As author and illustrator Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece manga series takes a break for the week, fans are eagerly revisiting past issues after the recent major reveal. The reveal being that Joy Boy and Sun God Nika are actually two distinct individuals, with Joy Boy being recognized as the first pirate in the world and Sun God Nika playing a crucial role in Elbafian traditions.
Moreover, while searching for more details and preparation for these reveals, devoted One Piece fans have also stumbled upon a memorable moment between Luffy and Mihawk from a previous arc. This particular scene depicts their brief encounter in the Marineford arc, where Luffy initially planned to confront Mihawk but ultimately chose not to.
As expected, the resurgence of this scene has been dominated by “Agenda Piece”, with certain One Piece fans manipulating the brief Luffy vs. Mihawk skirmish to align with their own beliefs. Unfortunately, this has caused the scene to be exaggerated for a significant reason, particularly in regards to the perceived danger posed by Mihawk compared to others.
One Piece’s Luffy vs. Mihawk: A Fan’s Perspective
Despite the exaggerated attention given to this feat, it is important to recognize that Dracule Mihawk is undeniably one of the most formidable fighters and biggest adversaries in One Piece. His long-standing reputation as the World’s Strongest Swordsman, past position as a Shichibukai, and embodiment of Roronoa Zoro’s aspiration all solidify this as an indisputable truth.
Similarly, the short clash between Mihawk and Luffy at Marineford is praiseworthy; Mihawk’s strength was so formidable that he caused even the impulsive and inexperienced Luffy to reconsider attacking him. Luffy was able to sense this warning through Mihawk’s intimidating presence alone, leading him to immediately abandon his attack with just a single glance.
Despite some One Piece fans using the scene to argue that Mihawk is stronger than both Kaido and Saint Topman Warcury, this assertion is being exaggerated. This is based on the fact that Luffy showed no hesitation in attacking both Kaido during the Wano arc and Warcury in the current Egghead arc.
Despite the omission of crucial context, this interpretation fails to acknowledge Luffy’s underlying motivations for opposing each of the three men. In the Wano arc, Kaido stood in direct opposition to Luffy’s objectives, which included obtaining the Road Poneglyph belonging to the former Yonko and freeing Wano from the tyrannical rule of Kurozumi Orochi.
The current Egghead arc revolves around Luffy and his comrades attempting to flee the island that shares its name, all while being relentlessly chased by the Gorosei and their allies. Luffy’s targeting of Warcury is a strategic move, as slowing down this particular member would greatly improve their chances of successfully escaping.
However, during One Piece’s Marineford arc, Luffy’s main objective was to save his brother Ace. Additionally, Whitebeard specifically instructed his allies to safeguard Luffy as he advanced towards Ace. In essence, engaging in a battle with Mihawk was not crucial for Luffy to attain his goals at that particular moment, even though he did temporarily stand in his way. While Luffy will surely embrace a chance to fight when presented, Mihawk is not someone he felt compelled to face.
Despite being a formidable opponent, Mihawk does not pose a direct threat to Luffy’s goals. This is in contrast to Kaido and Warcury, who both present legitimate and tangible obstacles in Luffy’s path during their respective fights. In other words, Luffy’s decision to not fight Mihawk does not stem from fear of his strength, but rather from the fact that Mihawk does not stand in the way of his ultimate goal of rescuing Ace. Therefore, it is logical for Luffy to prioritize his mission and avoid a potentially dangerous battle with Mihawk.
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