Key points
- Fujitora's moral convictions clash with the corrupt institutions he serves, prioritizing justice over blind loyalty.
- His decision to blind himself symbolizes his rejection of the injustices of the world and his concern for human justice.
- Fujitora's actions, such as helping slaves escape, demonstrate his rebellion against the oppressive system he works for.
In A piececharacters often embody values that transcend their roles in the larger narrative. One such character is Admiral Fujitora, who, despite his high-ranking position in the Marines, is distinguished by his unique sense of justice, which often clashes with the corrupt institutions he serves.
Fujitora's decision to aid in the Mariejois slave escape is a pivotal moment that highlights his deep moral convictions and the internal conflict he faces as a Marine. Unlike many of his peers, Fujitora's sense of justice transcends blind loyalty to the World Government and is instead rooted in empathy for the people he serves and a desire to right the world's injustice in A piece series.
Fujitora as a complex character
The Marine with a different vision
Fujitora's complexity stems largely from his internal conflict between his role as a Marine Admiral and his own sense of morality. While most Marines are expected to follow orders without question, Fujitora believes in a form of justice that goes beyond simply enforcing the rules. His form of justice prioritizes protecting the innocent and dismantling oppressive systems. His first major act of defiance is seen during the Dressrosa arc, where he actively works to expose the World Government's complicity in Doflamingo's reign of terror.
One of the most striking aspects of Fujitora's character is his decision to blind himself, shielding himself from the horrors of the world. For someone like Fujitora, who values fairness and equality, the system that supports the Celestial Dragons is an abomination. However, as a Marine, Fujitora is still bound by duty, and his position limits the extent to which he can openly oppose the Celestial Dragons and the policies of the World Government.
Additionally, Admiral Fujitora's growing frustration with the oppressive system comes to a head during the Reverie event in Mariejoisee, where he finds himself at a moral crossroads. The arrival of the Revolutionary Army in Mariejois during the Reverie serves as a catalyst for Fujitora to act on his internal conflict. The revolutionaries, led by Monkey D. Dragon, seek to overthrow the world government and liberate the oppressed. As such, the revolutionaries' ideals align with many of Fujitora's beliefs, though their methods are more radical.
The presence of the Revolutionary Army creates a moment of chaos and upheaval in Mariejois, allowing Fujitora to break free from the constraints of his position and follow his will. While this act angered Admiral Ryokugyu, Fujitora was prepared to face the consequences of his actions and confront his fellow admiral head-on. Fujitora's decision to help the slaves highlights his internal struggle and his ultimate choice to prioritize his conscience over his duty.
Human Justice Versus Blind Loyalty to an Oppressed System
Admiral Fujitora's Stand for Justice
From the moment Fujitora was introduced, it became clear that he was different from other high-ranking Marines. While many Marines mete out absolute justice without question, often at the expense of innocent lives, Fujitora takes a more nuanced approach. He seeks to change the system from within, understanding that the World Government and the Marine structure are flawed and often serve the interests of corrupt elites rather than the common people they claim to protect. His philosophy, which he calls “moral/humane justice,” contrasts with the rigid and sometimes oppressive absolute justice that many other Marines practice.
Fujitora believes in protecting the weak and standing up to tyranny, no matter where it comes from, even if that tyranny is rooted within the World Government itself. Fujitora stands in stark contrast to Fleet Admiral Akainu, who is supposed to be a benchmark for human justice. However, Fleet Admiral believes in absolute justice and will do anything to eradicate evil, no matter the cost. For Akainu, the end justifies the means, meaning it doesn't matter if innocent lives are lost in the process of doing justice.
Fujitora's decision to blind himself is a symbolic rejection of the ugliness and injustice of the world. This act symbolizes his refusal to witness the horrors and cruelty perpetuated by the World Government and other oppressive forces. His blindness, far from being a weakness, allows him to see more clearly than many of his peers. He recognizes that laws and systems are only valuable if they protect the weak and uphold true justice.
However, the World Government operates through oppression, and the Celestial Dragons are the opposite of everything it stands for. He has long seen slaves suffer at the hands of the Celestial Dragons, and it is clear that his sense of moral duty outweighs his loyalty to the oppressive system. In this vein, when the Revolutionary Army infiltrated Mariejois, Fujitora saw it as an opportunity to do the right thing rather than blindly follow orders. His decision to help the slave escape is a natural extension of this belief: he refuses to stand by and let injustice happen, even if it means challenging the government he works for.
While Fujitora does not openly rebel against the World Government, his disapproval of its darker aspects is clear. He has already shown that he will take action against its corrupt practices when necessary, as seen when he allowed Monkey D. Luffy and his allies to escape from Dressrosa despite Luffy being a wanted pirate. During the moment he shared with Luffy in Dressrosa, Fujitora wished that he had never blinded himself so he could see Luffy. To Fujitora, Luffy represents a symbol of freedom that he wishes the Marine could be to the people. In the case of the Mariejois infiltration, Fujitora's silent act of rebellion by helping the slaves escape shows his unwillingness to accept the world as it is. Thus, even though he operates within the system, he refuses to let the system dictate his morals.
