Sasaki

Sasaki is one of the Tobiroppo, the strongest six Shinuchi of the Beasts Pirates, and leads the crew's Armored Division. Before joining the Beasts Pirates, he captained his own crew.

Due to his actions and role, he is a supporting antagonist in the Wano Country Arc.

Appearance


Sasaki is a very tall man at just shy of 3.2 meters, with a portly build and light skin. He possesses sharp and slanted, blue eyes underlined by notable creases, a mildly hooked nose, and a set of sharp, fanged teeth with two long lower canines (jutting out even with his mouth closed), as well as a flat chin. His shaggy hair is colored yellowish-green and reaches down to his middle back, with a golden hoop earring visible on both his ears. A black (more grayish in the anime) tattoo is located around his shoulder areas, including the upper arms, chest, and back, with many curved, vane-like shapes bringing on a resemblance to wings.

Sasaki's clothes seem a distinct blend of traditional Japanese and a military/dictator's style of attire. On his head is a military cap with a black, low-set visor and a white crown that is extra-wide, puffy, dented breadthwise with the front raised, and split by a lengthwise seam. Above the black bottom edge (spaced from it) runs a black band lined with a row of gold studs, holding in the front a golden badge depicting a double-cross shape (eight-armed, the diagonals less prominent, with a small middle stud). Set below, front and center, is a pair of slender, golden horns that curve upward, lending Sasaki (together with his fangs) a rather demonic look. Otherwise, the man wears a cloak akin to a seaman's, slung on his shoulders with the sleeves hanging back, that has a folded standup collar bearing on each side a simpler version of the hat's badge. The coat has a solid-white coloration over its upper half, which ends around waist level with a downward-facing flame motif, contrasting against the orange-colored rest of the coat. Below, Sasaki's torso is bare, partly showing off the aforesaid tattoo. For lower wear, Sasaki dons a hakama-like article resembling the bottom half of a double-breasted trench coat, which is flame-patterned the same as the cloak (though with the upper half beige-colored instead of white), closed by eight gray buttons, and held up by a golden, buckled belt. Finally, Sasaki sports a pair of brown gloves and grayish-brown, double-toothed geta sandals.

Personality
Outside of battle, Sasaki is shown to be a rather calm and easygoing man, though not above derision, being shown to scoff at his equal-ranking peers. Still, he acts cordial toward those he considers friends, like formerly "Kyoshiro", but will not tolerate any breach of fidelity; if betrayed, he will aim to ensure the traitor pays a steep price. Even when he knew that his own subordinates had been turned against him against their will due to a Devil Fruit power, Sasaki still proclaimed them as traitors and was willing to personally take them out.

An ambitious man, Sasaki seeks to become one of the Beasts Pirates' All-Stars by claiming a spot from the current ones, causing him to disregard their senior authority. This resolve, according to King, arises from Sasaki's past as captain of his own crew, bearing out on his part a high degree of confidence in his own strength, enough for him to look forward to a chance to directly challenge an All-Star. Yet, Sasaki is also prideful in his Tobiroppo status, claiming that his current group is why the Beasts Pirates are as feared as they are. As far as combat is concerned, Sasaki is proud of his ability to become a dinosaur, believing dinosaurs to be the strongest animals that ever existed. Furthermore, when he makes mistakes in battle, Sasaki is too proud to admit as much and will justify his blunders as intentional decisions on his part.

It is implied by Kyoshiro that Sasaki is fond of partying, since the former thought that Sasaki's presence outside the Golden Kagura was uncharacteristic of him, and he conducted his search for Yamato with a sake bottle in hand, apparently fond of drinking. However, Sasaki sees himself as above drinking with rank and file, expressing his wish to drink with none other than Kaido.

Crew
Like the other Tobiroppo, Sasaki seems to heavily respect Kaido. When Ulti insulted their boss in his absence, Sasaki nonetheless grew shocked. He also seems to be on casual enough terms with Kaido to express his wish to drink with him during the Golden Kagura, stating to have no interest in fraternizing with mere underlings.

On the other hand, Sasaki, like Who's-Who, looks at the current All-Stars foremostly as obstacles in his pursuit to take one of their spots, thus acting insubordinate toward them and ignoring any summons order without Kaido's name attached to it. Further, while friendly enough with his fellow Tobiroppo to sit and banter with them, Sasaki views them as competition, given that some of them too aspire to climb up a rank. He mockingly discouraged X Drake and Page One from pursuing such advancement, effectively calling the latter dead weight.

Sasaki initially held his Armored Division in high regard, noting how he could not afford to lose them. When going out to battle with his men, he had a large rhinoceros SMILE user carry him on a high-backed throne labeled with his name, wherein he lounged until his own involvement was required. Ultimately, Sasaki came to declare his vaunted division as traitors whom he was willing to personally dispose of, disregarding the fact that his men had essentially been brainwashed.

Denjiro
Sasaki saw a friend in Denjiro during the latter's time posing as Kyoshiro, though with Denjiro's backstabbing him during the latest Fire Festival, Sasaki swore he would avenge himself on the samurai.

Yamato
Sasaki does not seem to think too highly of Yamato despite them being Kaido's child, calling Yamato a brat behind their back. However, he still addresses Yamato as "Young Master" (ぼっちゃん), though he seemed not too upset by Yamato's apparent betrayal of the Beasts Pirates and had no qualms about personally fighting Yamato, even deeming their suggestion that they could take him on while simultaneously protecting Shinobu and Momonosuke as an insult.

Abilities and Powers
As one of the Tobiroppo, Sasaki holds great authority in the Beasts Pirates, only Kaido himself and the All-Stars ranked above him; in particular, Sasaki leads the crew's Armored Division. Further, as an ex-pirate captain, Sasaki used to have full command over his own crew at some point.



Like the other Tobiroppo, Sasaki is a powerful combatant whose strength makes him potentially worth challenging the All-Stars for their post (something Sasaki seemed confident in his ability to do). He held his own against Franky for an extended period of time while his foe piloted his General Franky throughout the fight's duration, keeping his real body secure inside the robot. Though Sasaki was ultimately taken out by two of Franky's strongest attacks back to back, one of which exploited his weak spot as a triceratops, Sasaki was able to force Franky out of the robot with his own final attack, even destroying part of it. Sasaki's resilience was also commended by Franky, who claimed that Sasaki had survived several finishing moves throughout their fight.

Devil Fruit


Sasaki ate the Ryu Ryu no Mi, Model: Triceratops, an Ancient Zoan-type Devil Fruit that allows him to transform into a triceratops, and human-triceratops hybrid, at will.

As an Ancient Zoan, this ability grants Sasaki an immense increase in physical strength, allowing him to charge into opponents with great force, enough to knock back a powerful, 13m-tall robot. Furthermore, with his hardy triceratops skin, Sasaki enjoys a notable increase in durability, enough to be unfazed by heavy, explosive artillery fire, though his less-protected belly remains as a weak spot.

As a triceratops, Sasaki bears three long, pointy horns on his head. His primary method of combat is to charge at his opponents headfirst and pierce them with his horns. In Human-Beast Form, he also possesses the abnormal ability to make his neck frill rotate around like a propeller, greatly increasing the speed of his charges and allowing him to simulate flight.

Weapons


For combat, Sasaki wields a special sword that he dubs as Karakuri Rasento. It is equipped with a rotational mechanism that allows the blade to spin at high speeds whenever Sasaki activates it, with a series of small blade flaps, perpendicularly set to the main blade, making it like a portable drill. With the Rasento, Sasaki can easily cut and shred opponents or their weapons, including other swords, and by using it in tandem with his Zoan transformation (particularly his rotating neck frill), Sasaki can perform a powerful, aerial style of swordplay that can easily overwhelm unseasoned enemy swordsmen.

Past
Sasaki captained his own pirate crew before he joined the Beasts Pirates. After joining them, he developed the goal of becoming one of the All-Stars by replacing a current one.

Wano Country Arc


The Tobiroppo, including Sasaki, arrived on Onigashima following the beginning of the latest Fire Festival. Kaido had supposedly summoned them to his castle, and while waiting they started chatting about who of them would become the next All-Star if Queen died. As X Drake denied any interest in promotion, Sasaki welcomed his noncompetitive attitude, drawing Ulti's ire by suggesting Page One do the same. Sasaki then intimated what he thought Kaido's reason was for calling them, and consequently grew shocked with the other four when Ulti insulted their Governor-General. Kaido thereafter greeted the six in his castle, and they learned how King was the one who had summoned them, the latter mentioning to Sasaki and Who's-Who their goal of becoming All-Stars and telling them to know their place. Kaido then gave the Tobiroppo the mission of finding his "son" Yamato, stating he would let them battle one of the All-Stars for their post if they succeeded.



Later on, letting his men search for Yamato near the gate located on the southwest of the island, Sasaki ran into Denjiro, whom he still thought to be his ally "Kyoshiro". Thus, with Sasaki's guard down, Denjiro managed to have him chained up, with Sasaki bewildered at the apparent betrayal. Once the Ninja-Pirate-Mink-Samurai Alliance's raid on Onigashima was fully raging, a massive attack from Big Mom reached Sasaki all the way from the Skull Dome and knocked over the sacred tree he was tied to, freeing him from his chains. Afterwards, he was found by his lackeys and, while being informed of the situation, swore revenge on Denjiro, whom he had considered his friend. He later received a call from King informing the Tobiroppo that the challenge for the right to fight an All-Star was cancelled, and that they were to stop the enemy alliance from getting to the Skull Dome's roof where Kaido was fighting the Nine Red Scabbards.



Thereafter, King ordered the Tobiroppo to bring him the head of Kozuki Oden's son, Momonosuke, in order to break the enemy samurais' will to fight. Sasaki encountered the boy and Shinobu while they were fleeing the castle, in the Right-Brain Tower. He had his accompanying men, the Armored Division, fire bazooka and arrow shots at them, telling the kunoichi not to interfere. Just as Shinobu was about to be finished off by a Gifter, Yamato came in to block the attack, prompting Sasaki to question Yamato's motives. Reiterating how killing Momonosuke would see their mission completed, Sasaki looked on in surprise and consequent annoyance as Yamato used their body to shield Momonosuke and Shinobu from more explosive rounds, and then knocked out another Gifter with their weapon.

As Yamato continued engaging his division, Sasaki commented on Yamato's declaration that they would not leave Shinobu behind, taking it as insult given the implication that they could defeat him while protecting dead weight. As Sasaki began drawing his sword, Franky within the General Franky appeared being chased by the Number Hatcha, with the giant then blowing a hole into the floor trying to hit said robot. When Yamato took the chance to escape with Shinobu and Momonosuke through the hole into the lower floor (but not before knocking out Hatcha as they did so), Sasaki irately commanded his men to follow them. When Franky then overwhelmed his men with his General Launcher from inside his robot, Sasaki told them to move aside before activating his triceratops transformation and charging into the robot, knocking him back a fair distance.



Soon after, Sasaki and Franky were locked in fierce combat. As Franky shot at Sasaki with his General Left, the latter (still in his full Beast Form) remained unfazed as he again charged into the General Franky. Franky managed to stop the charge by having his robot grab hold of Sasaki's nasal horn, then shoulder-threw the dinosaur into the wall behind them, though Sasaki quickly regained his balance. As he prepared yet another charge at Franky, Sasaki had his Armored Division restrain the General Franky. However, as Sasaki began rushing toward them, he was surprised by the suddenly-appearing Nami and Usopp, who had managed to brainwash numerous Gifters into becoming their allies thanks to Tama's dangos. Said Gifters helped Franky narrowly avoid Sasaki's charge, with the also-arriving Ulti and Page One clarifying the Gifters' betrayal. Usopp then fed dangos to Sasaki's subordinates, making them betray Sasaki. While the latter was distracted, Franky took the chance to surprise-attack him with his "Franken" sword, slashing Sasaki in his belly using Shori no V-Flash.

As Sasaki continued clashing with Franky, the two combatants heard Sanji's cry for help broadcasted throughout Onigashima, with Sasaki laughing at Sanji's predicament. The Tobiroppo member had later temporarily changed back into human form and reacted with surprise upon learning of Ulti's and Page One's defeats through another voice broadcast. As Sasaki's and Franky's duel continued, the latter started being overwhelmed by interfering Gifters.



Soon however, all remaining Gifters had defected to the rebellion's side, on Tama's last order. Angered, Sasaki stated that controlled or not, the Armored Division were traitors. Sasaki then entered his Human-Beast Form, noting his intent to go to the Live Floor after taking out Franky. He activated the blade rotation of his mechanized sword, then lifted himself into the air using his spinning neck frill. With his Heliceratops attack, Sasaki proceeded to mow down numerous Gifters from midair using his sword and frill, before crossing blades with the General Franky and having his sword barely deflected aside. Sasaki then tried charging forward to set upon Franky once more but accidentally spun his frill the wrong way round, pushing himself backward. Brushing this off as him going for run-up distance, Sasaki propelled himself at Franky headfirst using his Tamaceratops attack, his horn piercing into the General Franky's left shoulder and making its rocket launcher misfire, which Franky countered by consequently suplexing Sasaki. Sasaki swiftly rose up and began overwhelming Franky with his sword, breaking Franky's Franken and causing him to fall back in the Live Floor's direction. To catch up to his running foe, Sasaki once gain initiated his Tamaceratops technique to launch himself forward, with Franky taking the chance to instantly turn around and shoot his General Cannon at Sasaki, who was blown up high into the air by the blast. Still conscious and unwilling to give up, Sasaki declared his intent to take Franky down with him, flying back down at tremendous speed using his Magnumceratops move, hitting the General Franky straight-on with his horn, pushing it down, and destroying part of it. However, Franky had ejected himself from his robot in time, now lying next to it and promptly launching his Franky Radical Beam to pierce right into Sasaki's triceratops belly—his prior-noted weak spot—to successfully knock the Tobiroppo member out.

Major Battles

 * Sasaki and Armored Division vs. Yamato
 * Sasaki and Armored Division vs. Franky (General Franky)

Anime and Manga Differences
In the anime amid Kawamatsu's flashback showing his past with Onimaru (well before the Tobiroppo's introduction on Onigashima), Sasaki is seen in a brief shot alongside Kaido, the All-Stars, and Who's-Who, in Kawamatsu's imagination; despite this taking place 13 years before the present day, Sasaki (like the others) is depicted looking the same as his present-day self.

Trivia

 * Sasaki is likely named after the card game, also known as Sasaki (ササキ), which is a popular card game in North Korea, following the card game-themed names of the Shinuchi.
 * Sasaki's favorite food is asparagus, hinting at his ability to transform into a herbivorous dinosaur.
 * Sasaki has been seen holding a sake bottle labelled with 鬼守 ("Demon Protecting"). This could be a reference to the well-known Japanese Onikoroshi (鬼ころし) brand of sake, with the meaning reversed to evoke Sasaki's allegiance to his Onigashima-based crew.

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