This is Garps Marineford. This is his last stand and I bet he is OK with it, only regret is that he doesn't get to see Luffy topple those Celestial Dragons that he himself loathe.
1 - Whitebeard was an old man, albeit sick, but he somewhat stated the truth: Garp is just a feeble old man now (at least compared to his prime).
2 - Rayleigh, same age as Garp, was relieved his reputation was enough to scare BB off because he acknowledged he couldn't win anymore.
3 - From a writing stand point Garp is similar to Jiraiya. Sooner or later the old legend has to make way for the new generation. Garp knows this and that is why Koby absolutely must not die. Aokiji was good but Koby is his true heir. Similar to Minato and Naruto.
4 - Aokiji will have to prove himself to BB sooner or later. This is that moment. He is Snape, the double agent that had to kill his master Dumbledore that anyhow was to old.
1 - Whitebeard was an old man, albeit sick, but he somewhat stated the truth: Garp is just a feeble old man now (at least compared to his prime).
2 - Rayleigh, same age as Garp, was relieved his reputation was enough to scare BB off because he acknowledged he couldn't win anymore.
3 - From a writing stand point Garp is similar to Jiraiya. Sooner or later the old legend has to make way for the new generation. Garp knows this and that is why Koby absolutely must not die. Aokiji was good but Koby is his true heir. Similar to Minato and Naruto.
4 - Aokiji will have to prove himself to BB sooner or later. This is that moment. He is Snape, the double agent that had to kill his master Dumbledore that anyhow was to old.