Akainu won during the battle for the title of Fleet Admiral in One Piece so there’s something Kuzan lacks and Garp might be to blame here.

SUMMARY

Kuzan and Akainu battled for 10 days straight with Akainu emerging as the victor, despite being on the same level.

Monkey D. Garp trained Kuzan in his younger years so if his Haki fell short of enhancing his powers, he was a terrible teacher.
Akainu is known to take extreme measures to get what he wants and possibly showed no mercy against his former ally and colleague.

The aftermath of the Summit War of Marineford left the world of One Piece in shambles. Not only did Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates disappear for the two-year period but Sengoku retired from his position as Fleet Admiral of the Marines, leaving the terrible Akainu in charge. This gives the already radical Marine even more power in his hands. However, there was one other Marine who challenged him.

Kuzan, also known as Aokiji, has always found Akainu’s extremist views impulsive and reckless, detesting the man. He didn’t sit by and accept the man as the new Fleet Admiral. The two dueled it out on Punk Hazard, their Devil Fruits forcing the island’s weather into lava and ice.

Kuzan vs Akainu in One Piece. [Credit: Toei Animation]

Despite his determination to eliminate Akainu from becoming the Fleet Admiral, the Magu Magu no Mi user won the battle. Kuzan then joined the Blackbeard Pirates to everyone’s surprise. Fans, on the other hand, are perplexed how Kuzan, the Marine who trained directly under Monkey D. Garp, lost against Akainu.

Ice vs Magma: Kuzan was no match for Akainu before their fight even began

Kuzan freezes multiple people in One Piece. [Credit: Toei Animation]

Kuzan’s Hie Hie no Mi might have incredible power against people who don’t hold any fire or magma powers but the Marine-turned-pirate even struggled against Portgas D. Ace in Marineford. Ace’s fire powers canceled out his powers. Akainu’s magma, on the other hand, melted his in seconds. So was the elemental difference all to blame?

The Blackbeard Pirate held his own for 10 days straight against the Fleet Admiral and his Awakened Devil Fruit did freeze half of Punk Hazard. Magma still melted the ice faster than he could regenerate. So, when it came to brute force against Akainu, Kuzan still fell short of trying to defeat him but bought him some time.

This leads fans to believe Kuzan’s Haki might be weaker as compared to Akainu’s. Considering Monkey D. Garp trained the Marine in his younger years, it would reflect on his mentorship. The older Vice Admiral, however, is one of the strongest Haki users in the One Piece universe. So why did he fall short, despite his tutor’s strength?

Fans also need to consider the extreme lengths Akainu would go to gain his “absolute justice.” We’ve witnessed him go to the point of killing his own Marines and innocent civilians. There’s no way the Marine would ever give up on the opportunity of Fleet Admiral. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he fought harder and faster than he ever has. Kuzan still did some damage if his scars are anything to go by.

Why did Kuzan join Blackbeard after this battle?

Kuzan joins the Blackbeard Pirates for a drink in One Piece. [Credit: Toei Animation]

Kuzan left the Marines after Akainu was appointed Fleet Admiral, not wanting to work under him. He then joined the Blackbeard Pirates and in this journey, he even captured Garp, his old mentor. This has caused fans to question what his goals are, considering how treacherous Marshall D. Teach is.

A simple explanation is that Blackbeard offered him freedom to travel the sea and this allowed Kuzan to keep his agenda, not fully committing to the pirate crew and free from Marines. Moreover, aligning himself with someone as powerful as Blackbeard could help him take down Akainu.

Another theory suggests he could be infiltrating the crew under SWORD, trying to find out their plans for the world of One Piece, considering they’ve imprisoned several important figures. Kuzan is as mysterious as they come.