One Piece: Conquering Wanokuni at Start

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Justice... what is it?

Aokiji had always believed that justice differed depending on the individual. It was something shaped by personal perspective, changing with one's position and experiences. Because of this, he never questioned the justice of others, nor would he allow others to interfere with or deny his own sense of justice.

His decision to leave the Marines after the heated dispute for the position of Fleet Admiral stemmed from this very conflict. His ideals clashed irreparably with Akainu's.

Akainu believed in absolute justice—a doctrine that tolerated no evil, no matter the cost. As a strict, iron-willed soldier, Akainu adhered to his ideals with unrelenting resolve. For him, nothing could stand in the way of justice—not fleeing Marines, not innocent civilians. He would eliminate any obstacle, no matter how ruthless the action required.

Such a rigid and merciless philosophy was something Aokiji could never accept. After Akainu's victory in the battle for Fleet Admiral, Aokiji chose to leave the Marines. Remaining in an organization led by a man whose beliefs were so incompatible with his own was out of the question.

What made it worse was Akainu's expectation of leniency. Perhaps it was because they were once comrades, but Akainu seemed to think that Aokiji would simply fall in line despite their differences. That assumption only cemented Aokiji's decision to sever ties with the Marines.

Now, as Aokiji wandered the New World, he found himself drifting aimlessly. Riding the waves on his sea cycle, he had long since shed his Marine uniform. The iconic cloak emblazoned with the kanji for "Justice" felt like something he would never wear again.

He recalled words from his youth, spoken by Vice Admiral Garp: "If you want to be free, you don't need a high status for that."

Looking back, perhaps Garp had been right. If Aokiji had never climbed the ranks to become an admiral, perhaps there wouldn't have been that fateful clash with Akainu. He couldn't deny the effectiveness of Akainu's absolute methods, but living under those principles had been suffocating.

Now, for the first time, Aokiji began to understand why so many people became pirates. Some of them weren't criminals but dreamers—people seeking freedom, living without chains, and doing as they pleased. Freedom was… intoxicating.

Reflecting on this, he muttered to himself, "Looks like being unemployed makes you think too much."

He gazed out at the endless sea. Where should I go next? The question lingered in his mind, but before his thoughts could drift further, his Observation Haki sensed something approaching fast.

Looking ahead, Aokiji saw a ship flying a flag he instantly recognized. It bore the emblem of the Sky Kingdom, one of the most renowned powers in the New World. The ship was heading straight for him.

For a moment, Aokiji's eyes, which had been clouded with uncertainty, sharpened. He readied himself for whatever was to come, but as he caught sight of the figure standing at the bow, his tension eased—just slightly.

The ship came to a stop in front of him, and the person onboard stepped forward. It was Gion. As she looked down at him, her expression shifted when she saw his current state. His body bore numerous burns and scars, and his left leg was now a prosthetic made entirely of ice. The aftermath of his battle with Akainu was written all over him.

"Sakazuki really didn't hold back, did he?"

"It should be considered merciful. Otherwise, I wouldn't be here to meet you," Kuzan said lightly, his tone indifferent, showing no concern for his own condition.

"Exactly," Gion sneered, studying him with her sharp gaze. "If you need a ride, I can take you, Kuzan... after all, you're no longer Marine Admiral Aokiji."

Kuzan said nothing. Instead, he picked up his bicycle, effortlessly leapt onto the deck of Gion's ship, and landed without so much as a sound.

His casual demeanor gave the impression that he belonged there, even as he scanned the deck. To his mild surprise, neither the soldiers nor the crew seemed nervous or afraid of him.

Turning back toward Gion, who leaned calmly against the ship's railing, Kuzan spoke with his usual nonchalance. "You're still as beautiful as ever. No wonder that guy, Tokikake, still hasn't given up on you."

Hearing this, Gion's expression twisted into one of immediate disgust, cutting through Kuzan's attempt to stir up lighthearted conversation about the past.

"I don't have the slightest interest in that man," she said firmly. "There's no point in letting insignificant attachments affect my mood. Besides, neither you nor I are Marines anymore."

Kuzan let out a soft sigh, his thoughts momentarily drifting to Tokikake's persistent—and clearly futile—pursuit. "Poor guy," he muttered before shifting the topic. "I've noticed you keep bringing up my current identity. I'm guessing someone's been keeping tabs on me again, huh?"

Gion leaned against the railing beside him, her gaze steady. "Indeed. After you left the Marines, we received word about you. That's when I was sent to find you... though, even without Alex's orders, I probably would've come looking for you myself. Especially after seeing that dazed look on your face."

"Really?" Kuzan replied with a wry chuckle. "I think I'm doing just fine. Retirement's rare, after all. I was thinking of finding a nice hot spring on a warm island to enjoy a good soak."

Though his words were lighthearted, his gaze drifted to the endless sea, his expression distant. After a moment, his tone shifted, growing serious. "Even if I'm no longer a Marine, I'll never do anything against justice."

This declaration carried his unwavering resolve, and Gion could tell he fully understood why she had sought him out so soon after his departure.

"I know that," Gion replied calmly. "Even after I stepped away from the Marines, I've never once gone against them. I still hold respect for what they gave me—just as I know you have respect for Uncle Garp and Sister Tsuru."

She continued, her voice taking on a reflective tone. "I used to believe the World Government and the Marines were the embodiment of justice. But the truth is, the two are separate. The Marines are the enforcers, but the decisions... those come from the World Government."

Kuzan's expression shifted when Gion mentioned Ohara, a flicker of discomfort crossing his face. He knew she wasn't here unprepared. 

"Whether it's Ohara or Flevance, the ones pulling the strings have always been the World Government. The Marines only carry out their orders. But now that corruption has seeped into the decision-makers, it's inevitable that the Marines have been affected too. You don't need me to tell you what the Celestial Dragons are like..."

Gion's words carried weight, her conviction clear. "And Kuzan, the reason I came to find you is because I respect your sense of justice. Instead of wandering this sea, lost and uncertain, why not go see things for yourself?"

Her confidence in the Sky Kingdom, and the systems governed by Alex, shone through her gaze as she looked at Kuzan.

Kuzan didn't respond immediately. His thoughts churned. Justice. The word felt heavier than ever. Since leaving the Marines, he'd felt like a bird without a nest—drifting aimlessly with no clear destination or purpose. The weight of his own uncertainty loomed over him.