The Ch. 650 flashback established that Aokiji lost the ten-day duel for Fleet Admiral to Akainu and left the Navy. Chapter 0699 brings present-day Kuzan back on-page and adds a pointed new detail.
The payoff
Earliest known caller
(Unknown — fill when a dated forum/YouTube call surfaces.)
Why this matters
A negative-space seed: Oda foregrounds a powerful former-ally’s new, ambiguous independence — an ex-admiral with underworld ties and no flag — leaving the meaningful blank (whose side is he on?) as a deferred payoff. Such pointed “former insider goes free-agent” beats are high-value allegiance seeds. Cross-link Aokiji, Marine Admirals.