Many of our One Piece comparisons have focused on fictional and hypothetical encounters, but in this article, we're actually going to focus on a clash that actually took place in the series, although we'll of course provide a more detailed analysis of that fight. We're talking about the one between Kizaru, Admiral Borsalino, and the legendary pirate Silvers Rayleigh. Who's stronger? Well, read on to find out more.

Despite not having a Devil Fruit, Silvers Rayleigh would beat Kizaru to a pulp in his prime. Kizaru's Devil Fruit is exceptionally powerful, and this makes him one of the most difficult opponents in the series, but even an old, exhausted Silvers Rayleigh was able to stop Kizaru when they fought, meaning that a Silvers Rayleigh at the height of his powers would easily defeat him. Silvers is physically stronger than Kizaru, a better swordsman, and uses all three types of Haki, which is absolutely enough to surpass even Kizaru's incredible Devil Fruit abilities. This is why Silvers Rayleigh is stronger and would definitely defeat Kizaru if they were to fight (again).

Now that you have the short answer, the rest of the article will provide you with a more in-depth and detailed analysis of the problem at hand. Through several categories, you'll see who is the stronger of the two and why our answer is the way it is—that is, why we believe Silvers Rayleigh, in his prime, would be able to defeat Kizaru, just as he was able to surpass him when he was an old man.

Physical skills

Having served as vice-captain of the Pirate King's crew, Rayleigh is an exceptionally powerful individual. In fact, Shakky claims that he is a hundred times more powerful than all the Supernovae present on the archipelago at that time, when they were all part of the Worst Generation.

Furthermore, thanks to his strength, he could fight on equal terms with Admiral Kizaru, even managing to injure him, although, by his own admission, his old age had weakened him greatly. He actually stated that if he had been younger, he could have both committed Kizaru and protected Luffy's crew from Sentomaru and Bartholomew Kuma.

Sentomaru himself, who seems to have known Kizaru for a long time, stated that he had never seen anyone capable of putting the admiral in trouble. Rayleigh has a very muscular and strong physique.

In fact, despite his advanced age, he managed to swim alone into one of the calm areas, even killing some Sea Kings that wanted to eat him, which intrigued Trafalgar Law himself. He also kicked Kizaru in the leg. He is also very fast in his movements, so much so that he broke Kayme's explosive collar and threw it into the air before it could explode. Despite being thrown at lightning speed, Rayleigh also managed to intercept an attack from Admiral Kizaru, who was about to kill Zoro.

Kizaru could maintain Whitebeard's Bisento with a single foot, demonstrating his strong physical constitution. He also demonstrated his strength by withstanding a kick from Marco enhanced with Armament Haki without sustaining any damage. He also possesses exceptionally good hearing, as before the Battle of Marineford, he had detected the Whitebeard Pirates' underwater activities.

He also displayed excellent marksmanship during the final moments of the conflict when he used a laser beam to destroy the key Luffy was carrying despite its enormous distance.

Now, we're dealing with advanced versions of the characters in question, but even if that weren't the case, Rayleigh would win this one. Old Silvers managed to injure Kizaru, and the younger version of Silvers would have completely destroyed Borsalino.

Points: Rayleigh 1, Kizaru 0

Devil Fruit

Silvers Rayleigh never ate a Devil Fruit but still managed to become an extremely powerful character, much like Shanks, Mihawk, and Zoro. In this regard, he is part of a smaller group of characters in the series who are considered exceptionally strong despite not having a Devil Fruit.

Borsalino consumed the Logia-type Pika Pika no Mi, and it granted him intangibility as it transformed him into Light. This Fruit allows him to transform into light, allowing him to repel enemy strikes and transform his body into luminous particles. Its power is incredibly great, to the point that it can generate powerful explosions to shatter buildings and uproot enormous plants.

This is specifically because he can move and attack at the speed of light. Thanks to this, Borsalino in Gear Second could easily intercept Luffy and deliver a violent kick.

Although Rayleigh was able to counter Borsalino's Devil Fruit powers, Borsalino still wins this one because Rayleigh cannot receive a point if he doesn't deserve it.

Points: Rayleigh 1, Kizaru 1

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RIGHT

Rayleigh is one of the few people capable of using all three types of Haki at a high level. In Rusukaina, he used Observation Haki, demonstrating his proficiency in using it to determine how many wild beasts were on the island and avoid attacks from one of them. He also trained Luffy to use it subconsciously. He can also use Armament Haki and is one of the few characters to have demonstrated the ability to use it to strike his target without direct physical contact, an indication of his prowess with it.

He also possesses Conqueror's Haki, the rarest of these abilities, with which he knocked out a large number of people in the human auction house as well as an animal that attempted to attack him in Rusukaina.

He knows how to use it to strike only whoever he wants, and his prowess with this power is such that if he had used it on Fish-Man Island instead of Luffy, he would have likely eliminated all 100,000 opponents instead of just fifty thousand.

During the war, Kizaru demonstrated the ability to use Armament Haki to deflect a strike from Whitebeard aimed at the gallows Ace was standing on, with the help of the other two admirals. He is one of the few characters to have used it to hit the target without making direct physical contact, a testament to his mastery. He can also use Observation Haki, but not Conqueror's Haki.

Just like in the previous category, the points here clearly go to Rayleigh, as he is able to use more types of Haki than Kizaru, so the situation is clear.

Points: Rayleigh 2, Kizaru 1

Weapons

Rayleigh is also a talented swordsman, though he has lost some of his tremendous skills. Although when he faced Kizaru, he claimed he hadn't used a sword in a long time, he still managed to stand up to him, even inflicting a cut on his face. As a pirate, he used a cutlass, while during Luffy's crew's stay on the Sabaody Archipelago, he wielded a double-edged sword.

After the War of Supremacy, he instead uses a Meito-ranked oval-hilt katana. He has shown great skill with this type of weapon, rivaling a Marine admiral. When training Luffy, he used a long wooden staff.

With his Devil Fruit, Kizaru can also create a sword made of light to counter the attacks of swordsmen capable of using Haki. He has proven himself highly proficient in its use, having fought on par with Silvers Rayleigh.

Even at his advanced age, Silvers Rayleigh was able to injure Kizaru in a sword fight, proving that his skills are superior to his own; in his prime, he would have sliced ​​Kizaru in seconds, which is why Rayleigh also won the final point.

Points: Rayleigh 3, Kizaru 1

Even though he's not at his peak, Rayleigh is still far superior to Kizaru.

The only category in which Kizaru surpasses Rayleigh is Devil Fruit, but only because Kizaru has one and Silvers does not; but, regardless of this, Kizaru's Devil Fruit was not very useful in their encounter, as Silvers showed that even as an old man, he was still able to counter Kizaru's powerful Devil Fruit. Silvers Rayleigh surpasses all of Kizaru's skills and abilities in all other categories.

And that's why he's the winner here. Even as an old man, much weaker than in the past, Silvers was able to outperform Kizaru in their fight, meaning that in his prime, he would have wiped the floor with him in a matter of minutes, and in light of that fact, we can only confirm that Silvers is the winner of this comparison.