Questions & Mysteries Who is Zoro's final opponent?

Who's the strongest swordsman who will get slashed by Zoro at series end?

  • Shanks

    Votes: 6 11.3%
  • Kizaru

    Votes: 2 3.8%
  • Fujitora

    Votes: 8 15.1%
  • Big mom

    Votes: 1 1.9%
  • Samurai Ghandi (Gorosei)

    Votes: 23 43.4%
  • Imu (Coz he has that sword)

    Votes: 1 1.9%
  • Vista

    Votes: 3 5.7%
  • Jack

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Law

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Shiriyu

    Votes: 12 22.6%
  • King

    Votes: 1 1.9%
  • Jack

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Ashura Douji

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Kin'emon

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Smoothie

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Cracker

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Who's who

    Votes: 1 1.9%
  • Brook

    Votes: 3 5.7%
  • Whitebeard's corpse with his Bisento with Shank's shadow

    Votes: 2 3.8%
  • Tashigi

    Votes: 1 1.9%
  • Commander Shu (the one who rusted his sword)

    Votes: 5 9.4%
  • Orochi

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • That one other Red hair pirate with a sword

    Votes: 1 1.9%
  • Rayleigh and Scooper Gaban team up and together they are the WSS

    Votes: 3 5.7%
  • Killer

    Votes: 2 3.8%

  • Total voters
    53
Eh, if you are someone, like me, who believes it's actually Shanks who's going to be final battle or confrontation, then it's very easy to believe Mihawk may partner with Shanks current 9 main member (or 10 counting Rockstar, but he wasn't in the Marineford double spread so idk) crew towards the EoS when Luffy finally returns the hat.

Remember, Oda has known the ending since the beginning, and the original plotline only involved beating Yonko not Shichibukai (who he blames for extending the story so much). The only person who has been around since the beginning other than Luffy is Shanks. The major themes from Chapter 1 are Luffy becoming pirate king and returning the hat to Shanks. Shanks being the "end" of the story allows the story to come full circle. Not to mention, he's the only Yonko actually present the entire series.

Blackbeard was teased 140 chapters in and revealed 230 chapters in. While he has an immense villain presence, his power is a byproduct of the Shichibukai system and a dead Yonko, something we have no idea was planned from the beginning by Oda. So the only full constants this series has are:

- Luffy
- Shanks and his crew
- The Strawhat


It's why I think Mihawk is an "addition" to the Shanks plotline by the end. Shanks has been very weird lately too:

- Odd connection to the Gorosei/Respect from the Marines
- Constant "evil" face looks when Luffy is mentioned or around.
- Mysterious desire for "something". He asked Roger something before Roger died and cried immensely. This is unknown.


I'm not saying Shanks is evil, but I think he's a very morally grey character and we are going to find out why soon. To me, Shanks makes for an emotional end to the series, not Blackbeard. Blackbeard will be the epic battle, Shanks will be a hell of a lot more personal, especially if Mihawk is present for Zoro and Usopp and his father have a confrontation.


The "stakes" in this case are about personal conflict. I think Shanks/Mihawk will represent that for Luffy/Zoro. We don't know enough about Shanks regardless and it's important we keep our minds open about it.
I don't think Luffy would fight Shanks even in a million years. Ffs he gave his arm for Luffy's life.

Luffy doesn't even want to fight a blind man, let alone Shanks. But I agree he will be there for the story to go full circle.

Now, your Mihawk joining Shanks idea - A DREAM COME TRUE, WOULDN'T THAT BE COOL - but I doubt it.

Oda did say the Yonko were supposed to be the battle, but Blackbeard is a Yonko, so. But I do think he changed his idea a bit and will make the fall of the World Government an integral part of it.
 

Finalbeta

Zoro Worshipper
Mihawk will never join Shanks, he even refused to fight him on Marineford. And even claimed Shanks was no more of a match for him during their Luffy bounty meeting.
Also their long past rivalry.

Mihawk joining Shanks would basically imply Mihawk had lost his head.
 
I don't think Luffy would fight Shanks even in a million years. Ffs he gave his arm for Luffy's life.

Luffy doesn't even want to fight a blind man, let alone Shanks. But I agree he will be there for the story to go full circle.

Now, your Mihawk joining Shanks idea - A DREAM COME TRUE, WOULDN'T THAT BE COOL - but I doubt it.

Oda did say the Yonko were supposed to be the battle, but Blackbeard is a Yonko, so. But I do think he changed his idea a bit and will make the fall of the World Government an integral part of it.
Luffy quite literally said to Law that he wants to beat Shanks ("As long as Shanks isn't first") and said he plans on beating all 4. This all happened at Punk Hazard. He said the same thing to Hyogoro this arc.

You guys need to start remembering things the main character has been saying already. He plans on fighting Shanks.
 
What's the stakes otherwise?

We're talking final fights here. Greatest war the world has ever seen. A fight that's been eight hundred years in the making, where the Strawhats forever change the fate of the planet...

... except for Luffy's right hand man, Zoro, who is busy fighting Mihawk in a personal battle that has absolutely nothing to do with the world at all.

Just doesn't work, in any respect. Would actually shit all over Zoro's character and turn him back into selfish "I don't care about anything but me and my goals" pre-Strawhat Zoro.
I couldn't agree more, especially if THE WHOLE POINT was that he changed and started putting Luffy first when he needed it. And begged his role model on his knees.

He technically speaking doesn't need to die, just be beaten.

But yeah, the emotion and story is stronger if he gets offed along with Shanks and Yasopp.
Technically no. But if you want a stronger impact, that is what you do.

If Ace didn't die, nothing would have changed for our crew.
 
Bb went out the window the second we got im.
Heck in fishman island luffy didnt give a shit about bbs name being mentioned unlike akainu.
Did you happen to notice that the minute we got Im, they were ripping up photos of... Luffy, Blackbeard and Shirahoshi? Two D's and an Ancient Weapon?

No, Im didn't throw Blackbeard out the window at all. Just reinforced that of all the characters in the series, Dragon, Shanks, Kaido, Big Mom, the Worst Gen, etc etc that Luffy, Blackbeard and the reincarnation of an Ancient Weapon are the ones Im hates (fears?) the most. The Gorosei, who actually know about Im, mention how he's the only one in recorded history to have two Devil Fruits -both of which are meant to be the ultimate ones in their category- which is final villain material that's hard to beat from a fighting perspective. We're now also discovering that Blackbeard is getting eerily paralleled with Rocks, who was such a huge threat that Roger and Garp had to team up against, and protect Celestial Dragons in the process.

Blackbeard ain't going anywhere before the end.
 
Mihawk will never join Shanks, he even refused to fight him on Marineford. And even claimed Shanks was no more of a match for him during their Luffy bounty meeting.
Also their long past rivalry.

Mihawk joining Shanks would basically imply Mihawk had lost his head.
That was before he lost his title. It's not even about Mihawk needing protection either, I just think he will be present when Strawhats vs. Red Hair pirates happens. He is closely associated with these pirates only and no one else.

Y'all keep forgetting what Shanks's crew has done to Kid's arm and random bandits. They are not THAT nice and are brutal as fuck.
 

HA001

World's Strongest Swordsman
Did you happen to notice that the minute we got Im, they were ripping up photos of... Luffy, Blackbeard and Shirahoshi? Two D's and an Ancient Weapon?

No, Im didn't throw Blackbeard out the window at all. Just reinforced that of all the characters in the series, Dragon, Shanks, Kaido, Big Mom, the Worst Gen, etc etc that Luffy, Blackbeard and the reincarnation of an Ancient Weapon are the ones Im hates (fears?) the most. The Gorosei, who actually know about Im, mention how he's the only one in recorded history to have two Devil Fruits -both of which are meant to be the ultimate ones in their category- which is final villain material that's hard to beat from a fighting perspective. We're now also discovering that Blackbeard is getting eerily paralleled with Rocks, who was such a huge threat that Roger and Garp had to team up against, and protect Celestial Dragons in the process.

Blackbeard ain't going anywhere before the end.
And rocks was beaten by roger.
You know what roger couldnt do. Beat the wg.
Luffy will beat bb like roger did rox
Then unlike roger topple the wg.
 
Luffy quite literally said to Law that he wants to beat Shanks ("As long as Shanks isn't first") and said he plans on beating all 4. This all happened at Punk Hazard. He said the same thing to Hyogoro this arc.

You guys need to start remembering things the main character has been saying already. He plans on fighting Shanks.
Hmmmmmmm I only remember him asking who it was and then agreeing since it wasn't Shanks, but if you say so.

Well. He has to beat everyone to the title of pirate king, which includes Shanks. Doesn't mean he has to fucking attack his hero physically.
 
Eh, if you are someone, like me, who believes it's actually Shanks who's going to be final battle or confrontation, then it's very easy to believe Mihawk may partner with Shanks current 9 main member (or 10 counting Rockstar, but he wasn't in the Marineford double spread so idk) crew towards the EoS when Luffy finally returns the hat.

Remember, Oda has known the ending since the beginning, and the original plotline only involved beating Yonko not Shichibukai (who he blames for extending the story so much). The only person who has been around since the beginning other than Luffy is Shanks. The major themes from Chapter 1 are Luffy becoming pirate king and returning the hat to Shanks. Shanks being the "end" of the story allows the story to come full circle. Not to mention, he's the only Yonko actually present the entire series.

Blackbeard was teased 140 chapters in and revealed 230 chapters in. While he has an immense villain presence, his power is a byproduct of the Shichibukai system and a dead Yonko, something we have no idea was planned from the beginning by Oda. So the only full constants this series has are:

- Luffy
- Shanks and his crew
- The Strawhat


It's why I think Mihawk is an "addition" to the Shanks plotline by the end. Shanks has been very weird lately too:

- Odd connection to the Gorosei/Respect from the Marines
- Constant "evil" face looks when Luffy is mentioned or around.
- Mysterious desire for "something". He asked Roger something before Roger died and cried immensely. This is unknown.


I'm not saying Shanks is evil, but I think he's a very morally grey character and we are going to find out why soon. To me, Shanks makes for an emotional end to the series, not Blackbeard. Blackbeard will be the epic battle, Shanks will be a hell of a lot more personal, especially if Mihawk is present for Zoro and Usopp and his father have a confrontation.


The "stakes" in this case are about personal conflict. I think Shanks/Mihawk will represent that for Luffy/Zoro. We don't know enough about Shanks regardless and it's important we keep our minds open about it.
Shanks bring the final villain would allow for Zoro vs Mihawk, I agree, but I think other than that it makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. I don't think Shanks is morally grey at all. His every action has been to try and stop Blackbeard, and to set Luffy on the path of fulfilling Roger's wish. Remember, Shanks actually knows what it is that both Roger and Luffy said that's the same thing, and then gave his arm up because of it. That is not the action of a villain.

I also don't see Oda as the type of guy to go bittersweet for the grand finale. Luffy having to beat up his inspiration, who put him on the path to piracy? That's not One Piece. It would be like Zeff for some reason telling Sanji he'd have to beat him up to find All Blue, it's just not right.
 
And rocks was beaten by roger.
You know what roger couldnt do. Beat the wg.
Luffy will beat bb like roger did rox
Then unlike roger topple the wg.
Of course he didn't beat the World Gov. He was too busy teaming up with them. Which speaks absolute volumes- Rocks was such a threat that pirates and world gov fought on the same side to defeat him. And Oda told us that Roger protected to the Celestial Dragons to do it! What kind of a man must Rocks have been if Roger would rather save trash like Charloss, and fight alongside the people who'd been trying to stuff him (at best) in Impel Down? Cause that's what Blackbeard is being set up to be.
 
Even if someone other than Zoro beat Mihawk how do we know that this person is the WSS?

I mean apparently the WSS is not about power but swordsmanship so there can be swordsmen overall stronger than Mihawk (meaning that can beat him) while Mihawk has more skill than them (which is why he has the title). So a swordsman beating Mihawk does not mean that the said swordsman has more skill than Mihawk, therefore even by losing to this swordsman Mihawk can still be the WSS.

So how us, readers, will know that the swordsman who will beat Mihawk has more skill than him? And how we will be sure that Zoro is the WSS when a swordsman csn beat the WSS without becoming the WSS ?

By the way, it is obvious that Zoro will be really really angry that the guy who put a big ass scar on his chest an took his left eye is dead. And he will surely try to avenge the guy who made him a cripple. Yep, I can totally see him weep with his only eye left the guy who took the other eye.
 
Even if someone other than Zoro beat Mihawk how do we know that this person is the WSS?

I mean apparently the WSS is not about power but swordsmanship so there can be swordsmen overall stronger than Mihawk (meaning that can beat him) while Mihawk has more skill than them (which is why he has the title). So a swordsman beating Mihawk does not mean that the said swordsman has more skill than Mihawk, therefore even by losing to this swordsman Mihawk can still be the WSS.

So how us, readers, will know that the swordsman who will beat Mihawk has more skill than him? And how we will be sure that Zoro is the WSS when a swordsman csn beat the WSS without becoming the WSS ?

By the way, it is obvious that Zoro will be really really angry that the guy who put a big ass scar on his chest an took his left eye is dead. And he will surely try to avenge the guy who made him a cripple. Yep, I can totally see him weep with his only eye left the guy who took the other eye.
Hahaha I like you.

How will we know? Oda will tell us. :dogood:

Haha for the Zoro crying sarcasm - Zoro lost against Mihawk fair and square, he has nothing but respect for him. And he took the effort to train him for years. Yes, Zoro is no cuddly teddy bear who will cry, but he would be hella pissed.
 
That Ghandi looking gramp.

I dont think Mihawk is final opponent, Zoro will fight him after Luffy became Pirate King, then Zoro will challenge WSS. So when the final war happen, Zoro already WSS and othe SHs already achieve their dream. Doesnt that sound good?

People want Mihawk as final opponent because they force their agenda about Mihawk as Top 1 in the verse.
 

Finalbeta

Zoro Worshipper
Hahaha I like you.

How will we know? Oda will tell us. :dogood:

Haha for the Zoro crying sarcasm - Zoro lost against Mihawk fair and square, he has nothing but respect for him. And he took the effort to train him for years. Yes, Zoro is no cuddly teddy bear who will cry, but he would be hella pissed.
The Grandmaster's temper is a badass one.

He is only pissed when he loses, but not when he is asking for the man he lost over for training.
 
Hahaha I like you.

How will we know? Oda will tell us. :dogood:

Haha for the Zoro crying sarcasm - Zoro lost against Mihawk fair and square, he has nothing but respect for him. And he took the effort to train him for years. Yes, Zoro is no cuddly teddy bear who will cry, but he would be hella pissed.
Oda told us that Mihawk is the strongest swordsman but some people still think that he the skillest, so Oda telling us is not enough apparently.

Pissed because the guy who took his eye is dead? Would you be pissed if someone who crippled you die?
 
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