Yamato’s Crew Gathering
If Yamato were to gather companions along her journey, I think the composition would end up similar to Oden’s retainers.
O-Tama might join a bit later after growing up, but this is my final prediction for Yamato’s crew.
Now let’s follow Yamato’s Cover Art Series continuing from Vol.24.
Shadow of Potential Crew Members
Yamato Cover Art Vol.25: ‘The Arrest of Two Defiant Ones’
Two defiant figures were brought before Fuga, who had Kozan’s sword. It seems Yamato will defeat Fuga, take back the sword, and save those two — making them candidate retainers!
By their silhouettes, they look like the Ulti-Page One siblings. This would fill the ‘sibling slot’ of Oden’s retainers.
Dart Target
Yamato Cover Art Vol.26: “Ulti: ‘If anything happens to Pea-tan, I’ll beat you to hell and back!'”
Prediction correct — it was indeed the Ulti siblings! The cover situation is the same as Loki’s situation from just before.
Overlapping Ulti’s situation with Loki’s suggests — if Ulti becomes Yamato’s retainer, might Loki become Luffy’s ally too?
Tears Won’t Stop from Frustration
Yamato Cover Art Vol.27: ‘Tears Won’t Stop from Frustration’
This line was the same as Robin’s famous line at Enies Lobby.
Robin was cornered by CP9 Chief Spandam — Ulti was also cornered by former CP9 member Fuga. Cowardly CP9 will surely face divine punishment.
Instant Annihilation of Cowards
Yamato Cover Art Vol.28: ‘Return the Sword and the Girls!! Thunder Eight Trigrams’
Cowardly CP9, who made a girl cry through underhanded tactics, is instantly annihilated by a technique on Kaido’s level.
What a shame.
Freeing the Kidnap Victims
Yamato Cover Art Vol.29: ‘Carpenter Port Friend, Liberation of the Girls!!’
The scene of freeing those imprisoned by Fuga seemed like a homage to the Skypiea arc.
Chapter 1144’s main story featured Vegapunk discovering an ancient research facility with unknown power — ancient and unknown power brings to mind the lunar ruins found by Enel. So both main story and cover art are Skypiea homages.
They Were Alive
Yamato Cover Art Vol.30: ‘Pea-tan Was Alive!!’
In the main story, it homages the stew-eating scene at Skypiea camp. In the cover art, it homages Pagaya being alive.
Ulti Becomes Yamato’s Subordinate!
Yamato Cover Art Vol.31: “This grace, I’ll never forget!! Allow me to become your underling!!”
Yamato receiving tearful gratitude from a former enemy — I thought this was a homage to Pekoms’ scene in the Zou arc.
Getting Provisions Before Departure
Yamato Cover Art Vol.32: ‘Lord Raizo of Rabbitland Expresses Gratitude’
Yamato received provisions from Raizo, who became lord of Rabbitland. This is also a Zou arc homage — back then too, Raizo stayed in Zou while Luffy received provisions and departed.
Hero’s Hat
Yamato Cover Art Vol.33: ‘From O-Tama to Kawamatsu, Receiving the Sedge Hat — Off to Shimotsuki!’
Ulti’s tearful gratitude = Pekoms in Zou arc (Ch.812). Provisions from Raizo = Luffy departing Zou (Ch.822).
So naturally this follows with a homage to the hero’s hat cover art from Chapter 828.
Germa Homage
Yamato Cover Art Vol.34: ‘At Shimotsuki Enma Temple, Offering Kozan’s Sword — Proxy Visit Complete’
Yamato’s cover art composition homages the scene at the end of Chapter 828, where Germa’s Ichiji and Niji appeared for the first time.
Please also read the related theory articles!
Oars Homage
Yamato Cover Art Vol.35: ‘Sumo Tournament at Shimotsuki! Throwing Yokozuna Sukune, Elder Brother of Urashima!’
The main story featured Saint Kirinagum’s ability and the immortal Umu Army — Nightmare → Nightmare Luffy → Thriller Bark homage.
So I inferred this was a homage to the scene where Oars was sent flying.
From Oars to Little Oars Jr.
Yamato Cover Art Vol.36: ‘Delivery of O-Tama’s Sedge Hat to Lord Kawamatsu of Shimotsuki Complete!’
The previous chapter was an Oars homage; the next one is a Little Oars Jr. homage.
Analyzing Oda’s chain of mental associations is one of my specialties!
A Happy Reunion
Yamato Cover Art Vol.37: ‘Suzunojo Lord Kikunojo and Boss O-Cho’
The previous chapter had Little Oars Jr., so continuing the Marineford arc homage, I think this is a homage to Luffy and Ace’s reunion.
Guided to the Graves
Yamato Cover Art Vol.38: ‘Born in the West Blue, a Hero Raised in Suzunojo — Please Pay Your Respects at His Grave’
Following the Marineford arc homage, I infer this is a homage to the graves of Whitebeard and Ace that Shanks created.
Visiting the Grave
Yamato Cover Art Vol.39: ‘He Fought Kaido to Protect the Village, but Died Without Leaving Even a Corpse’
Visiting graves after Marineford reminded me of Shirahoshi in the Fish-Man Island arc.
The name carved on the grave is ‘Kaze no Jigoro,’ and I predict his descendants will appear and become Yamato’s retainers.
Kozuki Moria
Yamato Cover Art Vol.40: ‘A Pirate of Justice Rests Here’
The name on the gravestone completely defied readers’ expectations — it was ‘Kozuki Moria.’ You absolutely have to read the article explaining the stunning connection between these two images.
Let’s Head Back!
Yamato Cover Art Vol.41: ‘Now, Apple in Hand, Back to the Flower Capital!!’
After discovering Roger’s name in Skypiea → take the treasure and return to the Blue Sea. After Moria’s name was revealed in Suzunojo → receive a souvenir and return to the Flower Capital.
The composition and situation are identical.
Spectacular View
Yamato Cover Art Vol.42: ‘A Shrine Overlooking the Flower Capital, Enshrining Oden and His Companions’
The Skypiea homage continues. While the past arc focuses on Rocks, the current Luffy and crew are in the middle of the Elbaf arc’s divine games and trials — just as in Skypiea.
A Will Not Passed Down
Yamato Cover Art Vol.43: ‘The Resting Place of Heroes’
To Pedro’s right is Kanjuro. This connects back to Vol.39’s Shirahoshi gravesite homage.
Yamato, Momonosuke, and Kinemon — like Shirahoshi — enshrined Kanjuro as a hero and by forgiving him, broke the cycle of persecution of the Kuromacu clan and their revenge.
The Legion is Formed
Yamato’s Solo Cover Series Final: ‘Dear Luffy, Wano is Peaceful Today Too!’
Having traveled all around Wano, gained retainers, and holding an ‘Oden’ in hand — can Yamato finally become Oden now?
The composition homage is the same as the final chapter of Enel’s cover series. This means Kinemon and Momonosuke might also join the final battle as members of the Yamato Army!