Aokiji has been a very interesting character that I strongly feel people overlook. Something that he did towards the end of MF arc caught my eye. My whole theory doesn't rely on this though.
In the non canon, he guided and watched the outcome of the Z movie. I think this was an emphasis on his stance in this world. He guided Luffy to Z and let the Marines fight him in the end. The goal of Z was to blow up End Points. I believe those points are important to pirates, so Shanks wouldn't want that to happen. So no matter the result, Kuzan had to look over that event. Not only did Shanks not possibly want this, but also that Aokiji was emotionally connected to Z ans knew that innocents could suffer.
He always questions justice, but he now resides with Blackbeard to some unknown extent. I think he is really allied with Red Hair Shanks. Shanks has been really cautious of Teach, even asking WB to have Ace back off. I watched Aokiji do Ice Age and Shanks face was motionless, similar to 2 people who are on the same page, but in secret. Why would Aokiji still be on the move when Shanks arrives, while Sakazuki stops? Sakazuki was relentless during the war and halted his ruthless maneuvering once Shanks stopped him. More importantly, why would Shanks not move even an inch while Luffy is under attack? I think that the only attack that he was under was from Borsalino. Kizaru tried to attack and the ice partially stopped it. The attack would of been more effective of the ice wasn't in the way. First Ben Beckman stopped him, then Aokiji knowing Kizaru won't stop, put the ice there to possibly stop Kizaru's attack. The first time we see Ben during this arc is to stop Borsalino. Borsalino was after Law and Luffy due to unfinished business. He even told Buggy to drop Luffy. He then mentioned how Law escaped him. I bring all this up to establish that Kizaru's priority was Luffy at that moment. Aokiji froze so many things accurately. If he really wanted the polar Tang, I can say with proof that he was capable. So my theory is that Aokiji is really an ally to Shanks in some capacity due to Teach's threat.
Another piece of proof is him allying himself with the BB pirates. This to me is to keep a watchful eye on Teach's moves. I highly doubt that the Revolutionary Army cared about BB before the clash at their base. I know most of the OP community think that Kuzan is a Revolutionary, that can be more true than my theory, idk. They have major issues now, but before I don't see them caring about them. Along with the WG and WB, everyone outside of Shanks undermined Teach and his ambition. I bring that up to argue Kuzan's allegiance to the Revolutionaries compared to Shanks. The WG was duped just as much as WB was. Jesus was able to make it to Baltigo and have a battle that not only messed up the area, but also exposed it. It was a secret base and Teach's crewmates were able to stowaway and expose it like that. If anything, Shank's concerns over Teach date back further than anyone else's and was way more prioritized. He had that scar in the first chapter of the series.
I can even argue that Shanks is so intelligent, that he kind of saw BB's plan. I don't think Shanks knew exactly what BB was doing, but had an idea. I might be reaching, but I think Shanks is holding people off from becoming Pirate King because of pirates like Teach. It reaches back to this theory.
Little off topic but not really. I personally don't think Shanks wants to become Pirate King. I might be wrong, but I think that he is holding the fort down for someone who is worthy. He has a little more understanding about what is going on and wants to be the person that keeps the peace. It reminds me of Aokiji and how he does things. Aokiji's agenda and interest seem the same.
Main Points
-Kuzan has shown the same interest as Shanks
-Revolutionaries haven't shown interest in BB until recently
-Shanks is the only one who hasn't underestimated Teach throughout the story
- Kuzan being a Red Hair ally is easier to prove than being a Revolutionary
-I know most of the OP community think that Kuzan is a Revolutionary, that can be more true than my theory, but idk.