The Potential Mutineers Within The Marines, Explained

Key Takeaways

• Koby’s loyalty to justice over the Marines’ hierarchy may lead him to rebel against the corrupt system.
• Kizaru’s friendship with Vegapunk and the corrupt Celestial Dragons could push him to betray the Marines.
• Characters like Smoker, Tashigi, Fujitora, and Garp prioritize justice over blind loyalty to the oppressive Marine system.

The Marines in One Piece are portrayed as the symbol of justice on the sea in the series. The Marines operate under the orders of the World Government, and they are supposed to follow orders without question. However, like many people, some of these marines have their beliefs and principles guiding their way of life. In this vein, while some Marines follow orders without question, others wrestle with the stark contradictions between their sense of justice and the actions of the government they serve. In One Piece, these internal conflicts have given rise to a select few who might one day rebel against the very system they swore to uphold.

Koby

The Future Of The Marine

Koby used to be a timid boy during the early part of the series, but his decision to join the Marine has shaped him to become stronger, and his steadfast belief has made him a hero in the Marine. His admiration for a pirate like Luffy and Vice Admiral Garp shows his belief in protecting the weak and standing up to oppression, and these values sometimes clash with the darker side of the Marines. For instance, during the Marineford War, Koby stands up against Akainu, begging for the senseless bloodshed to stop. This act of defiance, though brave, could have cost him his life.

It shows that Koby’s loyalty lies not with the Marines’ hierarchy but with the idea of justice itself.

Moreover, as Koby rises in the ranks, he’s becoming more exposed to the moral rot at the heart of the Marine system. The Marines serve the tyrannical Celestial Dragons, and Koby, who values fairness and compassion, would undoubtedly struggle to reconcile his beliefs with the reality of working under such a corrupt system. If Koby is ordered to enforce a command that directly harms innocent people, and this is something the Marines do countless times to maintain the status quo. How long would it take for him to question if he’s fighting for the right side?

Admiral Kizaru

The Light Admiral

For much of the series, Kizaru has been portrayed as a laid-back character who does not exhibit Akainu’s blind allegiance to “absolute justice” or Fujitora’s moral resolve. Instead, Kizaru’s actions often feel detached, as though he’s following orders because it’s the easiest path.

What Would Push Kizaru to Betray the Marines?

• The Weight of Vegapunk’s Death

Kizaru saw Vegapunk as more than a colleague, and his death could serve as a catalyst for the admiral’s doubts about supporting the Marines in the future. The fact that Vegapunk was targeted by the very organization he helped build highlights the ruthless and self-serving nature of the World Government. After Kizaru witnessed this atrocity on Egghead, he may begin to question whether his loyalty is truly deserved. In other words, losing a good friend like Vegapunk, which even made him cry, could lead Kizaru to reevaluate his role in the Marines. If he blames the organization responsible for this loss, it could drive a wedge between him and his allegiance.

• The Celestial Dragons’ Influence

The Marines’ servitude to the Celestial Dragons has always been a point of contention for morally upright Marines like Fujitora and Garp. While Kizaru has remained indifferent, seeing their corruption harm someone he respects might be the push he needs to step away. The fact that one of the Five Elders, Saint Jaygarcia Saturn, was available on Egghead, thereby forcing his hand, could make him reevaluate his stance on why they truly deserve to direct worldly affairs.

Kizaru and Aokiji share a history, and Aokiji’s defection after losing faith in the Marines and also the battle against Akainu could inspire Kizaru to consider his own path. After all, Aokiji’s moral conundrum has long been in the making. Aokiji helps little Robin escape from the destruction of Ohara, but he is also forced to kill his giant friend, Saul. This means Aokiji’s defection from the Marines is not only due to the shame from his loss to Akainu, but it was more of finding his path. If Aokiji reaches out to Kizaru, leveraging their shared experiences, it could tip the scales.

As One Piece heads toward a final war that will decide the world’s fate, the Marines may fracture under the pressure of ideological divides. Even the announcement by Vegapunk that the world will sink has already turned the world upside down. Also, if the revelation of true evil, Imu, that lay claim to the empty throne is revealed, it will cause dissension in the Marine. Kizaru who already has a score to settle with the death of Vegapunk, caught between duty and personal conviction, could abandon the organization entirely- or even turn against it.

Smoker And Tashigi

Marine Maverick Duo

Smoker’s version of justice is personal and pragmatic because he fights for what’s right, not what he’s ordered to do. Also, Tashigi, who looks up to Smoker, has the same principles as her mentor. The duo’s principles were evident in Alabasta when they chose not to report the Straw Hats after they helped save the kingdom from Crocodile. They recognized that the World Government’s official narrative was a lie to protect its reputation. Rather than participate in that deception, Smoker stayed true to the truth, and even when they promoted them, they weren’t impressed with the decision.

Similarly, in Punk Hazard, the two worked alongside the Straw Hats to uncover Caesar Clown’s crimes and expose the horrors of the SAD production. They put the safety of innocents above their duty as a Marine, showing once again that their loyalty lies with justice, not the institution. In this sense, how can they uphold a sense of justice within an organization that frequently betrays it? Smoker and Tashigi know that the World Government prioritize power and control over protecting the innocent. Yet, they remain a part of the system, likely hoping to change it from within. However, even the most patient people have their breaking point, which begs the question: how long can they endure the oppressive system of the Marines? They already know that not all pirates are evil, like the Straw Hats, just as not all Marines are good. This nuanced perspective sets both marines apart from more dogmatic figures like Akainu, making them more likely to question their allegiance in the long run.

Fujitora

The Man Of Balance

From the moment Fujitora was introduced, it was clear that his justice was unlike anything the Marines had seen before. He despises oppression and values fairness and humanity above all else. During the Dressrosa arc, the admiral witnessed the evils committed by Doflamingo under the protection of the Shichibukai system. Instead of covering up the World Government’s failures, Fujitora publicly apologized to King Riku and the people of Dressrosa for the Marines’ role in allowing Doflamingo to rise to power. This act of humility was unprecedented, and it earned him the wrath of Fleet Admiral Akainu, who chastised him for damaging the Marines’ reputation.

Moreover, this means that, for Fujitora, the truth is more important than appearances. He has no patience for the Marine culture of silence and cover-ups. Also, the events at the Reverie in Mariejois put Fujitora in a moral dilemma and in the middle of the World Government’s hypocrisy. Since the Celestial Dragons represent the epitome of unchecked power and oppression, Fujitora’s values fundamentally contradict their existence. Hence, his willingness to fight Greenbull at Mariejois suggests that he’s reaching a breaking point. If Fujitora were to find out that the government he serves is the root of all evil, in this case, the existence of Imu, it could push him to sever ties with the Marines altogether. Since Fujitora has no desire for power or recognition but only the creation of a fairer, more just world, his betrayal would be driven by principle, not ambition.

Monkey D. Garp

The Fist Of Justice

Garp has always prioritized protecting people over blindly obeying orders. Unlike many Marines, Garp does not care about titles, politics, or appeasing the World Government. He views the Marines as a means to uphold peace and protect the innocent. While the God Valley incident still remains a mystery, his alliance with Pirate King Gol D. Roger would have most likely been out of protecting people from greater evil. Also, Garp repeatedly declined promotions to admiral because he would have been forced to act as a direct enforcer of the Celestial Dragons’ will. This choice portrays his disdain for the World Government’s upper sect.

Moreover, Garp’s familial connections are bound to become a major source of his internal conflict in the future. As the grandfather of Monkey D. Luffy, a pirate, and the father of Monkey D. Dragon, the Revolutionary Army’s leader, Garp will most likely be caught between his role as a Marine and his love for his family. The Marineford war had already cost him a son, Portgas D. Ace, where he did nothing but watch him die. In this vein, Garp would probably not hopelessly watch the World Government execute Luffy or Dragon, especially if they fight for a true and just world.