The fanbase being desensitized to a visual gag, doesn't mean it isn't there. Wielding a sword in the mouth is a funny fighting style, cool though it is.
G3 was originally seen as a gag by Lucci, and even had a gag side effect of shrinking. G4 boundman was seen as Luffy not taking it seriously until he fucked up Doflamingo, G4 tankman was seen as a gag until it one shot Cracker.
All of the strawhats have their goofy moments. Zoro is regularly portrayed as an idiot to only a slightly lesser extent than his captain and someone with zero sense of direction.