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“I can’t rely on someone who won’t be there.”
Those words echoed through Yamato’s head, bouncing off the walls of his skull and forcing their way into any other thoughts that he may have.
For the first time since he had met Luffy, Yamato felt unsure of what to do.
He wanted to go out to sea. He wanted to sail with Luffy.
But what did Wano need?
If it hadn’t been for that admiral running away, Momo could have been in some serious trouble. He’s not ready, no strong enough yet to properly protect Wano. Someday, he will be. Yamato knew that without a doubt.
That day was not today though.
He sat atop the roof over looking Wano. The beautiful island that Yamato himself had never gotten the chance to experience. After so many years, Yamato was finally free. Free to sit here, free to chose whatever he wanted and free to leave.
Yet there were still things tying him here.
Luffy and the rest of the Straw Hats were leaving soon.
While Wano may be their territory now, if there was any immediate threat, they wouldn’t be able to come back and stop it in time.
The island wasn’t strong enough yet to be left without a more powerful form of protection. There was only so much the title of ‘territory of a yonko’ could truly due to protect a place. Luffy himself proved that with both Fishman, Whole Cake and Wano itself.
When the Straw Hats left and Yamato left with them, who would be there to protect it against other admirals and yonkos?
“Ugh, why couldn’t this just be simple.” Yamato asked the wind.
“Yamabro!” He startled slightly at the sudden call of his name, turning to see Luffy pull himself up onto the rooftop aside him. “Hey, hey!”
Yamato gave the small yonko a grin. “Hey.”
The two sat in companiable silence for a little while as Yamato turned his attention back to Wano and the sea beyond it.
“Is the sea beautiful?” He quietly asked.
“Very. Even prettier when you’re sailing on it.” Luffy confirmed.
“I want to do that one day.” Yamato said, because he truly did. Both as Oden and as Yamato. He wanted to know what the waves felt like, the smell of the sea, and how the water glittered in the sunset. “But…”
Luffy inclined his head, showing that he was listening.
“Wano needs a guardian.”
“And Momo isn’t ready.” Luffy finished for him.
“I want to sail with you.” Yamato declared, like he had a hundred times before. “One day, I will be your crew mate, but right now… the time is not right, is it?”
“That’s up for you to decide.” Luffy pointed out.
What he wants and what Wano needs are at conflict and Yamato knows which one is winning in his heart.
“Luffy, when Momo’s ready and Wano has more protection and it’ll be safe for me to leave-”
“A place on the Sunny is available for you.” Luffy grinned.
Yamato couldn’t help but grin back, despite his lingering disappointment. “Besides, I should probably experience the place I’ve been living in my whole life first, huh?”
Oden didn’t join the Roger pirates originally either.
There was still time, still hope.
One day, Yamato would sail the seas standing by Luffy’s side. One day, he’ll call himself a Straw Hat.
But for now, he’ll take up the role as Wano’s guardian.