i think for now we just have to respect the story tell us that this guy is the strongest in something..
who is the prev WSS ? and how mihawk take the title from him/her ? i think they don't have to beat anyone to get certain title..
yes, that's is one way to get the title, but that's not the only way..
i can give u a real life examples, there is new world chess champion from china Ding Liren. he took the title last month this may 2023..
but did he beat previous champion Magnus Carlsen? no.. Magnus simply didn't participate this year for whatever his reason.
That's the point.
Oda doesn't care about previous title holders for any title.
Is there a new WSM? Or is there a new WSC? Or were there old ones?
Only Titles which are changing hands like this is Luffy/Pirate King & Zoro/World's Strongest Swordsman.
Mostly it doesn't compare to anything like that, because these Titles are what the author is telling us about that character's power.
It's not about whether a certain character didn't participate or not, there aren't any tournaments or judge boards giving this title. This title basically passes to another person when he defeats the current strongest - or atleast that's how it'll move in Zoro's case. How do we know that? Because Zoro already tried it - he tried fighting Mihawk and he was weaker than him, not just less "skilled" but weaker in strength. And how will he win? By growing strong enough to beat Mihawk in a fight.
Basically, Zoro will be the Strongest Swordsman when he beats the Current Strongest Swordsman. There isn't a cutting contest or who has the best "feats" judging panel, it exchanges names when character A beats character B.
Maybe in a Mihawk flashback we'll get info about who he beat for the title to pass, that doesn't mean it's important because it was never important for any other World's Strongest title too.
back to the topic, i think the real point here is who is zoro last fight nasujuro or mihawk.. this question is just pure speculation
i don't think anyone have valid enough argument to support their opinion.. because there is a lot of uncertainty & potential plot twist
That doesn't matter too.
Because Zoro's future opponents aren't necessarily better than his past opponents.
Ohm & Braham weren't stronger than Daz Bones.
Zombie Ryuma wasn't stronger than Kaku.
Kamazou wasn't stronger than Pica.
Just like in Luffy's case too.
Ulti is no where near Katakuri or Doflamingo or Cracker.
Lucci is no where near Kaidou.
Blueno was never even near Crocodile.
None of the Pre TS Luffy opponent Characters were stronger than Enel or Magellan.
Even if Mihawk comes first, whoever comes later aren't necessarily stronger than Mihawk.
It depends on how that fight goes, and to what extent Zoro is pushed & how he overcomes it.
Also about how the character that comes after is portrayed compared to Mihawk.
In this Manga, Portrayal is King.
Growth isn't always linear.