I have no idea about this tbh first i believed maybe it was due to very high levels of coa mastery that was they key maybe the black color came from haki but it seems to be something more complicated as shusui despite it's color never could cut logia for example. It was heavier than the others swoords far more durable but nothing more i'm sure other Zoro fans here will have much better theories what it could be i would also like to hear your interpretations :cheers:
Here's what I think:
Black blade is, indeed, related to CoA mastery. And Zoro ALREADY has "black blades". Now, what makes me say that?
First. The training with Mihawk. When Mihawk talks to Zoro about Black Blades, he doesn't know if Zoro has CoC or not, and even then he told Zoro he could achieve black blades. It could be the case, if CoC is actually "unlockable" by anyone, by so few people actually manage to do it, that's why it's so rare, since it's tied to a person's "spirit" and not a "training". For the sake or the argument, let's assume that's not a thing, CoC is not possible for everyone and Mihawk, for all intents and purposes, assumes Zoro doesn't have CoC.
Ok. CoA. And Oda said that Zoro is the CoA guy. Makes sense that he aspires a feat that would reflect the pinnacle of both swordsmanship and CoA mastery. Cool. But in what occasion did Zoro have this flashback? After he cut Pica's golem, and, for the first time, we saw Zoro applying the "blackening" to his swords (basically, the flowing haki tech from Wano). He's looking at his new black sword with a big smile on his face and a sense of satisfaction.
But here we have a problem. His swords are not "permanently black". Besides that, we have Shuusui, an already black blade that Zoro has and uses before even mastering Ryou. So...what's the deal with it? We learned it later that Ryuuma "forged" the black Shuusui through countless battles. What I THINK is the case here, is that the "blackening", after being applied both multiple times and with better ryou appliance, permanently "tattoos" the blade, making it "harder" due to the hardening effect of Haki, but it doesn't mean that it should be able to replicate Haki feats of, for example, touching Logias by itself. In this case, it would make sense that the sword becomes "a better grade", due to the fact that the "hardening" from CoA is "added" to the sword natural toughness. Could also explain why Zoro thought Shuusui was "heavier" than his other swords when he first used it.
So, Zoro ALREADY achieved "black blades". BUT, considering that he can still "imprint" an extra layer of toughness on his swords permanently, is the difference between a temporary and a permanent black blade. It's like he can "double" the toughness of the blade this way. Once when he puts Haki into it and it turns black permanently, and a second time when it is already blackened and he puts his Haki into it again.
At least that's what the story so far led me to believe. Sure it could be about Adv. CoC, but we have characters like Roger and WB who were adv. CoC users with supreme grades, and they dont have black blades. But Mihawk, who, so far, didn't show CoC, has it since the beginning of the story. Maybe what will set Zoro apart from them is the fact that he's gonna stack these 2 elements. Both CoA mastery through black blades, and also applying Adv. CoC with it. Who knows.
What you think about this take on the matter?
don't give me hope
