ONE PIECE: KAIDO'S SON

"Looks like it's over…"

King, Queen, and the others watching from a distance finally exhaled in unison as they saw Yamato brought down.

This wasn't just a battle of strength — it was a clash between bloodlines, between a prince and a princess. No one dared interfere.

With Yamato captured alive, this was already the best possible outcome. No further bloodshed. No more disgrace to the Beasts Pirates' prestige.

"Master…" came Who's-Who's voice as he strode over, eyes gleaming as they briefly settled on the cracked kairōseki bomb bracelet on the ground. "We should reapply the explosive bracelet immediately. If not, we can detain her in Udon's quarry for now."

He cast a glance at the silent trio — King, Queen, and Jack — before continuing, his voice low, almost conspiratorial.

"You know Yamato has always been at odds with Lord Kaido. Now that he's not here, and if you also leave Onigashima for any reason... once she breaks free, she'll head straight for the Flower Capital. She'll fight alongside the samurai."

A dangerous glint flashed through his eyes.

Who's-Who wasn't content with being one of the Flying Six anymore.

"Shut up."

The temperature seemed to drop. Ragnar's voice was cold and flat — devoid of rage, but heavier than thunder.

His glare landed on Who's-Who like a blade, sharp enough to slice open his ambitions.

BOOM.

A wave of Haoshoku Haki surged out like divine judgment. The air cracked. Who's-Who stumbled backward, his knees buckling under the overwhelming spiritual weight.

There was no explosion, no fire — just pure pressure.

Ragnar's eyes, sharp like forged steel, bore into him.

"Put away your filthy thoughts."

His tone was calm. Terrifyingly calm.

"Even a king's court has ministers — but the throne isn't given to flatterers."

"You think licking my boots will make you my right hand?" He stood, eyes never leaving Who's-Who. "I don't promote by flattery. I don't protect cowards. And I don't betray blood."

He turned back to Yamato, gently withdrawing his hand from her forehead.

"This is the first and last time, Who's-Who."

"If I hear you slander my sister again…"

He didn't raise his voice. He didn't need to.

"…I will kill you."

The silence that followed was suffocating. Even the senior members of the Beasts Pirates — the so-called calamities — felt a chill at his words.

Yamato stared at him, stunned.

She had expected punishment. Shackles. Maybe even banishment. After all, their ideologies had clashed too many times. Her dream to become like Kozuki Oden stood in direct defiance of Kaido's and, now, Ragnar's rule.

She had thought the fight would break whatever fragile sibling bond they had.

Yet now, here he was, defending her — not just in words, but with action. Against his own subordinates. With fury she never knew he could direct toward others… for her sake.

"Idiot," Yamato muttered under her breath. "You should've listened to your men."

She lifted her head defiantly, though her voice trembled slightly.

"Locking me up would've been smarter. I will escape. I will go to Wano. And I will fight for Oden's will."

But the fire in her voice wavered. Something unfamiliar was creeping in.

Warmth.

It made her uncomfortable. Nervous. Even… guilty?

Ragnar didn't reply. He simply walked up, eyes gentle yet unwavering, and knelt down in front of her.

Yamato blinked, caught off guard.

"Wha—?"

Then, suddenly — he reached forward and pressed his forehead to hers.

Their foreheads connected. Warm. Steady. Grounding.

Yamato's body tensed. Her breathing hitched.

"W-What are you doing…?"

The strength in her limbs faded. A lump welled up in her throat.

Ragnar's voice was soft. Softer than she had ever heard.

"Maybe we haven't shared many memories… Maybe this title of 'brother' and 'sister' feels hollow right now…"

"But blood doesn't lie. We're Kaido's children — whether we like it or not."

"You can chase your dreams. Set sail. Challenge the world. Even disappoint the world, if you have to…"

He looked straight into her wavering eyes.

"…But don't abandon your family."

She tried to scoff — tried to push away that feeling building inside.

But her eyes stung.

She was Kozuki Oden. That's what she always told herself.

Yet in that moment, she was just Yamato.

Kaido's daughter.

Ragnar's sister.

And no matter how far she ran, this bond — this warmth — followed her.

"In this sea," Ragnar whispered, voice almost lost in the wind, "we are the only ones who will forgive all your mistakes."

After Ragnar released his grip on the back of Yamato's head, he snapped his fingers.

The dense earth and stone—previously as hard as seastone—instantly softened and crumbled away, falling like loose soil. The restraints binding Yamato collapsed with a dull thud against the ground.

Yamato remained seated, stunned. Her knees bent under her, she stared blankly ahead—eyes dim, as if the fire in her soul had flickered out.

Ragnar looked down at her dirt-smudged face and sighed. With a rare gentleness, he reached out and brushed the grime from her cheek.

"Has the old man ever given you a gift?" he asked, voice unusually soft.

Yamato blinked slowly, then looked up, her mind catching up with her surroundings.

"Yes..." she said hoarsely, bitterness rising in her tone. "Since I was a child, Kaido made sure to give me a Raimei Hakke every single day... without fail."

There was a beat of silence—then an audible pfft as King chuckled.

Queen folded his arms and tried to suppress his laughter, but Jack had already burst out laughing outright.

"Only Kaido would call daily beatings a father's affection," Queen muttered, shaking his head.

"Not many parents give their kid a Thunder Bagua as a present," Jack said, still grinning. "Takes a real lunatic to call that love."

Ragnar chuckled softly along with them. "That's the gift from your 'old man,' huh...?"

He knelt slightly and pulled a small mace from his coat—compact, with faint dents and an old, polished handle. It was the same pocket weapon he had once used to help Ace recover during his withdrawal.

"I've held onto this for years," Ragnar said. "But it never really belonged to me."

Then, without warning, he pried open Yamato's hand and placed the weapon into her palm.

"This one's for you."

Yamato looked down at the mace in her hand—silent, unmoving. Her fingers slowly curled around the handle.

Ragnar gave a small smile.

"That's our gift. Not Kaido's."