Yea imo the swordsmen fandom want to monopolize haki as their own thing, so they include that WSS will be stronger than anyone having a sword. That's why they include Gol D Roger as a swordsman since they want Mihawk to be stronger than him, Zoro stronger than him etc. They also said Mihawk > Roger since Mihawk has a black blade while Roger has no black blade. Tldr making up WSS definition however it fits them.
Meanwhile
- Rayleigh can use haki with or without sword, even his finger flick hurt Luffy pre-TS
- haki is also used by other fighters not just swordsmen
- Even Akainu said "haki users" when Marco and Vista attacked him. Not to exclude Vista from being a swordsman, but haki powers is not under that term since the two are different
- Rayleigh specifically said "i'll teach you haki" while Zoro said to Mihawk "teach me the sword",
- even Vergo said about "superior haki user" to Smoker, signifying that "haki user" is a real term, independent to swordsmen.
- Zoro said "btw King you attack with kicks and flames and your sword is funny. Oh no wonder you never said you're a swordsman" which King confirmed that he didnt bother using traditional technique (thus not limiting himself JUST to being a swordsman).
- If using fire and kicks as primary power already is outside limit of being just a swordsman...how about Fujitora calling meteors? BM summoning fire-lightning elemental woman? And how about using CoC lightning bolt or CoC ranged paralysis from miles away that bring realization about powerlevel difference? Isn't it clear enough that Oda will NEVER place haki master under the category of strongest swordsman? Isn't it clear enough that Oda will NEVER place Shanks below Mihawk?
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Sorry for the rant lol