Aokiji

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Kuzan (青雉)
Alias(es)	Aokiji; “Little Kuzan” (used by Gion); “Cup-Dropping Vice Admiral” 9 17 303
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Marines; Marine Headquarters
Occupation/Role	Headquarters Admiral; one of the Three Admirals; former Headquarters Vice Admiral; former Elite Training Camp student; former chief instructor for the Celeste Island practical assessment 12 413 427
First Appearance	Chapter 9

Power Progression

Period	Advancement	Details
1492	Elite Training Camp enrollment	Entered the Elite Training Camp as a third-term student and later became one of Zephyr’s most celebrated disciples. 9 12
By Chapter 9	Headquarters Vice Admiral	Reached vice admiral rank while still twenty-eight years old, establishing himself as one of the Marines’ foremost young officers. 9 12
Celeste Island Assessment	Wide-area Observation Haki	Expanded his Observation Haki over the assessment island, allowing him to follow recruit and pirate movements from a distant mountaintop. 41 45
Return voyage from Celeste Island	Ice-Ice Fruit display	Demonstrated fine control over ice by freezing a path across the sea to personally return the Beaver-Cat to its companions. 56
Impel Down Incident	Prolonged battlefield command	Fought multiple Flying Pirates officers while commanding the defense of Impel Down during Shiki’s assault. 239 240
G-1 Branch War	Large-scale battlefield control	Used Ice Age to freeze an entire bay and immobilize over one hundred Beasts Pirates ships. 257
Har Island Incident	Elite-pirate suppression	Defeated Shanks with Ice Ball and fought Queen and Sena simultaneously for days, nearly overcoming both Calamities. 317 321
By Chapter 413	Marine Headquarters Admiral	Accepted promotion to admiral alongside Sakazuki, becoming one of Marine Headquarters’ Three Admirals under the codename “Aokiji.” 413 427
Summit War	Advanced ice and Haki combat	Countered Whitebeard’s tsunamis with Ice Age, wielded Armament Haki-coated ice blades, and confronted Patrick Redfield with Ice Block: Pheasant Beak. 429 431 432

Background / History

Kuzan entered the Elite Training Camp in its third term in 1492 and later rose to become a Headquarters Vice Admiral while still in his twenties. Zephyr regarded him as a prized student and repeatedly held him up as an example to new recruits. 9 12

Four months before his return to Marineford, Kuzan participated in the Ohara massacre. The operation shattered his former “burning justice,” leaving him disillusioned, lethargic, and unwilling to engage in major battles. He spent nearly half a year drifting through the Four Blues rather than returning to Headquarters as ordered. 9 10

He eventually returned to visit Zephyr, bringing his former mentor two bottles of aged sherry seized from pirates. Recognizing Kuzan’s condition, Zephyr assigned him to lead the Elite Training Camp’s field assessment, hoping contact with passionate young recruits would help him rediscover his own sense of justice. Kuzan accepted the responsibility. 9 10

The assessment and his subsequent conversations with Noah helped rekindle Kuzan’s fighting spirit. By the recruits’ return to Marineford, Zephyr could tell that much of Kuzan’s former lethargy had faded and that the sharpness of his youth was returning. 57 58

Kuzan continued to rise through the Marine ranks over the following years, serving in major New World operations and repeatedly fighting alongside Noah. He formally accepted promotion to Marine Headquarters Admiral alongside Sakazuki, becoming one of the Three Admirals before the Summit War. 303 413 427

Appearance

Kuzan is a tall Marine with messy black curls and plain features. During the Celeste Island assessment, he wears a black coat and a deep-purple Marine-patterned headscarf. 9 12

• Black, curly, unkempt hair 9 12
• Deep-purple bandana/headscarf embroidered with the Marine scales pattern 9 12
• Comparable in height to Gion’s body, which is described as over three meters tall 17
• Often appears stern and unsmiling in formal settings, despite his otherwise relaxed manner 12
• Wears a green sleep mask while resting, including during the Impel Down escort mission. 236
• Wears the white coat of justice as a Marine Headquarters Admiral. 427

Personality

Kuzan is notably laid-back, slow-speaking, and reluctant to handle tedious formalities. When tasked with briefing the recruits, he immediately tries to pass the job to Gion, admitting that he dislikes reading rules aloud. 12

Beneath this casual exterior, he is reflective and deeply troubled by the consequences of Ohara. Being called Zephyr’s “pride” visibly unsettles him, as memories of the massacre and his late friend return to him. 9 10

As an instructor, Kuzan is serious about fairness, composure, and responsibility. He refuses to delay an entire off-site assessment because Noxia is unable to participate, but acknowledges Noxia’s disappointment and treats his decision with respect. 18

Kuzan initially questions whether righteousness and gentleness have any value after Ohara. However, his exchanges with Noah and the recruits gradually help restore his desire to act, fight, and uphold justice. 56 57 58

Though usually merciful and conflict-averse, Kuzan can be pragmatic and ruthless under extreme circumstances. While pursuing pirates fleeing Har Island, he ordered the execution of captured pirate captains because his force lacked the manpower to transport them to Impel Down. 314

He remains relaxed even after becoming an admiral, frequently teasing Noah, avoiding unnecessary work, and treating difficult battles with dry humor. However, his demeanor changes sharply when confronting enemies connected to his past failures, particularly Patrick Redfield. 303 429 432

Abilities & Skills

Ice-Ice Fruit

Kuzan possesses the Logia-type Ice-Ice Fruit, which allows him to create, manipulate, and spread immense quantities of ice and freezing cold. His power gives him exceptional battlefield-control capability on land and sea. 56 257

• Creates frozen paths across the sea, allowing him to travel over water while escorting others. 56
• Can freeze warships, pirate crews, and vast bodies of water in a single attack. 257 314
• Used Ice Age to freeze an entire bay containing more than one hundred Beasts Pirates ships. 257
• Countered Whitebeard’s enormous tsunamis at Marineford by freezing the waves and the surrounding harbor. 429
• Forms ice weapons, including long ice blades for sword combat. 316 431
• Used Ice Time Capsule to immobilize fleeing pirate ships and their crews. 314
• Used Ice Ball to completely freeze and capture Shanks. 317
• Used Ice Block: Pheasant Beak against Patrick Redfield during the Summit War. 432

Observation Haki

Kuzan can expand his Observation Haki across Citrus Island from its northern summit, allowing him to track much of the ongoing assessment even through the darkness and obstructing buildings. 41

• Observes recruit movements and combat developments from afar. 41 45
• Notices Noxia’s arrival on the island before receiving the formal report. 41
• Could not react in time to prevent the Door-Door Fruit-enabled arrival of over two thousand pirate reinforcements. 42
• Uses his battlefield awareness to monitor the Har Island conflict and assess the conditions of Noah’s opponents before arriving. 314

Armament Haki and Physical Combat

Kuzan combines his Devil Fruit with powerful physical combat, Rokushiki, and Armament Haki. He is capable of fighting elite swordsmen and high-ranking pirate officers at close range. 236 316 431

• Uses Soru at near-teleportation-like speed in combat. 316 431
• Coats ice blades in Armament Haki for lethal close-range attacks. 431
• Fought Shanks in an extended sword duel before defeating him with Ice Ball. 316 317
• Fought Queen and Sena simultaneously during the Har Island battle, suppressing the two Calamities despite ultimately being unable to finish them before their retreat. 318 321

Assessment Command

As chief instructor, Kuzan establishes the objectives, conditions, and conduct expected of the Elite Training Camp recruits during their first live-combat mission. 12 13

• Assigns the recruits to liberate Celeste Island from the Capone Pirates. 12 13
• Emphasizes calm judgment, requesting reinforcements when necessary, and retreating rather than acting recklessly. 13
• Warns recruits not to sacrifice teamwork or abandon allies for a higher ranking. 13
• Sets a 48-hour time limit and states that instructors will intervene only as a last resort. 13

Military Command

Kuzan is an experienced field commander trusted with independent deployments, prisoner escorts, emergency support, and large-scale war operations. 235 257 314

• Led the defense of Impel Down’s upper levels during Shiki’s assault. 239 240
• Directed Marine operations while pursuing fleeing pirates from Har Island. 314
• Ordered Shanks and the Red Hair Pirates imprisoned after personally capturing them. 317
• Served as one of the Three Admirals during the Summit War at Marineford. 427 429

Relationships

• Zephyr — Former mentor and chief instructor of the Elite Training Camp. Zephyr remains concerned about Kuzan’s emotional state after Ohara and assigns him the field assessment to help him recover his purpose. 9 10
• Gion / Momousagi — Fellow high-ranking Marine traveling aboard Kuzan’s assessment ship. She calls him “little Kuzan,” while he objects to the nickname in front of subordinates; they share an easy, teasing dynamic. 12 17 18
• Noxia / Romanov Noah — Initially an exceptional recruit whom Kuzan oversees during the Celeste Island assessment. Over time, their relationship develops from senior and junior to a close, brotherly friendship marked by sparring, teasing, drinking, and mutual trust. Kuzan repeatedly recognizes Noah’s extraordinary growth and respects his desire to face major opponents on his own terms. 9 17 18 41 45 235 303 317
• Beaver-Cat — Kuzan carries the creature on his shoulder and communicates with it by asking questions that it answers through claw-drawn pictures. He later personally escorts it across the sea to reunite it with its companions. 17 21 56
• Molly — Kuzan’s childhood friend, fellow Marine, and former lover. He ended their relationship after Ohara due to his crisis of faith, then avoided her for years, leaving their feelings unresolved when they reunited during the G-5 Branch incident. 329
• Patrick Redfield — A legendary pirate who defeated Kuzan, destroyed his warship, and caused the deaths of Marines under his command twelve years before the Summit War. Kuzan holds a lasting grudge against Redfield and seeks to settle the matter at Marineford. 429 431 432
• Shanks — Kuzan intercepted Shanks on Har Island when the pirate attempted to challenge Noah. After a sword duel, Kuzan froze and captured him with Ice Ball. 316 317
• Nico Robin / Viola — Kuzan was visibly shaken when he mistook Princess Viola for a young Nico Robin due to their resemblance, revealing his enduring concern for Robin. 307

Story Role / Major Arcs

Return to Marineford

Kuzan returns to Marineford after months away and seeks out Zephyr. His subdued reaction to Zephyr’s praise reveals the lingering impact of Ohara. 9 10

Celeste Island Assessment

Entrusted by Zephyr, Kuzan becomes chief instructor for the Elite Training Camp’s live-combat assessment against the Capone Pirates on Celeste Island. He briefs the recruits, supervises the operation from a mountain summit, and maintains the 48-hour deadline despite unexpected complications. 12 13 18 41 42

When pirate reinforcements overwhelm the original intelligence estimate, Kuzan continues monitoring the recruits rather than immediately intervening. After witnessing Noxia swiftly defeat the pirate captain Kaku, he concludes that first place in the assessment has effectively been decided. 42 45

After Noxia defeats Giant Bear Sano near the end of the time limit, Kuzan’s accompanying instructors and soldiers enter the town to capture the remaining pirates and conclude the assessment. 49

During the return voyage, Kuzan releases the Beaver-Cat to its companions and later speaks with Noah about the doubts Ohara left him with. By the end of the assessment, Zephyr recognizes that Kuzan’s fighting spirit has begun to return. 56 57 58

Impel Down Escort and Shiki Incident

Kuzan and Noah jointly escort Sanjuan Wolf toward Impel Down. While awaiting the return of Warden Babulou, Kuzan reluctantly participates in a sparring match with Noah inside the prison. 234 235 236

When Shiki’s Flying Pirates attack Impel Down, Kuzan takes command of the upper-level defense and holds down several powerful pirate officers. Although he is badly injured and exhausted, he continues fighting while Noah battles Shiki offshore. 239 240

After Noah defeats Shiki, Kuzan coordinates the capture of the Flying Pirates and dispatches rescue boats to search for Babulou and the missing prison personnel. 240

G-1 Branch War

During the Beasts Pirates’ assault on G-1 Branch, Kuzan freezes the entire bay with Ice Age, immobilizing Kaido’s fleet and forcing Kaido to confront the Marine defenders directly. 257

He later fights the pirate admiral One-Eyed Longya and demonstrates the battlefield control that makes him one of the Marines’ most important combatants. 258

Har Island Incident

Kuzan travels toward Har Island as Noah battles multiple pirate commanders over the Road Poneglyphs. Along the route, Kuzan freezes fleeing pirate ships with Ice Time Capsule and orders the captured pirate leaders executed because his force cannot transport them safely. 314

Upon arriving on Har Island, Kuzan intercepts Shanks, refusing to let the pirate reach Noah. He defeats Shanks with Ice Ball and orders him imprisoned alongside his crew. 316 317

Kuzan then fights Queen and Sena simultaneously throughout the wider conflict. Though he nearly defeats both Calamities, Kaido’s retreat enables them to escape with him. Kuzan acknowledges that, despite his performance, he still has not matched Noah’s achievements. 318 321

Promotion to Admiral

After Noah’s temporary departure from the Marines, Kuzan and Sakazuki accept promotion to admiral. Kuzan later stands beside Sakazuki and newly promoted Admiral Noah at Marineford, formally constituting the Three Admirals before the Summit War. 413 427

Summit War

At Marineford, Kuzan counters Whitebeard’s twin tsunamis with Ice Age, freezing the harbor and allowing Marine forces to engage the Pirate Alliance across the ice. 429

Kuzan identifies Patrick Redfield among the Pirate Alliance and claims him as his personal opponent because of their history. After effortlessly freezing surrounding pirate officers, Kuzan attacks Redfield with an Armament Haki-coated ice blade, but Redfield anticipates the ambush and counters with a powerful sword strike. 429 431

Driven by his twelve-year-old grudge, Kuzan continues his battle against Redfield with Ice Block: Pheasant Beak as the war escalates. 432

Holy Land Operation

Following the Summit War and Noah’s revelation of Imu’s existence, Kuzan agrees to join the planned assault against the World Government’s hidden rulers. He volunteers to test the strength of the enemy’s “strongest shield,” a former Fleet Admiral possessing a Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit. 442

Notable Quotes

“Courage is a good thing, but if you are overly reckless, you will only throw your lives away for nothing!” 13

“If you trip up your teammates or refuse to save them just to get a higher ranking in the exam, then you are unworthy of the word Justice you carry on your shoulders.” 13

“As a pirate, you have no right to pick and choose which Marine comes to arrest you.” 316

“If you cannot even get past me, what will you use to face Noah?” 316

Trivia

• Kuzan dislikes being called “little Kuzan” in front of subordinates, even though Gion also uses the nickname for Garp. 17
• He gave Zephyr two bottles of aged sherry taken from a pirate crew. 9
• He can interpret the Beaver-Cat’s claw-drawn comic strips well enough to reconstruct its account of events. 17
• After repeated sparring sessions with Noah’s Rumble-Rumble Fruit powers, Kuzan dropped seven cups of tea during a strategic meeting and gained the nickname “Cup-Dropping Vice Admiral.” 303
• He secretly became absorbed in Noah’s copy of Bleach and removed it without permission. 315