Entire pre timeskip. Zoro was the 2nd best strawhat in pre timeskip (best was Sanji).
He was an actual character back then, while also having the most badass panels of the pre timeskip.
The "cut nothing" against Mr 1 was top tier writing. Zoro's vice captain moment in EL was great too, he was the only one who actively opposed taking back a deserter without outward admission of true remorse, and Sanji agreed!
Yet, "Nothing happened" was his best moment - it showed his transformation from "stand in the way of my dream and I'll kill you", to "my dream isn't worth it if it costs your life".
It is a great moment, but also completed his character arc halfway into the story. Which is unfortunate, because now Zoro is just.......there.......aura farming.
I see some readers like
@HellBlazer04 demeaning "nothing happened". I even get it to a degree, I get why you think it sucks.
Yes, Zoro was ready to sacrifice his dream for his captain. Don't you think Luffy would do the same, for those he cares for the most? No need to answer, we have the answer with Ace and Sanji.
Zoro is still the indominable conqueror, like Luffy and Ace are. They just bend to love, not to fear or overwhelming power. Ace bended not to Whitebeard's overwhelming power, but to Whitebeard's fatherly love.