Roronoa Zoro, the Straw Hat Pirates’ swordsman, is relentlessly approaching his dream of becoming the world’s strongest. His journey through the New World has been a showcase of brutality and mastery of the Three-Sword Style (Santōryū), but the Final Saga is placing obstacles in his path that will test even his newly acquired Conqueror’s Haki. From immortal knights to his very own mentor—here are the six warriors standing between Zoro and the absolute peak.
1. Saint Sommers (Holy Knights)
In the Elbaph arc, Oda properly introduced the Knights of God (Holy Knights), the elite force of Marijoa. Among them, Saint Sommers, known as the “Dagger of the Holy Land,” stands out as a formidable foe.
- Immortality and Strength: Sommers carries the “Depths Covenant” with Saint Imu, granting him regeneration and immortality.
- Story Role: Although Luffy and Loki dominated him at the start of Elbaph, Sommers is highly likely to return stronger. For Zoro, this clash will be crucial for learning to properly control his Conqueror’s Haki against an enemy who simply refuses to die.
2. Shiryu (Blackbeard Pirates)
Shiryu of the Rain, the Second Ship Captain of the Blackbeard Pirates, is Zoro’s natural antithesis. While Zoro fights with honor, Shiryu is the embodiment of cruelty and treachery.
- The Invisible Assassin: Shiryu wields the Suke Suke no Mi, making him invisible. Combined with his blade Raiu and potent Haki, this will be a supreme test of Zoro’s Observation Haki. Fans expect this to be one of the bloodiest battles in the series.
3. Admiral Fujitora (Marines)
The blind Admiral Issho, known as Fujitora, has had unfinished business with Zoro since Dressrosa. As one of the few true sword masters in the Marines, he is a logical target for a final clash with the World Government’s power.
- Gravity Dominance: Thanks to the Zushi Zushi no Mi, he controls gravity—a force Zoro has already felt firsthand. While Zoro may not be at Admiral level just yet, he must learn to cut through gravity itself if he wishes to claim the title of the strongest.
4. S-Hawk (Seraphim)
Imagine Dracule Mihawk with the body of an indestructible Lunarian. That is S-Hawk, Vegapunk’s ultimate weapon.
- Combined Abilities: S-Hawk possesses Mihawk’s skills, Lunarian defense (the flame on his back), and thanks to “Green Blood,” the powers of the Supa Supa no Mi (Daz Bonez), allowing him to turn his body into steel. This is the perfect “warm-up” duel for Zoro before facing the real Mihawk.
5. Dracule Mihawk (Cross Guild)
The fated duel fans have been waiting for since Chapter 24. With a bounty of 3.59 billion berries, Mihawk stands at the level of a Yonko and still holds the title of the World’s Strongest Swordsman.
- The Peak of the Journey: Next time, it won’t be a lesson like at Baratie. Zoro will be at the peak of his power, and their clash will likely determine who goes down in history as the greatest swordsman of all time. Mihawk’s technical skill exceeds even Shanks’, making Zoro the underdog until the very last moment.
6. Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro (Five Elders)
If the ultimate enemy is the World Government, then Zoro must face the highest authority among them. Nusjuro isn’t just a politician; he is a monstrous swordsman wielding one of the Supreme Grade blades.
- Clash of Cursed Blades: Oda already teased their rivalry in the Egghead arc through the Kitetsu blades. Thanks to the Abyssal Covenant, Nusjuro is likely the strongest opponent Zoro will ever face. If Zoro defeats him, he truly becomes a swordsman who has surpassed the gods of the One Piece world.
Editor’s Insight
Zoro has had a relatively “smooth” ride in the New World (with the exception of the roof piece at Onigashima), and few have truly pushed him to his absolute limit. That changes in the Final Saga. The selection of opponents shows an interesting trend: Zoro will no longer be fighting just against sword techniques, but against concepts like invisibility, gravity, and immortality. The most interesting thing for us will be seeing how he deals with the fact that some of his opponents (Sommers, Nusjuro) have regeneration. Will Zoro have to find a way to “cut through nothingness” or “cut through eternity”? If so, we are in for the best choreography Oda has ever drawn.
FAQ
Q: Who is the strongest among these six opponents?
A: Currently, Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro appears to be the most powerful given his status among the Five Elders and his supernatural abilities, followed closely by Mihawk.
Q: When will Zoro fight Mihawk?
A: An exact date is unknown, but it is expected toward the very end of the Final Saga, likely just before or after the discovery of the One Piece.
Q: How can Zoro defeat an invisible Shiryu?
A: The key will be extremely advanced Observation Haki, allowing Zoro to sense Shiryu’s “breath” or presence even without sight.
Q: Are the Holy Knights stronger than the Admirals?
A: According to recent chapters (1179+), elite members like Saint Sommers possess abilities (like regeneration) via covenants with Imu that may give them a distinct advantage over standard Admirals in certain scenarios.
