The highly anticipated One Piece chapter 1113 is scheduled to come out on April 29, 2024. Fans were stunned by the spoilers that revealed Sanji will be facing off against Saint Nusjuro, a character that many speculated would be Roronoa Zoro’s next opponent after his victory over Rob Lucci.
Despite this reveal, it does not completely rule out the possibility of Roronoa Zoro facing off against Saint Nusjuro. It is possible that there may be another opponent whose skills are not yet fully developed and they could potentially prove to be a stronger opponent for the swordsman of the Straw Hat Pirates.
The potential opponent could possibly be Shiryu, one of the Commanders of Blackbeard’s ships. Despite being released from Impel Down, he has not yet showcased his swordsmanship skills. Furthermore, his initial words upon regaining freedom could hint at him being the ultimate adversary for Zoro, whom the Straw Hat crew may choose to confront willingly.
Please note: This article may reveal spoilers from the One Piece manga series
One Piece: Exploring the Possibility of Shiryu as Zoro’s Ultimate Rival Instead of Saint Nusjuro
Based on the spoilers for One Piece chapter 1113, the chapter begins with Saint Marus being deceived into heading towards Punk Records, believing that Vegapunk’s message was being broadcasted from there. The remaining Gorosei have also lost faith in finding Vegapunk and are considering destroying Egghead with the Mother Flame.
Despite Saint Saturn’s attempt to kill Robin on Nami’s side, her crewmates were able to save her and escape. During this time, Vegapunk began to disclose his message, warning of the world’s impending doom underwater, though without providing any specific information.
On the contrary, Sanji was holding onto Vegapunk’s lifeless body while pursuing the sound of a woman’s voice. As he approached the source, he found Bonney being pursued by Saint Nusjuro, who had her trapped in a corner. Sanji intervened and kicked the Saint, but he retaliated and attempted to attack Sanji with his teeth. Fortunately, Oimo and Kashii arrived unexpectedly and rescued Sanji. This gave Bonney the opportunity to transform into a giant and crush Nusjuro underfoot.
Although Sanji’s encounter with Saint Nusjuro does not rule out the possibility of Zoro facing the same opponent, there may be another adversary awaiting him at the conclusion of his journey. This could potentially be Shiryu, the swordsman of the Blackbeard Pirates.
Shiryu, the former head jailer of Impel Down, had been incarcerated for his rampant killings of prisoners. However, he was temporarily freed when Monkey D Luffy infiltrated the prison. Seizing this opportunity, Shiryu turned against the World Government and used his sword to eliminate the officers responsible for his release.
To connect him to Zoro, we must first delve into his background, as it has yet to be disclosed in the story. Shiryu’s clothing includes a uniform and a hat adorned with a skull wearing a crown. This could potentially tie him to the Doerana Kingdom, one of the kingdoms in the New World, as their flag also features a crown.
During the Dressrosa arc, this kingdom was implicated in a weapon trafficking incident, lending credibility to the notion that they have a history of criminal activity. Additionally, in the Egghead arc of One Piece at Beehive Island, Garp’s reaction upon encountering Shiryu suggests that the two have a prior connection, though the nature of their relationship remains unclear.
To establish his connection with Zoro, let’s examine the moment he was freed from his imprisonment in the Impel Down arc. Immediately after his release, he was given his sword and proceeded to strike down the officers who had released him, uttering the words “Kirisuke gomen,”which can be interpreted as “my apologies for attacking you.”
Interestingly enough, this phrase held significance for the samurai of Japan, as it was often uttered when a samurai struck down someone who challenged their principles and integrity. This further solidifies his ties to the samurai, especially considering that the only known samurai territory in the series is the Wano Kingdom. This also strengthens his relationship with Zoro, who has ancestral roots in Wano.
Ironically, Shiryu was the only person who continued to use this phrase despite having no reason for killing these individuals. It was puzzling why someone who had been taught to follow samurai principles would disregard such a strict code. In chapter 1033 of One Piece, a brief flashback showed Zoro’s encounter with Shimotsuki Kozaburo. This provided insight into his character and upbringing.
Despite giving Zoro his two blades, Kozaburo also emphasized the importance of a swordsman being able to bend the natural will of their sword to their own. Shiryu’s sword, Raiu, is a meito blade with unknown abilities. It is possible that Shiryu was unable to control its will and may have been overtaken by its power when using it.
It is possible that this is what triggered his bloodlust once he received the blade, causing him to immediately attack and cut down soldiers. This could suggest that Raiu is a cursed sword, similar to Zoro’s struggle to control Enma, another cursed blade.
Although Shiryu may still possess his samurai training, he was defeated by the control of his sword. In contrast, Zoro is a principled individual who deeply respects the samurai way and demonstrated this by preventing Usopp from rejoining the Straw Hats unless he apologized.
Therefore, it is possible that Shiryu is the final opponent Zoro must defeat as he has brought shame upon the samurai name. This dynamic has not yet been uncovered in Zoro’s interactions with Saint Nusjuro, leading to the likelihood that Shiryu will be the ultimate challenge for Zoro.
It is possible that the current user of the Clear-Clear Fruit in One Piece may be the only swordsman that Zoro cannot defeat.
The Gorosei’s hellish powers may be unlocked through One Piece’s Impel Down arc.
Mononosuke’s contribution to One Piece will bring closure to two significant storylines.
It is possible that Tashigi and Zoro will have a significant connection that will be revealed by the conclusion of One Piece.
This scene from the beginning of One Piece provides an explanation for Zoro’s visions in Wano, and it is completely logical.
Leave a Reply