So I found this little post here interesting, because it highlights how One Piece fans choose to interpret things a certain way, as if they are a given fact.
Ofc everyone is guilty of this at some point, but I'm just going to address this one comment.
Specifically about Mihawk saying that attaining the title of/becoming Pirate King is more difficult than surpassing himself:
To cut to the chase, this statement from Mihawk does not have to be interpreted as Roger > himself in terms of individual prowess. It simply does not.
If you imply it does, that is merely your interpretation of the statement, that does not make it a fact.
And if we look at what becoming PK entails in the Great Pirate Era, you would be able to distinguish this.
To state the obvious: Becoming the WSS is quite clearly about someone's individual capacity in terms of swordsmanship. Becoming the Pirate King, from everything we have learned, does not only take individual prowess but more on top of that.
Those other factors are what makes it more difficult than simply being the strongest individually. That's why characters like Mihawk or Kaido if you want to bring him in too, are not the Pirate King, despite being "the strongest".
Even the fodder all over the world gunning for PK know this, they're stupid enough to believe they have a chance, yet aren't stupid enough to understand they need allies.
Don Krieg who harbours the belief of being Strongest Man in the World, still puts heavy importance upon his fleet
No matter if they are easily eviscerated by Mihawk.
Shanks of course is literally known for having the most well-rounded crew.
This is why Mihawk calls the ability of being to make allies of everyone around you, the most terrifying ability in the seas. Which happens to be the ability of Nika.
No matter how strong you are individually, if you don't have allies you can kiss PK goodbye. Even Blackbeards crew which operates solely on expedience and mutual benefit, the intent doesn't matter, only that the BB crew are unified upon a singular goal for their own reasons.
This is why Aokiji joins them, he has a higher chance of living up to his own sense of justice in this crew than on his own.
Because we're talking about the WSS in particular, I will paint an example specific to this:
If there was lets say a secluded tribe on an island, who practiced swordsmanship religiously, they are essentially the strongest man for man/ in a 1v1 scenario, this is all they train for, being the best "duelists".
And an Empire who wants to expand their territory with it's Militia/Army, wants to conquer this Island, who is going to win that War?. Do you think the army is going to line their soldiers on the shores, and formally accept challenges for 1v1 duels?
It's the golden rule that you do not engage the enemy where they are at their strongest. What's going to happen is the army will harry that tribe from their ships with crossbows, alchemical grenados, and wear them down with numerous military tactics, none of which the tribe has experience with. (This relates to how you need allies to avoid being harried by Marines constantly in OP, whereas this tribe has no allies)
Just because the tribesmen may have the potential to be as disciplined as the army, like how Mihawk has the capability to be as strong as anyone else or stronger, does not mean they are going to have the knowledge or specific training to deal with being sieged.
Just like Mihawk does not have the capability to solo the Red Hair pirates all by himself, even if he is stronger than Shanks in individual combat. Or having the utility of a grand fleet, or the ability to decipher ancient texts to pinpoint locations, etc, etc.
While both disciplines are respectable, they both require different qualities. Mihawk is not going to beg WB like Roger did for Oden, to get someone who can read ancient texts. His Pride as an individual, and as the WSS is simply not going to allow him to do that, like how Zoro begged him for training.
Putting aside your Individual pride for a greater goal, for the Collective, because that's what becoming PK entails. It's not just about you anymore. Just like how being part of an army is about being part of a greater whole, just like how being part of a crew is being part of a greater whole.
And Mihawk himself notes this about Zoro. If we look at Mihawk's character and his distrust, this is obviously difficult for him, to be able to put your trust in people around you to perform, and accepting that it's out of your control.
Whereas being the best swordsman is literally about having the greatest control over your own ability (I'm sure some of you know the statement about Mihawk's swordsmanship encompassing hardness/softness yada yada, basically full control and mastery) . So this is the other interpretation you can have about Mihawk's statement. This is why PK is simply more difficult.
With all this wank of the old gen trio now, Scopper/Ray/Roger, standing shoulder to shoulder, on top of Oden being given a similar statement, it makes more sense how PK requires a lot more than WSS. It does not mean however that Mihawk is individually weaker, or that he lacks the individual strength to become Pirate King.
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