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Introduction
In order to understand the nuance between the titles "Strongest Creature" and "Strongest Pirate", it's necessary to glean background information of who Kaido and Whitebeard are, to construct a lucid and clear understanding of why they were attributed these titles (which many unintentionally assume to mean the same thing); this will be consolidated with an explanation of what "Creature" and "Pirate" inherently denote to; ultimately, this will reinforce and edify readers on the distinction that should be made when confronted by this seemingly complex (albeit simple) conundrum.
Whitebeard - The Strongest...Greatest...Pirate...in the World
Source: Chapter 233 & Chapter 524
The very first time we become to a certain degree familiar with Whitebeard, we're told by Buggy that Whitebeard is presently the strongest Pirate in the world; it's contextually key to understand that at this period in time, Garp tells us that he in the same vain is an Emperor along with Kaido, Big Mom & Shanks. This enforces that Whitebeard stands out distinct from the other 3 Emperors being that he's superior - Garp aptly refers to him as the King of the sea.
Source: Chapter 529
During the Impel Down arc, the conversation opens up with "So, you're telling me there's a once-in-a-lifetime chance to kill Whitebeard?" by Sir Crocodile, as insidious a statement that is, it is complementary in the sense that he's being painted and illustrated as indomitable.
Through the pandemonium and orgy of death-wishes upon Whitebeard, Crocodile continuously elevates Whitebeard's already fierce image saying Whitebeard (like Roger) were Pirates that couldn't be overcome due to their immense power, subsequently, this leads to Kaido going after Whitebeard complementing what was said concerning the "once-in-a-lifetime..." statement.
Conclusively, what is most powerful in this scene is what's uttered by one of the prisoners who says "I'll end Whitebeard's reign!", ironically, Whitebeard is just one of 4 Yonkos who reigns over his own territory, but his presence stifles their ambition which gives us a clear idea of who Whitebeard is and why they need him out of the picture.
Source: Chapter 563 & 570 & 573
At Marineford, are we told any different from what we've previously heard? His image is consistent as it was in the very early moments of the series. Akainu and Sengoku acknowledge his pedigree irregardless of all the other Emperors of the sea which is very telling.
Post-war, none have been branded in the same vain as Whitebeard. No one has shown the superiority that Whitebeard displayed during his years. Joker even mentions that the throne is up to anyone of the biggest threats (Yonko including the Supernova) and Jinbei believes that none of the Yonko are capable of taking the throne, but Luffy is, which is revelation that there's currently no Strongest Pirate in the sea yet.
Kaido - The Strongest Creature
Source: Chapter 795
Kaido's imagery depiction oozes with strength and confidence, therefore, it's very easy to be sucked in, and taken in by what we see. His character even without description seemingly demands abject submission and capitulation, he's simply aesthetically figuratively awesome. Rather than give in to what the community refers to as "hype", I aim to dissect Kaido objectively in order to understand who he truly is, and more so, in comparison with Whitebeard.
Without immediately referring to the image of Kaido above, it's necessary to gain a context of why these things were said about him, and what they're ultimately conveying to us about his title.
We're told that:
- When he was hung, the chains broke - emphasizing his physical size & weight.
- When he was guillotined, the blade broke - emphasizing the resistance his body possesses against sharp based damage.
- When he was stabbed, the spears broke - emphasizing the durability of his body against pointy based damage.
- And his falling only resulting in a headache - emphasizing the durability & sturdiness of his body against blunt based damage.
Unlike "Whitebeard & Roger" who were the strongest Pirates in the world, they were still subject to fatal injuries:
- Roger was beheaded -
if this were Kaido, the Sword would simply break because he has a tough body as the guillotine blade breaking proves.
- Whitebeard was stabbed hundreds of times -
if this were Kaido, the spears and swords would simply break due to his tough body - Bobby Funk replicates a similar feat when Boo stabbed him with a Sword imbued by Armament Haki, and it still ends up breaking.
Races - Species - Creatures
Source: Chapter 90
Moving on, we're faced with an issue that's referring to the Race one belongs to, or their Species. We're also told that of all the Creatures on Land, Air and Sea, he's the strongest Creature alive, not the strongest Pirate, Person, or Man. Is this distinction there? Elaborations will be made.
Besides the fact that the word Creature is used (which denotes to Species or Race), the first time we're acquainted with pretty detailed information pertaining to Kaido, we're told by Law that Kaido is one of the strongest creatures in the world, and Nami's first response is instantly deducing that Kaido is not Human.
Humans as a race are the weakest, but it doesn't mean that a Human couldn't be the strongest Person/Pirate in the world. A Fishman can regrow teeth, they're born naturally stronger than Humans from birth, they can swim easily and fight under water, this objectively makes them superior to Humans; the feats they can easily achieve are things that Humans can only pull off via years of intensive training.
Despite the superiority, you can have the odd Human who surpasses these capabilities of a Fishman's strength for example, but the abilities of an individual do not elevate an entire race or species. Fishman are superior to Humans, but Whitebeard was still the strongest man in the world, it's not a contradiction, but a statement of nuance.
Semantic-wise, if one is asked what creature they were, they'd have to say Human. What distinguishes one as a Human? Their anatomical structure and physiology. Based on this, we're able to identify different creatures.
When one refers to a race, or makes a generalization about a race, or species, they're not referring to any individual, but to their anatomy. Humans are weak is a generalization, but that truth doesn't mean you couldn't have Shanks being the Strongest in the world because it's merely referring to the common features shared by Humans.
A Cheetah due to it's anatomy is the fastest land Creature (Race or Species); a Peregrine Falcon due to it's unique anatomical structure is the fastest in the air; Kaido due to his anatomical structure makes him (whatever race he represents) the strongest Creature in the world.
Note: Typing in on google the fastest Specie, Creature or Animal on Land, and one gets Cheetah each time because they're synonymous.
One could say that the distinction in the title difference between Whitebeard and Kaido is due to his not being Human, but irregardless of the race one belongs to, they've all been referred to as "Man". Therefore, if Kaido was the strongest Man or Pirate in the world, he'd have the same title as Whitebeard:
- Kaido referred to as a Man.
- Jinbei referred to as Man.
- Hody referred to as Man.
Finally, as I should have pointed out earlier, Creature, Race, or Species can be used interchangeably. Another thing to point out is when one says Creature, or Race, or Species, you always have to ask or ascertain which Creature they're talking about? or which Race?
The point being made here is to highlight the connotation of the word when used, it's a detail that can be missed because we often use this words without thinking of the finer ramifications of the word. Therefore, when Kaido is referred to as the "Strongest Creature" on Land, Air or Sea, we have to ask what are the different creatures in these habitats?
- Fishmen
- Minks
- Sky-people
- Eagles
- Sea Kings
- Snake-Tribe
- Merfolk
- Humans and so on...
In fact, besides the knock-up stream which allows either all or none to make it to Sky Islands, the other route is far more dangerous because it has multiple obstacles along the way that make it possible to lose 0-100% of the crew (as opposed to Knock-up stream which is 0 or 100%) which makes it absolutely random.
Being that Kaido is suicidal, he'd be far more successful taking the route which offers far more obstacles for death, therefore, more chances of being in precarious situations that would lead to his death.
Thanks for reading if you got this far...
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