Black Blade Users Have Codes of Honor
The common trait among the strongest swordsmen is that they have a code of conduct. Ryuma, Mihawk, and Zoro all have this trait. Without these guiding principles a swordsman will not master his sword. This is because the heavens themselves only favor swordsmen when they abide by cosmic laws.
Ryuma followed a strict personal philosophy centered around justice and honor. Ryuma strongly believed that saving a life was a debt that must be repaid by those with virtue, and that repaying this debt was the way of a true swordsman. - One Piece Wiki
Zoro went to a Kendo school that taught him Kenjutsu and Bushido. This is the same type of swordsmanship that Ryuma used and it shares many of the same teachings. Mihawk acknowledged Zoro's warrior spirit and deemed him a strong person as a result of witnessing his will and conviction toward his teachings.
I had given this some thought because I was asked what a swordsman's code is and why it's important. Actually, I was mocked. However, I think it's important because this is a story involving mystical shit and cosmic laws are mystical. This would mean some wild beliefs can make sense.
I believe that swordsmen have innate knowledge that allows them to specialize in Armament Haki because of their understanding of honor and justice. When Devil Fruit users eat a Devil Fruit, they automatically gain innate knowledge about the fruit they ate and the abilities they got from it. Swordsmen don't automatically do that. Instead, they have to be born with an innate sense of swords and what it means to be a swordsman.
As this understanding evolves throughout their lifetime, and their perceptions develop, they gain new abilities and become more powerful swordsmen. For example, as Zoro's understanding evolved he did such things as learn about voices. He didn't start out with this ability. He learned it in the midst of combat fighting Daz Bones and then he performed an impossible feat of cutting steel.
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