10 One Piece Marines Who Secretly Have Pirate Potential

In the world of One Piece, the Marines are often portrayed as opposing forces, due to their role in maintaining order and enforcing laws. This frequently places them against the pirates. But the story also reveals that Marines may possess traits that can be questionable or even unlawful at times.

To reinforce the idea even more, it’s worth noting that several pirates originally held government positions but were either pushed out or chose to leave for a life of piracy. While not every sailor might thrive in piracy, there are certain seafarers whose unique traits would make them surprisingly fit for such a lifestyle. This discussion will focus on those sailors who could potentially prosper if they switched sides and became lawbreakers. However, it’s important to clarify that this list excludes current marines who were once genuine pirates or have transitioned into piracy.

6. Nezumi

A Conniving Captain

Current Rank: Captain

Nezumi is well-known for being the naval officer who initiated the first bounty on Monkey D. Luffy. He feels his rank entitles him to respect and demonstrates a preference for wealth over any responsibilities that rank might imply. Earlier, he collaborated with Arlong, concealing his criminal activities in the Conomi Islands in return for bribes. These crimes encompassed murder, slavery, and illegal taxation on the village. Nezumi holds prejudice against fish-men, but appears to share a mutual understanding with Arlong, who reciprocally despises humans, primarily due to their shared obsession with money.

His firm conviction that “money rules above all” is a belief echoed by numerous pirates, as they often resort to criminal activities due to financial hardship. Interestingly, it’s probably his choice of career as a marine that keeps him from being a pirate, as it provides an easier avenue for amassing wealth.

5. Monkey D. Garp

Luffy’s Grandfather

Current Rank: Instructor

Monkey D. Garp serves as both grandfather to Monkey D. Luffy and father to Monkey D. Dragon, the rebel leader of the Revolutionary Army who challenges the government. Yet, despite their notorious criminal past, it’s hard to deny that Garp shares more in common with his family members than any of them might want to acknowledge. Remarkably, as a marine, Garp isn’t afraid to disobey orders he disagrees with, demonstrating a commitment to personal justice over adhering to expected behavior.

Besides harboring intense disdain for the World Nobles, he consistently turned down advancements from vice admiral to admiral out of principle. It’s rumored that his animosity originates from the God Valley Incident, during which he shielded them, as well as their oppressed slaves. His rivalry with the late Gol D. Roger deepened over time, reaching a point where Roger knew his son, Ace, could trust Garp for protection. Known for bucking marine conventions, Garp is also exceptionally strong physically.

Garp’s blend of strength and inclination to disregard rules without a personal attachment to them suggests he could have been a pirate grandson, had he chosen that path. His allegiance to the Marines seems rooted more in admiration for their ideals of peace rather than just the institution itself. This is contrasted with his son, Dragon, who perceives this so-called “peace” as shallow because it’s underpinned by oppression, and his grandson, Luffy, who prioritizes freedom above all else and considers the Marines a hindrance to achieving it.

4. Akainu

A Mad Dog

Current Rank: Fleet Admiral

In simpler terms, Akainu, more commonly recognized as Sakazuki, holds the position of Fleet Admiral, overseeing all marine operations. He earned this title following a duel with Kuzan, a previous admiral who later chose to leave the marines. Known for his relentless pursuit of justice, he’s willing to go to extreme lengths to eradicate criminals, even if those in harm’s way are friends, family, or simply bystanders nearby. His interactions with the Five Elders, his immediate superiors, seem strained and difficult.

In simpler terms, Akainu’s aggressive personality is reflected in his Devil Fruit, capable of generating intense magma that can even consume fiery elements like Ace’s fire. Although he’s entirely destructive, he also demonstrates a shrewd and calculating side, as seen when he manipulates information to set Squard against Whitebeard during the Summit War. Despite never being a criminal himself, his intense dislike for them is palpable, though their reasons remain unclear. However, both his Devil Fruit’s power and his radical tactics suggest a pirate-like nature within him.

3. Donquixote Rosinante

The Second Corazon

Current Rank: Commander

As an observer, I find myself in a world where I’ve come across a character named Donquixote Rosinante, the younger brother of the notorious pirate Donquixote Doflamingo. While his elder sibling delved deep into the criminal underworld, Rosinante was nurtured by Sengoku, a powerful marine official. His journey saw him rise through the ranks, eventually being tasked with a covert mission that required him to infiltrate his brother’s crew, leveraging their shared past to gain trust. Doflamingo, upon seeing his younger brother return, bestowed upon Rosinante the position of Corazon—a rank formerly held by Vergo, who left the crew to undertake a prolonged mission on its behalf.

The effectiveness of his abilities was enhanced by his Devil Fruit, creating a soundproof barrier where no noise could pass in or out. While communicating within this barrier, he pretended to be mute to prevent his brother and fellow crew members from suspecting his silence. Maintaining this facade continued until he was betrayed by Vergo, a mole in the marines working for Doflamingo, who handed him over, resulting in the elder Donquixote executing his brother. Trafalgar D. Water Law, a serious kid who received compassion from Rosinante, made efforts to cure his Amber Lead Syndrome, and later established a crew called the Heart Pirates, named after their mutual care.

From an external perspective, Rosinante’s duplicity and the power of the Devil Fruit make him an ideal candidate for a real-life pirate. Under different circumstances, he might have even filled the role that Vergo did, operating covertly from within. Yet, Rosinante harbors a strong aversion to piracy, a sentiment deeply rooted in his past. He bears the scars of his brother’s actions, who, driven by their father’s renunciation of their noble lineage, took the life of their father and plunged the family into a life of poverty and misery.

2. Ratel

A Corrupt Captain

Current Rank: Captain

Ratel largely mirrors Nezumi in character, being modeled after a honey badger similar to how his counterpart takes after a mouse. However, unlike his mouse-like counterpart, Ratel’s methods of crime are distinct. He leads an invasion on the island of Sphinx, believed to be Whitebeard’s ancestral home. Historically, Sphinx was too impoverished to pay the Heavenly Tribute, a gift to the Celestial Dragons in exchange for protection. This system, ironically, leaves the most vulnerable countries, those in direst need of such protection, more prone to crime and poverty.

Whitebeard’s childhood as an orphan on Sphinx significantly shaped his transformation into a pirate, as he carried a deep longing for family throughout his life. Yet, he never forgot his past home, using his wealth to support its inhabitants. This benevolence may have contributed to the belief that there was treasure hidden on the island. Ratel, misguided, saw ungoverned islands like this one as places where he could exploit people at will. With Marco, Whitebeard’s trusted ally and current protector, away fighting in Wano, Ratel took advantage of the island’s poverty and intimidated its citizens without mercy. However, Edward Weevil, who is said to be Whitebeard’s son, swiftly defeated Ratel. Weevil’s mother, too, sought treasure. Ratel’s greed for wealth and disregard for law and order are traits typical of pirates. Interestingly, much like Nezumi, he may secretly prefer the law because it offers him easier opportunities to amass wealth.

1. Ryokugyu

Oppressive By Nature

Current Rank: Admiral

Known commonly as Aramaki or Ryokugyu, this relatively recent marine was promoted to admiral for reasons of respect for his immense power. He is a devout follower of the Celestial Dragons, considering them divine beings. Yet, his character and behavior demonstrate that unchecked authority can be morally questionable on its own. His past as a law enforcement officer led to his imprisonment following a significant event involving a woman. Today, he embodies a “might is right” mindset. He believes in discrimination as a means of comfort and generally holds the opinion that the strong should dominate the weak. His self-assurance is so great that he defies direct orders if he perceives them as contrary to his own sense of justice.

Typically, Ryokugyu’s character shares similarities with numerous pirates who equate power and the ability to suppress others as symbols of their dominance. However, it is the conviction that the government and its aristocrats are more powerful than himself or any pirate that mostly deters him from joining piracy. If Ryokugyu harbored a deep faith in the might of a pirate like Kaido (whom he currently fears due to his power), he would probably serve under him instead of the government.

2025-02-22 09:45