So in my previous post about the theories I had about what would happen with Zoro in Wano, I mentioned how Zoro would lose Shusui. I genuinely believe that this is going to happen, and if I’m proven wrong then that’s great. I love Shusui, not as much as Sandai Kitesu though.
We all know that Zoro is a sword nerd. However, he doesn’t go out of his way to admire every sword he comes across, especially if he already has three. The only real times I remember him admiring swords were when he was looking for ones to replace his broken ones, and in Wano but we’ll get to that later.
The first time we see him doing this is in Lougetown looking for replacements for the swords that Mihawk broke. He was looking for an affordable, decent sword and it didn’t matter what it’s grade was because he would cherish it like any other blade he owns/owned. Zoro starts getting offers for Wado, when Tashigi comes in to retrieve her sword from cleaning or repairs. At which she tells him Wado’s name and Zoro’s all like cool thanks for that tip, and promptly goes to start searching through the barrels he can afford. Zoro doesn’t know sword names or grades at this period of time and probably still doesn’t, but he knows a good blade when he sees one. He takes out Sandai Kitetsu on a whim. A WHIM!!! And Tashigi starts freaking out about how it shouldn’t be in the barrels. Zoro KNOWS it’s cursed just from touching it and takes it anyways. Then proceeds to let Tashigi help him find another good sword. However, Zoro gains Yubashiri from the shop keep.
The second time we see Zoro show an interest in a sword is when he’s yet again searching for a replacement. Zoro took one good look at Shusui after clashing swords with it, and was like ‘yeah I’mma make that mine’ almost immediately. He didn’t know Shusui was a legendary sword, even though he’s heard of Ryuma and his feats.
And in Wano for the first time we see Zoro want to look at a sword when he’s not in desperate need of one. Which is odd because he’s never went out of his way to do this before. He’s never asked Brook, Law, or Kine’mon if he could look at theirs. So why would he suddenly do this now? Especially in front of enemies he’s currently fighting?
Did he sense that the sword was cursed? Did he notice how similar the tsuba (guard) was? With it being Nidai Kitetsu these are very plausible explanations. Or maybe he just wanted to look at it before Luffy had a chance to break it. Also a reasonable explanation.
But I don’t think Oda would put something like that in and not explain it right away if it was something like that. Oda’s known for sneaking hints in his work, so this theory of mine isn’t completely far fetched. I mean in the next couple of chapters Zoro gets Shusui stolen, again, and one of these chapters (can’t remember which, sorry) closes with the little caption that goes something along the lines of ‘what will become of Shusui’s fate’. Which is also interesting because why would that be there if it’s not going to reference something that’ll happen with Shusui and Zoro.
So basically I’m saying Zoro will most definitely lose Shusui and maybe gain Nidai Kitetsu. I can’t wait to be crushed and be completely wrong though.
