Kaido will surely go down in One Piece history as an iconic figure, for he is undoubtedly the monstrous Captain of the Beast Pirates and a former member of the infamous Rocks Pirates. He served as one of the Four Emperors of the Sea who have left, for many years, destruction paths in the New World. However, his fate became uncertain after the events of the Wano Country arc, leading fans to believe that there’s more for Kaido to accomplish in the story. As fans followed Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates as they journeyed through adventures, a large shadow loomed over the entire arc to meet a shocking conclusion as Kaido’s presence was so huge?
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Kaido’s Legendary Backstory
We must revisit Kaido’s backstory to understand why his return is such an intriguing topic. As a child soldier in the Vodka Kingdom, Kaido’s enemies forced him into war at eight. He became too powerful for anyone to handle and soon became uncontrollable. The Vodka Kingdom sold him to the Navy, but Kaido broke free and rampaged across the seas. He repeatedly captured himself only to escape again. This destructive cycle eventually caught the attention of Rocks D. Xebec, the Captain of the infamous Rocks Pirates.
Rocks influenced Kaido to join his crew as an apprentice. The chaotic and power-driven environment laid the foundation for Kaido to rise as a powerful and ambitious man. After the infamous God Valley Incident, the Rocks Pirates scattered, but Kaido created his destiny by forming the terror-known Beast Pirates crew.
Kaido’s goal was simple: he wanted a world where only the strong survive. He believed that destruction could bring equality, where the weak would fall. Kaido sought to overthrow the Celestial Dragons, who controlled the world and others’ fates. This harsh vision fueled Kaido’s ambitions and formed the basis of his actions.
The Emergence of Beast Pirates and Kaido’s Reign in Wano
Kaido aimed to overthrow the Celestial Dragons but didn’t stop there. He sought a place to rule, and Wano became his ideal location. This island was home to the world’s most skilled samurai. Kaido ruled Wano with an iron fist for two decades, using it as a base for weapons manufacturing and establishing a pirate country. But Kaido wasn’t satisfied with ruling Wano alone. He waited for something much bigger: the return of Joyboy.
For a time, Kaido thought he was the reincarnation of Joyboy, the legendary figure from the Void Century destined to bring a new era. As events unfolded, Kaido realized he wasn’t Joyboy. Instead, he believed Joyboy would soon appear in Wano. This belief pushed Kaido to prepare for his final battle with Luffy, whom he thought would embody Joyboy and fulfill the prophecies.
Kaido’s Final Battle with Luffy
The Wano arc marked the culmination of Kaido’s story. It began an all-out war between Luffy, the Straw Hat Pirates, and their allies against the oppressive tyrant who had plagued Wano for decades. Luffy stretched his abilities to new heights, refining his Conqueror’s Haki and awakening his Devil Fruit powers. The battle between Luffy and Kaido became a clash of wills. Both sides tested the limits of their strength.
As the fight reached its climax, something unexpected happened. Luffy’s Devil Fruit awakened the long-awaited emergence of the Sun God Nika—a figure of liberation and freedom. Kaido, ever the challenger, fought on. It became clear that his vision of the world would not come to fruition. Luffy, embodying the ideals of Joyboy, defeated Kaido in a final, devastating attack. Luffy sent Kaido crashing into a magma pit deep beneath the island.
Was Kaido Defeated?
The series closed a convincing lid on Kaido when Luffy defeated him. Still, One Piece is known for its unpredictability, and fans continue to question: Is Kaido dead, or could he return in some form? The circumstances surrounding Kaido’s fall remain complicated. Several reasons suggest that Kaido might not be gone for good.
Kaido’s sheer durability is one factor. As a dragon-like creature, he resists most forms of damage. After Luffy defeated Kaido, Kaido, and Big Mom fell into a volcanic magma pit. While survival seems unlikely, Kaido and Big Mom are known for their superhuman resilience. If Big Mom’s pirate crew appeared after the explosion, it wouldn’t be surprising if they similarly rescued Kaido.
Finally, Kaido’s journey revolved around completing something important. Kaido’s vision of a world where only the strong survive is tied directly to his desire for someone who embodied the ideals of Joyboy to defeat him. In many ways, Kaido achieved this when Luffy defeated him. However, like the world of One Piece, Kaido’s objectives constantly evolved. What if Kaido were to return—not for power, but for something even more profound?
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Can Kaido Return Later?
It might sound unrealistic, but Kaido could return, especially within the grand scope of One Piece. If Kaido is still in that magma pit, it’s not hard to imagine him rising again, perhaps in an unexpected role. Kaido’s desire to overthrow the Celestial Dragons aligns with Luffy’s mission. A future where Kaido and Luffy unite to confront the World Government would create an explosive return, combining two opposing forces for a common cause.
Fans hope that the story will revisit Kaido’s storyline in the larger context of One Piece. With the series building toward a climactic showdown with the World Government and considering Kaido’s contempt for them, it wouldn’t be surprising for him to resume his efforts. Of course, it’s a long shot, but nothing is impossible, given the unpredictable nature of One Piece.
Conclusion
Whether Kaido is still alive and hiding or not, one thing is sure: his mark will never fade from the world of One Piece. His larger-than-life ambitions and incredible strength, coupled with his wide-scope dreams of equality, made him one of the series’ most memorable characters. Though Luffy’s defeat of Kaido marked the end of an era in Wano, fans will continue to wonder: Kaido to return when no one expects it? Only time will tell, but the door remains open for this terrifyingly complex character.