---INTRODUCTION---
I'd like to bring forth how I think Kaido's/Beast Pirates crew works, and this page helped lead to my conclusion-
Better translations should clarify the meaning of the highlight text bubble, but Haccha's, the Number 8 of the Numbers, actions of nabbing the Supernova, per Queen's orders, suggest that the rank of Flying 6 is coveted by the Numbers, which suggest Flying 6 ranks above Numbers. And this is supported by other Beast Pirates factually below Flying 6 also attempting to achieve the position.
Kaido's crew is structured like a pyramid. I shall illustrate it as so-
(Note: Apologies for the rather crude attempt)
There has been references placed that Kaido's crew works like a Meritocracy, and the number of members in a given rank correlate with the strength of its members.
---PLEASURES AND WAITERS---
- Pleasures and Waiters are the members of Kaido's crew without a abilities. Waiters are specifically those waiting to receive a SMILE in the hopes of becoming a Gifter. Pleasures are those who have received a SMILE, but did not receive any abilities upon consumption. Rather, they lost their ability to swim and to express any other emotions.
- They are the most numerous section of Kaido's crew, therefore the largest. We do not have a precise number of how many Beast Pirates compose these ranks. All that is known is that 9-10 who consume a SMILE become a pleasure, while those waiting are undetermined.
- They are ostensibly Kaido's fodders.
Moving on, we have the Gifters.
---GIFTERS---
- They are confirmed the "lucky ones".
- Their numbers are 1/10th of what comprises the Pleasures and Waiters. This is due to the 1 to 10 chance someone has at actually receiving the abilities from a SMILE fruit.
Already we are seeing a pattern. The higher the rank, the fewer members there are.
Now on to the Headliners.
---HEADLINERS---
- Described as the "chosen Gifters", they are among the elite of the Gifters. How many Gifters are chosen to be Headliners is unknown, but the fact they must be chosen naturally excludes some Gifters from becoming Headliners.
- The position of Headliner isn't just limited to SMILE fruit users either, as some such as Hawkins and potentially Apoo are Headliners themselves. Which makes sense as Headliners are just chosen Gifters. Gifters are merely Devil Fruit users. Of which Hawkins and Apoo are. Their combat prowess would naturally include them among the Elite Gifters.
Now for the toughest rank to evaluate: the Numbers.
---NUMBERS---
Let me preface this section that we still know little about the Numbers, relative to the other ranks. However, we can deduce on where they safely settle within the power chain.
- Kaido's crew possesses a card theme. This is found through several members being named after card games, or playing card ranks, like "Queen" or "King".
- The Numbers' faction name, as well as their number designation, may mean they work from 10-2 found in playing cards like poker and are typically rated below cards such as King/Queen/Jack.
- This is supported by Haccha's name, which comes from 8.
- This would also mean that there are 9 Numbers in total if the numbers go from 10-2. Less members than the Headliners, Gifters, and Pleasures/Waiters, but more than the Flying 6 and All-Stars.
- Haccha's motives for attacking the Supernovas are hard to determine, but they imply he seeks to become a Flying 6. However, his fellow crewmembers suggest he can't become one even if he tried.
- The Numbers could be a fringe membership within Kaido's crew, but it is a fact that they rank below the All-Stars and Kaido himself, and continue the pyramid trend found among all other ranks of Kaido's crew.
- They have been members within the Beast Pirates for at least 20 years. This is due to the fact they were present during the fall of the Kozuki family.
- In that time, they have not managed to become All-Stars.
- Meanwhile, the Flying 6 have members being eyed for the position of All-Star, despite relatively recent additions, apparently.
Speaking of, let's move on the Flying 6, or Tobi Roppo.
---FLYING 6---
- The Flying 6 is a rank coveted from as low as Pleasures/Waiters and as high as Headliners and potentially Numbers.
- They continue the trend of fewer, stronger. And it's made even clearer how important it is for there to only be 6 members. This is because someone can only become a Flying 6 should a spot be open. Whether it be due to a member leaving or killed.
- Due to the infrequent availability, it is possible for there to be Flying 6 caliber fighters within the Beast Pirates that are below Flying 6 in rank, such as Hawkins or Apoo. However, such outliers cannot be use to represent the typical strength discrepancy between ranks. Though it illustrates how difficult the position is at being achieved.
Now on to the highest rank within the Beast Pirates led by Kaido, All-Stars/Lead Performers.
---ALL-STARS---
- They are Kaido's closest confidants within the crew.
- They typically lead a unit made up of Headliners, Gifters, and Pleasures and Waiters.
- They govern over regions of Wano. Queen looking after the Udon region, and Jack the Kuri region.
- This is the only rank of which the Flying 6 are vying for.
- The process of acquiring the rank is similar to acquiring the Flying 6 rank. The spot must be made open. While not confirmed, it appears to be a rank only Flying 6 are eligible for. That adds credence to the Flying 6 ranking just below the All-Stars within the hierarchy. And therefore, it's possible for there to be Flying 6 close to the All-Stars in ability.
- They hold some authority over the Flying 6, as seen with Queen dispatching X-Drake and P1 under the request of Kyoshiro.
And finally, not a formal rank, but the supreme commander of the Beast Pirates, known as the King of Beasts, Emperor Kaido.
---KAIDO---
- Kaido is the sole ruler of the Beast Pirates, and therefore the sole occupant of this title and position.
- He is the strongest member of his crew, and inspires more influence than anyone else in it. Even the All-Star King could only get the Flying 6 to heed his commands through Kaido's name.
- There is no formal means to achieving this position within the Beast Pirates. Only way is if Kaido bequeaths the spot to someone, like his son potentially, or is defeated in battle and usurped by someone. Whether within his crew or out.
- Kaido's position is akin to the "Ace" card in a few card games. The Ace was typically the best card, and represented the trump card.
In short, the ranks go from valuing quantity the lower they are to valuing quality the higher they are, similar to other Meritocracy systems. So what do you think? Does this paint a good picture on the Beast Pirates' inner structure? Are there some things I missed? Where do you disagree with my assessment? I'm happy to get others' perspectives.