Overview
- Zoro acquired Enma by trading Shusui, a revered national treasure, during his time in Wano Country.
- He learned to harness Enma’s power by recognizing the sword’s requirements and pushing beyond his personal limits.
- Enma rigorously tested Zoro’s Haki, ultimately aiding him in awakening his Conqueror’s Haki to establish control over it.
Roronoa Zoro, the formidable swordsman of the Straw Hats, possesses a deep-seated admiration for cursed swords. His journey in mastering swordsmanship began in the Shimotsuki Village, East Blue, where he was constantly challenged by his childhood companion, Kuina. Although he initially overlooked the significance of his past, these memories became instrumental in his understanding of how to wield Enma, one of the illustrious 21 Great Grade swords.
Named after the deity ruling the Underworld, Enma has consistently challenged Zoro since it was entrusted to him by Hiyori. Recognized for its rigorous demands, Enma only accepts those who meet its high standards; it has had but one true wielder prior. So what was it that enabled Zoro to ultimately master Enma in One Piece?
Acquisition of Enma
The Exchange: Shusui for Enma
Zoro’s passion for swordsmanship traces back to his youth in Shimotsuki Village. Unbeknownst to him at the time, he is a descendant of the esteemed Shimotsuki Clan, once celebrated in Wano Country. Over the course of the series, Zoro’s fascination with blades has led him to encounter powerful swords and exceptional swordsmen. In the Wano arc, Zoro confronts memories linked to Shimotsuki Kozaburo, the talented swordsmith responsible for crafting Great Grade weapons, including Enma and Wado Ichimonji.
After Kuina’s passing, Zoro inherited Wado Ichimonji, her cherished sword given to her family by Kozaburo. This event prompted Zoro to seek out erroneous cursed swords in his quest for strength and skill as a swordsman.
“Named blades stay vigilant… They wait patiently to find a swordsman worthy of them!!”
Throughout his journey, Zoro obtained Shusui, a renowned sword previously wielded by the legendary Shimotsuki Ryuma. Following their clash during the Thriller Bark arc, Ryuma passed Shusui on to Zoro as a token of respect, effectively replacing Zoro’s broken sword. This connection to celebrated samurai is what Zoro treasures deeply.
However, during the Wano arc, Zoro learns the true legacy of Shusui and the resting place of Ryuma. After escaping from a corrupt magistrate, Zoro’s sword is stolen by Onimaru, who masqueraded as Gyukimaru. His intent was to return Shusui to Ryuma’s grave, thus protecting the dignity of fallen samurai. Since Shusui is a national treasure, Onimaru felt Zoro had dishonored Ryuma by taking it.
Recognizing the criticality of Shusui, Hiyori presented Zoro with Enma—an extraordinary sword known for being the sole weapon to successfully harm Kaido. Although Zoro had reservations about relinquishing Shusui, obtaining Enma ultimately compensated for the trade.
Mastering Enma’s Power
Understanding Enma’s Demands
Upon receiving Enma, Zoro encountered an immediate challenge; the sword tested his limits by extracting his Haki, or Ryuo. A single slash allowed him to alter the coastline, but it left his arm severely weakened. Despite quickly gaining some control over Enma, full mastery was still beyond his reach.
It wasn’t until his confrontation with King that Zoro truly began to tame Enma. During their fierce battle, Zoro faced the daunting challenge of keeping Enma from draining his Haki excessively, which could ultimately lead to his demise if he failed to adapt his strategy.
- Zoro needed to grasp the sword’s intrinsic purpose, a task best achieved with insights from Shimotsuki Kozaburo.
- The relentless testing of Zoro’s prowess by Enma compelled him to exceed his limits, leading to the awakening of his Conqueror’s Haki.
Through this challenging experience, Zoro came to understand Enma’s true nature; rather than acting out of hostility, the sword was meant to challenge him. Zoro learned that Kozuki Oden had wielded Enma effortlessly, which emphasized the sword’s expectations of him. This realization motivated Zoro to continuously push his boundaries while channeling Haki—an essential requirement for Enma’s acceptance of him as a user.
In embracing this journey of mastering Enma, Zoro also managed to awaken his latent Conqueror’s Haki—a vital component in his quest to control the sword, given its insatiable demand for Haki.
The thrilling saga of One Piece can be streamed on Crunchyroll.
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