In terms of a pure life-and-death match, the greatest possibility for them is mutual destruction. Although both have nearly reached their limits, in battles of this scale, the limit is not the end but a new beginning.
Under such circumstances, to determine life and death, the body will squeeze every cell's potential. Although their stamina is nearly depleted, considering their total stamina, it's still a significant number. How long they can fight remains unknown.
However, the enhancements Kaidou received aren't limited to this. Whitebeard could interrupt his Dragon Dance through Awakening, breaking through his Protect defense, but couldn't interfere with external items.
Apart from the natural skill enhancements, the most bugged thing about Kaidou's body is the Resurrection Grass left by Arceus.
Whitebeard exhausted his first life, but he still had a second one, something Whitebeard never possessed.
Kaidou didn't use this in battle because he wanted to have an enjoyable fight with Whitebeard. If he used it halfway, the fun of the battle would be gone.
He is a martial artist but also a pragmatist. If it were a one-on-one with Whitebeard, he might not use this item.
Although he took it out, he never intended to use it. Such opponents like Whitebeard are becoming rarer. Without him, the Sea would not only lose balance but also a lot of fun.
Kaidou got what he wanted and intended to leave, but the meddler appeared.
"Monkey D. Garp, the meddler has arrived."
He shoved the Resurrection Grass into his mouth, and Kaidou's stamina began to recover at an unscientific speed, quickly returning to its peak state. Although the mental fatigue was still lingering, it was no longer significant.
"Wugogogo, Newgate, remember when you first brought me onto Rocks' ship? Come to think of it, you were the first crew member I ever met."
Whitebeard's pupils shrank; Kaidou's changes were unexpected for him. Clearly, just moments ago, they were both in the final stretch, but now it was different. Just from eating something unknown, such an incomprehensible change occurred.
"You bastard..."
Back then, Whitebeard was just a regular officer. At Hatchinosu, Rocks was intrigued by the fighting Kaidou, so Rocks sent Whitebeard to recruit him. What Kaidou said wasn't entirely wrong.
However, Whitebeard didn't understand the current significance of what Kaidou was saying.
"I don't want this world to become so dull. The time for a new wave hasn't come yet, and the current balance is in a marvelous state.
But Newgate, you best be prepared. This time I'm relying on external forces, but when you can't even defeat my strength alone, when everything is ready, it'll be time for your curtain call.
Until then, you better protect your head well for me!"
"Balance is not a word I'd expect you to say, Kaidou."
Whitebeard no longer referred to Kaidou as a kid; the days of bloodshed had earned Whitebeard's respect for his strength. Though adversaries, they wouldn't take too many verbal liberties with each other.
But for someone passionate about combat to mention balance, it puzzled him a bit.
"I've learned a lot too. Endurance now is just for a bigger war.
If we keep fighting, only the Navy will benefit. Although you and I have no deep relationship, we're both pirates in the end. So let's call it a day."
Before Whitebeard could say anything, messages from King and Marco arrived.
"Pops, the Moby Dick has been attacked."
"Brother Kaidou, the Navy is attacking us."
Their messages came in succession, and they looked at each other with wary eyes, fully aware their previous fight had no restraint. With a captain's order, both were ready to attack each other.
But neither concealed their voices, so both Whitebeard and Kaidou heard each other's reports.
"Newgate, the rest is up to you. You better become stronger. Only then will you be worthy to die at my hands!"
With that, Kaidou fired an energy beam towards the masthead of the Navy ship. The beam shot up to the sky, then scattered down like a dense meteor shower. This was his parting gift. Kaidou then transformed into his dragon form, taking them away from there.
"Pops, what should we do?"
"Let's go, Marco. I need you. But before that, let's give the Navy a parting gift."
Whitebeard gripped the air forcefully; it seemed to turn into a piece of cloth in his hands, and with a strong pull downward, the sea trembled violently under his attack.
The liquid water, like a solid, split into several layers, and Marco began his retreat, kicking them into action with a hefty thud.
...
"Vice Admiral Garp! It seems they've stopped fighting and attacked outward!"
"I see. Don't panic, stabilize the ship, and leave the rest to me."
Facing the Draco Meteor falling from the sky, Garp wasn't flustered. He picked up a solid shell and hurled it skyward using Machop.
As for Whitebeard's attack, it was merely to disrupt their ship's actions. The tsunamis weren't large; he could deal with them with his fists. But it prevented him from leaving his ship to pursue them.
However, Garp never intended to pursue. Just after dealing with the Draco Meteor, the Radio Snail on Garp's ship rang again.
"Garp!!! Who authorized you to commence the attack!!"
"Not me, it was that Sakazuki who acted on his own."
Upon arriving at the nearby sea area, they were initially together. But due to the massive tsunami caused by the aftermath of the battle, having the fleet too concentrated easily led to issues.
So the Navy fleet dispersed accordingly, surrounding the area. Garp was near the main battlefield, while Sakazuki and Borsalino were near the Moby Dick and the Hundred Beasts King.
Their orders were to observe. Reports from intelligence suggested no decisive outcome in Whitebeard and Kaidou's battle, so they were to continue observing.
However, the generals had their own judgments. Sakazuki believed that instead of waiting for them to finish, ambushing the remaining fleets during their battle was the best strategy, dealing a heavy blow to both pirate groups regardless of the winner.
Borsalino and Garp hadn't intended to do so, but the situation here was interconnected. Following Sakazuki's hasty attack, the two of them had no choice but to act.