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Honestly I don't think that is downplay. Mihawk is only the strongest swordsman by title but it is a heavily implied fact that he never beat Shanks so even if Shanks is a swordsman there is simply no reason for him to be weaker than Mihawk if you are honest. Oda also treats Shanks like a much bigger deal and associates him with Luffy while Mihawk associates with Zoro. As a writer I would do all those things to make it obvious that Shanks is at worst equal.
do you really think Oda would just say that Zoro's dream all long is bullshit?
is that what you think he would do?