One Piece chapter 1162 might be the last we'll see Yamato for a long time

Yamato as seen in One Piece
Yamato could be last seen in One Piece chapter 1162 (Image credit: Toei Animations)

One Piece Chapter 1162 marks not just another milestone in the Final Saga, but also a bittersweet farewell to one of Wano’s most beloved characters, Oni Child Yamato. Moreover, Chapter 1162 carries weight this week because it officially brings closure to Yamato’s long-running cover story arc, “Oni Child Yamato’s Golden Harvest Surrogate Pilgrimage.”

After months of following their journey across Wano, from the Flower Capital to Hakumai and Ringo, the latest One Piece Chapter 1162 cover finally shows Yamato’s return. And with that, it feels like this might be the last we see of them for quite some time.

Yamato’s pilgrimage began with a simple promise: to travel across Wano like Kozuki Oden once did. Before setting off, they received Yasuie’s sword and were entrusted with delivering it to the Enma Shrine in Hakumai. The mission wasn’t just about returning a relic; it symbolized Yamato’s connection to Wano’s history and their attempt to walk in Oden’s footsteps.

From the bustling Flower Capital to the desolate plains of Kibi, Yamato’s journey showcased the reconstruction of a nation still healing from Kaido’s tyranny. One of the most moving scenes came early, when Yamato faced children who hurled rocks at them for being Kaido’s offspring. Denjiro’s punishment, forcing the children to share oden with Yamato, was a clever nod to reconciliation and the idea that shared meals can heal wounds deeper than words.

Yamato side story as seen in manga (Image credit: Shueisha)
Yamato side story as seen in manga (Image credit: Shueisha)

Their travels through Kuri were equally revealing. Yamato foiled a kidnapping attempt, saved innocent lives, and learned about the lingering shadows of Wano’s underworld. The subplot of disappearing carpenters and waitresses tied into Yamato’s next big confrontation, a familiar foe from Onigashima who had somehow survived. This unexpected rematch gave Yamato another moment to shine, reaffirming their strength and growth since the war.

The cover story reached its peak when Yamato, alongside Tama, Speed, and Komachiyo, tracked down the missing villagers and confronted Who’s-Who. The fight was short but powerful, a symbolic victory that restored Yasuie’s sword and freed Ulti and Page One, Kaido’s former subordinates, from captivity. In an unexpected twist, Ulti pledged loyalty to Yamato, joining them for the rest of their journey.

From Udon to Hakumai, Yamato’s journey gradually became a tale of redemption and rebirth. The placement of Yasuie’s sword in the shrine marked a spiritual completion. Participating in a sumo tournament, delivering Tama’s handmade kasa to Kawamatsu, and paying respects to the fallen heroes all served as emotional milestones.


The Return to the Flower Capital

Yamato as seen in One Piece (Image credit: Toei Animation)
Yamato as seen in One Piece (Image credit: Toei Animation)

Finally, One Piece Chapter 1162’s cover shows Yamato’s return to the Flower Capital, where they visit Oden’s Shrine alongside Momonosuke and Kin’emon. It’s a full-circle moment, closing the pilgrimage exactly where it began. Yamato is no longer the restless warrior yearning to be Oden; they’ve become their own person, shaped by the land and people they vowed to understand.

For readers who’ve followed the cover story since its beginning, the final image feels like both an ending and a farewell. Yamato bows their head before the shrine, surrounded by the Scabbards, symbolizing closure. Their journey in One Piece Chapter 1162 has reached its natural end, and with the Final Saga in full motion, it’s unlikely we’ll see them again soon.


Why Fans Believe It’s a Goodbye after the release of One Piece Chapter 1162

Yamato and Luffy as seen in anime (Image credit: Toei Animation)
Yamato and Luffy as seen in anime (Image credit: Toei Animation)

Eiichiro Oda often uses cover stories to neatly wrap up a character’s side story before the main narrative moves elsewhere. With the Straw Hats currently sailing through the most chaotic seas of the Final Saga, and Wano’s chapter firmly closed, according to One Piece chapter 1162, Yamato’s role seems complete, at least for now.

Yamato’s absence in the main story since the Straw Hats’ departure from Wano has been deeply felt. Many hoped they would join the crew, and while that didn’t happen, Oda gave Yamato a journey worthy of their potential.

The “Golden Harvest” title now makes perfect sense; it represents the fruits of Wano’s liberation, Yamato’s personal growth, and the symbolic passing of an era.. For now, after One Piece Chapter 1162, all signs suggest this might be the last we see of Yamato for a long time, but in true One Piece fashion, farewells are never forever.

Edited by Nisarga Kakade