold wish was beginning to form.
If only Ozz were her father, how wonderful would that be?
"Lord Ozz... thank you... you'd really do that for me..."
Having grown up in the den of villains, Yamato had never known real affection. Now, just this little bit of warmth overwhelmed her completely.
She dove into Ozz's arms, crying until his shirt was soaked through.
"It's nothing at all, Yamato. I really do think of you like a daughter."
Ozz patted her on the back, eyes narrowing as he smiled.
"Isn't it normal for a father to care for his child?"
Compared to Kaido's crude parenting style where everything was solved with fists Ozz, who actually talked with Yamato and encouraged her, was far more like a true father.
In just a few short weeks, he had completely won her over.
Just a few days earlier, she'd even called him "father" for the first time, cheeks red with embarrassment.
Ozz almost choked on his laughter when he heard it.
To celebrate, he treated her to a grand feast in the Flower Capital.
The oni girl's monstrous appetite made the restaurant owners rich that day, and the two of them had a great time. For the first time in her life, Yamato experienced what fatherly love felt like.
For the next stretch of time, Ozz continued wandering through Wano Country, taking Yamato sightseeing and trying local delicacies.
He even tried on a traditional kimono and unlocked a new look: Wano Country Ozz.
It was ugly as hell. He changed out of it immediately.
"Ooh! Those dumplings look delicious..."
Riding high on Ozz's shoulders, Yamato looked every bit the part of a cheerful little daughter. Her eyes sparkled as she spotted a dango stand on the street.
Without hesitation, Ozz tossed a handful of gold coins and bought out the entire stall.
The two of them munched away happily.
But right in the middle of that heartwarming scene, some ill-timed nobodies decided to interrupt.
"Hey!!! You there, outsider! You must've snuck into Wano illegally, right?"
A few samurai with thuggish faces approached, crooked grins plastered on their mouths.
Though Ozz was tall and imposing, he was carrying a child. They figured he couldn't possibly be strong.
They'd heard about someone throwing gold around like crazy in the Flower Capital, money flowing like water.
As loyal underlings of Orochi, wasn't it their duty to help the Kurozumi family maintain order?
Meanwhile, on the other side of Wano...
Kurozumi Orochi, fully engrossed in watching Oden's execution, suddenly sneezed.
"Ugh... someone must be cursing me..."
"Probably that damn Kozuki Oden. Hah! A dead man cursing the living!"
Seated beside him, Kaido sat silently, guzzling sake from a gourd. His mood was even fouler.
He stared at Oden, who was holding up the platform with his retainers on his back.
Part of him resented how dishonorable the win had been.
But the other part...
Was because of Yamato's disappearance.
That bastard Ozz... what the hell had he done to her?!
Yamato was still just a kid. She must be terrified right now, waiting for her father to come rescue her...
...
"Hey! You filthy samurai! What are you trying to do to my father?!"
Tiny as she was, Yamato had guts. Gripping her round-headed kanabo tightly, she stood protectively in front of Ozz.
He was honestly a bit touched. His little girl had guts.
In the original story, young Yamato could beat up a bunch of Beast Pirates all on her own. These street-level punks weren't even a challenge.
Ozz didn't step in right away. He watched as Yamato stood her ground and defended him.
Only when she was about to take a real hit would he flick a blade with a subtle motion, nudging attacks off course from the shadows.
Eventually...
Though she looked a bit disheveled by the end, Yamato managed to knock all of them down.
"F-Father! I did it!!!"
Panting but beaming, Yamato turned back toward Ozz, who was watching with folded arms. She grinned with pride.
She had done it. She'd beaten them.
Just like Ozz always defeated overwhelming odds.
"You were amazing, Yamato!"
Ozz praised her with genuine warmth, and Yamato's smile grew even brighter. She leapt into his arms, clutching his shirt and laughing joyfully.
"I'll train even harder, so I can catch up to you!"
"Father!"
"Yamato!"
...
"Damn it!!!"
Kozuki Oden was dead, but Kaido was still fuming.
Drinking alone with his gourd, his entire presence radiated fury. None of his underlings dared make a sound.
"The hell are you useless morons doing?! Still no sign of Ozz?!"
"It's been so long, that bastard's probably halfway to Paradise by now!!!"
He hurled his gourd to the ground, smashing it with a splash of sake.
"Boss Kaido! We've got a lead!!!"
One of the Beast Pirates' lackeys burst in, shouting as he ran.
"Message from Orochi!"
"Lord Yamato and the Black Emperor were spotted in the Flower Capital!!!"