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Was Ryuma truly the Sword God in One Piece? Discover the identity of this character and his significance in the series.
One Piece is filled with mysteries, whether it is regarding the Void Century, Imu, or the One Piece itself. An equally compelling enigma in the series is Ryuma, a man briefly shown in the Thriller Bark Arc. However, we soon learned how legendary this character is, wielding powerful swords and being given a heroic title. So, was Ryuma truly the Sword God in One Piece?
Yes, Ryuma was revered as the Sword God in One Piece for his prowess with the sword and having killed a dragon. His influence on the series, particularly Zoro, has made him a fan-favorite character. Let us take a closer look at him.
Who Is Ryuma the Sword God in One Piece?
Shimotsuki Ryuma was a man who hailed from Wano during the Country of Gold era. During his introduction, he was a zombie held captive by Gecko Moria before being defeated by Zoro. In reality, however, the human Ryuma existed 400 years before the current timeline.
He wielded the Black Blade Shusui and was known throughout the world for his unmatched skill. This made him the main contributor to Wano’s fame, with characters far and wide learning about the land’s samurai. Ryuma was a prideful and fair man, who protected others and laid high value on his samurai spirit.
Whenever others would touch the sheath of his sword, he believed they were challenging him to a fight and would dive in headfirst. Ryuma was also not necessarily smart since he spent his life searching for a warrior named “King” and wished to fight him. In reality, however, he himself was “King”, earning the nickname for his deeds.
While many of the exact details of Ryuma’s conquests haven’t been revealed, Ryuma is considered to be the greatest swordsman in One Piece. As mentioned above, his skills with the sword and ability to cut down fearsome dragons gave him the title Sword God. Hence, his legend is even compared to Joy Boy.
Ryuma’s Relation to Zoro
Ryuma’s relationship with Zoro was initially just that of two powerful swordsmen, where Zoro defeated the Zombified Ryuma and inherited Shusui. Fans later found, however, that it was deeper than that.
Zoro is a descendant of the Shimotsuki Clan in Wano, being the great-nephew of Shimotsuki Ushimaru, a former Daimyo of Wano. This connected him to the Shimotsuki name, all of whom carry the bloodline of Ryuma.
Along with this connection, Ryuma’s design is also extremely similar to Zoro’s. Both had similar appearances in different stages of their life, even going on to have identical scars on their eyes. Hence, Zoro’s pride in being a swordsman, inheriting Shusui, and wishing to become the strongest are something he unwittingly carries on from his ancestor.
Ryuma’s Strengths and Abilities
While Ryuma may not have seemed that special in Thriller Bark, that was not even a fraction of his strength. In his human body, he was an unparalleled figure who represented everything the samurai stood for.
His swordsmanship was powerful enough to kill first-rate swordsmen and dragons with minimal effort. Combining this with the Shusui and Haki which turned the blade black, there are very few people who would be able to stand up to him.
Ryuma’s powers also came from his unwavering relentlessness and willpower. He stood up for those under threat, earning the nickname “King” for the same. Due to this, we don’t actually know the upper limit of Ryuma’s powers. He was eventually defeated by an illness, leaving behind an untarnishable legacy in the world.
What Is Monsters: 103 Mercies Dragon Damnation?
Monsters: 103 Mercies Dragon Damnation is an ONA episode based on the Monsters short story from Eiichiro Oda’s Wanted! manga. While all the parts of this manga aren’t considered canon, Oda confirmed Ryuma’s “Monsters” story to be canonthrough an SBS. This tells the tale of Ryuma’s past where he ends up in a town’s restaurant after having starved for a long time.
In this town, a famous and “humble” swordsman named Cyrano tricked its residents along with his confidant, D.R. After these villains called a dragon with a horn, they framed Ryuma into taking all the blame. While the residents of the town were frantically escaping the monster’s wrath, Cyrano and D.R. were looting their houses. Enraged by this, Ryuma promised to repay them.
He showed off his prowess, rapidly killing the perpetrators and going on to cut down the dragon itself. He later left the town, while fans learned that Ryuma was considered the world’s best swordsman, not realizing this himself.
This one-shot provides valuable insights into Ryuma’s personality, showcasing him as a protective and determined warrior. He was never intimidated by a dragon’s presence, caring more about upholding his own spirit and honor.
Conclusion
Ryuma’s title as the Sword God is more than just a reflection of his unparalleled skill; it is a testament to his enduring legacy in the world of One Piece. As a mortal, his achievements were extraordinary, laying the foundations for Wano as well as Zoro.
While his legacy has been cemented and his time is long past, fans would undoubtedly love to learn more about this legendary swordsman.
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