Disagreed, Zoro's journey has been about cutting. He overcame Daz by cutting steel, Daz hinted at him cutting diamond, he used his CoC and Armament to maim King. He's singlehandedly obsessed with cutting as if that defines what it means to be the strongest swordsman. Zoro will never create a barrier to stop his blade from making contact with his opponent. That works against his own blades lethality which he is actively amping.
I also believe a purist like Mihawk would look down on your swordsmanship if you are finding workarounds for situations instead of being able to to cut anything you want. Mihawk will also be defined by his cutting prowess, obviously it's more than that as you have to be top tier in overall stats but what separates Mihawk from someone like Shanks is the ability to cut anything.
Zoro doesn't give af as long as you are a swordsman. Cabaji blew fire in Zoro's face and Zoro still considered him a swordsman he needed to defeat.
Zoro may be obsessed with cutting, but that means nothing because if he saw Shanks, he would see him as another obstacle to surpass on the way to Mihawk. And you know that's true.
Because ultimately, if you're fighting with a sword Zoro just assumes you're a swordsman and sees you as someone he needs to defeat.
Mihawk is the pinnacle of swordsmanship alive. There is no swordsman alive possessing an ability of which its total sum is stronger than what Mihawk can produce, period. Mihawk is the strongest swordsman, it's not that hard.
