Skipper the Mudkip is an Oath of the Open Sea Paladin. Not Quite a Pirate or part of a Naval power; Open Sea Paladins are sort of the middle ground between the two:
Pirates believe in personal independence but they are Pirates because they steal from others. Whether they can justify what they steal or not, Pirates are still generally dangerous.
The Navy protect and maintain order, but their main priority is to serve a greater authority and the Order that they uphold could be used to control and oppress
The Open Sea Paladins believe in a life lived completely free, endless horizons, and freeing everyone from oppression and tyranny.

Skipper sees all of life as an open ongoing adventure, the destination does not matter as much as the journey. They could go any direction and still find something new to explore. Skipper wants to make their own unique experience not dictated or directed by anyone else, they will just wander where their will takes them and make the best time they can along the way.