Be warned, this article contains major spoilers for the Elbaf Arc in One Piece.
Essential Highlights
- Zoro’s mastery of Haki requires significant improvement to bolster his strength.
- Zoro needs to enhance the effectiveness of his King of Hell combat style.
- Following the Elbaf arc, Zoro’s power level should be comparable to Admirals and nearing that of the Yonko.
Zoro, the fierce swordsman of the Straw Hat crew, has captured the hearts of fans throughout his journey in One Piece. His character is largely propelled by the oaths he has taken to protect his friends, primarily his promise to his childhood companion Kuina to become the greatest swordsman. Additionally, his commitment to assist Luffy in achieving his dream of becoming the Pirate King further drives him.
As the story unfolds in One Piece, it’s evident that Zoro is advancing toward both objectives, with his path heavily reliant on his quest for greater strength. Power is fundamental to Zoro’s character evolution, necessitating significant enhancements with each new arc. While the Wano arc marked a significant leap in his abilities, the Egghead arc didn’t offer as much growth for Zoro. Nonetheless, Elbaf is poised to be a pivotal juncture for his development, especially considering that Oda is focusing on characters from the East Blue within the Straw Hat Pirates.
Zoro’s Major Trials in Elbaf
- Zoro Must Enhance His Haki Skills
- Zoro Needs to Perfect His King of Hell Technique
As Zoro enters the Elbaf arc, he is undeniably a formidable swordsman, considered one of the most talented in the world. However, he is not yet invincible, as there are opponents who can best him. This indicates that Zoro has room for growth. His vast potential is fueled by both innate skill and his legacy linked to legend Shimotsuki Ryuma. All three—Ryuma, Ushimaru, and Zoro—share similar combat techniques, meaning that Zoro inherits aspects of their skills, which will support his ambitions. To reach his goals, Zoro must unlock his full potential, ultimately aspiring to match the legendary Sword God. Yet, he has not yet reached his final form.
“Are you saying Oden used to wield you like a feather?” – Zoro
Acknowledged as a monster in swordsmanship, Zoro has not only mastered the three-sword style but exhibits competence in various combat forms. His remarkable strength and Haki control play roles in elevating his combat abilities. The Wano arc was a crucial achievement for Zoro, where he greatly improved his Haki. He successfully accessed enhanced forms of Armament Haki as well as Conqueror’s Infusion, enabling him to adopt the King of Hell Style—a technique that improved his combat effectiveness and allowed him to deliver lethal strikes.
With this power, Zoro triumphed over King, and through his unconscious use of Conqueror’s Haki, he succeeded in scarring Kaido. There’s no denying Zoro’s potential to ascend to the pinnacle of strength, but refining his skills remains essential.
The Current Challenge Facing Zoro
The primary challenge for Zoro at present is that his Haki is not honed sufficiently, and he struggles with proper control. Typically, Zoro unleashes his Haki at full capacity, which tends to exhaust him quickly during battles, adequate against foes like King but far from sufficient against mightier opponents akin to the Admirals or the Yonko. Improving in this area is critical, representing a major challenge that Elbaf brings forth for him.
“If I keep using Haki at this level, I’ll die!” – Zoro
In the Elbaf arc, Zoro will inevitably confront extremely powerful fighters who will likely push him to his limits, compelling growth. This is the path to advancement, and fans understand that this is a necessary process for Haki to evolve. Zoro must enhance his Haki’s efficiency to the point where he can wield Enma with the same ease as Oden, according to his own words. Currently, Zoro is not nearly as strong as Oden, but mastering Enma could bring him closer to that benchmark.
The Significance of Zoro’s Eye
The Mystery Behind Zoro’s Eye
Zoro’s quest to master his Haki will be pivotal in his upcoming power growth in Elbaf; however, there’s more to explore. There exists a deeper well of power within Zoro, intricately linked to demons—a theme frequently mentioned by Oda. In Enies Lobby, agents of the World Government observed a demonic aura emanating from Zoro. Kaku referred to him as a demon as well, highlighting the enigmatic aspects of Zoro’s character. Moreover, Zoro is capable of manifesting Asura, a phenomenon without a clear explanation, suggesting that it too may be connected to his mysterious eye. Having lost this eye during the timeskip, its significance has yet to be addressed in the narrative, hinting at its importance.
When Oda mentioned years ago that Zoro would eventually close one eye, it hinted at a crucial development. Even when directly questioned about Zoro’s eye by a friend, Oda refrained from providing an answer, underscoring its potential importance in the story. It is conceivable that Elbaf may offer clues about Zoro’s eye, perhaps tied to his Asura spirit, revealing a final form of power that could elevate him to unprecedented levels.
Zoro’s Expected Power After Elbaf
Zoro’s Potential to Match Admirals and Beyond
Once Zoro refines his Haki and becomes proficient with Enma, he stands to gain immense power. This could place him in a position to challenge admirals successfully. Achieving this level of strength would also bring him closer to the Yonko status and prepare him to face Mihawk. The full unleashing of his Asura pinnacle, likely linked to his eye, could then propel him into battle.
This upcoming challenge may be pivotal for Zoro as Elbaf potentially sets the stage for his confrontation with Mihawk. Post-Elbaf, Zoro should be adequately prepared to take on this monumental task, directly contributing towards fulfilling his dreams. Accordingly, Zoro’s strength after Elbaf is anticipated to be comparable to Mihawk’s and may even surpass some Admirals, inching towards the level of the Yonko. This progression is essential for Zoro if he hopes to stand a chance against Mihawk, a battle that fans eagerly await.
For those following the journey of One Piece, the series is officially available through Viz Media. Fans can enjoy it for free via the Shonen Jump and Manga Plus applications. The next installment, Chapter 1131, is slated for release on November 11, 2024.
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