One Piece: Unveiling the Pirate who Overpowered Kaido Before Luffy's Arrival

Kaido, a formidable presence in the One Piece world, once reigned over the New World as one of the most powerful and legendary pirates in existence. Following the demise of Whitebeard, Kaido emerged as, arguably, the strongest living pirate, earning praise from numerous individuals who traversed the seas.

Kaido possessed an indomitable might that only a select few could withstand. During his peak, only one individual proved capable of vanquishing him: Luffy, who ultimately put an end to his exploits in Wano Country at the climax of the Wano Country arc. Yet it is now revealed that Luffy is not the sole victor over Kaido. Dedicated fans are aware that Kaido, as a pirate, experienced defeat on seven occasions, and recent revelations from Oda shed light on a potential challenger who may have bested him in the past, albeit prior to his prime.

Kaido During His Early Days

Kaido endured a harsh upbringing in the Vodka Kingdom, where he was used as a mercenary from a young age. Eventually, he was sold to the Navy for the sake of the island. Disliking being a pawn for his own kingdom's rulers, Kaido continuously escaped from the Navy, intentionally getting caught only when he needed to satisfy his hunger so he could raid the captive ships. This led to him gaining fame and instilling fear worldwide. Kaido then made his way to Pirate Island, where he encountered Whitebeard, who introduced him to Captain Rocks. Clearly, Kaido had caught the attention of Rocks, who personally wanted to meet him.

Over time, Kaido became a prominent figure among the Rocks Pirates. Though he was initially just an apprentice on the ship, underestimating his strength would be foolish. Even as an apprentice, Kaido stood as one of the crew's strongest members, showcasing his incredible potential. Training and sparring with the best fighters every day, it is no surprise that Kaido grew into the formidable monster he is known as today. However, it is important to note that his immense power also stemmed from the pirates who defeated him, alluding to a specific pirate mentioned in One Piece chapter 1096.

Kaido During The God Valley Incident

Fans have limited knowledge about Kaido's time with the Rocks Pirates, only knowing that he was an apprentice who observed and learned from the best. However, a brief flashback reveals that Kaido was present at God Valley 38 years ago, implying that the crew believed in his abilities and included him in the battle. Without hesitation, Kaido went to God Valley and engaged in combat. It was on this island that he consumed his Devil Fruit, a gift from Big Mom, who had stolen it from Ivankov. Despite being regarded as her younger brother, Kaido chose to separate himself from Big Mom after acquiring his powers. While it remains unclear if Kaido fought any significant battles on the island, fans do know that he was ultimately defeated by a pirate before the God Valley Incident - the future Pirate King, Gol D. Roger. Kaido has harbored a deep resentment towards Roger ever since this defeat, a fact which was first revealed in One Piece chapter 1096.

Immediately following the arrival of the Rocks Pirates in God Valley in One Piece chapter 1096, the Roger Pirates also made landfall. Upon Roger's appearance, it was evident that there existed a significant history between these two crews, with Kaido specifically harboring a deep grudge against Roger. This implies that Kaido was defeated by Roger in a recent battle preceding the God Valley Incident.

Kaido Vs Roger, 39 Years Ago

It is believed that a significant battle occurred 39 years prior to the God Valley Incident, within the vast world of One Piece. This clash involved the Rocks Pirates and the Roger Pirates. Interestingly, it was Roger himself who first alluded to this confrontation. He expressed deep remorse and anguish for an entire year leading up to the battle, implying that he was either defeated or greatly weakened by his adversary, resulting in a prolonged period of distress. Moreover, Gaban sheds further light on the matter, indicating that Roger cannot lay claim to the title of captain on this occasion, as he also longs for retribution against his opponent. Evidently, 39 years ago, Roger faced off against Rocks and suffered a resounding defeat.

This would explain why Roger later sought help from Garp to combat Rocks, and why Sengoku believes that Rocks was Roger's greatest adversary. It is evident that they were fierce rivals during that era. The fight between the Roger Pirates and the Rocks Pirates was not only alluded to by Roger himself, but also by Gloriosa, another formidable member of the Rocks Pirates, who was determined to settle unfinished business. There was clearly a score left unsettled from their previous encounter, and now was the time to address it.

Kaido, another member, had his own perspective on this clash and appeared particularly interested in Roger's presence on the island. Based on his words and facial expression, it is evident that Kaido was defeated by Roger. Kaido hinted that if Roger were on the island, he would want to confront him because he despised him. This is because Kaido is obsessed with strength, and it is likely that Roger's victory over him was the most probable outcome. This should not come as a surprise to fans, considering that Roger was much older and had mastered Haki with great precision at that point. On the other hand, Kaido, despite being over 20, was not in his prime and played the role of an apprentice. It would make perfect sense for him to lose to Roger and hold a grudge against the future Pirate King indefinitely.

One Piece can be read legally and at no cost by fans on the Shonen Jump and Manga Plus app, thanks to Viz Media. The upcoming chapter of One Piece, titled One Piece 1096, is scheduled for release on October 29, 2023.

Editor's P/S

As an One Piece fan, I am thrilled to learn about the pirate who overpowered Kaido before Luffy's arrival. It's fascinating to discover that Kaido, who is portrayed as an invincible force in the series, has faced defeat in the past. The revelation adds depth to Kaido's character and sheds light on his motivations and past experiences.

The idea that Gol D. Roger, the Pirate King himself, was the one who defeated Kaido is particularly intriguing. It showcases Roger's immense strength and establishes him as a formidable opponent even before he attained the title of Pirate King. The grudge that Kaido holds against Roger adds another layer of complexity to their relationship and provides a compelling backstory for their rivalry.