Chapter 103: Susanoo is Just a Paper Tiger

A pillar of blood shot up into the sky, dyeing the ocean's surface red. Bodies fell and floated on the sea, with no one left to even collect Brulee’s corpse.

"Brulee!"

A furious roar echoed through the heavens. In the sky, a figure could be seen racing frantically. Blood vessels bulged in Katakuri’s eyes, almost ready to burst. He looked like a madman, disregarding the thunderous Rin behind him. The drill in his hand spun relentlessly as he charged straight at Uchiha Izumi.

"Swoosh!"

Uchiha Izumi leaped into the air, gathering chakra. Susanoo appeared in front of her, protecting her. The trident drill stabbed directly into Susanoo.

"Bang!"

The force of the impact sent Uchiha Izumi flying. She landed on the sea's surface, disappearing in an instant. She had no intention of prolonging the battle with Katakuri. After all, Katakuri’s opponent wasn’t Uchiha Izumi.

"Brulee!"

Katakuri used his mochi to retrieve Brulee’s body. His eyes were filled with grief and rage, his entire being consumed by extreme anger. The Haoshoku Haki erupted uncontrollably, dark red lightning crackling around him. His overwhelming presence could almost turn the sea over.

"Katakuri, did you think it was over?"

"This is just the beginning. The Big Mom Pirates declared war on me, but you didn’t foresee this outcome, did you?"

"Blame Charlotte Linlin for this. After all, she’s the one who sent you all to your deaths."

Raijin’s cold voice reached Katakuri’s ears, intensifying his anger. He gripped the trident drill tightly, but soon let go, cradling Brulee’s body as he gazed at the giant Susanoo sword descending from the sky, like the end of the world.

Katakuri believed he was strong enough, but facing this absolute defense, which was even more terrifying than Mama’s steel balloon, filled him with a sense of powerlessness, leaving him no will to resist.

"Everything is over!"

The Susanoo sword struck down with force, making the sea tremble. The waters around Dressrosa rolled and churned. The dark clouds in the sky were torn apart.

In Dressrosa, Admiral Kizaru sat in the palace, surrounded by a few grinning individuals, one of whom wore a mask and seemed rather lazy. The most surprising part was that Borsalino was greeted first by his teacher, Zephyr, upon arriving.

"Tch."

Borsalino knew Zephyr was stationed here but didn’t expect him to be doing so well. Back at Marine Headquarters, Zephyr could barely walk two steps without triggering his asthma. He looked more like a toothless old man nearing ninety than a former admiral.

But in Dressrosa, Zephyr appeared much healthier, his face full of color, as if he’d found the fountain of youth. The difference was so stark that they were almost unrecognizable as the same person.

Even Zephyr’s damaged arm had been restored, replaced with a new one that looked and functioned like a normal arm, potentially even enhancing Zephyr’s abilities. This country seemed to hold many secrets, but Borsalino had no interest in uncovering them.

As a lazy fish, his number one rule was to avoid unnecessary curiosity, especially towards strange and tempting mysteries.

"Teacher Zephyr, now that you’ve recovered, how about coming back to the Navy? I’m sure Admiral Sengoku would be thrilled to hear the news."

"The Navy is in desperate need of leadership after your departure, it’s a complete mess."

"You left behind quite the mess for us, after all."

Borsalino sipped his tea with a strange expression. He looked like he was asking for a punch, something not everyone could pull off so effortlessly.

Kakashi squinted at Borsalino, his gaze puzzled. Was this really an admiral?

It was hard to judge a man like this. Could someone like him truly be an admiral based solely on strength? And what did he mean by blatantly trying to recruit people right in front of him? It was as if he didn’t even acknowledge Kakashi’s presence.

Indeed, at the moment, Kakashi wasn’t worthy of their attention.

Ah, so this is what it feels like to be ignored due to lack of fame? Interesting experience.

"As an admiral, it’s your duty to lead the Navy, not drag an old man like me back to toil for you again!"

"Besides, I’ve left the Navy for good, and I have no intention of returning to that corrupt institution. Why should I rejoin and be tainted by your foul stench? This Navy isn’t worth going back to!"

"Moreover, I’ve found my purpose here, and I won’t abandon my students until I’ve fulfilled my duties. These guys are quite endearing."

Zephyr snorted coldly, clearly unhappy with Borsalino’s tone. After all, in the training camp, Kizaru was notorious for being a troublemaker. Even after becoming an admiral, he hadn’t changed a bit.

He had always emphasized the importance of Haki over Devil Fruits, yet Borsalino continued to focus on developing his fruit abilities, relegating Haki to a secondary priority. Though Borsalino’s Haki was now exceptional by any standard, it still fell short against true masters. In a real battle, a single mistake could cost him his life.

Despite repeated warnings, Borsalino remained stubbornly set on his ways, making Zephyr want to give him a good beating.

"Still as harsh as ever, Teacher Zephyr. I didn’t expect to be scolded here."

"Too bad I’ve already graduated from the Naval Academy, so this might be the last time I hear one of your lectures!"

Kizaru, completely unfazed, pulled out a nail clipper from his pocket, casually trimming his nails as Zephyr scolded him. He treated the reprimands as mere background noise. He had heard this speech countless times before, and had no intention of changing his ways.

Why should he, when there was nothing wrong with him?

"Hmph! Keep acting like this, and it won’t be long before one of my other students surpasses you."

Zephyr glared at Borsalino in disappointment. Sakazuki, at least, held a strong belief in absolute justice. He would use any means necessary to eradicate pirates, so long as it made him stronger. Even Kuzan had learned the Iron Fist technique from Garp, mastering Armament Haki to the point of shattering ships and mountains, skills passed down from that reckless Garp.

But Borsalino—no matter how much he was lectured—remained as unyielding as ever, frustrating Zephyr to no end.

Why couldn’t this guy learn anything useful?

"Your other students? You mean Ain and the others?"

Kizaru tilted his head. He remembered Zephyr’s students, but they would only reach vice-admiral level at best. To surpass him, they’d need several more lifetimes to accumulate the necessary experience. A regular female cadet surpassing him? Ridiculous.

To be honest, how could such insincere words come from Zephyr-sensei?

Even Zephyr-sensei himself probably wouldn’t believe them.

"Ain? No!"

"It’s my current student, Kakashi! This guy has a Devil Fruit ability that’s no less powerful than yours, and he’s even a genius who can stand on par with you three—a true genius. Don’t let him surpass you; it’d be embarrassing."

Zephyr pointed at Kakashi beside him, a slight smile on his face as he spoke.

He wasn’t revealing the intel about Dressrosa to the Navy.

He just wanted to show off his new student.

Although this disciple is a bit lacking in physical combat...

He was a ninja before, so he’s not short on skills.

And his physical skills and ninjutsu are progressing together.

Kakashi also has a family sword style that’s quite extraordinary.

Any one of these abilities would take someone a lifetime to master.

But Kakashi is like a monster, really.

Even though he’s a bit lax with his swordsmanship, everything else has reached its peak.

And on top of that, he’s mastered a terrifying physical skill.

Zephyr was honestly a little excited.

A genius like Kakashi won’t stay obscure on the sea for long.

Soon enough, his brilliance will outshine even Uchiha Raijin.

He’ll become the brightest new star on the sea.

Kakashi is truly the most versatile genius.

Even if you searched the entire Navy, you wouldn’t find many like Kakashi.

That’s why Zephyr said Kakashi could compare to the Navy’s three Admirals in terms of talent.

Those three were monsters when they joined the Navy.

Their natural strength was terrifying.

At Kakashi’s age, he’s probably already surpassed the Navy’s three Admirals.

Compared to them at his age, they’re like toys.

After all, Zephyr had heard about Kakashi’s exploits.

"It’s really scary. I never thought someone could be praised so highly by Zephyr-sensei. I’d better be a bit more cautious."

Borsalino glanced briefly at Kakashi.

But his face still had that same indifferent expression.

To be honest, anyone who saw that look would be annoyed.

It’s enough to make a surge of anger rise up and give you a heart attack.

He said it was scary, but he didn’t even stop clipping his nails.

That expression is even more infuriating than Raijin’s.

Especially that face.

Ugh.

You just want to punch the guy.

"Zephyr-sensei, you’re overpraising me!"

"My strength is still far below that of the Admirals."

"Instead of comparing me, why not compare that guy, Raijin? After all, he’s your student too. Even if you compared us, he wouldn’t complain."

Kakashi’s dead fish eyes showed no emotion.

To be honest!

He’s not very used to the environment at sea.

The people here don’t seem to care about keeping their information secret.

They’re always blabbing, never hiding their abilities.

But as a traditional ninja, Kakashi thinks it’s better to stay low-key, to keep some mystery, to conceal what he knows.

But it seems like he can’t stay hidden now. At the very least, he needs to stay behind Raijin.

That guy is their shield for now.

"."

Zephyr looked around.

One had dead fish eyes, like he had no hope for the future.

He looked like he was just coasting through work, even spacing out and thinking about other things from time to time.

And on the other side...

There was an old loafer, clipping his nails, with a twisted expression on his face.

Mouthing off to everyone, not really listening.

These two really are alike.

Now Zephyr’s starting to think that strong, special people are all like this.

"Boom!"

Just then, a loud rumbling sound echoed.

Even though they were sitting in the center of Dressrosa, they could all clearly feel it.

They could clearly feel the entire island of Dressrosa shaking.

"Tap, tap, tap."

Suddenly, the sound of hurried footsteps came.

A Navy officer rushed into the palace’s reception room, looking flustered.

"Admiral Kizaru, th-there’s an unbelievably huge giant appearing on the sea."

The Navy officer’s face was filled with fear.

Clearly, he was startled by that giant.

"Ahem, this is normal."

Kakashi cleared his throat.

He didn’t expect Raijin to cause such a big commotion.

"Whoosh!"

Everyone’s eyes turned toward Kakashi.

---

They decided to listen closely to what Kakashi had to say.

This kind of thing is normal?

"Don't worry, this is just our King Raijin's usual move," Kakashi explained.

But Kizaru and Zephyr didn’t listen. This kind of commotion isn’t something that can be explained as "normal."

They felt like the entire sea was about to turn upside down.

Was that just their imagination?

Kizaru walked outside and, in an instant, was on the rooftop.

He could already see a giant monster far away, wildly swinging a blade on the sea.

With just a gentle swing, the ocean rose up like a tsunami, creating massive waves.

Such terrifying waves could easily engulf an entire island in an instant.

This extreme and terrifying power made even Kizaru, standing there, instinctively raise his guard.

After all, this power was terrifyingly immense.

The scene looked like the end of the world.

"Is this what you call routine?" Kizaru pouted.

Even though he said it was scary, he was still on high alert inside.

Is it really necessary to protect this Shichibukai, with Dressrosa already this strong? Could this be a trap? Has someone in the Navy started to dislike him and is planning to lure him into a trap?

"It’s not that scary; it just looks big, but it's actually all show. We still need the Navy to protect Dressrosa," Kakashi said, standing beside Kizaru, trying to explain on behalf of Uchiha Raijin.

"Rumble!"

With just a slight swing of Susanoo’s blade, several dozen ships from the Big Mom Pirates were instantly destroyed, reduced to floating debris on the sea, with heavy casualties on board.

"All show and no substance?"

Kizaru muttered to himself. Is this really what "all show and no substance" looks like?

Has the sea changed so much that even such terrifying entities aren't considered powerful anymore?

What about him, a mere Logia fruit user?

Kizaru glanced at Kakashi, waiting for his explanation.

"Just a paper tiger. If Admiral Kizaru tries it himself, he’ll see through it instantly!" Kakashi said nonchalantly, not bothering to explain further.

"......"

Even Zephyr, who was standing behind, remained silent.

He had never seen Uchiha Raijin’s strength before.

He had only fought against Uchiha Izumi.

Originally, he thought what Uchiha Izumi showed was Susanoo’s full power.

But it seems the opposite is true!

What Uchiha Izumi showed was only the most basic power of Susanoo.

This clan seems more mysterious than he thought.

Zephyr wondered if he should start learning ninja techniques.

After all, he had already developed chakra in his body.

Maybe he should ask Raijin when he comes back.

Zephyr was particularly interested in the taijutsu Kakashi had learned.

The Eight Gates? Now that’s an interesting taijutsu.

Perfect for an old man like him.

"Hmm… maybe it’s best not to get involved."

"But it seems like we’re not really needed here anymore!"

Kizaru glanced at Kakashi.

This Kakashi guy seemed a bit devious—asking him to try it out would just be sending him to his death. What a nasty guy.

Can Dressrosa really stay stable?

It feels like there’s danger everywhere here!

One wrong move and you could fall into the abyss.

Damn it!

Opportunities for a nice, relaxed mission like this are rare!

He had expected the war between Dressrosa and Totto Land to last at least three months.

He could have a three-month paid vacation here.

If he really had to leave, it would be a bit of a loss.

Kizaru weighed the pros and cons in his mind.

"The war isn’t over yet! We need the Navy to boost morale."

"As long as Admiral Kizaru is in Dressrosa, our citizens can truly feel at ease. So, Admiral Kizaru… how about settling down in Dressrosa?" Kakashi said with a smile.

(End of Chapter)