OK this is one of the most pointless discussions ever. Everyone agrees that Zoro would never fight Shanks due to plot. Yet all are arguing whether Zoro considers him a swordsman or not. Kind of like mental masturbation if you ask me. But since I'm not averse …. might as well join in.
Ok imagine a sort of sword Olympics or Boxing championship like thing in the OP world. People who are interested in that are swordsmen by Zoro's definition. These are people interested in being the STRONGEST SWORDSMAN.
Now in case you question the existence of said group consider Mihawk the poster boy for this type. He is all about the being the best swordsman. His entire existence is about being the best swordsman. He serves no other purpose and has no other goals. He doesn’t even have a personality or crew. He literally is a sword with a guy attached. In every sense of the word. thematically and even visually. There is no way Oda can make this clearer.
In fact, I wager that Mihawk is a Shichibukai specifically to avoid unnecessary non swordsman fights. He doesn’t have any political agenda or ambition. He just wants to avoid constant harassment by the marines. I imagine that being a “Government Dog” doesn’t particularly appeal to his sense of honor. He doesn’t even listen to the marines. He just doesn’t find fighting them off all the time to be interesting. Consider, by contrast the other Shichibukai. They all have an agenda. To be pirate king. Mingo -probably-, Law, BB, Moria and Croc. To protect their people Jinbe and Hancock. To spy for the revolutionaries -probably- Kuma. To carry the banner of comedy and awesomeness, Buggy. Why is Mihawk, who is not a coward -sorry Buggs- or scheming, one of them? to concentrate on swordsmanship.
A lot of discussion has been about proving Shanks isn’t of this type by way of Zoro’s lack of interest in him. Which can be countered by stating Zoro is only interested in beating the current champ, Mihawk. And while I agree with this avenue of thought despite counter argument; there is no point in dwelling on it further. It was discussed to death.
So lets look at it from another point of view. Has shanks ever been interested in the title of best swordsman?
I would say no. It does not fit with his personality as he is quite laid back. He doesn’t bristle at a challenge. He was introduced as a person who only fights for a reason, mainly to protect a friend. An act mirrored by Luffy in Jaya. He follows in the steps of his captain in waiting for the one who will lead the change in the world and has bet his arm on Luffy being that one. Meaning he doesn’t care about preserving his own power. All point to an agenda and lack of interest in power or acclaim.
In fact to understand Shanks one needs to look no further than Luffy. Who follows in his footsteps but also reminds Shanks of Roger .i.e Luffy’s traits are considered good by Shanks and worth his arm. Luffy doesn’t challenge tough guys. He commented on how strong Fujitora was in an offhand manner. Like talking about the weather. He only fights to protect friends or when prevented from his journey.
Also Zoro and Mihawk don’t care about people who want to be pirate king. Which is arguably a better measure of strength. They care about skill with a sword specifically.
The main reason people think of Shanks as an “Olympian” is his duels with Mihawk. But Mihawk probably initiated those to test his strength. Just like he joined the war to test himself against Whitebeard. This is Mihawk’s thing he sought Shanks out not the reverse. Just like when he visits Shanks island. Shanks assumes he is there for a fight. The duels are started by him. Shanks doesn’t care. Also, Mihawk stops challenging Shanks when he loses an arm because it is no longer sporting. He can’t claim to have beaten him fair and square. That sport like honor and fairness is Mihawk’s issue not Shanks’s. Remember Mihawk fought Zoro with his letter opener to be “fair”. In contrast Shanks’s crew was introduced as OK with fighting dirty because they are “pirates” surely the captain is ok with that policy as well?
Mihawk has developed an affection for Shanks’s easy going charm. He sees parallels in Luffy as well. Contrast that with Whitebeard, who is all about I’M WHITEBEARD YOU SNOT NOSED BRATS RUN AWAY IN FEAR OF ME and pass the booze. And you see why Mihawk is ok with challenging Whitebeard in a less than sporting fashion. But is averse to piling on Shanks whom he actually likes. That is why he leaves when Shanks arrives in the war. It is ok to fight Shanks one on one, but not to bother him in a life or death situation. As to Whitebeard fuck his arrogant ass.
You can contrast Zoro and Mihawk in this regard for added insights. This I actually find interesting. Mihawk doesn’t join his friend’s crew. Instead he devotes himself completely to the sword. And is thus the ultimate cliche. Whereas Zoro is constantly subverted by his crew mainly his captain into caring about more important things. Only the equivalent of a deathbed promise to his childhood friend constantly haunts him into caring about the title. That conflict in Zoro among others is why I find him interesting as opposed to say Mihawk. He throws his life away to Kuma and bows his head to Mihawk. All for his friends. Live friends trump childhood ghosts of the past. This zeal for life and overcoming the past is one of the things I love about one piece in addition to the quest for freedom.
pass the tissues.