The World Government in One Piece is basically a massive, terrifying bureaucracy backed by a whole lot of firepower. At the top of that firepower—well, excluding the Gorosei and Imu since they’re technically "secret"—sit the Marine Admirals. These guys are the "Greatest Military Powers" of the Navy. They aren't just strong; they are walking natural disasters.
If you've been following the Egghead Island arc or just caught up with the live-action and want to know who the real heavy hitters are, you've probably realized the power scale is insane. An Admiral isn't just a rank. It's a deterrent. Most pirates see an Admiral and just... run. And they should.
Honestly, the way Eiichiro Oda writes these characters is fascinating because they aren't just clones of "justice." Each one follows a specific philosophy that dictates how they treat people and how they kill them.
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The Original Trio: Akainu, Aokiji, and Kizaru
Back when we first hit the Marineford saga, the dynamic was simple. You had three guys who represented the primary colors and three very different ways of seeing the world.
Sakazuki, known as Akainu (Red Dog), is probably the most hated man in the fandom. He killed Ace. He’s the guy who follows "Thorough Justice." To him, if you are a criminal, you don't deserve to breathe. It doesn't matter if there are civilians in the way; if a ship might have one scholar from Ohara on it, he's blowing up the whole ship. His Magu Magu no Mi (Magma-Magma Fruit) is officially stated by Oda in Vivre Card Vol. 4 to have the highest offensive power among Devil Fruits. It doesn't just burn you; it melts you.
Then you have Kuzan, or Aokiji (Blue Pheasant). He’s the opposite. He started with "Burning Justice" but eventually got so tired of the Navy's nonsense that he switched to "Lazy Justice." He’s the guy who will let Robin go because he feels bad for her. His Hie Hie no Mi (Chilly-Chilly Fruit) is one of the few Logias that can actually solidify, which is why he can literally ride his bike across the ocean. After losing a ten-day duel to Akainu for the position of Fleet Admiral, he left the Marines entirely. Now? He’s hanging out with Blackbeard, which is a massive problem for the good guys.
Then there is Borsalino, better known as Kizaru (Yellow Monkey). Kizaru is weird. He follows "Unclear Justice." You never know if he’s actually trying or just trolling. He has the Pika Pika no Mi (Glint-Glint Fruit), making him a Light Human. He can move at the speed of light—sorta. He still has to materialize to kick you, but by then, you’re already flying through three buildings. His recent conflict on Egghead shows a more human side to him, specifically his hesitation to kill old friends like Vegapunk, though he still follows orders like a "cog in the machine."
Why the Admiral Title is a Curse
Being an Admiral means you are directly under the command of the Celestial Dragons. If someone punches a World Noble, an Admiral has to show up. It’s why Garp refused the promotion for decades. He didn't want to be a lapdog for the "Gods" of Mary Geoise. The Admirals are basically the world's most overqualified bodyguards for the world's worst people.
The New Guard: Fujitora and Ryokugyu
After the timeskip, the Marines had two empty seats to fill. They didn't promote from within. They did a "World Military Draft." That tells you everything you need to know about the power levels—these guys were just out in the world, unaligned, and were so strong they got fast-tracked to the top.
Issho, or Fujitora (Wisteria Tiger), is a breath of fresh air. He’s blind, but he sees more than anyone else in the Navy. He follows "Moral Justice." He’s the one who apologized to the citizens of Dressrosa on behalf of the World Government, which absolutely infuriated Akainu. His Zushi Zushi no Mi allows him to manipulate gravity. He doesn't just hit you with a sword; he pulls a literal meteor from orbit to crush you. He’s arguably the only "good" person in the high-ranking Navy, and he’s openly trying to dismantle the Warlord system—which he successfully did.
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Aramaki, or Ryokugyu (Green Bull), is... a lot. He’s a total Akainu fanboy. He believes that prejudice is what keeps the world stable. He follows "Determined Justice." He has the Mori Mori no Mi (Forest-Forest Fruit), turning him into a Woodsman. He can sprout entire forests and drain the nutrients out of people like a parasite. He’s terrifying because he lacks any empathy for "unaffiliated" nations. If your country isn't part of the World Government, Ryokugyu thinks you have no rights.
Power Scaling: Are They Really Yonko Level?
The biggest debate in the One Piece community is whether an Admiral can beat a Yonko. Honestly? It depends on the day.
At Marineford, an old, sick, and stabbed Whitebeard still managed to give Akainu the fight of his life. But then you look at Kizaru on Egghead, who was comfortably trading blows with Gear 5 Luffy. Luffy eventually "won" that specific exchange, but Kizaru was back on his feet fairly quickly.
The Admirals are usually portrayed as slightly below a Yonko in a 1v1, but they are more disciplined. They are tactical. While Big Mom or Kaido might just tank hits because they are monsters, the Admirals use their Logia intangibility and advanced Haki to control the battlefield.
The Secret Weapon: Advanced Haki
It’s often overlooked, but the Admirals were some of the first characters to show off Advanced Haki. During the war at Marineford, the original three sat down and put their hands up to create a massive Haki shield that blocked Whitebeard’s shockwave. That was Emission (Advanced Armament) way before we had a name for it in Wano. They also likely use "Future Sight" to dodge attacks by reshaping their Logia bodies around the Haki-infused hits, much like Katakuri does.
What Happens Next for the Navy’s Greatest Powers?
The final saga is here. The lines are being drawn. Kuzan is with the pirates. Fujitora is basically a rebel within the ranks. Kizaru is having an existential crisis. Akainu is stuck behind a desk in New Marineford, screaming at his subordinates and getting stressed out by the Five Elders.
The "Absolute Justice" philosophy is cracking. When the "Final War" kicks off, the Admirals will be the primary obstacles for the Straw Hat Grand Fleet. But don't expect them to all stay on the same side.
Actionable Takeaways for Following the Story:
- Watch the Colors: Oda uses color theory for a reason. Red is passion/aggression (Akainu), Blue is cool/calm (Aokiji), Yellow is erratic (Kizaru), Purple is nobility/regret (Fujitora), and Green is growth/nature (Ryokugyu).
- Keep an Eye on Kizaru: His current arc in the manga is the most pivotal thing happening for the Marines. If he defects or stops following orders, the World Government loses its fastest asset.
- Don't Sleep on the "World Draft" Backstory: There’s a lot we don't know about where Fujitora and Ryokugyu actually came from. Expect more on their origins as the Revolutionary Army makes their move.
The Marines aren't just the "bad guys." They are a complex organization with a few genuine heroes and a whole lot of dangerous zealots. Understanding the Admirals is the only way to understand how the world of One Piece hasn't completely fallen into chaos yet.
Stay updated on the latest chapters because the power dynamics are shifting faster than a light-speed kick from Borsalino.