Aokiji (Kuzan) joined the Blackbeard Pirates primarily because he became disillusioned with the World Government and the Navy after his intense clash with Akainu, seeking to forge his own path outside the established system.
A Departure from the Navy's Ideals
Aokiji, a former Marine Admiral, reached a pivotal point in his life after his ten-day battle with Akainu for the position of Fleet Admiral. This confrontation not only resulted in his defeat but also fundamentally altered his perspective on justice and his place within the Navy.
- Clash of Ideologies: Aokiji's "Lazy Justice" contrasted sharply with Akainu's "Absolute Justice." The victory of Akainu's rigid ideals signified a shift within the Navy that Aokiji could no longer align with.
- Feeling of Displacement: Aokiji eventually felt that he no longer belonged in an organization run by the World Government, which often operates with a sense of "justice" that contradicts his personal convictions. His departure marked a rejection of the system he had served for decades.
Finding a New Path Among Misfits
Having left the Marines, Aokiji found himself an unaligned individual in a world dominated by powerful factions. His decision to associate with the Blackbeard Pirates, a group of notorious and unpredictable individuals, was a natural progression for someone seeking autonomy.
- Shared Disillusionment: Pirates like Blackbeard and his crew are inherently misfits in a world governed by the World Government. Aokiji, now feeling like an outsider himself, found common ground with those who operate entirely outside the conventional rules.
- Seeking His Own Fate: By joining Blackbeard, Aokiji positioned himself to find his own fate, a path distinctly "Blackbeard style"—unpredictable, independent, and detached from the established powers. This alliance allows him to pursue his own version of justice or objectives without the constraints of the Marine hierarchy.
Aokiji's motivations stem from a profound personal transformation, leading him to abandon the structure of the World Government in favor of a more unpredictable, yet self-determined, journey alongside the Blackbeard Pirates.
