One Piece: Will the Marines rebel against the World Government? Explored

The World Government is an oppressive institution that holds political power over the vast majority of One Piece's fictional globe. Five individuals— the Gorosei— govern the world according to the directives of Imu-sama, the Empty Throne’s enigmatic ruler. To impose its will and enforce law, the World Government relies primarily on the Marines, a naval military force present on all the seas.

Before the recent developments, the combined forces of the Marines were considered one of the One Piece world’s “Three Great Powers,” along with the Four Emperors and the Seven Warlords. Navy officers patrol the seas to protect the peace and bring pirates and other outlaws to justice. Similarly, the World Government presents itself to the public as an organization that seeks peace and justice.

This is just a facade to hide the wickedness of the aristocratic Celestial Dragons, as well as Imu and the Gorosei’s suppression of the world’s true history.

The Marines themselves don’t have a clear conscience, sometimes committing highly questionable actions to carry out the World Government’s orders, including the slaying of innocent civilians. So far, the Marines have always been loyal to the World Government, but this may change as the story enters its final saga.

Disclaimer: This article contains major spoilers from the One Piece manga up to chapter 1131 and reflects the opinion of the writer.

One Piece has foreshadowed a rift to arise between the Navy and the World Government

Even the most dutiful Marines have doubts

Doberman as seen in One Piece (Image via Toei Animation)

The Egghead Incident provided some important hints about the doubt that winds between the Marines. After the conclusion of the conflict, Vice Admiral Doberman asked Gorosei member Saint Jaygarcia Saturn if what Dr Vegapunk had said in his message was true.

In a long speech recorded to be broadcast worldwide upon his death, Vegapunk revealed that the world was once made up of several huge continents, but that, during the Void Century, sea levels had risen 200 meters due to a man-made cataclysm.

The scientist also claimed that the Ancient Weapons that submerged the world during the Void Century exist even today, and that the entire globe is destined to sink underwater sooner or later. Finally, Vegapunk mentioned the origins of the World Government, which was created by the alliance that fought against Joy Boy, the first pirate in history, and a mysterious country known as the Ancient Kingdom.

Doberman questioning Saturn in One Piece chapter 1125 (Image via Shueisha)

Enraged by Doberman’s question, Saturn struck him with an energy blast, leaving him critically injured. This scene was emblematic as Doberman is not only one of the Navy’s most seasoned Vice Admirals, but a firm believer in Absolute Justice himself.

Absolute Justice is the World Government’s official interpretation of the concept of “justice”. According to this strict and dogmatic philosophy, anything deemed evil must be eradicated at all costs, justifying even inhumane or immoral acts as long as they are functional in achieving the objective.

If even a Marine as dutiful as Doberman could be made to question the nature and activities of the World Goverment, many of his fellow colleagues probably have the same thoughts. Especially after the Marines who witnessed the scene can attest to how the World Government’s big shots mistreat even the most loyal Navy officers on a whim.

Fujitora already went against the World Government

Fujitora as seen in One Piece (Image via Toei Animation)

Admiral Issho “Fujitora” is one of the most kind-hearted Navy officers. A man who has deliberately blinded himself to never see the evil of the world again, Fujitora is a virtuous individual who seeks only to protect the weak and the innocent. He can’t tolerate injustice, especially from the Marines.

Fujitora was disgusted when the Marines— under the orders of the World Government— turned a blind eye to Donquixote Doflamingo’s actions in Dressrosa. The Admiral prostrated himself before Dressrosa’s legitimate monarch, King Riku, to apologize. He also let Luffy escape as thanks for saving the country from Doflamingo, whom he couldn’t touch due to the latter’s Warlord status.

Fujitora second-guessed the Warlord system, as well as the corruption of the World Government and its influence on the Navy. During the Levely, the blind Admiral openly opposed the World Government, as he allowed many slaves to escape from Mary Geoise, at the cost of clashing against his colleague, Ryokugyu. Fujitora doesn’t support the current establishment.

Egghead changed Kizaru forever

Kizaru as seen in One Piece (Image via Toei Animation)

Prior to the recently concluded Egghead Arc, Admiral Borsalino “Kizaru” was always portrayed as a nonchalant, almost absent-minded man, who speaks to his enemies in a sarcastic tone and takes everything lightly, without ever losing his cool. The latest arc completely changed the perception of his character.

Kizaru was ordered to target his former friends and personal acquaintances. These included Dr Vegapunk and his bodyguard Sentomaru, as well as Bartholomew Kuma and his adopted daughter Jewelry Bonney. Torn between his feelings as a human and his sense of duty as a Marine officer, Kizaru declared himself to be "a cog in the machine" and fulfilled his mission by killing Vegapunk as ordered.

The World Government forced Kizaru to kill his own feelings (Image via Shueisha)

This caused Kizaru an enormous amount of emotional pain. Haunted by grief, the Admiral deliberately gave up his battle with Luffy, saying that he was deeply wounded and unable to fight anymore, even though he looked essentially unharmed. Of course, this was a metaphor for his broken emotional state.

When Fleet Admiral Akainu accused him of doing a lousy job, Kizaru burst into tears and yelled at him, leaving the former startled. Faced with Kizaru’s angry reaction, Akainu apologized to him in perhaps one of the story's most unexpected moments. Given his suffering in Egghead, Kizaru's life philosophy may change.

So far, Kizaru has followed Unclear Justice, not questioning his orders but carrying them out at his own pace. Just like the bewilderment of the Ohara Incident caused former Admiral Kuzan “Aokiji” to switch from Blazing Justice to Lazy Justice, Kizaru may abandon his Unclear Justice in favor of a different approach. Of course, in both cases, the cause of the change was the World Government’s wickedness.

The proud and steadfast Akainu

Akainu as seen in One Piece (Image via Toei Animation)

Throughout his career, Current Fleet Admiral Sakazuki “Akainu” has committed many acts of ruthlessness in pursuit of Absolute Justice. While an antagonist, however, Akainu isn't purely evil like the World Government's upper echelons. He is more of an extremist who swears by the Navy’s prestige and law enforcement role.

After becoming the Fleet Admiral, he consolidated the power of the Navy. To defend the name of the organization, in which he takes immense pride, he had a heated argument with the Five Elders. He openly insulted Warcury, Nusjuro, and the others, calling them the puppets of the Celestial Dragons.

To date, Akainu's loyalty to the World Government has been unquestionable. That said, he despises the Celestial Dragons and the fact that they can bend the world to their will. Akainu doesn’t want anyone to meddle with the Navy’s conduct, meaning that he may not be willing to tolerate the Marines being a tool in the World Government’s hands for much longer.

Kuzan, Sentomaru, Smoker, and the members of SWORD

Kuzan as seen in One Piece (Image via Toei Animation)

Unlike his former colleague Akainu, Kuzan “Aokiji” is a compassionate man. Initially driven by Burning Justice, Kuzan changed his mind after witnessing the senseless murder of many innocent civilians in Ohara.

The brutality of the World Government left Kuzan disenchanted, and he adopted Lazy Justice as his life philosophy. After a fierce fight with Akainu, Kuzan decided to leave his position of Admiral and resign from the Navy. Sometime later, he allegedly teamed up with the Blackbeard Pirates.

Sentomaru as seen in One Piece (Image via Toei Animation)

Dr Vegapunk’s personal bodyguard, Sentomaru, joined the Marines as the captain of the Science Unit. Sentomaru didn’t have anything against pirates, to the point where he showed a great degree of respect for Luffy. Nevertheless, he proved himself to be a dutiful Marine.

Things changed when the World Government decided to kill Vegapunk. Despite being close to Kizaru, Sentomaru was forced to fight against the Admiral, who was also unwilling to harm him. Sentomaru openly rebelled against the Marines, but it’s clear that his hatred was solely directed at the World Government.

Smoker as seen in One Piece (Image via Toei Animation)

With the exception of Admiral Aramaki “Ryokugyu”, most Navy officers don’t seem to like the World Government much. This includes the members of SWORD— Koby, Helmeppo, Prince Grus, X Drake, and others— as well as Smoker and his subordinate Tashigi.

Smoker is an honorable man who acts freely, assessing what is right and wrong, depending on his personal idea of justice. He despises corruption and has shown more than once that the World Government’s immorality only angers him. Therefore, it’s hard to see Smoker remaining in the service of the World Government for much longer.

Koby as seen in One Piece (Image via Toei Animation)

As for Koby, he believes deeply in the Navy’s honor, integrity, and honesty— all things that disappear in the face of the blatant truth, that sees the organization as nothing more than a tool for the World Government’s schemes.

A young determined officer who thinks that every good Marine must protect innocent people from evil, Koby will surely come to understand that the true evil lies in the World Government. He and the other members of SWORD may reform the Navy, detaching it from its previous employer.

Garp and Sengoku (and Dragon)

Garp as seen in One Piece (Image via Toei Animation)

The strongest Marine ever seen in One Piece, Monkey D. Garp was able to fight on par with Gol D. Roger, which speaks to his exceptional combat prowess. Despite being immensely popular as a "Marine Hero", Garp is a free-spirited individual with a rebellious attitude.

He repeatedly turned down a promotion to Admiral to avoid becoming the watchdog of the Celestial Dragons, whom he has always despised. While Garp never took a stand against the World Government, despite being aware of its rottenness, the current scenario may be different.

Garp believes that a Marine’s duty is to protect the future of innocent people, and that’s hard to do when the World Government aims to sink the whole world underwater. Though not nearly as rebellious as his long-time friend Garp, former Fleet Admiral Sengoku is a compassionate man whose seemingly harsh actions are motivated by a desire to protect civilians from an even greater evil.

Sengoku as seen in One Piece (Image via Toei Animation)

At present, Garp is in the hands of the Blackbeard Pirates, who captured him after he sacrificed himself to allow Koby to escape from Hachinosu. But if Sengoku and the other Marines free him, Garp is unlikely to side with the current World Government. This could lead to the entire Monkey D. Family reuniting against the oppressive institution.

The son of Garp and the father of Luffy, Monkey D. Dragon once joined the Navy, but left the organization after understanding that the Marines would never be able to protect justice due to the World Government’s negative influence. He thus founded the Freedom Fighters— now the Revolutionary Army— to oppose and overthrow the World Government, which he identified as the true enemy.

Admittedly, it would be great to see Garp, Dragon, and Luffy standing together against the World Government. Given Garp’s fame, many Marines would follow his lead.

In summation, will the Navy betray the World Government in One Piece?

The truth left the Marines shocked (Image via Shueisha)

The World Government has brainwashed most people into bowing to the Celestial Dragons, and believing that the current system is the only one that can ensure global peace. In this system, the Marines have faithfully served the World Government, assuming that, despite its dark side, it’s the lesser of two evils, and that without it the globe would descend into chaos.

After Vegapunk’s message, however, every Marine knows that the World Government sees them as expendable tools. The Celestial Dragons live on the top of the Red Line, which means that they won’t be affected by the rising water level. Instead, the Marines and their loved ones would be helplessly submerged when the time comes.

As Dr Vegapunk once said, there are many reasonable people in the Navy. At least some of the Marines should be able to understand what is at stake, and it should be enough for them to rebel against the World Government.