So, the fact that some people actually believe that Zoro got his swords without doing anything to earn them is astonishing. He didn't pay for them but he did something that made him earn said swords. So let's just begin.
1. Wado. Zoro's signature and first sword. This is the only one you could argue that he got for free but even then, he still showed Kuina's father his determination and ambition to carry own her will and achieve her goal on her behalf. He gave her father a "good reason" to have said sword which determined him to give the young boy the family treasure and he was right, after all, not everyone is willing to take the burden of your dead daughter's dream upon himself without buts and ifs. Let's be for real, would he get the sword too if he simply said "I'm her besto friend and I'm lacking a sword so gimme gimme" instead of promising and showing him that he has the ambition and will to accomplish her goal? Probably not.
2. Sandai Kitetsu. The first cursed sword in this "list". Despite getting this sword hundreds of chapters ago, it's still one of his mains so... Was it really for free? For starters, now we know that cursed swords is only some BS said by the weak when they can't use a strong sword. What does this mean? Well, when Zoro throwed the sword in the air to test his luck, he didn't test said luck but rather, he tested if he was strong enough for the sword to accept him. Otherwise the "curse" would've acted and his arm would be gone. The sword accepted him as his master.
3. Yubashiri. Actually, this might be the only real gift in the list. Mister owner gave this sword to Zoro because of his courage and determination. Nothing more, nothing less. Still, it was thanks to Zoro himself and his personality that made the owner entrust the sword.
4. Shusui. Oh the all mighty shusui. Ryuma himself gave Zoro this sword but why? Well, it's simple, because he defeated Ryuma and he proved that he had what it takes to satisfy the sword. Once again, we are talking about a simple yet direct reward for Zoro's own hard work and training. He got accepted by both the sword and it's former master after a duel. Mind you that the prize was never the sword, Ryuma didn't start the fight with the intention of giving Shusui out but after fighting our Marimo, he deemed him worthy. This was, alongside Enma, a sword carrying a great risk because losing the battle against Ryuma would mean death and not just "well you lost so I won't give you the sword, go away".
5. Enma. Last but not least, Zoro's final addition to his collection. Zoro did get his hands on the sword because it was gifted to him so he didn't earn the owner's admiration or something akin but he still proved himself worthy to the sword itself. As stated by our friendly Tengu, Enma drains the haki to the point where normal folks would end up chilling with Oden in the afterlife. Despite that, Zoro still went ahead and grabbed the sword showing a very remarkable control over his haki, a control strong enough for it to "tame" Enma (at least at the bare minimum to make her usable). We are literally talking about a sword that no fodder can use, if you don't prove yourself worthy by having a certain level of haki mastery, the blade will reject and kill you. Enma tested Zoro's strength and later, during his fight against King, it also tested Zoro's will to see if he had what it takes to let the sword go out without interfering. Failing the first step means no sword and no life for you because as per Gojo's own words "After all, you are weak" meanwhile failing the second test and not showing that you don't have courage means that no matter what, you won't use her at it's fullest.
The conclusion is simple, despite getting the swords for free, Zoro had to either show the previous owner his will, ambition, courage... Etc for them to deem him as someone worthy of the sword OR prove to the sword (and owner in Shusui's case) that he was no pushover and he was strong enough to use the sword. Gotta remind y'all that both characteristics come from Zoro itself; no one gave Zoro his will, courage or ambition just like no one gave Zoro some free gens or dfs for him to grow stronger. From an economic point of view he did get these swords "gifted", for free (let's be honest, if you suddenly stopped having a problem because Zoro just pulled out some millions to pay the sword, then you might have to rethink your choices) however, he always showed that he deserved the sword wether it was via strength itself or thru some remarkable personality traits.
No tags because fuck it, I'm lazy.
1. Wado. Zoro's signature and first sword. This is the only one you could argue that he got for free but even then, he still showed Kuina's father his determination and ambition to carry own her will and achieve her goal on her behalf. He gave her father a "good reason" to have said sword which determined him to give the young boy the family treasure and he was right, after all, not everyone is willing to take the burden of your dead daughter's dream upon himself without buts and ifs. Let's be for real, would he get the sword too if he simply said "I'm her besto friend and I'm lacking a sword so gimme gimme" instead of promising and showing him that he has the ambition and will to accomplish her goal? Probably not.
2. Sandai Kitetsu. The first cursed sword in this "list". Despite getting this sword hundreds of chapters ago, it's still one of his mains so... Was it really for free? For starters, now we know that cursed swords is only some BS said by the weak when they can't use a strong sword. What does this mean? Well, when Zoro throwed the sword in the air to test his luck, he didn't test said luck but rather, he tested if he was strong enough for the sword to accept him. Otherwise the "curse" would've acted and his arm would be gone. The sword accepted him as his master.
3. Yubashiri. Actually, this might be the only real gift in the list. Mister owner gave this sword to Zoro because of his courage and determination. Nothing more, nothing less. Still, it was thanks to Zoro himself and his personality that made the owner entrust the sword.
4. Shusui. Oh the all mighty shusui. Ryuma himself gave Zoro this sword but why? Well, it's simple, because he defeated Ryuma and he proved that he had what it takes to satisfy the sword. Once again, we are talking about a simple yet direct reward for Zoro's own hard work and training. He got accepted by both the sword and it's former master after a duel. Mind you that the prize was never the sword, Ryuma didn't start the fight with the intention of giving Shusui out but after fighting our Marimo, he deemed him worthy. This was, alongside Enma, a sword carrying a great risk because losing the battle against Ryuma would mean death and not just "well you lost so I won't give you the sword, go away".
5. Enma. Last but not least, Zoro's final addition to his collection. Zoro did get his hands on the sword because it was gifted to him so he didn't earn the owner's admiration or something akin but he still proved himself worthy to the sword itself. As stated by our friendly Tengu, Enma drains the haki to the point where normal folks would end up chilling with Oden in the afterlife. Despite that, Zoro still went ahead and grabbed the sword showing a very remarkable control over his haki, a control strong enough for it to "tame" Enma (at least at the bare minimum to make her usable). We are literally talking about a sword that no fodder can use, if you don't prove yourself worthy by having a certain level of haki mastery, the blade will reject and kill you. Enma tested Zoro's strength and later, during his fight against King, it also tested Zoro's will to see if he had what it takes to let the sword go out without interfering. Failing the first step means no sword and no life for you because as per Gojo's own words "After all, you are weak" meanwhile failing the second test and not showing that you don't have courage means that no matter what, you won't use her at it's fullest.
The conclusion is simple, despite getting the swords for free, Zoro had to either show the previous owner his will, ambition, courage... Etc for them to deem him as someone worthy of the sword OR prove to the sword (and owner in Shusui's case) that he was no pushover and he was strong enough to use the sword. Gotta remind y'all that both characteristics come from Zoro itself; no one gave Zoro his will, courage or ambition just like no one gave Zoro some free gens or dfs for him to grow stronger. From an economic point of view he did get these swords "gifted", for free (let's be honest, if you suddenly stopped having a problem because Zoro just pulled out some millions to pay the sword, then you might have to rethink your choices) however, he always showed that he deserved the sword wether it was via strength itself or thru some remarkable personality traits.
No tags because fuck it, I'm lazy.
