Worstgen
Cinera
I always found this more compelling than "Nothing happened". "Nothing happened was badass personified, but it was just that. The resolution Zoro showed before then. That sheer determination. That was what felt truly compelling to me.
Cinera
If he couldn't defend his captain's dreams his dream was nothing but talk. A reaffirmation of the dream he intended to protect.
Cinera
It was a character defining moment for Zoro. He moved on from the guy willing to kill Luffy if he got in the way of his dream to someone willing to lay down his life to protect Luffy.
Cinera
He first affirmed this resolution by stating that his dream was meaningless if he couldn't protect Luffy's dream.
Cinera
He then went on to state the very dream he was fighting and willing to lay down his life for.
Cinera
This for me was the true character defining moment for Zoro.
Rivaille
For me the « nothing happened » moment encompass all the fight against Kuma ;)
Don DaSlayer
That’s why Zoro is the Goat
Finalbeta
I was faster than Luffy it seems :P
Nidai_Kitetsu
Nah, nothing tops "nothing happened". It made him the greatest manga character of all time. Beat that Guts!
Cinera
Well, it is personal preference, but nothing happened always seemed just pure badassery. "Luffy is the man who will become Pirate King...!" was so much more.
Nidai_Kitetsu
You are not thinking about the shock value. Luffy will be the pirate king is too epic. But it was not totally unexpected. He called Luffy pirate king before.