That's the point of why it's intriguing and a way more interesting epithet than something generic like "God of sword".
- "God of the Blade" is a title like "Pirate King" and not just an epithet.
- Ryuma's actual epithet is "King".
- Zoro being christened the "God of the Blade" would be acknowledging him as the saviour of Wano like Ryuma.
- Zoro has been setup as the "Second Ryuma"; the bestowal of Ryuma's title would be acknowledging that.
- There's nothing intriguing about "Pirate Hunter"; it's just a vestigial title from Zoro's days before joining Luffy.
He's called Rayleigh. It's quite self-explanatory (John William Strutt).
I am no less confused.
I know, and it feels like a thirteen year-old naming his fanfic character.
I'm not sure why that it as all relevant. Oda is the one that decided on "God of the Blade" as the title for Ryuma. Furthermore, it has profound lore significance.
Shimotsuki Ryuma is a famous β perhaps the most famous β Samurai from the Wano country. He lived several centuries ago and was an undefeated swordsman of unparalleled might, instantly cutting down all who opposed him:
He was known as the Swordsman who carried the world's greatest warrior soul, and had the epithet "King":
He had a reputation as "the strongest in the world":
In the past, Wanokuni was known as the "country of Gold" and was lusted after by Pirates and World Nobles alike. But against all these enemies from abroad, Shimotsuki Ryuma stood steadfast and put the fear of the Samurai into them:
Several centuries later, Marine Fleet Admiral Sakazuki was hesitant to send forces to Wano to prevent Mama from meeting up with Kaido because they weren't sure of the strength of the Samurai:
After his death, Ryuma was made a national treasure and consecrated as the "God of the Blade":
Speaking frankly, "it feels like a thirteen year-old naming his fanfic character" makes you sound like a troll. Ryuma's title is the crown of his legend:
- He was an unparalleled swordsman that defeated all his opponents.
- He was the "strongest in the world" and was given the epithet: "King".
- Alone, he stood steadfast against all the adversaries from beyond β pirates and World Nobles alike β and put the fear of Samurai into the world.
- Several centuries later, Marine Fleet Admiral Sakazuki was still hesitant to venture into Wano.
- He reached the apex of sword mastery and forged his sword Shusui into Kokuto.
- The only other Kokuto is wielded by the current greatest swordsman in the world.
- He forged several legends, of which slaying a Dragon is but one.
Ryuma was the pride and natural treasure of Wanokuni. To honour his legend, he was posthumously consecrated as "God of the Blade". Ryuma's consecration as a God, is no different from how some individuals of incredible accomplishments were made saints by the Catholic Church after they died.
Ryuma's consecration as "God of the Blade" makes perfect sense in universe. To describe it as: "it feels like a thirteen year-old naming his fanfic character" is either an incredible failure of reading comprehension or distasteful trolling. Either way, I'm pretty disappointed to see it from you.
Honestly, if it was anyone else that said that, I wouldn't have bothered replying. You normally have well thought out and nuanced takes.
My grievance comes from how they all sound like something an uncreative teenager would come up with.
See above.
"Pirate hunter" remains simple yet contains that oxymoronic ground that I find quite interesting now that Zoro is a pirate himself, and at the same time stresses the trend among the Straw Hats (bar Luffy and Usopp) of "disliking" pirates. It's the exact same strength as Jinbe being known as a pirate who hates pirates, as stated in his introduction.
It's vestigial; it was Zoro's epithet from before he joined Luffy. You're trying to read something into it that simply isn't there. There is nothing oxymoronic, intriguing, deep, or otherwise particularly interesting about it. Before Zoro joined Luffy he was an infamous Pirate Hunter in the East Blue β that's all there is to it.