Chapter 144: Whitebeard, Just a Failure

On this vast ocean, most people carry a certain level of respect for Whitebeard. After all, being called the strongest man on the seas earns him that respect. Even monsters like Charlotte Linlin and Kaido wouldn’t dare speak so arrogantly in front of Whitebeard.

In the battles for territory in the New World, clashes between them often lead to fierce fights! They’re bound to run into each other, but at least they aren’t as brazen and arrogant as this young punk in front of them.

At the very least, there’s still some respect, since they’re all powerful figures on the seas. They see each other all the time; what happens to one could easily happen to the other.

But this kid is different—he comes in spouting arrogant nonsense.

"Uchiha Raijin, just a mere Shichibukai, how dare you be so disrespectful to the old man."

"Do you think being just a Shichibukai means the Navy can protect you?"

Marco glared at the young man. What gave this rookie the right to look down on the old man like that?

There are countless rookies on the seas, but those who dare speak such wild words usually get put in their place.

Even Crocodile, who is currently one of the Shichibukai, was once a challenger of the old man.

But now he can only survive under the protection of the Navy and the World Government, barely scraping by.

A bunch of losers banding together—what’s so great about that? How dare they look down on the old man.

“Don’t mix up concepts. The Uchiha clan doesn’t need the so-called protection of the Navy and the World Government.”

“That’s because the Uchiha clan is inherently powerful. Even the Navy and World Government are nothing in our eyes.”

“As for the Whitebeard Pirates? They’re just a group of failures from the old era who couldn’t compete for the throne. Why should I fear them?”

Raijin gazed at Marco, his Sharingan spinning in his eyes.

A strange power slowly surged from his body, a power Marco recognized.

It was the same power that seemed to emanate from that little girl—the power known as Susanoo.

The power to transform into a giant and gain even greater strength.

"Gurararara... You really dare to say that!"

At this moment, Whitebeard burst into laughter, his eyes scrutinizing Raijin.

He wanted to see what was so special about the guy who managed to attract that old guy Zephyr to Dressrosa.

But no matter how Whitebeard looked at this guy, he seemed like an enigma.

And from the look on his face, Whitebeard could see the confidence radiating from him, as if everything was under his control.

Was he looking at Whitebeard with burning ambition, wanting to dethrone him as the world’s strongest? But why hold back? Was he waiting for some opportunity?

"Kid, do you dare to come aboard?"

Whitebeard extended an invitation to Raijin, squinting at the young man before him.

This kid was interesting, just like Crocodile back in the day.

He had the same drive and was equally arrogant.

But after Crocodile took a beating from him, he calmed down.

And this kid in front of him! Since he could fight Linlin to a draw, things probably wouldn’t end so easily.

Creak.

A wooden gangplank was lowered from the Whitebeard Pirates' ship onto the Dressrosa ship.

The pirates on Whitebeard’s ship looked at Raijin with mocking smiles.

They were ready to watch this arrogant kid make a fool of himself.

They had met plenty of cocky guys like him on the seas.

But when they actually faced the old man, their legs would go weak.

"Sure."

Raijin smiled lightly and stepped forward.

Haki poured out of his body.

A terrifying force began to wreak havoc in all directions.

Dark red lightning stirred up the sea, causing chaos.

Creak.

The wooden planks under Raijin’s feet seemed unable to bear the weight.

Cracks appeared, spreading faintly to other areas.

Thud.

Thud!

Whitebeard watched as one by one, his sons collapsed to the ground.

He became slightly annoyed. After all, this was just a kid.

How dare he so recklessly unleash his Haki.

Using it to intimidate his sons—was this a sign of disrespect?

Boom!

The next moment!

A tremendously powerful force surged toward Raijin’s Conqueror's Haki.

It seemed that in the next instant, Raijin’s Haki would be completely overwhelmed.

The whole world darkened, the sky turning dim!

Dark red thunderbolts flashed continuously.

Terrifying waves of energy spread in all directions.

The sea churned with massive waves, rocking both ships violently.

Only Raijin stood motionless on the gangplank between the two ships, as steady as a mountain.

He simply stared straight at Whitebeard, meeting his gaze.

Between the two of them, massive forces collided, clashing invisibly.

The world seemed to tear apart!

A storm raged wildly!

Crack!

Marco heard a sharp sound.

It was as if something had been torn in half.

He looked up!

The storm that had been rushing toward them split in two.

In that moment…

Marco realized that this guy wasn’t joking.

He really had the skills to go toe-to-toe with the old man.

No wonder he was so arrogant.

He had underestimated this guy before.

“Uchiha Raijin…”

From the crowd, Jinbei took a deep breath, looking at Raijin seriously.

Earlier, he had suddenly heard the people from Dressrosa mention something about Arlong.

This made Jinbei pause—he knew exactly how strong Arlong was.

---

*How did he end up provoking the king of Dressrosa out of nowhere?*

This guy, even though he might be reckless, wouldn’t do something so foolish.

But after learning the truth, Jinbe fell silent.

Jinbe felt that Arlong had forgotten the original purpose of the Sun Pirates.

Their initial purpose was to protect their comrades who bore the Celestial Dragon’s brand.

And to fight pirates on the sea, helping those who needed it.

They wanted Fish-Man Island to have some ability to protect itself on the seas.

But gradually, after Brother Tiger passed away, the Sun Pirates lost their way.

Arlong became more extreme, no longer trusting humans.

The original Sun Pirates broke apart, and only Jinbe held things together.

Arlong left Fish-Man Island with a hatred for humans.

Jinbe never expected that the next time he’d hear news about Arlong, it would be about his death.

Damn!

That human king went too far.

After Arlong died, he even brought his head to confront him.

Jinbe knew about Arlong’s evil deeds, so he just closed his eyes and mourned his comrade for a moment.

But Raijin, he was planning to seize and take control of Fish-Man Island.

This guy was a dangerous presence; Jinbe couldn’t let him endanger the Whitebeard Pirates.

Jinbe looked at the tall figure standing there, as if carrying the entire world on his shoulders.

This man was bearing the weight of an entire pirate crew on his shoulders.

During his time with the Whitebeard Pirates, Jinbe came to understand the soft spot of the world’s strongest man.

The pirates on this ship were too weak; Jinbe even felt they weren’t worthy of sitting at the same table as Kaido or Charlotte Linlin.

If this ship were to engage in a full-scale battle, it would likely be Whitebeard alone carrying all the pressure on his shoulders.

As for the rest, they would be doing very little, with only Marco being of some use.

The others, frankly…

In this vast ocean, they were too weak.

Jinbe felt that he shouldn’t transfer the burden of Fish-Man Island onto Whitebeard’s shoulders.

They had made a mistake, and now they needed to bear the consequences themselves.

Besides, Whitebeard had already done enough for Fish-Man Island over the years.

“Boom!”

Whitebeard returned to his massive seat, stabbing his naginata into the ground, supported by two pirates.

Meanwhile, Raijin, along with Kakashi and Uchiha Izumi, also boarded the Moby Dick.

Although the ship looked very large, these were pirates.

They had little desire for luxury, so the ship had a very simple style.

Raijin walked up to Whitebeard and noticed the empty deck.

Was he planning to intimidate him right from the start?

Raijin smiled, looking mockingly at Whitebeard.

He wasn’t here to negotiate like Shanks.

This time, Raijin was here to declare war on Whitebeard.

“Since I’m standing, what gives them the right to sit?”

Raijin pointed at the group of pirates sitting on the steps, ready to watch the show.

But they didn’t expect Raijin to suddenly change direction and point straight at them.

Everyone was stunned for a moment, not understanding what Raijin meant.

“Rumble, rumble.”

Thunder roared in the sky!

Kakashi turned into lightning, his hand gently moving.

The next moment, lightning rained down!

Boom!

Boom!

Boom!

Several bolts of lightning struck down.

Whitebeard’s eyes narrowed, and he reached out a hand, blocking several of the strikes.

But the rest of the lightning struck those who were sitting, leaving them charred and unconscious on the ground.

The only ones who could withstand the lightning were the officers of the Whitebeard Pirates.

Even so, they didn’t feel great, anger brewing in their eyes, ready to explode at any moment.

“Lord Raijin!”

Uchiha Izumi brought over a sofa and placed it behind Raijin.

“Thank you.”

Raijin chuckled and sat down on the sofa.

In this world, respect isn’t given by others; you have to earn it yourself.

The Whitebeard Pirates always liked to play new tricks to show off their strength.

Little did they know, it only made them look low-class.

“Now… they have the right to stand.”

Raijin glanced at the lackeys and said calmly.

Even stronger people were standing, so what gave them the right to sit?

And they even tried to pull this stunt on him.

“Kid, you’re not going to act all high and mighty on this ship!”

Whitebeard looked at Raijin, squinting his eyes as he spoke.

Raijin’s arrogant attitude really rubbed him the wrong way.

But…

His sons didn’t seem to take the other pirates on the sea seriously.

It’s about time to remind them that this sea isn’t ruled by them alone.

They needed to remember that there’s always someone stronger out there, and even he wouldn’t be around forever.

(End of Chapter)