When Akainu finds out the truth about Imu, the Elders, and their nature, the only real outcome is going to be that Akainu acts against them. And I think Akainu is going to do that by claiming Pluton.
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachme...bc21ec3c5a0335570a53a64e7d9868164ecf1a1b76e3&
In chapter 684 of the manga, Caesar Clown mentions that Akainu would be likely to favor weapons of mass destruction- a line that appears innocuous at first but might be one of several potential clues that the one who will claim Pluton from Wano will be Akainu. Akainu is a bit of a dark horse contender, but if Oda is going this route there’s plenty of narrative elements that could be weaved into this conclusion.
The only time we see Akainu and Kizaru together post-timeskip is a conversation where they talk about Wano.
https://i.redd.it/4p5r64qr5rna1.jpg
And I can’t help but think back to this cover page depicting Akainu’s tattoos, a page where Oda decides to include Kizaru.
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRwJBmO0FBZlmvJXEy8FUdWeODGI3Qb5KUGKQ&s
It’s the only time we ever see these tattoos, so I think that this is meant to leave an imprint on the reader’s mind, something for us to remember as we carry on through the manga. Many people cite this cover page as a sign that Akainu is a member of SWORD and while that may end up being true, I think that’s overlooking the full set of tattoos.
The flowers resemble sakura flowers, or cherry blossoms, the namesake for Haki in Wano. This namesake, as well as swords, are tightly associated pieces of imagery in the Wano country.
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachme...7bdc716c1eb7bba35ba24bd3edc349025df79fa14e6e&
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachme...303054617e577d61f324e02cb9e5edebe1bc6ea093fc&
With the fact that Akainu’s only scene with Kizaru post-skip is a scene of them talking about Wano, the fact that Oda decided to include Kizaru in the one depiction of Akainu’s tattoos which bear a striking resemblance to cultural symbols in Wano takes on a whole new light.
The other Admirals also offer potential insight on Akainu potentially being tied to Wano in some form or fashion. Fujitora and Green Bull both have naturally strong associations with Akainu, with Fujitora being close enough to casually call him “Saka.” Fujitora resembles a samurai with his fighting style and get-up, and Green Bull shows up in Wano on a mission for the purpose of getting Akainu’s approval. Like the original Admirals, Green Bull and Fujitora have designs based on specific characters that particular famous Japanese actors played; in their case, the roles that Oda based their designs off of were both old-school Yakuza, who were samurai. The Marines as a whole are based on the Yakuza, with the roles that inspired the designs for Akainu and Kizaru both being Yakuza while Kuzan’s was a cop who investigated the Yakuza. And Hyogoro, the samurai boss of the Yakuza in Wano, has flower petal tattoos just like Akainu
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D1P40y4WoAAg-j5.jpg
Now, even taking these clues at complete face value still begs the question of “what ties does Akainu have with Pluton,” and there’s actually quite a bit in one little scene. Despite how pivotal this scene is in characterizing Akainu and how immense the consequences were, I think people overlook that Akainu shooting the refugee ship in the Ohara flashback ties him to the Pluton storyline. And if Akainu claims Pluton, it completely amplifies the significance of the scene that ties him to Pluton being one where he fires a warship, and that’s *all* he does in the entire flashback.
Akainu is a volcano. Every scene of him after the timeskip, he’s ruminating and stewing over his frustrations at being forced to remain passive and feeling manipulated by the Government. Every scene he shares with a Celestial Dragon, whether it be the Elders or the Dragons in Marijoa, has been hostile and antagonistic. Akainu’s musings about being a puppet are clearly a projection of his own frustrations that stem from his position in the Government. And a volcano can’t remain dormant forever, eventually Akainu will erupt.
The truth about the World Government, the impending reveal that Imu and the Elders plan to actually destroy the world is going to be what makes Akainu erupt. The fact that all of his scenes with Celestial Dragons are painted as antagonistic indicates that Akainu would not side with them and their plans of mass extinction. Akainu believes in absolute justice and the law, but it’s for the sake of protecting the public and the world at large. Akainu is “I’ll kill millions to save billions” personified, so there’s zero chance he’ll get down with Imu’s plot to flood the world.
And what’s more fitting for Akainu’s eruption than for these clues tying him to Wano and for his connection to Pluton to conclude in him being the one to swoop in and claim the weapon. Akainu’s relation to Pluton is so understated despite how significant it is, and I think that’s the biggest clue that Blackbeard and Crocodile are red herrings to who will actually receive Pluton. And honestly, most pertinent of all, Akainu has the means. Pluton rests underneath a volcano, buried deep in the earth and potentially surrounded by magma. In Marineford, it’s displayed for us how Akainu’s magma powers allow him to easily traverse by tunneling through the ground.
https://hot.leanbox.us/manga/One-Piece/0577-009.png
Blackbeard being the front runner for getting Pluton bodes well for Akainu too. Pluton is a giant battleship and what did Akainu do after Marineford? Prevented Teach from getting his hands on a battleship.
Akainu is gonna use his powers to retrieve Pluton, and utilize its power to act against both Imu and the pirates/revolutionaries in the final war in order to implement Navy rule over as many islands as possible in an extremist quest to restore order.