Zoro as a plot-device–not sure where to put

Masta D.

Okay, whether you enjoyed the CP9/Robin arc or not, you have to admit it was similar to Arlong. Lets recap major events:

Warning: Possible Arlong and CP9 spoilers below.

-Nami betrays crew.
-Nami does everything she can to fulfill her dream without the help of the SH's.
-Zoro's twin katanas break.
-Zoro mistrusts Nami for leaving and asks the crew if they really want her back.
-Nami nearly gives into despair when Luffy agrees to help.
-Zoro's dream is delayed and put on the line when he agrees to help his friend.
-Traditional one-on-one fights ensue (sp).
-Zoro's opponent is a "goofy", comedic villain who uses swords in an unusual way.
-Zoro buys replacement swords shortly after.

All events listed above happen in one way or another during the Robin arc (minus the last one). My thoery: Zoro is plot device for each time the crew splits up. I also believe Zoro will get another legendary sword after this arc.

When these kinds of things happen, Zoro is there to keep the crew united and question their friendship. I don't know what kind of sword Zoro will get, nothing has been foreshadowed, but he seemed to really like the Yubashiri; which leads to my other theory:

Tashigi will take the next legendary sword he tries to buy. This will force him to use a generic sword and try to get it back, but in the hands of Tashigi, it is dangerous. Assuming Oda makes her stronger than before, her and Smoker give the SH's a good challenge. All seems lost, and Zoro wants to get the sword back but can't without Sanji's help. Sanji then must make the choice to hit a women or let his friend's dream suffer. In the end, his choice will spell out the Mugiwara's untiy.

Please rate…

Polygon

The Katanas broke in the Baratie arc.

Masta D.

@Octogon:

The Katanas broke in the Baratie arc.

Nami betrayed them in the Baratie arc.

onemoment

Well, yeah, there are similarities, but it's not like that. For example, in Water 7 Zoro seemed to be willing to give Robin the benefit of the doubt, despite acting untrustworthy of her beforehand.

Aceofblades

@Masta:

Tashigi will take the next legendary sword he tries to buy. This will force him to use a generic sword and try to get it back, but in the hands of Tashigi, it is dangerous. Assuming Oda makes her stronger than before, her and Smoker give the SH's a good challenge. All seems lost, and Zoro wants to get the sword back but can't without Sanji's help. Sanji then must make the choice to hit a women or let his friend's dream suffer. In the end, his choice will spell out the Mugiwara's untiy.

i doubt that Tashigi could beat Zoro and get his katana, unless she out right grabs it then runs the hell away
or maybe your talking about her buying it before Zoro does

Rokushiki

i think zoro wont get his new sword from another shop.i mean,are so-called "famous","rare","powerful" swords readily available at every single weapons shop.

Itzal

@Rokushiki:

i think zoro wont get his new sword from another shop.i mean,are so-called "famous","rare","powerful" swords readily available at every single weapons shop.

Two words; Logue Town.

Jestersage

I have a suspicion that Oda purposely do this to close this arc/saga. In fact, one more similarity is that the Straw Hat didn't fully use the Merry Until Logue Town, since Nami took the ship away.

So i think Oda purposely use this parallel, so that people can realize: This is yet and another turning point. the first is from searching for crewmates to Explore/adventuring. If go by the ship, then you will also notice in a majority of east blue, they use two small boats, representing they are yet a group, while prior to Enies Lobby they use going merry, good for adventuring but not much for battle.

The combination of all this show merely one important thing: One Piece is gonna focus away from pure adventuring, to more battle.

GearSecond

I have long pointed out the large similarities between Arlong Park and Enies Lobby.

However, it's not Zoro who is in the focus.

The similarities(there are many, I sometimes miss a few) are these:

Go from one "island", or rather location, to another, crossing the sea. just saying this because the Baratie is not an Island or on one.
Neithe rtimes did they go on the Gonig Merry/Their current ship
relating to that one, the Gonig Merry/current ship was recently in focus. it is almost like it was in focus the last arc, but is only this way if you divide Water 7 into 2 parts, a Merry beginning(no pun intended) and a Robin ending.
Both times a female membe rof the crew defects.
Both times Luffy has managed to change it from the "I'm doomed" to "I want to live and go back with you guys"
Some of the Zoro tihngs you pointed out.
Pretty much what else you ponited out.
Alot more

I'd love to create a full list, but I jsut wanted to ponit out it is not Zoro who is in the center of it all.

Spi D. Erman

I think that Zoro is a genius and philosopher, like the first mate of Shank's crew. He's damn smart and damn loyal, though not without his flaws.

Sea king

Are you comparing kaku vs zoro, to hachi vs zoro?

blacky

Woah yes, you're right! Major resemblance!

And don't forget that there's again that Strawhat-Crew fighting strong enemies! WOAH! No way!

Oh and think about Sanji!! Back then he went into that pool! And this time he gets a bathtub on his head! WOOT! I think that's forshadowing that Sanji will get Water-Logia soon!

And Lucci really looked like and behaved like Arlong. All the time. I thought to myself "WTF! Am I reading volume 10 again?". Yeah yeah!!!

Masta D.

@Sea:

Are you comparing kaku vs zoro, to hachi vs zoro?

Uh, kind of. Don't think I'm underrating Zoro, I like him, and both fights were creative.

GearSecond, I'm not saying Zoro is the main focus, and maybe others should take credit for pointing those things out, but what I'm saying is that he is always used as a plot device and because of that, it may foreshadow change with some of the other mugiwaras; namingly Usopp and Sanji. After-all, Oda wouldn't bring up the chivalry issue so late into the story unless he were to expand upon it.

i doubt that Tashigi could beat Zoro and get his katana, unless she out right grabs it then runs the hell away
or maybe your talking about her buying it before Zoro does

Yes. And judging from the way Coby and Helmeppo (assuming it's them) have the balls to appear before Luffy in his current state after training with Garp, it's not impossible Tashigi can get stronger.

Sea king

@Masta:

Uh, kind of. Don't think I'm underrating Zoro, I like him, and both fights were creative.

GearSecond, I'm not saying Zoro is the main focus, and maybe others should take credit for pointing those things out, but what I'm saying is that he is always used as a plot device and because of that, it may foreshadow change with some of the other mugiwaras; namingly Usopp and Sanji. After-all, Oda wouldn't bring up the chivalry issue so late into the story unless he were to expand upon it.

I understand what your getting at, most likely it's more of a pattern than a plot device. The "Arlong Park" arc and the "Enie Lobby" arc are similar. It would not be surprising to see similar events I.E. Foreshadowing used.

Rollo T

@Masta:

Tashigi will take the next legendary sword he tries to buy. This will force him to use a generic sword and try to get it back, but in the hands of Tashigi, it is dangerous. Assuming Oda makes her stronger than before, her and Smoker give the SH's a good challenge. All seems lost, and Zoro wants to get the sword back but can't without Sanji's help. Sanji then must make the choice to hit a women or let his friend's dream suffer. In the end, his choice will spell out the Mugiwara's untiy.

I must admit, this is one of the most interesting theories, and by interesting I mean a mixture of intelligence and creativity, that I've ever seen proposed in a "Sanji breaks his code" theory.

While I won't say, "YEAH THAT'S WHAT'LL HAPPEN!" I do want to comment that I really like that idea.

Masta D.

@Rollo:

I must admit, this is one of the most interesting theories, and by interesting I mean a mixture of intelligence and creativity, that I've ever seen proposed in a "Sanji breaks his code" theory.

While I won't say, "YEAH THAT'S WHAT'LL HAPPEN!" I do want to comment that I really like that idea.

Thank you.