Marines are an antagonistic force in One Piece, with their desire to maintain order and uphold the law naturally putting them into conflict with the pirates. However, as the series highlights, marines themselves have qualities that can make them either unheroic or unlawful.
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To drive the point home further, a number of pirates previously had government jobs, which they ended up either being forced out of or abandoning for piracy. While perhaps a pirate’s life is not for every marine, certain marines possess qualities that would make them oddly well suited for piracy. This list will examine marines who could easily find success on the opposite side of the law. This list will not include current marines who were either previously genuine pirates, or those who transitioned into piracy.
6
Nezumi
A Conniving Captain
Nezumi is notable as the marine who ordered the very first bounty of Monkey D. Luffy. He believes his rank itself allows him to be owed respect, and additionally, is shown to value money over any sort of duty said rank may require of him. Prior to this, he was in cahoots with Arlong, whose crimes in the Conomi Islands he covered up in exchange for bribes. Said crimes include murder, slavery, and unlawful taxation on the village. Nezumi is also racist against fish-men, but seems to have a rapport with Arlong, who is mutually racist against humans, due to both of them “understanding money.”
His “money over everything” belief is one shared by many pirates, with crime itself being a common response to lack of money. Ironically, the main reason he isn’t a pirate likely has to do with the fact that being a marine is an easier way for him to squeeze money.
5
Monkey D. Garp
Luffy’s Grandfather
Monkey D. Garp is the grandfather of Monkey D. Luffy, as well as the father of Monkey D. Dragon, a revolutionary who conspires against the government, leading the Revolutionary Army. The shame of his family being some of the most infamous criminals in the series fails to hide the fact that he is far more similar than any one of them would care to admit. Despite being a marine, Garp is willing to refuse certain orders he dislikes, showing a preference for his own justice rather than any expected conduct.
He also despises the World Nobles and has actively refused repeated promotions from vice admiral to admiral because of this. It is suspected his hatred stems from the God Valley Incident, where he protected them, alongside the slaves they owned and mistreated. He developed a long-term rivlarly with the late Gol D. Roger, to the point where the King of the Pirates knew his son, Ace, would be safe with Garp. In addition to being something of a maverick within the marines, Garp is also very physically powerful.
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Garp’s mixture of might and desire not to follow rules for their own sake makes him seem like he could’ve been a very similar grandson to his pirate, if he wished to be. His marine status seems to stem from a greater preference for the marines and their “peace.” This is illustrated in contrast to his son, Dragon, who views said “peace” as hollow due to the oppression it relies on, and his grandson, Luffy, who views freedom as being of the highest necessity, and sees the marines as an obstacle to it.
4
Akainu
A Mad Dog
- Current Rank: Fleet Admiral
Sakazuki or Akainu as he is better known, is the current Fleet Admiral, who is in charge of all the marines. He won the rank after a duel with Kuzan, a former admiral who subsequently defected from the organization. He is ruthless, wanting to stop at nothing to eliminate criminals, and even eliminate anyone in the vicinity of them, whether they are friends, family, or even mere strangers who are physically adjacent. He is also shown to have generally poor relationships with the Five Elders, the few superiors he is seen interacting with.
His corrosive personality is also manifested in his Devil Fruit, which has a powerful magma that can engulf even other hot elements, such as Ace’s fire. Yet despite his entirely destructive nature, he also possesses a sharp, cunning side, which is shown when he uses sensitive information to pit Squard against his superior, Whitebeard, in the Summit War. Akainu would never be a criminal of any kind, he simply hates them too much, for reasons that have yet to be properly elaborated upon. That said, both his Devil Fruit and his extremist methods which he uses to eliminate them, showcase a pirate potential within him.
3
Donquixote Rosinante
The Second Corazon
Donquixote Rosinante is the late brother of a well-known pirate, Donquixote Doflamingo. While his elder brother sunk into crime, Rosinante was taken care of by Sengoku, who was a high-ranking marine. Climbing through the ranks, Rosinante was ordered to take on a special mission, where he would infiltrate his brother’s crew using their shared past to gain trust. Doflamingo was overjoyed to have his younger brother return and granted Rosinante the rank of Corazon, which was previously occupied by Vergo, who left the crew to carry out a long-term mission on its behalf.
His efficiency was bolstered by his Devil Fruit, which activated a barrier from which no sound could enter or escape. While corresponding within this barrier, he played the role of a mute so that his brother and their crewmates would not grow suspicious of his silence. This was a role he was able to maintain until he was caught by Doflamingo’s own mole in the marines, Vergo, who turned him in, leading the elder Donquixote to execute his brother. Trafalgar D. Water Law, a severe child who was shown genuine care by Rosinante, who made an active effort to cure his Amber Lead Syndrome, started a crew named the Heart Pirates in his honor.
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Rosinante’s own deception and Devil Fruit make him a perfect fit for actual piracy. If things played out differently, he may have even been able to have had the same sort of long-term mole position Vergo was put up to. However, he was firmly anti-piracy due to the trauma associated with his brother, who he witnessed kill their father due to him forsaking the family’s claim to nobility, leading to their unhappy traumatic life in poverty.
2
Ratel
A Corrupt Captain
Ratel is largely an expy of Nezumi, modeled after a honey badger in the same sort of way his counterpart is designed to resemble a mouse. His style of criminality differs somewhat from his mousy peer. He is shown invading the island of Sphinx with his forces to find Whitebeard’s “treasure.” Sphinx was Whitebeard’s homeland, which was historically too poor to afford the Heavenly Tribute, a tax gifted to the Celestial Dragons, in exchange for government protection. This means the poorest countries, ironically those most in need of said protection, are more likely to be riddled with crime and poverty.
Whitebeard’s youth as an orphan in Sphinx was influential towards his turn as a pirate, due to it leaving him with a strong yearning for family. However, he did not forget the island of his past, as his earnings financed its residents. It was likely this outpour of aid that led to the misconception of “treasure.” Ratel believed the islands that were unaffiliated with the World Government were lawless zones where he could abuse people to his liking. Ratel took advantage of the island’s poverty and threatened its civillians indiscriminately in the absence of Marco, its present protector and the late Whitebeard’s confidant, who was off fighting in Wano. He was quickly beaten by Edward Weevil, the alleged son of Whitebeard, whose mother also wanted the treasure. Ratel’s own selfish nature in lawless areas, as well as his hunger for treasure are aspects expected of a pirate. Ironically, much like Nezumi, he likely prefers the law as it is a way in which he can enrich himself more easily.
1
Ryokugyu
Oppressive By Nature
Aramaki or Ryokugyu as he is commonly known, is a fairly new marine who was granted the rank of admiral upon being drafted out of respect for his power. He is a genuine believer in the Celestial Dragons, viewing them as gods. However, his personality and mannerisms highlight how unquestioned authority has the potential to be unethical in its own right. He was previously a cop, who was imprisoned due to a “major incident involving a woman.” His personality in the present day showcases a “might makes right” mentality. He views discrimination as creating solace and generally possesses a belief that the strong should oppress the weak. His self-confidence is such that he will disobey direct orders if he views them as conflicting with his own justice.
Generally, many aspects of Ryokugyu’s personality are aligned with many pirates, who view strength and their ability to enact oppression as signs of their superiority. Likely, the primary factor that prevents Ryokugyu from becoming a pirate is simply his belief that the government and the nobles it serves are stronger than himself or any pirate. If Ryokugyu held a deeply vested belief in the strength of a pirate such as Kaido (who, presently, he views with fear due to his strength), he would likely serve him rather than the government.
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