Yes in strength. Same reason Marco is there despite the fact that it's outright stated he has an equal rank to characters like Ace, Izo, Vista, etc
It's crystal clear that RHM and VC are two different things that occasionally overlay.
However while the VC is always also the RHM, it's not necessarily given that the RHM is also the VC and if that's the case the VC doesn't exist at all
Not for nothing when Rayleigh was introduced Oda had both titles in his info box "Former Vice Captain of Roger Pirates and Pirate's King RHM".
Marco's role for instance is Commander of the First Fleet but he is WB's RHM as stated in ch 909
However while VC is an official role in the crew, RHM can be used for people who are second in command de facto like Zoro, Killer, Marco and so on.
Zoro is Luffy's RHM.
No.2 that becomes the captain's shadow and supports the crew !!
However while the VC is always also the RHM, it's not necessarily given that the RHM is also the VC and if that's the case the VC doesn't exist at all
Not for nothing when Rayleigh was introduced Oda had both titles in his info box "Former Vice Captain of Roger Pirates and Pirate's King RHM".
Marco's role for instance is Commander of the First Fleet but he is WB's RHM as stated in ch 909
However while VC is an official role in the crew, RHM can be used for people who are second in command de facto like Zoro, Killer, Marco and so on.
Zoro is Luffy's RHM.
No.2 that becomes the captain's shadow and supports the crew !!
“Zoro’s just the number 2 in strength” is missing a big chunk of Zoro’s characterisation.
What did strength have to do with Zoro making the decision to leave the Merry when Luffy was a crying mess and needing support? What did strength have to do with drawing the line with Usopp coming back?
Well, really it is strength- strength of mind as well as of body. That’s what makes Zoro the number two. He can step up whenever he’s needed.
What did strength have to do with Zoro making the decision to leave the Merry when Luffy was a crying mess and needing support? What did strength have to do with drawing the line with Usopp coming back?
Well, really it is strength- strength of mind as well as of body. That’s what makes Zoro the number two. He can step up whenever he’s needed.
It's crystal clear that RHM and VC are two different things that occasionally overlay.
However while the VC is always also the RHM, it's not necessarily given that the RHM is also the VC and if that's the case the VC doesn't exist at all
Not for nothing when Rayleigh was introduced Oda had both titles in his info box "Former Vice Captain of Roger Pirates and Pirate's King RHM".
Marco's role for instance is Commander of the First Fleet but he is WB's RHM as stated in ch 909
However while VC is an official role in the crew, RHM is can be used for people who are second in command de facto like Zoro, Killer, Marco and so on.
Zoro is Luffy's RHM.
No.2 that becomes the captain's shadow and supports the crew !!
However while the VC is always also the RHM, it's not necessarily given that the RHM is also the VC and if that's the case the VC doesn't exist at all
Not for nothing when Rayleigh was introduced Oda had both titles in his info box "Former Vice Captain of Roger Pirates and Pirate's King RHM".
Marco's role for instance is Commander of the First Fleet but he is WB's RHM as stated in ch 909
However while VC is an official role in the crew, RHM is can be used for people who are second in command de facto like Zoro, Killer, Marco and so on.
Zoro is Luffy's RHM.
No.2 that becomes the captain's shadow and supports the crew !!
Cope and head canon > evidence
Like I said, none of Zoro's crewmates regard him in the same way they regard Luffy. They never treat him like a superior of any kind.
Zoro can be argued as a RHM because he's the second strongest. But he's not the second in command.
I'm not trying to downplay Zoro's relationship with Luffy, but he's not the only Strawhat to advise him. Off the top of my head, Franky and Nami both had moments in Dressrosa where they played an advisor role to Luffy
But it was Zoro who gave the advice when the crew was in it’s greatest danger. Not physical danger, which they are always in, but danger that the Strawhats themselves could disband. Robin was missing, Usopp had left, Luffy was a broken mess and it was Zoro who stepped up there.
You get that, you combine it with all the “why isn’t he captain moments”, then the strength related stuff and it’s pretty clear that Zoro‘s the second in command, as much as the Strawhats need one. It’s a mixture of both that makes him what he is. And the rest of the crew do know that. That’s why they’ll listen- even Sanji- to Zoro in those moments, or they’ll follow his lead in battle.
There’s a reason it’s Zoro who gets scenes like this when Luffy is missing.
That’s not just Zoro being strong, that’s Zoro taking charge.
You get that, you combine it with all the “why isn’t he captain moments”, then the strength related stuff and it’s pretty clear that Zoro‘s the second in command, as much as the Strawhats need one. It’s a mixture of both that makes him what he is. And the rest of the crew do know that. That’s why they’ll listen- even Sanji- to Zoro in those moments, or they’ll follow his lead in battle.
There’s a reason it’s Zoro who gets scenes like this when Luffy is missing.
That’s not just Zoro being strong, that’s Zoro taking charge.