The Surprising Power Shift in One Piece chapter 1093 - Zoro Takes the Throne as Luffy's Unstoppable Strongman!

Scheduled for Monday, September 25, 2023, One Piece 1093 is all set to captivate fans with its highly addictive storyline. This chapter delves into the intense battles taking place in Egghead, pitting Monkey D. Luffy against Admiral Borsalino "Kizaru" and Roronoa Zoro against Rob Lucci. Alongside the thrilling fights, an important revelation takes center stage as Lucci defiantly responds to Zoro's doubt, affirming that defeating him would be a significant accomplishment, given his status as the second-in-command under a Yonko.

Disclaimer: This article contains major spoilers from the One Piece manga up to chapter 1093.

: Zoro: The Indispensable Right-Hand Man

Lucci's words in One Piece 1093 emphasize the Straw Hat Pirates as a Yonko crew, and Zoro as their second-in-command

Lucci's statement holds great significance, originating from a source intimately acquainted with the Straw Hat Pirates. Additionally, it accentuates the remarkable progress achieved by the crew, transcending their mere roles as a pirate captain and his loyal subordinate, and instead solidifying their status as a feared Yonko and his trusted second-in-command.

One Piece fans are enthralled by the recognition of Zoro's position, and are deeply moved as they reflect on the events that have transpired since the fateful meeting of the green-haired swordsman and Luffy in Shell Town.

As the formidable runner-up to Luffy among the Straw Hat crew, Zoro, also known as the "Pirate Hunter," has consistently been acknowledged as the unofficial yet true first mate. No other member, including Sanji or Jinbe, has been portrayed with the same level of significance as Zoro.

Zoro and Sanji are often grouped together as the "wings" - the two crewmembers who provide the most assistance to Luffy. However, Eiichiro Oda, the author of One Piece, has consistently distinguished Zoro from the rest by placing him on a superior level.

Sanji has only acted as the leader of the crew when both Luffy and Zoro were absent. However, Zoro has often taken charge, either replacing Luffy in battles or influencing the decision-making process, even when Sanji was present. This is understandable, considering Zoro's significant role as Luffy's right-hand man since the very beginning of the story.

Furthermore, it is worth noting that some right-hand men are noticeably weaker than their captains. This is true in the cases of Marco and Whitebeard, King and Kaido, Katakuri and Big Mom, and others. In contrast, Zoro holds a certain level of power that can be compared to his captain Luffy, just as Benn Beckman is to Shanks and Rayleigh is to Roger.

Luffy and Zoro, the only two members of the Straw Hat crew, possess the extraordinary power known as Conqueror's Haki. Their ability to harness this power at an advanced level is a remarkable achievement in itself. Additionally, they stand out as the sole members of the crew who have been acknowledged as part of the Eleven Supernovas of the Worst Generation, a group comprised of the most formidable rookie pirates.

(Image via Toei Animation, One Piece)

Luffy and Zoro, unlike the other Straw Hats, have a strong desire for power. Luffy aims to become the Pirate King, while Zoro strives to become the World's Strongest Swordsman. Their goals drive them to surpass legends like Shanks, Roger, Mihawk, and Rayleigh. None of the other Straw Hats have such ambitious narrative arcs.

In fact, the creator of One Piece, Eiichiro Oda, depicted Luffy and Zoro engaging in a challenge to determine who is the strongest between them. They battled head-to-head for two whole chapters, leaving the outcome of their struggle intentionally unresolved. Although Luffy is undoubtedly superior, the intention is for them to be on a comparable level.

No Straw Hat has been able to match Zoro's ability to face off against his captain's adversaries, which include Hody Jones, Fujitora, and Kaido. Zoro has proven himself to be the crew's ultimate weapon, stepping in for Luffy when necessary and protecting him when he is unable to fight, just like he did against Kuma in Thriller Bark and against Kaido and Big Mom in Wano.

Zoro is the only Straw Hat who can step up in place of Luffy (Image via Toei Animation, One Piece)

Zoro consistently triumphs over opponents who are stronger or considerably stronger than the ones Sanji has defeated. He also demonstrates impressive abilities when facing superior adversaries such as Kaido, Big Mom in Wano, and Fujitora in Dressrosa. Conversely, Sanji has never been depicted as performing well against the crew's primary enemies.

During the Dressrosa saga, Sanji suffered a merciless defeat at the hands of Doflamingo in a completely one-sided battle. In Wano, he was not even included in the confrontation against the Emperors. Even when the crew's second and third-in-command engage adversaries of similar strength, Zoro's performances are consistently superior to Sanji's.

Considering the events mentioned, it is evident that Sanji falls short in comparison to Zoro. Despite Vergo deliberately restraining himself and not utilizing his Haki, he was able to overpower Sanji. On the other hand, Zoro effortlessly defeated the Haki-enhanced Pica. These instances highlight the clear disparity between the two fighters.

Zoro's incredible abilities, such as Ashura, Advanced Conqueror's Haki, and King of Hell Style, far surpass Sanji's Diable Jambe and Ifrit Jambe. The swordsman with green hair consistently demonstrates superior combat skills, a testament to his ambitious nature and unwavering determination.

Roronoa Zoro's status in One Piece, explained

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In the One Piece manga, it is evident that Zoro holds a significant position within the Straw Hat Pirates. This is reinforced by numerous statements and corroborating details from the databooks and SBS, emphasizing his exceptional combat skills and authoritative presence. Notably, the Baroque Works agents who witnessed Zoro's combat prowess even mistook him for the actual captain of the Straw Hat Pirates.

Upon witnessing him in combat, the Franky Family members couldn't help but wonder why Zoro wasn't the captain of the Straw Hats or why he hadn't opted to lead his own crew.

Ohm duly recognized Zoro as the leader of the Straw Hats.

Urouge pondered on the perplexing fact of Zoro, an immensely strong individual, serving as the first mate of the Straw Hat crew. Witnessing Zoro obliterate Pica's colossal golem left Chinjao utterly astounded, questioning how someone of such might could simply be a subordinate to Luffy.

Bartolomeo, a true One Piece fan who exemplifies dedication and expertise, recognizes Zoro as both Luffy's right-hand man and the esteemed first mate of the Straw Hat crew.

According to Lucci, Zoro holds the position of Luffy's second-in-command.

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In the suppletive canon sources of the One Piece franchise, there is more proof of the same:

In The One Piece Databook Red (Alabasta Arc), Luffy and Zoro were ranked equally in terms of power, both receiving a perfect score of six points out of six. On the other hand, Sanji was rated slightly lower with five points out of six.

According to The One Piece Databook Yellow (Enies Lobby Arc), Zoro's fighting skills were found to be highly similar to Luffy's.

The One Piece Vivre Card Databook stated that Zoro is the second strongest crewmember right after Luffy, and that he acts as the crew's vice-captain.

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In One Piece chapter 1031, Oda brings together the characters who hold the title of second strongest among their groups and crews. This impressive lineup includes Rayleigh from the Roger Pirates, Katakuri from the Big Mom Pirates, King from the Beasts Pirates, Sabo from the Revolutionary Army, Benn Beckman from the Red Hair Pirates, and many others.

Notably, Zoro is selected as the second strongest member of the Straw Hat Pirates, a choice that comes as no surprise. Oda underscores Zoro's role as the crew's first mate through a dedicated scene in the recent One Piece Live-Action adaptation.

Lucci's statement in One Piece 1093 is just yet another confirmation

This presence in the show confirms Oda's approval, underscoring the fact that he played a significant role as one of the executive producers for the live-action adaptation of One Piece. Netflix's adaptation could not include anything without Oda's endorsement.

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Zoro excels as the first mate, deriving his authority from his superior combat power. His natural-born Conqueror's Haki abilities not only make him a formidable leader but also highlight his commendable wisdom.

When Usopp requested permission to return, Chopper implored Luffy to listen, but his pleas fell on deaf ears. Undeterred, Chopper sought out Zoro in a final attempt, despite Luffy's earlier rejection. However, even Zoro denied his request, putting an end to Chopper's efforts. This highlights the special authority that the swordsman holds within the crew.

After the Levely events, Luffy proposed that they should head to Mary Geoise to rescue Vivi, and the rest of the crew voiced their support for this idea. However, Zoro directly confronted Luffy, advising against taking action until they had a clearer understanding of the situation.

Zoro demonstrated his remarkable leadership skills as Luffy's dedicated first mate in Water Seven (Image via Toei Animation, One Piece). Despite initial disagreement, Luffy valued Zoro's insightful suggestion, supported by the rest of the Straw Hats. Similarly, during their time in Water Seven, Zoro guided Luffy on how to effectively captain the crew, willingly shouldering the responsibility. Furthermore, Zoro emphatically encouraged Usopp and all his fellow Straw Hats to show utmost respect towards their captain.

Zoro's first mate role throughout One Piece

: Zoro assumed the role of the leader when Luffy faced off against Crocodile, issuing commands that were dutifully followed by the rest of the crew. During the chaotic events in Thriller Bark, it was Zoro who stepped up to lead the charge against the formidable Oars in the absence of their captain. Furthermore, when Luffy found himself unconscious, the skilled "Pirate Hunter" took charge, strategically instructing the other Strawhats to stay behind while he confronted the formidable Warlord, Bartholomew Kuma.

Rayleigh is essentially the older counterpart of Zoro, with their roles often being interchangeable (Image via Toei Animation, One Piece).

In most cases, Zoro displays remarkable valor as he confronts the primary antagonist, overpowering the second-in-command. On the other hand, Luffy engages in a prolonged and intricate battle before eventually emerging victorious against the villainous figure. Consequently, Zoro stands out as the sole Straw Hat member consistently involved in clashes or interactions with the second-in-commands of rival pirate crews.

In Arabasta, Zoro defeated Mr 1, who was Crocodile's right-hand man and strongest subordinate.

In Skypiea, he beat Ohm, who was Enel's strongest underling.

He dismantled Kaku, illustrated as Lucci's subordinate, in Enies Lobby.

In Fish-Man Island, he vanquished Hyozo, a combatant of equal power to Hody Jones, with ease. Moreover, he mercilessly decimated Hody Jones, leaving him on the brink of death.

In Dressrosa, he defeated Pica, who, thanks to the advantageous island environment that enhances his Devil Fruit power, is potentially stronger than Vergo.

In Wano, Zoro achieved a resounding victory over Killer, Eustass Kid's trusted lieutenant. Following his clash with Kaido, he then successfully challenged and defeated King, the Lunarian survivor and top subordinate of the Yonko.

In Egghead, Zoro found himself up against Rob Lucci, an incredibly powerful agent of CP0 and widely regarded as the strongest enemy on the island, rivaled only by Kizaru.

In One Piece: Red, Zoro made a noteworthy parallel with Benn Beckman, the esteemed right-hand man of "Red Hair" Shanks, a distinction that no other member of the Straw Hat crew was able to achieve.

One Piece's most distinguished "Number Twos" (Image via Toei Animation, One Piece)

One of the most notable parallels in the series is the connection between Zoro and Silvers Rayleigh. Zoro, serving as Luffy's second-in-command, carries a similar significance to Rayleigh, who held the same position under Gol D. Roger. In essence, Zoro and Rayleigh can be considered the Pirate King's right-hand men, with Zoro representing the future and Rayleigh symbolizing the past.

Zoro and Rayleigh embody the essence of the new generation and the epitome of excellence. They share remarkable characteristics such as their esteemed status, mastery of Haki and swordsmanship, distinctive scarred physiques, and even their attire and demeanor. The striking resemblance in their titles, "King of Hell" and "Dark King," alludes to their extraordinary influence as formidable figures who stand side by side with their respective captains.

Inspired by the Greek and Roman legends of Hades/Pluto, the rulers of the afterlife in the shadow of Zeus/Jupiter, this is reminiscent of Yama, the Buddhist version of the King of Hell who governs the underworld. Enma, the Japanese name for Yama, also connects with Zoro's new sword.

Content Revised: Similar to Roger and Luffy, Rayleigh and Zoro possess the incredibly rare Conqueror's Haki, highlighting their potential to become legendary captains in their own right. However, they chose to align themselves with others, emphasizing the unique bond they share with their respective captains.

Throughout the One Piece narrative, "Pirate Hunter" Zoro has consistently held a role of great significance, almost equal to that of Luffy. After all these years, fans eagerly anticipate witnessing Zoro fulfill his ambition of becoming the World's Strongest Swordsman, while also supporting Luffy in his journey to become the Pirate King.

Be sure to keep up with One Piece's manga, anime, and live-action, as 2023 progresses.