Aokiji

Biodata

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

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

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

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

Abilities & Skills

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

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

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 — Elite Training Camp recruit whom Kuzan first encounters during sword practice. Kuzan later oversees his assessment, hears his report regarding the Beaver-Cat incident, and recognizes his exceptional performance against Kaku. 9 17 18 41 45
• Beaver-Cat — Kuzan carries the creature on his shoulder and communicates with it by asking questions that it answers through claw-drawn pictures. 17 21

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

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

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