@KaiPirinha:
I don't get it. Luffy is dumb as hell, but is the captain. I don't see the need of a clever VC. Care to explain?
Now about this discussion
Let's look at Luffy's definition of a captain:
http://mangafox.me/manga/one_piece/v10/c090/15.html
Knowing this… If you have to pick one of the strawhats (other than Luffy) to fit this position, who would be?
Who keeps his head cool at crucial moments involving the crew?
Who gives Luffy the most important advices?
Anyone that didn't answer "Zoro" three times should read the manga again.
Completely agree man, all of this assumption that the VC or First Mate, needs to be the smartest of the bunch is unfounded, the damn Captain is the dumbest of the bunch, thus saying things like Ussop, Nami , Sanji fit the role better than Zoro is kinda laughable and borderline fanboyism at it's finest.
Take Baroque Works for example, Mr. 1 was Croc's right-hand man, yet Robin was the most clever among his commanders, imo.
On the other hand , you have someone like Beckmen who is said to have one of the highest IQ's in East Blue , aside from Nami.
Second in Commands vary in style and status.
Killer from Kid's crew is the perfect example of a senior officer who doesn't need to be called Vc or FM at every other turn to prove he has seniority among the crew. Killer has been called a Fighter, nothing more. Yet, it's him we see always by Kid's side , during whatever crucial moves their crew makes.
Gonna tell me he isn't the 2nd in command either?
Jinbe is another one. He was never, and I mean , NEVER called Vc or FM of the Sun Pirates, but he sure did take command when Tiger was away & after he died. Doesn't take a genius or an official title to see he was Tiger's 2nd.
Oda just varies the ways he chooses to portray crew dynamics, it's better for the story this way too, because every crew feels different as a result. Some crews feel like a gang, others feel like a mafia , like Cyclone said earlier, The Strawhats feel like a Family.
But don't get it misunderstood. Luffy and Zoro are the senior members of the crew, Captain and First Mate. Oda makes this perfectly clear by crew interaction and dialogue during crisis.
Nami does handle the day-to-days , but who really gives a shit? It's her Job to Navigate, she has to be one of the more vocal crew members if not the most, her job demands it. The other things she takes authority over aren't trivial in importance per se , but they pale in comparison to the heavier stuff that Luffy and Zoro are gonna have to deal with going forward.