One Piece officially makes Roronoa Zoro a new god

The Straw Hat Pirates' swordsman, Roronoa Zoro, is one of the main characters in the One Piece. As the first member to join Luffy's crew, Zoro is of immense importance to the overall storyline, with his goal of becoming the strongest swordsman in the world and helping his captain fulfill his ambition to also become the Pirate King.

With One Piece deep in the final saga, Eiichiro Oda plays more with the concept of gods. Monkey D. Luffy, the captain of the Straw Hat Pirates, is the world's official Sun God Nika, which was officially confirmed in Chapter 1044, released on March 28, 2022, in Weekly Shonen Jump #17. Similarly, the Elbaf arc introduced us to the warrior god of Elbaf – Nidhoggr, as well as the devil god Nerona Imu and the rain god Zaza. In the final saga, Oda has already set up a similar godlike stature for Roronoa Zoro by making him the successor of the previous Sword God of the One Piece world, Shimotsuki Ryuma.

Why Roronoa Zoro Will Be The New Sword God After Shimotsuki Ryuma

Shimotsuki Ryuma was first introduced to us in the Thriller Bark arc One Piece in Chapter 448, which was officially released in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #14 on March 12, 2008. At first, Ryuma only appeared as the zombie of a samurai that Moria stole from Wano Country. However, it was clear that this zombie must have been incredibly tough in its prime. The fact that Ryuma used the Black Blade Shusui and was also able to keep up with Zoro despite having the shadow of a weaker individual like Brook within him meant that he was a monster on his best days.

The story of Ryuma was further expanded in One Piece's Wano Country Arc in chapter 937, titled “Gyukimaru The Bandit”, which was released on March 25, 2019, in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump issue #17. Eiichiro Oda officially labeled Shimotsuki Ryuma as the God of the Blade, or God of the Sword. Ryuma's skill was described as impeccable, and his strength was such that he single-handedly kept all foreign invaders out of Wano Country. As its sole defender, Ryuma is held in a similar light to Joy Boy in terms of his legendary strength in Wano. Additionally, Ryuma's feat of slaying a dragon, which was first officially mentioned in One Piece Chapter 937, was stated to have been just one of his many incredible feats.

“It is said that he cut off the head of a giant dragon over the Flower Capital. But that is only one of his many achievements.” —Gyukimaru, One Piece Chapter #937

Apparently Ryuma was a legendary samurai, and One Piece Chapter 1023 highlighted this fact once again on August 30, 2021, through the characters of Kawamatsu and Hyougoro, with Ryuma being a legendary samurai that hardly anyone could match. An interesting connection with Roronoa Zoro occurs through their bloodline.

“Ushimaru was a great swordsman and a direct descendant of the sword god, Shimotsuki Ryuma. And this man was the one who finally returned Shusui to Wano. It must be fate, as Ryuma was also a one-eyed samurai.” — Kawamatsu, One Piece Chapter #1023

Zoro's blood connection to Ryuma makes him ready for ultimate power

Image by Toei Animation

IN One Piece chapter 1023, Eiichiro Oda officially confirmed the blood connection between Ryuma and Zoro through their family tree. Ryuma was of the Shimotsuki line, and the former Daimyo of Ringo, Shimotsuki Ushimaru, was his descendant. Oddly enough, Zoro is directly connected to Ushimaru. It is Ushimaru's sister who moved to East Blue and there married Zoro's grandfather, Roronoa Pinzoro. Pinzoro then gave birth to Zoro's father, Roronoa Arashi, and eventually Arashi married Tera, and together they had Zoro. Zoro is directly related to Ushimaru, who is the direct descendant of Ryuma, meaning that Zoro carries the blood of Shimotsuki Ryuma, which was confirmed in the family tree in One Piece Volume 105 SBS on March 3, 2023. It is due to this fact that Zoro looks exactly like Ryūma and, while using a similar style, that he also used at the same time. Piece Chapter 1023 on August 30, 2021.

Considering Zoro fights just like Ryuma and has similar potential, it's a direct setup by Eiichiro Oda to make him the next generation's new Sword God. Just as Luffy stands as the sun god of the world and Loki stands as the warrior god, Zoro will become the new sword god of the One Piece world. To do that, he must first best Dracule Mihawk and become the strongest swordsman alive.

Why Roronoa Zoro Will Be The Strongest Sword God In History

In the last tale of One PieceRoronoa Zoro will surely become the strongest swordsman in the world and defeat Dracule Mihawk. By becoming the strongest, Zoro will also become the next generation sword god, following in the footsteps of Shimotsuki Ryuma. With One Piece expanding the knowledge of the Empty Century of Elbaf, for example in chapter 1181 on April 27, 2026, in WSJ issue 22-23, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Roronoa Zoro's ancestor, Shimotsuki Ryuma, being connected to this timeline as well and standing on a fierce person.

“He may be a foreign boy, but he reminds me of the former Daimyo of Ringo when he was young. He and Shimotsuki Ushimaru are like two peas in a pod. Right down to swordsmanship!” — Hyougoro explains Zoro's Ryuma connection, One Piece Chapter #1023

In that sense, Zoro will have a huge role to fill. Considering that Ryuma, as a potential ally of Joy Boy, would have been on the losing side, Zoro would have to fix this and ensure that this time Luffy, standing as the new Joy Boy, wins the war against Nerona Imu and the World Government. In doing so, Roronoa Zoro will further strengthen his hold on the title of Sword God, and that is something we absolutely cannot wait to see. Zoro also has to surpass Shimotsuki Ryuma at the end of One Piece. It must be remembered that Ryuma had a black blade called Shusui; But in the case of Zoro, we know that he uses three powerful blades. At the end of One Piece, all three of Zoro's blades must be blackened, and this was officially set up in One Piece chapter 955, titled “Enma”, which was officially released on September 14, 2019, in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #42.

“Enma has yet to become a black blade. But in your hands, I'm sure it will reach that level.” — Tenguyama Hitetsu to Zoro in One Piece Chapter #955

With Zoro having three Black Blades, the end comes One Piecebeing a master of both advanced weaponry and Supreme King Haki, as well as having the best swordsmanship in the entire series, he is sure to surpass even Shimotsuki Ryuma and become the strongest sword god in the entire series' history.

All chapters of Eiichiro Oda's One Piece manga series are available to read via Manga Plus and Viz Media.