One Piece ワンピース [East Blue Saga] : Shichibukai Dracule “Hawk-Eyes” Mihawk vs Roronoa “Pirate Hunter” Zoro

“My name is Dracule Mihawk!! It’s too soon for you to die. Discover yourself. See the world! And grow strong, Zoro!! However long it may take…I shall await you at the top. Strive with your whole heart and mind to best this blade, fierce one!! Strive to surpass me, Roronoa Zoro!!”

My favorite Shichibukai. In my opinion, what Oda does better than most other mangakas, is establishing the power levels of characters. He introduces many of his “strongest” characters early in the game so we have an idea what the “TOP TIER” looks like and then balances everything from there. Many times in other mangas, the strongest characters are later revealed to become twice if not three times more op than they were and more often than not, there suddenly is a random character that takes them down. In One Piece it’s constant, we know who is strong and they stay strong, and we follow the journey of the lower tier characters through their blood, sweat, and tears until they finally reach the summit that we have so longed for. Oda does this beautifully. That being said, “Hawk-Eyes” was truly an eye opener for everyone when he came out as we really got a taste of the “New World”. Everyone thought this murderous Don Krieg was the Butcher of the Seas and then this single swordsman floats in out of nowhere and cuts his shit to pieces. Amazing. I also love the fact that he duels with Shanks from time to time and through that Shanks’ rep went up. I believe Mihawk is practically Yonkō tier, he just uses the Shichibukai title to travel & cos he’s bored. The Worlds Greatest Swordsman!!

♪ : Mozart - Requiem Dies Irae

