Can Ace Hold Off Kaido If He Escapes Akainu and Gets Stronger?

In the world of One Piece, the power dynamics between characters are constantly shifting. The question of whether Ace, after escaping Akainu and gaining strength, could hold off Kaido, becomes a fascinating point of discussion. Let's delve into the strengths of these characters and analyze the hypothetical scenario.

Ace’s Strengths

Ace, the former commander of the Whitebeard Pirates' second division, holds the Mera Mera no Mi, Flame-Flame Fruit. This Devil Fruit grants him control over fire and transforms him into a formidable fighter. However, his abilities are primarily offensive, and he has weaknesses, especially against Logia-type users and characters with strong Haki.

Yamato’s Strengths

Yamato, the daughter of Kaido, has also demonstrated extraordinary strength, particularly after training with Odin's journal and mastering her powers. She wields the Inu Inu no Mi, Model: Okuchi no Makami, which grants her immense physical capabilities and Haki proficiency. Despite these incredible feats, even she struggles against Kaido in direct confrontations.

Against Kaido: Hypothetical Scenario

If Ace had escaped Akainu and had the opportunity to train and grow stronger, he could potentially improve his chances against Kaido. However, Kaido is one of the strongest characters in the series, known for his durability and Haki proficiency, particularly his advanced Armament Haki.

In a hypothetical scenario, Ace might have been able to hold off Kaido for a limited time, especially if he could leverage his fire abilities creatively and effectively. Kaido's reputation and demonstrated power, however, make it clear that even at his peak, Ace would face a significant challenge in a direct confrontation with Kaido.

Ace vs Kaido

It’s important to note that Kaido is generally considered slightly stronger than Akainu. If Akainu can defeat a pre-timeskip Ace with relative ease, it is entirely possible that Kaido would also defeat a stronger version of Ace.

Strength Comparison

If Ace escaped and got stronger, he would have been as strong as Sabo is now. We are shown during Luffy’s flashback that Ace and Sabo were the same strength. Therefore, their current strengths would also be the same. Given that Sabo was able to hold off Fujitora for a while, it is logical to infer that Ace could do the same against Kaido.

However, it's essential to remember that Yamato never used her Zoan form against Ace. In their fight, Yamato fought on par with him with just her base form, and she only attained Advanced Conqueror's Limit during her confrontation with Kaido. Therefore, the fight between Ace and Yamato doesn't fully represent the strength of Ace against Kaido.

Conclusion

While Ace could potentially hold off Kaido with enough strength and strategy, defeating him would be a significant challenge, even for a stronger version of Ace. The power dynamics and Kaido's reputation make it clear that a direct confrontation with Kaido would be very difficult for Ace.

Thus, while the scenario is intriguing and provides a glimpse into the potential of Ace, the reality of the One Piece world suggests that Kaido would remain a formidable and challenging opponent.