Roronoa Zoro/History

Zoro and Kuina
As a child, Zoro trained at a dojo in Shimotsuki Village. Zoro states in the Baratie, that, "Once he decided that he would become an invincible Swordsman, he left his life behind".



Even as a child, Zoro was strong enough to defeat most adults, but could not defeat Kuina, the Dojo master's daughter. After their 2000th fight (and Kuina's 2000th victory) Zoro challenged her in private for one more match - with real swords. Although he had improved tremendously since their first match, he still lost and cried with frustration, telling Kuina his dream of being the world's greatest swordsman. Hearing this, Kuina confided in Zoro, telling him that she shared the same dream but knew she could never attain it - her father had told her that girls could never be true sword masters, and that her fighting potential would decrease as her body matured. Zoro, annoyed by her defeatist attitude in spite of repeatedly winning against him, told her that one day he would beat her because he was more skilled, not just because she was a girl. The two made a promise - that either of them must become the world's best swordsman.



The next day, Kuina suffered a fatal fall down the stairs of her dojo (to get a sharpening stone for her sword, something she wouldn't have needed if she and Zoro hadn't fought with real swords), much to Zoro's anger and disappointment. Realizing that she would never have a chance to fulfill her dream, Zoro took it upon himself, asking his sensei, Koshiro, for her sword, Wado Ichimonji, and began working to develop his signature Santoryu, holding his own two swords in each hand, and Kuina's clenched between his teeth.

The World's Best
Eventually, Zoro learned of Dracule "Hawk-Eye" Mihawk, who currently holds the title of the Greatest Swordsman in the world. He set off to sea, searching for him in order to challenge him to a duel. However, he lost his way, and could not find his way back home. In order to survive on his own, he took on bounties to pay for living expenses. He quickly built a reputation for himself as a "Pirate Hunter", after which he met the two bounty hunters, Johnny and Yosaku.

Because of his reputation as a bounty hunter, Zoro was offered a position as a numbered agent within Baroque Works. He would accept only on the condition that he would lead the organization (which they refused). He then killed Mr. 7, the agent who offered him the position, to defend himself.

Meeting Luffy
During his journey, Zoro arrived in Shells Town where Helmeppo, the spoiled son of the corrupted Marine captain Axe-Hand Morgan, released his pet wolf in town. It tried to attack a girl named Rika, but Zoro saved her by killing it. For this, Helmeppo told Zoro to agree to be tied to a pole for a month or he would kill Rika and her mother, to which Zoro accepted.



A few days before Zoro was supposed to be freed, Coby and Luffy arrived in town with the intentions of Coby joining the Marines and Luffy inviting Zoro to be his first crewmember. They eventually arrived where Zoro was being held, in time to witness Rika trying to feed him some riceballs, only to be thrown out by Helmeppo. After they left, Luffy asked Zoro to join him but he flatly refused to become a pirate. He asked Luffy to feed him the dirtied riceballs and thank Rika for him, revealing his kindness. Later in town, Rika explained to Luffy and Coby the reason for Zoro's capture, which only reinforces Luffy's decision to have him as his crewman. When Helmeppo states that he would execute Zoro the next day, Luffy angrily punches him for breaking his promise, which send Helmeppo scurrying to his father, seeking revenge.



With the promise of giving Zoro his swords back if he'd join Luffy's crew, Luffy went to the Marine Base. Luffy caught Morgan's wrath and forced Helmeppo to show where Zoro's swords were. Meanwhile, Coby explained the situation to Zoro while trying to untie him. Luffy came back just in time to save them from a firing squad. Refusing to die, Zoro accepted Luffy's invitation and revealed his unique fighting style. He also revealed his dream of becoming the best swordsman in the world, which Luffy supports, believing that the Pirate King should have the best in his crew. Luffy fought with Morgan. However, when Helmeppo threatened to kill Coby, Luffy knocked him out while Zoro defeated the captain.

The Marines, seeing their tyrant leader finally defeated, rejoiced and allowed Luffy and Zoro to go free. However, since they were pirates, the Marines asked them to leave the island but promised not to report them to headquarters. As they were leaving, Commander Ripper asked about Coby's past. To help Coby hide it, Luffy provoked him into starting a brief fight between them. Zoro stopped the fight before it could get too serious, but it was enough for Coby to muster up the courage to ask Ripper if he could join the Marines, for which Ripper granted permission. Upon leaving, Luffy and Zoro were saluted by Coby and the Marines for their efforts. Luffy and Zoro then sailed onto their next destination.

Searching For A Navigator and a Battle with Buggy the Clown
After leaving the Marine Base, Zoro and Luffy realize that they don't know how to navigate, and begin searching for a navigator. Luffy manages to get his head stuck in the beak of a giant bird, leaving Zoro to paddle after him. Zoro comes across three pirates adrift at sea, and tells them to get on quickly because he wasn't stopping. The three are pirates working for Buggy and planned to rob/kill Zoro.

Once they discover Zoro's identity, then begin rowing for him, though the commotion caused Zoro to lose track of Luffy's location. In Orange Town, Luffy managed to get tricked by Nami, tied up, and put into a cage with a cannon aimed at him. Zoro shows up just in time to save Luffy and Nami from Buggy's crew. Zoro appears to slice Buggy into several pieces. However, Buggy is immune to blades due to his Devil Fruit powers. Buggy then stabs Zoro from behind, heavily injuring him. Despite this, Zoro manages to flip the cannon aimed at Luffy to point it at Buggy and his crew. Once the cannon is fired at them, Zoro picks up the iron cage Luffy was stuck in and drags him for a few blocks.

After being taken in by Boodle, the mayor of the town, Zoro is taken care of and sleeps at his house until it is demolished by Buggy. Zoro rises from the debris, and is soon pitted against Cabaji, Buggy's second mate. Zoro fights Cabaji who plays dirty by striking Zoro's wounds whenever he has the chance. He also creates flames through his breath and breathes directly into Zoro's face.

However, once Cabaji is knocked off his unicycle, he becomes angered and attacks with a slew of spinning tops and more deadly acrobatic manoeuvres. Buggy tries to help him by sending his arm to help hold Zoro in place for Cabaji's strike, but Luffy doesn't allow Buggy to interfere in Zoro's duel. Zoro then takes his own sword and slits his own side to ensure that he can battle Cabaji even when he is greatly injured. Cabaji recognizes Zoro's honor and thinks of this as the perfect opportunity to take him down.

Zoro declares that if he cannot topple all men who call themselves swordsmen, such as Cabaji, then he should give up his own dream to become the greatest swordsman. Cabaji is defeated by Zoro's "Onigiri" which cuts open his chest. After Cabaji falls to the ground, Zoro also falls, claiming that he needs a rest after the gruelling struggle. As he falls to the ground, Cabaji is stunned that he, along with Buggy's deadly crew are all defeated by "common thieves". Zoro responds by saying they are not common thieves; they are pirates. Zoro falls back asleep while Luffy battles against Buggy.

As the trio starts to relax however, the townspeople come back into the town, and seeing their mayor knocked out, demand answers. Luffy replies that the three are pirates, and the townspeople chase them out of town, though the three managing to lose them thanks to Shushu's intervention. Nami agrees to temporarily team up with Zoro and Luffy, and the three sail off in the two small boats they obtained.

The Man in the Chest and the Duel with Captain Kuro
After Buggy's incident on Orange Town, the crew then came upon Gecko Island. Upon landing, they met Usopp, the local troublemaker of Syrup Village and leader of the Usopp's Pirates. After some misunderstanding about coming to the island, they discover that Usopp's wealthy friend Kaya is bedridden, but is well-provided for by her two butlers Merry and Kurahadol. Luffy believes Kaya would be able to give them a boat, so they move forward to visit her. The group is sent flying into the backyard (by Luffy) only to intrude on an argument between Usopp and Kurahadol, who insults Usopp's father, and forces the group away form the house. While Usopp and Luffy bond, Nami and Zoro and the boys (Usopp's Pirates) come across the moon-walking hypnotist Jango.

After Usopp runs past them hysterically screaming that Kurahadol is a pirate, they go in search for Luffy. Luffy confirms that Kurahadol is actually Captain Kuro, who plans on killing Kaya and getting all her money. Usopp returns but tells the boys that it was just a lie, as they leave disappointed at Usopp lying to hurt people not entertain. The Straw Hats gain a great deal of respect for Usopp for tricking the boys to protect their well being, and his planning to take on an entire pirate crew and agree to help him. Usopp planned to have an oil slip to stop the pirates, to which he could snipe them with ease. However the four are on the wrong side of the island. Nami falls into the oil slick but manages to switch spots with Zoro and runs off to fight. Luffy became lost on his dash causing Usopp and Nami to initially fight the pirates alone.

Just before the two are killed, Zoro and Luffy arrive and fight Kuro's crew. Jango hypnotizes the crew to increase their strength but accidentally hypnotizes Luffy, and Jango is forced to hypnotize Luffy to sleep again but accidentally causes the crew to be knocked out by the ship's stempost which Luffy was holding onto when he fell asleep. Meanwhile Jango summons the ship's guards the Meowban brothers, Buchi and Sham who fight against Zoro. Disarmed of all but one sword, Zoro must fight an uphill battle against the team-work of Buichi and Sham which is difficult without all three swords and Zoro prevents Usopp from helping him by taking a hit from his Lead Star to keep him from getting dragged into the fight. Kuro then appears disgusted by how Black Cat pirates are getting beaten by children and gives the Meowban brothers five minutes before he kills everyone. Zoro still fighting with a disadvantage was helped by Nami who is able to recover Zoro's swords and kick back to him, allowing him to defeat the Meowban brothers, but Buchi survives and is hypnotized by Jango which injures Zoro faster. Nami goes to wake Luffy up, and Jango tries to stop her with his Chakram, but at the last second Nami steps on Luffy's face that gets him up in time to stop the Chakram with his rubbery body. Usopp orders his crew to take Kaya and flee; the three take Kaya into the forest, while Kuro sends Jango after them. Zoro finishes off Buchi and then heads out with Usopp as his guide on his back to rescue Kaya and the boys (since Usopp can't move due to his injuries and Zoro needs him to navigate through the forest), while Luffy deals with Kuro and his lightning-fast movements and his ten deadly finger-blades.

Eventually Jango catches up with his target and easily overpowers the boys. Kaya threatens to kill herself with Jango's Chakram to stop Jango from hurting Usopp's crew and allows Jango to force herself to sign the will that allow Kuro to "legally" acquire her wealth after he kills her. Zoro and Usopp catch up and proving himself less useless than he may seem, Usopp aids Zoro in defeating Jango and rescuing Kaya and the boys with his sniper skills.

Usopp decides that news of a real pirate attack might be too upsetting for the villagers and would affect their peace of mind since pirates don't normally come to an out of the way village. So he orders everyone to keep it a secret, which Kaya and his crew agree with. Kaya, is grateful to the Straw Hat Pirates, and gives them her ship, the Going Merry. Usopp is grateful to them as well, and now has the confidence to disband his pirate crew and strike out on his own to be a real pirate. Usopp says goodbye to the Straw-hat crew, who become confused and tell him to stop and get on their boat with them and that he is part of their crew.

Meeting Mihawk
The crew meets Johnny and Yosaku, Zoro's former bounty hunter companions, and they set sail for the Baratie restaurant in search of a cook. Luffy begins his job as a waiter to pay for the damage he did to the Baratie for Zeff, and tries to convince Sanji to join his crew. Gin returns to the Baratie with his also-starving captain, Don Krieg, to whom Sanji once more gives food, but Don Krieg betrays the cook once he regains his energy and attacks the Baratie, despite the cooks' best efforts to stop him. It is revealed that Chef Zeff was a great pirate known as Red Leg Zeff who traveled the Grand Line for a whole year.

Gin explains the catastrophe the fleet met in Grand Line when they encountered Hawk-Eye Mihawk, and Don Krieg attempts to take control of the Baratie. Mihawk has returned to finish the job with Don Krieg's Pirate Armada, but Zoro challenges him to a duel in order to achieve his dream. Unfortunately, he met a most devastating defeat at the hand of the swordsman. It's still too early for you to die. My name is Dracule Mihawk! Discover your true self, the true world, become stronger! However long it may take, I shall await you at the top. Surpass this sword! Surpass me! Roronoa Zoro!!! Mihawk leaves after defeating Zoro as Don Krieg continues his invasion on the Baratie and has Pearl, one of his stronger crewmates, attack, forcing Sanji to reveal his fighting skills. Johnny and Yosaku leave with Usopp and the wounded Zoro to go after Nami.

Destruction of Arlong Park
Usopp, Zoro, and Johnny arrive at the island but, seeing that three fishmen have spotted them, Usopp and Johnny abandon ship leaving Zoro (who was tied up by the two to, ironically, prevent him from fighting the fishmen) to be captured by them.

Zoro is brought to Arlong Park where he finds out Nami's allegiance to Arlong. After some banter, Arlong proudly states that Nami is the type of person who would betray even her own family for the sake of riches, which visibly disturbs her. To test Arlong's statement, Zoro throws himself into the water. Nami saves Zoro but beats him to reassure that she is still part of Arlong's crew. While Arlong is away at Nami's village, Zoro breaks free from the dungeon (with some help from Nami, who cut his ropes) and defeats all the fishmen there. He meets the octopus fishman, Hatchan, who is outside the park and is oblivious to what happened in it. Thinking Zoro is a guest, Hatchan tows him to Cocoyasi Village. But when he arrives, Arlong had already gone back to the park after capturing Usopp.

Running back to Arlong park, Luffy, Yosaku and the newly recruited Sanji fall from the sky only to meet up with Zoro. Johnny finds them as well and tells them that he saw Nami murder Usopp. Nami soon meets up them and reminds Luffy that she just partnered up with him for the treasure. She then tells them to take their ship back and get off the island. But Luffy refuses, causing Nami to angrily walk away. Johnny and Yosaku also split off, not wanting to be killed by the fishmen. Zoro says he never expected Nami to murder someone, that she was only a small time criminal. Sanji becomes angered at the comment and the two starts to fight, only to have Usopp's face take the impact of both. Usopp wakes up and tells them of what really happened. Nami's adoptive older sister, Nojiko, finds them and agrees to tell them the reason behind Nami's motives. Though Luffy leaves to take a walk and Zoro falls alseep, Sanji and Usopp (as well as an eavesdropping Johnny and Yosaku) listen to the story of how Arlong took over the island and killed Nami and Nojiko's adoptive mother, Bell-mère and how Nami is working for Arlong as a cartographer and stealing from other pirates to buy back their village.

Once Nami breaks down after Arlong has his accomplice, the corrupted Marine Captain Nezumi, take all the money she has been saving for her village, she asks Luffy for help. Zoro, Sanji and Usopp joins him on the march to Arlong Park where Johnny and Yosaku were stopping Cocoyasi's villagers entrance and waiting for the Straw Hats. After entering, they manage to beat almost all fishmen there. But Luffy, after sticking his feet into the ground to beat the Arlong's sea-cow Momoo, is thrown into the water by Arlong. Zoro, Sanji and Usopp take on Hatchan, Kuroobi and Chew respectively. Despite his wound and fever, Zoro manages to win against Hatchan's six-sword style (borrowing Johnny’s and Yosaku’s swords), break his swords and defeat him. Sanji defeats Kuroobi and Usopp defeats Chew outside Arlong Park.

After Sanji assures Zoro that Luffy is alive, he and Sanji then fight against Arlong, but are both defeated and agree that only Luffy could win. While Zoro keeps Arlong distracted, and with minor interference by Hatchan, Sanji dives back into the water and frees Luffy's body. On land Arlong rips the bandages off of Zoro’s chest, injuring him even more and shocking everybody. Luffy rises from the water (with help from Genzo, Nojiko and Sanji) and trades places with Zoro by tossing him into the air. He falls into the sea and falls asleep after pulling himself out of it. When Luffy destroys Arlong Park and defeats Arlong, Zoro wakes up in time to beat Nezumi, who came to take the credit of defeating Arlong. Nami makes Nezumi return all the money and help fix up the island. Humiliated, Nezumi leaves and reports the incident to the Marine's Main Base, ensuring that Luffy receives a high bounty.

Back in Cocoyasi Village, Dr. Nako tends to the wounds of Zoro, Luffy, Yosaku, and Johnny. Then, to celebrate their freedom, the entire island throws a big party. When the party is over, Nami rejoins the crew and the Straw Hats sail to their next adventure.

Arrival at Loguetown
Having defeated Buggy, Kreig, and Arlong, the Marines issue Luffy his first bounty. Luffy, Usopp, and Sanji start to discuss Luffy's wanted poster. Meanwhile, Zoro points out an island he has spotted. Nami explains about the island's major city, Loguetown, the city of the beginning and the end, where the Pirate King Gold Roger was born and executed.



Arriving at Loguetown, Zoro stated that he wants to buy something, so he asks Nami for some money. While walking down the street, Zoro witnesses Tashigi, a marine swordswoman who looks exactly like Kuina, beating some pirates. Upon entering the Weapons Shop, Zoro looks for two swords. The owner of the shop, Ippon-Matsu, tries to trick Zoro into selling his beloved sword for far less than its value, but Tashigi rushes into the shop and accidentaly ruins the owners business. Tashigi points out a cursed sword named Sandai Kitetsu to Zoro. Ippon-Matsu tells to them about Kitetsu' curseline, which interests Zoro. Then Zoro decides to buy the sword and test his luck against the sword's curse (he throws the sword up, then holds out his arm), but the sword circles around Zoro's arm. After witnessing Zoro's calibre, the owner gives Yubashiri to Zoro for free, saying that he passes his dream to him.

After leaving the shop, Zoro reunites with the crew, except Luffy, who is in trouble. So, Zoro and Sanji rush to the execution place and start to fight Buggy's crew, hoping to save Luffy, but the latter is saved by lightning that strikes the place (since he is made of rubber, it doesn't damage him). Zoro, Luffy, and Sanji rush from the execution place to reach Going Merry, but Tashigi and Smoker intercept them. Tashigi engages Zoro in battle, and Smoker battles Luffy and Sanji. Zoro defeats Tashigi, and Dragon saves Luffy from Smoker. Finally, they reach Going Merry and leave Loguetown. Following this, the Straw Hats make promises about their dreams and sail to the Grand Line.

Traversing Reverse Mountain and Meeting Laboon
Heading to the Grand Line, Nami had to search for more information about it. Then, the Straw Hats make a reunion where Nami explains about the only way to reach Grand Line, the Reverse Mountain.

The Straws Hats arrive at Reverse Mountain through the storm, though they are nearly blown off course and into the Calm Belt but eventually reach the entrance of Reverse Mountain and manage to climb its uphill rapids despite some tricky close calls. As they come down they hear a noise and notice something is blocking their path. They identify the blockage as a huge whale which is threatening to crush the Going Merry. Luffy manages to keep the ship from crashing into it, but seeing the bow broken off enrages Luffy and he attacks the whale. The whale swallows the Going Merry and the crew, except for Luffy who manages to escape onto the whale's back. Inside, the Straw Hats suddenly find themselves in what looks like an outside setting with a house in the middle of the water where they meet an old man named Crocus. Sanji tries to get information from Crocus, who took long periods of time to reply, causing Sanji and Zoro great comical frustration. Eventually Luffy reunites with the Straw Hats and it is revealed that the strange setting is in fact the whale's stomach. Crocus reveals that the whale's name is Laboon, and he cries trying to run into the mountain because of a promise made 50 years ago and that two mystery people named Mr. 9 and Miss Wednesday are there just to kill the whale to feed the people in their town, but they are knocked out by Luffy.

Once they exit Laboon, the Straw Hats throw Mr. 9 and Miss Wednesday on the sea. Luffy makes a promise to the whale hoping to solve his past problem. The crew is making the preparation for their journey when Nami realizes that the compass doesn't work there, Crocus explains that they need a Log Pose to travel through the Grand Line and gives to them one, also Mr. 9 and Miss Wednesday ask the Straw Hats to take them to their town. Since everything is ready they sail onto the first Grand Line island.

Zoro Runs Wild at Whiskey Peak
Zoro and the crew arrive at Whiskey Peak, a town of pirate-lovers who hold them a feast. That night, however, Zoro overhears the townspeople talking, and tells them that he knows of their organization, Baroque Works. Upon being discovered, he battles through a hundred members of the organization, easily defeating them all.



Upon the arrival of Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine, however, Zoro is beseeched by Igaram to save his princess. Zoro is hesitant to oblige, but Nami, attempting to bribe Igaram for 1,000,000,000, forces Zoro to fight off Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine to protect Vivi. As he's about to fight them, however, he encounters a drowsy Luffy. Unaware that the townspeople are all bounty hunters, he engages in a battle with Zoro due to Zoro attacking the "townsfolk". The battle culminates in Luffy and Zoro carelessly defeating Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine, before Nami breaks the two up.

The Straw Hats later become targets of Crocodile, due to the Unluckies overhearing Vivi mention his name. With little choice, the Straw Hats decide to help Princess Vivi. As they leave Whisky Peak, they meet Miss All-Sunday, Crocodile's right-hand woman. She attempts to offer the Straw Hats an Eternal Compass that would lead to an island near Alabasta, but Luffy breaks it, stating that he'd rather choose his own path than allow an enemy to decide their destination.

Battle at Little Garden
Zoro and crew land on Little Garden, a prehistoric island inhabited by dinosaurs and giants. Zoro, ordered by Sanji to gather some food, has challenged him in a competition on who will be the one to bring the largest meat. Little do the Straw Hats suspect that Officer Agents of Baroque Works are on their tail. Having subdued the giants, Baroque Works makes their move. Mr. 3 introduces Zoro, Nami, Vivi, and Brogy to the slow torture of becoming living statues of wax. Agreeing with Brogy that the only way to die was to go out honorably and Zoro tries to cut off his feet but fails, and instead, decides to let Luffy, Usopp and Carue save them.



Luffy attempts to rescue his friends, however, it only accelerates the deadly waxing process prompting Zoro to strike an honorable pose should he die. To make matters worse, Miss Goldenweek interferes and reveals her own terrifying ability. Usopp frees Luffy from Miss Goldenweek's control by burning Luffy's shirt. With Carue's help, Usopp and Luffy rescue the others, who take on Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine while Luffy and Carue pursue Mr. 3 and Miss Goldenweek into the forest. Zoro is able to save Usopp before Mr. 5 kills him. The crew then leaves Little Garden while being propelled through the Island Eater and they set sail for Alabasta.

Adventure in a Doctorless Kingdom
While out at sea Zoro begins his daily training again and while looking for a doctor for Nami, the crew meets the pirate Wapol, who attacks them, but only makes Luffy send him flying. They arrive at last to an island only to find out they're not welcome. The Straw Hat crew manages to gain the trust of the people that attacked them, and are taken to the village, except for Zoro and Carue, who guard the ship, with Zoro deciding to train in the icy cold waters now that his injuries from Little Garden had healed.

A shirtless Zoro later aids Vivi and Usopp in dealing with the king's army in order to save Dalton, and obtain one of their warm coats in the process to warm himself back up. The villagers along with Zoro, Vivi and Usopp start their ascent to the castle through a ropeway.

After finally been convinced to join the team, Chopper announces his intentions to Dr. Kureha, who doesn't take it too well. But after escaping from the castle, she has decided to give the whole Straw Hat crew a farewell gift. On the way out of the Island the crew discover Carue frozen in the water and rescue him, where Chopper translates that Carue jumped in the water to save Zoro when he saw him disappear, causing an angry Nami to hit Zoro on the head because he was at fault for this mishap.

War in Alabasta
They entered the crew starving for food and saw a seacat. They try to capture it but Vivi stops them because its rare. They meet Mr. 2 Bon Kurei in the ship who shows off his devil fruit power and Vivi sees a shocking sight. Upon learning his abilities, they plan to make a "X" mark on their right arm to know their true identity. The crew landed in Nanohana, they encounter Smoker and Tashigi. A powerful pirate named Portgas D. Ace appears, and is revealed to be Luffy's older brother. Ace fights Smoker while the Straw Hats run for their ship. Luffy reunites with his brother, and together take down agents of Baroque Works. Ace departs from the crew leaving Luffy with the paper of life. The crew finds out that the Rebel Army has moved out of Yuba and headed to Katorea, and the rebel leader Kohza is determined to attack. The crew travels to the city of Rainbase to take down Crocodile and Baroque Works, but run afoul of Smoker and Tashigi.



Zoro, Luffy, Nami,and Usopp, along with Smoker, are trapped by Crocodile. Chopper distracts Crocodile while Sanji frees the rest of the crew, but find themselves trapped yet again. After escaping from Rain Dinners by swimming underwater with Zoro carrying Smoker. Zoro admits to Smoker that while he did save his life, he only did it because Luffy ordered him to, due to Smoker's inability to swim from his Devil Fruit Powers. The crew together with Vivi then cross the desert to Alubarna, where the final battle will take place, though Luffy remains behind to fend off Crocodile. The crew excluding Luffy proceed to Alubarna.



As they reach the destination, they split up to distract the Baroque Works agents to engage in separate battles. While Miss Doublefinger's fight with Nami was challenging, Zoro is having an even more difficult time fighting Mr. 1: A man who can change his entire body into steel - something that Zoro can't cut. As Zoro nears death, he hears "the breath of all things". He then proceeds to defeat Mr. 1, finally learning how to cut steel. After their battle, the other Straw Hats hurry to locate the bomb before it goes off. Vivi finds the bomb, and calls the Straw Hats together. Vivi finds the bomb inside of the clock tower, but the Mr. 7 pair of Baroque Works agents are there to protect it. Vivi defeats them, but she realizes the bomb cannot be stopped so easily. It has a timer, and right before it blows up, Pell shows up and takes it into the atmosphere, where he sacrifices himself to save Alabasta.

Now that the battle has ended, the outcome is tallied. Igaram appears with proof of Cobra's innocence, as well as Kohza explaining everything. When Luffy awakens from his battle with Crocodile, a magnificent banquet is thrown for the pirates, then the Straw Hats are invited to enjoy the hot spring steam room inside the palace. It is revealed that Zoro now has a bounty of 60,000,000. It's the day for Vivi's speech and her decision whether or not to continue to be with the Straw Hats. Meanwhile, Bon Kurei and his crew attempt to protect the Straw Hats from Hina. When Vivi arrives at their location, the entire Straw Hat show off their "X" marks to symbolize their friendship with Vivi. The Marines fail again to catch the Straw Hats. After escaping from the Marines, Nico Robin (Miss All Sunday) appears from inside of the Straw Hats ship and manages persuade the crew to let her join, although Zoro was the only one to remain suspicious of her intentions.

Rumble in Jaya
Nami's Log Pose begins to point to the sky, after that, a big ship falls and the crew finds a map of an island named 'Skypiea' on a 200-year-old ship. They compete with the monkey-like Masira's salvage crew while they search for more clues on how to get there. The Straw Hats decide to go to Jaya island to look for information on Skypeia.



Jaya's main town is full of famous pirates that are constantly brawling with each other. Luffy and Zoro have a run-in with a pirate known as 'Bellamy the Hyena', who ridicules their dreams and beats them up. Luffy, Zoro and Nami also meet the man who is later revealed to be Blackbeard. They leave Mock Town, and get into a fight with Masira's brother Shojo, another salvage monkey.

The Straw Hats meet with Montblanc Cricket on another part of Jaya; Cricket is a descendant of Montblanc Norland, an infamous "liar" who told of a gold city on Jaya, and Cricket was exiled for looking for artifacts of the gold city. He was actually the only person who knew how to get to Skypiea. Cricket explains how the Straw Hats can ride a dangerous vertical current called the Knock-Up Stream to get to Skypeia. However, they first have to catch a South Bird to point them toward the point where the stream will erupt from the ocean. While the Straw Hats are looking for a South Bird, Bellamy and his crew attack Cricket's house, and steal the gold artifacts he'd collected over the years from his salvage work.

When the Straw Hats return and see what happened, Luffy decides to take a side trip back to Mock Town to return Cricket's artifacts. Bellamy gets his comeuppance in the form of Luffy's fist after speaking badly of Cricket. Upon Luffy's return, the Going Merry had been refitted, by Masira and Shojo, to be more flight capable, and the Straw Hats catch a ride on the Knock-Up Stream toward Skypeia. As they head to the clouds above, Blackbeard had been nipping at their heels only to miss them before their ascent. The Straw Hats arrive in an ocean above the clouds.

Adventure in Sky Island and Taking Down a God
As the Straw Hats admire the beautiful cloud ocean, they sail on, and soon come to a Gate, where the Watcher at first demands they pay a fee, and then tells them they may go even when Nami aplogetically states they have no money. When the Crew arrive on a beach in the clouds, the encounter a Skypeian and her father, and start talking to her, particularly about the versatile Skypeian Dials. The Skypeia police, the White Berets, suddenly turn up, and tell the Straw Hats that they are illegal trespassers, and must pay ten times the entrance fee immediately. It turns out to be 7 Million Beli, far too high to pay. The crew is sentenced to a form of Death Penalty. Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji swiftly take out The White Berets.

As the crew prepare for their adventure in Skypeia, An enormous Shrimp attacks the Going Merry. The Skypeian man explains to Usopp, Sanji and Luffy that the others on the Going Merry will be taken to The Sacrifical Altar. The three decide to rescue their friends, despite the man warning them about God Eneru living in the place they are headed. While Luffy, Sanji and Usopp look for the others on Going Merry, Zoro kills the vicious fish shortly before it can take them to the Altar. Zoro, Nami and Robin set off into the forest (Zoro brushing off Chopper's objections by stating he doesn't even believe in God). After a while, the entire crew is reunited at the Going Merry, and Zoro uses his swords to help Sanji prepare food.

The next day, the Straw Hats decide to split into two teams. The second team, consisting of Zoro, Chopper, Luffy and Robin, encounter an enormous snake and are all seperated after it attacks. Zoro soon encounters a Shandian warrior named Braham, who attacks him. Braham uses powerful Dials, and pistols to attack, catching Zoro off guard. He then regroups and states if Braham has a 'Pistol' then he has a 'Cannon'. Zoro then defeats him using his powerful 36 Pound Cannon.



As Zoro is enjoying his lunch he winds up being carried away by a South Bird. The bird soon drops Zoro right in the middle of the confrontation between another Priest, The Knight of the Sky and Wiper. Zoro is engaged by Priest Ohm, who is a great swordsman with a blade with a Dial inside the hilt. The blade shape changes to block Zoro's attacks, and is strong enough to even stop his 36 Pound Cannon After a lengthy struggle, Zoro defeats the Priest with a super powerful 108 Pound Cannon. Eneru then rends the ground using his lightning, causing Zoro to fall to the ruins where Eneru, Wiper, The Knight, Nami and Robin are. Eneru uses his Logia powers of lightning to harm Robin, Zoro furiously attacks him, but cannot harm him at all. Eneru then retaliates and knocks Zoro down. Zoro tries to attack Eneru once more, but he is shocked into unconciousness when Eneru strikes him with a Wolf-like lightning attack.

Later, upon Nami's request, Zoro attempts to cut down the Beanstalk. He manages to cleav some of it apart, but he is then struck by Eneru's lightning. After Luffy's defeat of the tyrannical Eneru, and final ringing of The Golden Bell, Zoro joins the other Skypeians in drinking and celebrating.

Davy Back Fight
After returning from Skypiea, the Straw Hats come across a mysterious pirate ship with no captain and navigator after trying to escape a giant wave. Soon they arrive at an island with some strange long animals, the Long Ring Long Land island. As Luffy, Usopp, Chopper go onboard, Zoro, Sanji, Nami, and Nico Robin are challenged by the Foxy Pirates to a Davy Back Fight with Luffy. Luffy accepts it with a gun shot. When Foxy decides to take Chopper after the first round, the "Donut Race", Chopper cries, saying that he only went out to sea because he knew that his nakama will be the Straw Hat Pirates. Zoro lectures Chopper, telling him that he must be a man and that he is responsible for becoming a pirate. In the second game, called "Groggy Ring" he and Sanji are partnered. They are fighting over who who will be the 'ball man' until Sanji takes the position (at Nami's request). The referee tells them that weapons are prohibited in the game, so Zoro was forced to use No Sword Style. They defeated the Groggy Monsters and won, allowing the Straw Hat Pirates to reclaim Chopper. The last game, "Combat", is a fight between the two captains. Luffy defeats Foxy and chooses to destroy the Foxy pirate flag rather than steal a crew member. Luffy makes them a new flag, which ends up being hideous because of his poor artistic ability.

The Encounter with Admiral Aokiji
After returning to Tonjit's hut, the Strawhats meet a Marine Admiral named Aokiji (in the anime, they meet him on a different island). Aokiji tells the crew that he is only there to confirm that Robin is still alive. He then uses Ice saber and proceeds to slice up Robin, however Zoro is the one who stops him. Durring the fight Zoro's right shoulder is frozen by Aokiji. After the crew returned to the Merry, Zoro and Sanji, immediatlely jump into the ocean when Chopper says it will unfreeze them. After treatment, Zoro thinks to himself that Luffy needs to get stronger to fight a stronger enemy.

Water 7: A Breaking Ship, a Breaking Crew
As the Straw Hats continue their journey, they encounter a sea train on their way. They stop at a train station and ask an old woman named Kokoro where they can repair the ship and recruit a shipwright. Kokoro gives them a picture of a person named Iceburg and told that is the person for whom they are searching. They set sail and open the picture only to find it was only a drawing. When they arrived at Water 7, Zoro pulled out the sail and accidentally breaks it thinking it was not in this bad of acondition. Soon Luffy, Nami, Usopp go offboard to hire a shipwright. Then, Robin and Chopper go shopping followed by later by Sanji. Zoro remained sleeping and guarded the ship. When he woke up the ship was surrounded by mysterious strangers called the Franky Family. They attacked but were easily defeated by him. When a man named Kaku, a shipwright from the Galley-La Company came in to check the ship, he mistook him for Usopp due to his long nose. Upon completing the inspection, Kaku states that the ship can't be repaired anymore, a statement Zoro vehemently disagrees with. Soon the carpenter went home. He later joins Chopper, Sanji, Luffy to look for Usopp and their money. They found Usopp unconscious outside of the Franky House. They attack the Franky Family and destroy their base, more so for beating up Usopp than for stealing their money.

While Usopp is under medical treatment from Chopper, Luffy decided to get a new ship. When Usopp wakes up, Luffy tells him this and Usopp angrily disagrees. They start a quarrel whether they will leave the ship or not. Usopp goes outside saying that he quits being a Straw Hat Pirate, then he challenges Luffy to a duel, the winner claims the ship. Later, Zoro is seen fighting with Sanji over who is the responsible for it. They also wondering where Robin had gone. After the duel, Zoro tells Luffy that, as captain, he must never hesitate. Otherwise the crew can't rely on him. He then states that they can never come back to the Going Merry again. When they rent a hotel room, he just sits on the rooftop. Later lost of running away from civilians because the entire Straw Hat are suspects to attempted murder of Iceburg.

When Zoro saw Luffy, Chopper, and Nami, they plan how to enter to the Galley-La to talk to Iceburg. As Luffy disappeared, they've been spotted by the Galley-La guards and start running. When Zoro became annoyed of the carpenters, he decided to use the back of his swords to defeat them. As they enter the building, they see Luffy with Paulie, there, they discover the true identity of Blueno, Kalifa, Kaku, and Lucci as CP9. They see Robin with them too. Zoro attacked Kaku saying that he is not a true shipwright but Kaku replied that he did his job correctly when examinating Going Merry. Afterwards, Zoro was quickly sent by Lucci in Leopard form flying into a chimney.

While he was stuck on a chimney he was helped by Chopper, who gave him Kitetsu and he destroyed the chimney. When he was finally freed, Zoro and Chopper ran as quickly as possible to get away from the Aqua Laguna. Zoro and Chopper, along with Nami and Luffy, were helped by Paulie from drowning. As they plan to sail in a storm to save Robin, Paulie disagreed to their plan as he will fight them to stop them. Kokoro arrives there and introduce the Rocket Man, another sea train.

Seeing how determined Luffy is to save Robin, Kokoro and Iceburg lends the Straw Hat crew the use of another sea train, Rocket Man. The Franky Family shows up, pleading with Luffy to let them join them because they'll do anything for their leader. The Rocket Man finally makes it out to sea. As the train connects with the tracks, Luffy has to rescue Chimney before she's thrown off by the wind. In the meantime,With Luffy and Chimney safe in the train, Paulie tells his fellow carpenters who the real culprits were. The Straw Hats, Franky Family, and Galley-La Company form an alliance. Luffy and Zoro perform a move that acts similar to a cannon and blasts a hole through the wall of the tidal wave ahead of them, opening up a channel for them to pass through. They miraculously pass through unscathed and the passengers rejoice.

In the Rocket Man, Luffy, Zoro, Nami, and Chopper get an outfit change; Nami shows off the weapon Usopp upgraded for her while he was still with them. Those on the Rocket Man encounter the discarded cars and Zoro slices them so they can pass. Zoro clashes with "Ship Cutter" T-Bone. The fight is short and Zoro joins the crew again in the Rocket Man. At the Rocket Man, Yokuzuna the frog jumps onto the front of the train, knocking them from the rails. After Kokoro speaks with him, he joins the group. Luffy and the others finally catch up to Sanji, Usopp, and the rest of the Franky Family as they near Enies Lobby. Paulie sits down with the group and talks about their plan. Luffy doesn't bother to follow the plan, and slingshots himself beyond the gates before the train stops.

Rescuing a Nakama from Enies Lobby
As they arrive at the Enies Lobby, together with the Franky Family and Galley La, they plan their move going inside, but unfortunately, Luffy jumps the gun, and heads inside on his own. They wait several minutes to open the 1st gate of Enies Lobby. Zoro has been commanded by Kokoro to make his move against the fence. But suddenly, Zoro commanded Yokuzuna to push on the fence and used it as a ramp. Together they landed on Oimo's back. They start entering the island to their main goal: saving Robin. As they're waiting for the bridge to be activated, they all lined up at the roof convincing Robin to accept their request of saving her. When they confirmed that the bridge will not be activated anymore, Kokoro volunteered herself to help them using the Rocket Man. The Rocket Man used the half activated bridge as a ramp and together they've been held by Luffy and started to jump.

When they landed on the Tower of Justice, Fukuro showed up and declares that a key is needed to uncuff Robin. They decide to fight individually and started to search an agent. Zoro faced Kaku, who he had already fought at Galley La. Zoro commented that he has became stronger since then and uses a new skill to defeat Kaku to finally get his key, which was number 5. After that he and Sanji carried the injured Sogeking in the tunnel and almost drowned. But luckly they were saved by Kokoro who is a mermaid.

While awaiting the end of Luffy's fight with Rob Lucci, he, along with the rest of the crew engage in battle with an unknown number of Marines, sent there as a result of the Buster call inadvertently triggered by Spandam. He comes across a marine Shu, who, using his Devil Fruit ability, causing his Yubashiri to rust. Their escape ship explodes, leaving them seemingly stranded, till, along with Usopp and the rest, hears the voice of Merry telling them to jump into sea. He complies, and with the rest of his crew on the Merry Go, sails away from Enies Lobby, leaving it in ruins.

Aftermath of Enies Lobby
With the Going Merry, everyone has managed to escape Enies Lobby safely. After escaping, Iceburg arrives with the Galley-La company just in time to pick up the Straw Hat Pirates as the Merry suddenly breaks apart. Luffy then gives the Going Merry a viking funeral by burning it as the crew tearfully says goodbye (Zoro, though, maintains his dignity).

Two days later, back in Water 7, he is seen staring at the broken hilt of his sword wondering what he should do. Finally, he was then seen rushing to meet the others, to warn them of the marines arrival. However, as usual, Zoro ends up getting lost on the way there. When he arrived, he was attacked by Sergeant Helmeppo with dual kukri knives, but quickly defeated the young man.

He was seen trying to buy a sword but had no money and was thrown out. Later on, Zoro's new bounty is revealed; the bounty is set at 120,000,000. He also helped launch Franky towards the "Thousand Sunny", the Straw Hats' new ship. He was later seen, when he and Sanji inform the rest of the crew that Garp's battleship was near the island.

In a flashback, Zoro took a stand on letting Usopp back in, stating that Usopp shouldn't be allowed back with the crew if he returned still full of pride. His reasoning being that Luffy as captain must stand firm as it was Usopp that left them and lost the duel with Luffy over the fate of the Going Merry. When Luffy and Usopp started arguing in the first place...I didn't care about whose emotions were stronger...or who was correct...but a duel between men was fought and the conclusion was set in stone. After Usopp apologizes for his stubborness, he is happily accepted back into the crew with Zoro seen smiling at Usopp's return.

Adventure on Thriller Bark
After sailing for some time on the Thousand Sunny, Zoro and the rest of the crew came across a mysterious barrel floating on the ocean. Upon opening it, a flash shot up from it. After braving a storm that mysteriously came afterwards thanks to Nami and Franky, Zoro and the rest of the crew found themselves in the presence of a ghost ship.

This ship apparently belonged to a skeleton named Brook who, by chance, initially accepts Luffy's offer to join the crew. This apparent new addition to the crew made Zoro scold Nami and Sanji for not keeping Luffy from inviting the skeleton. Zoro then joined for dinner as the skeleton related his past to the others. Just as Brook was about to perform before Zoro and the rest of the crew, a ghost appeared and some clanking sounds were heard. These sounds were caused by the gates of the island that suddenly appeared, Thriller Bark, closing. These events prompted Brook to head to the island before Zoro and the rest of the Straw Hats' eyes.

After witnessing Franky's present to the Straw Hats that the cyborg decided to show them, Zoro and the rest of the Straw Hats decided to look for Nami, Usopp, and Chopper who had not returned. However before Zoro and the rest could go to the island, they were stopped by an invisible thing. The thing stole one of Zoro's swords and tried to stab Luffy with it. Luckily, Franky kicked it away before it found it's mark. The thing later left Zoro and the rest baffled.

After the Thousand Sunny was caught in what was apparently an oversized spider web, Zoro and the rest disembarked onto the island. There, they met the Cerberus which didn't intimidate Zoro. After Luffy tamed the beast, Zoro and the rest met two more of the island's creatures. Luffy caught the "Geezer Tree" while Franky caught the unicorn. Zoro, along with Sanji, then stopped Luffy before he could allow the "Geezer Tree" to join the group.



Zoro and the rest then came across some ghosts who affected some of them with their strange abilities. Zoro seeing his companions in such a pitiful state merely shook the whole matter off, only to be affected by one of the ghosts himself. After Zoro and the rest who were also affected by the ghosts recovered, they pressed forward. Zoro and the rest later met with some Zombies and defeated them with a combo technique. The group then met with a old man who looked like a Zombie. The old man asked them to defeat Gekko Moriah who had stolen his shadow.

While in Hogback's mansion, Zoro disappears not long after Sanji does. Later, a shadowed figure was shown attacking Robin, Luffy, and Franky with Zoro's Ittouryuu: 36-Pound-Cannon attack. However, the zombie's body was that of Jigoro, the zombie that received Zoro's shadow. It is later revealed that the zombie has inherited Zoro's shadow and thus is able to use all his techniques. Zoro was found asleep on the Thousand Sunny with Sanji and Luffy and was woken up by Usopp.



After purifying some Zombies, Zoro, Franky and Sanji are about to cross a bridge leading to Hogback's laboratory when Oars smashes it. With the construction of a new bridge done by Franky, Sanji departs to save Nami. Later on Zoro and Franky finds the defeated Brook, and saves him in the last moment from Ryuma. Seeing the samurai's sword Zoro claims he intend to fight and take it. After a short but intense battle, he defeats the legendary samurai and gained the sword Shusui, from an ashamed Ryuma.

When Moriah gained control of Oars, he ordered him to rampage Thriller Bark and defeat the Straw Hats. Zoro wanting to fight him only cut off his left tusk before being defeated by Oars' attack. Later on he alongside the other Straw Hats regain consciousness and started a series of combo attacks against Oars. Using a 108 Pound Cannon at Oars, Zoro notes how his Shusui is heavy and he is still not adept using it. After Moriah manipulates Oars' body to allow it to stretch the Straw Hats are taken down one by one. But before Zoro is taken down, Chopper formulates a theory that his right arm is his weak point. As his final movement, Zoro tried to damage the arm, but fails since zombies do not feel pain, and is taken out.

After being carried away from the fight between Nightmare Luffy and Oars, by the Thriller Bark Victim's Association, he regains consciousness, and helped Luffy use Giant Bazooka to shatter Oars' spine. As Moriah uses Shadow Asgard he stands by, watching the fight between Moriah and Luffy, and is almost burned away by the sun until, with the defeat of Moriah, his shadow is finally returned. After launching an attack on the Thriller Bark Victim's Association Bartholemew Kuma targets Zoro.



Zoro tries to fight Kuma, but Kuma just pushes his attacks away with his Nikyu Nikyu no Mi, leaving Zoro at a disadvantage. Kuma then comes with an ultimatium: give up Luffy and the rest will be allowed to survive. Zoro and the crew refuse and so Kuma calmly detonates the island with an Ursus Shock, knocking out everybody. However, when Kuma was about to take Luffy, Zoro rises again and even launches a succesfull Shishi Sonson [Lion's Song] on Kuma, revealing that he is a cyborg. Kuma then states that he is a cyborg but not like "Cyborg" Franky and furthermore tells that he is an incomplete human weapon, created by the World Government, and Dr. Vegapunk, called a Pacifista. Zoro then proceeds to ask for his head to be taken in exchange for Luffy's. Kuma agrees, but at that point Sanji wakes up and wants to give his head instead. Zoro calmly hits one of his wounds just above his right hip and knocks Sanji out. Kuma then proceeds to use his powers and draw out all of Luffy's pain and fatigue. Luffy had so much pain and fatigue that it formed a gigantic paw of energy. Kuma gives Zoro a small sample of it and Zoro can barely tolerate the pain. Zoro then says "Let me choose the location".

Zoro then takes the paw of pain and goes to a nearby forest. He takes a few breaths before he places his hands inside of the giant paw. When the Straw Hat crew awakens along with the Rolling Pirates, Sanji goes out to look for Zoro and finds him in the forest covered from head to toe in blood. When Sanji asks what happened to him, Zoro replies "Nothing... nothing at all" in a trembling voice. While all of the Straw Hats see Zoro's injuries, none of them found out about Zoro's near-death sacrifice but Sanji, who got the truth from two members of the Thriller Bark Victim's Association; Robin, who eavesdropped on said conversation with her powers; and Brook, who saw it happen.



He is seen sleeping in the Thriller Bark Mansion, with wounds Chopper says were life threatening, while his nakama (minus Chopper, who was taking care of him and Nami, who was watching over him) celebrate their victory. Two days later Zoro is awake and goes to the grave that Franky built for Brook to honor the Rumbar Pirates and asks Brook permission to lay his Yubashiri to rest near the grave, and later jokes that Brook has bad luck since this crew is varied to which Brook jokes back with him.

Once he and the rest of the crew finally left Thriller Bark, they held a toast to Brook, their new nakama.

An Incident on Sabaody Archipelago and the Destruction of the Straw Hat Crew
As the Straw Hats continue their journey, Zoro became embroiled in the battles against the Flying Fish Riders in protection of former enemy Hatchan against the slave trader Duval. Assisting Hatchan in his escape, he comes to an understanding with his former enemy while defeating those in their way. After the incident, the Straw Hats arrived at the Sabaody Archipelago, where Zoro decided to go off on his own, presumably to get some liquor, as he was later seen chugging on a bottle of one. Though he claimed he knew where the Sunny was docked, a misread sign made the swordsman run off into the unknown, getting himself lost again.

Eventually, he enters a bad area where a Tenryuubito is messing around with his slaves and the local population. Although other members of the The Eleven Supernovas were watching, Zoro attempted to challenge one for his mistreatment. But before he could get too far, Jewelry Bonney knocked him out of the gunfire, forcing him to play along to escape the Noble's wrath. After a brief argument with Bonney, Zoro proceeds to carry the civilian injured earlier by the Noble to the nearest hospital, ignoring Bonney's protests. Several of the Supernovas watching the encounter comment that Zoro is a 'beast' and radiates an 'insane killing intent'. They contemplate how powerful his captain (Luffy) must be to keep such a powerful and seemingly uncontrollable man, with such a high bounty in check.

He apparently jumps onto Luffy's flying fish (after being told by the latter to do so) in an attempt to find his way back to the ship, but is crashed into the Auctioning House along with them. After Hatchan is shot, Zoro witnesses Luffy punch Saint Charloss in the face, the same Noble he himself almost attacked. Zoro remarked that Luffy should've given him the chance to slice the noble himself. He also witnessed the mechanic they were looking for, Silvers Rayleigh who uses an ability known as "Haki" to knock out most of the crowds, as well as Saint Shalulia. Zoro assisted Luffy and battle his way out the massive horde of Marines, before escaping along with Rayleigh with the help of Duval's Rosy Life Riders.

They return to Shakky's Rip Off Bar to rest. There, Rayleigh reveals he was Gold Roger's First Mate, and reveals the truth about how what led to his execution. Indeed Roger was never captured, rather he gave himself up. Four years before his death, Roger contracted an incurable illness and spent most of the years going on his final adventure to the Grand Line, eventually reaching the end, and conquering it. Roger then became known as the Pirate King, but that didn't matter to him as he was still about to die. A year before his death, he secretly disbanded the Roger Pirates and the members disappeared. Roger mentioned to Rayleigh that he isn't going to die. in Roger's final year, he gave himself up to the Marines, and sentence to public execution. The Marines publicly claimed that they captured Roger as a show of power, and used his public execution to set an example to all pirates, but his last words before his death started "The Great Pirate Age." While Rayleigh himself didn't witness Roger's execution, his subordinates, Shanks and Buggy were present. The mention of the latter mildly irritates Zoro. Rayleigh congratulates the Straw Hats on making it to the first half of the Grand Line but tells them he's going to need three days to coat the Thousand Sunny. In addition due to the arrival of an Admiral, he will move the ship as not to be noticed, so he gives the Straw Hats pieces of a Vivre Card to meet up once its done. Because of the Admiral threat, Zoro mentions they too should split up, to avoid getting caught and meet up at Rayleigh's location. Sanji notes that this is an ironic comment going from him.

As they say their farewells to Shakuyaku, Keimi, Pappug and Hatchan, the Straw Hats depart but are later confronted by the Shichibukai Bartholomew Kuma. As he attacks, the Straw Hats retaliate, now at full strength as opposed to worn out from their prior encounter at Thriller Bark. Zoro notes that there is something different about his "atmosphere" from before. The Straw Hats continue to fight "Kuma" and Luffy, Sanji and Zoro finally deliver a successful counter-attack in the form of the Gomu Gomu no Diable Jet Mouton 600 Pound Cannon combo, knocking "Kuma" back. Zoro notes that it may not be the real Kuma as he hasn't reflected their attacks or teleported with his Nikyu Nikyu no Mi abilities. This poses a problem because there is one or more copies of Kuma with similar levels of strength. Zoro suddenly collapses from the phantom pain of when he had all of Luffy's pain and fatigue was transfered to him but managed to get up and hit Kuma with a new Asura technique which badly damages the clone, before Luffy finishes it off.

As the Straw Hats catch their breath, they contemplate how powerful their opponent was, and how he came so early as they planned to hide for the next three days, and were worried as to how they are going to deal with more opponents like that.

Just then, a broadaxe-wielding warrior named Sentōmaru appeared with yet another Pacifista and ordered it to capture the Straw Hats. As the Straw Hats separated to avoid capture, Zoro, Brook and Usopp were suddenly confronted by Kizaru: one of the 3 Admirals and he proceeded to attack Zoro with a blast from his kicks. With Usopp and Brook unable to do anything to Kizaru due to the power of the Pika Pika no Mi, the Admiral attempted to finish Zoro off, but had his kick deflected by Silvers Rayleigh appearing to save him. Usopp and Brook again try to escape with Zoro, but as the PX-1 Pacifista starts coming after them Zoro tells them to put him down, and he will let them get away. But Usopp refuses saying Zoro is more useless than him right now. Even with Sanji's help they are all beaten down by the Pacifista.

Before they can get up to run again, or it can attack once more, the real Bartholomew Kuma shows up, and orders the Pacifista to stop. Zoro instantly recognizes this as the real one, and they briefly talk, before Kuma asks Zoro "Where would you like to go?," while removing his glove. He then swiftly touches Zoro with his hand, making him vanish.

Straw Hat Separation Adventure: Kuraigana Island
He is shown having landed in the exact same spot Perona was sent to, the ruins of Shikkearu Kingdom, Kuraigana Island, in the Grand Line. He wakes up having been bandaged ridiculously by Perona, wondering where he is. As he awakes, he asked for his swords, but Perona refuses to give him his weapons back. However, some measure of trust seems to have grown between them, as Zoro is later seen with his swords at his side and is casually walking through the ruins of the island as Perona floats overhead. He then encounters an unknown swordsman.

The swordsman, however, turns out to be a feral baboon known as a humandrill, whose tribe has learned to wield weapons from watching soldiers in a great war fought seven years earlier. The island also turns out to be the home of Mihawk, who upon returning to the castle informs Zoro of the events at Marineford. Mihawk then gives him a small boat to leave the island, though it is unfortunately destroyed by the humandrills. A while later, Mihawk goes to the ruins to watch Zoro's battle with the baboons. Mihawk comments on how Zoro is still far away from reaching the sea even though Zoro has been away from the castle for a long time. Mihawk adds that the boat is useless in its current state, but Zoro states that he will use a part of the boat to help him swim to his destination.

Mihawk explains to Zoro the vicious, imitative nature of these baboons and remarks that they will be difficult but good opponents for Zoro. He then offers Zoro a night at the castle, but Zoro refuses, saying he needs to get to the ocean. Mihawk responds by saying, "Do as you wish".

Zoro is then shown lying on his back making Perona hold a newspaper up for him to read. He explains that Luffy praying at Marineford and ringing the Ox Bell is out of character guessing that Rayleigh must be behind it. He asks her to hold still, maintaining that there is some kind of message hidden in the newspaper.

Zoro is next shown prostrating before Mihawk, requesting training from the Shichibukai. Mihawk initially dismisses this request as Zoro reacting to an inability to defeat the humandrills and escape the island. He chides Zoro and expresses regret for "over-estimating" the swordsman. When Zoro explains that he has defeated the humandrills and requires training from Mihawk to defeat him. The Shichibukai reconsiders, laughing at the absurdity of the request. Mihawk comments that in order to make the request Zoro must have found something more valuable than his ambition. He agrees to the request and orders Perona to patch up Zoro so that the training can begin.

The reason for Zoro's request is then revealed in Luffy's hidden message. Zoro is shown describing this message to Perona having translated it from the tattoo visible on Luffy's arm. The message orders all members of the Straw Hat crew to regroup at Saobody Archipelgo in two years rather than the three days that were initially discussed. Zoro decided he would use the extra time to train under the world's greatest swordsman.