ZORO, THE DESCENDANT OF THE LEGENDARY SAMURAI RYUMA

It’s a long read but hopefully it’s convincing enough and worth the time. Enjoy.

I’ll split this theory in 3 main parts:-
1) Introduction and purpose of the theory
2) Comparisons and similarities between Zoro and Ryuma
3) Foreshadowings and other evidences
So let’s begin.
Disclaimer:- Most of the references in this theory are made to the Monsters one shot by Oda-sensei on Ryuma so in case you haven’t gone through it, I’d suggest you do so as it would be far easier to understand this theory then.

1) Introduction and Purpose
Haven’t you found it intriguing that the first time we saw Zoro was a young determined kid who could already use swords and was training at a dojo, lifting weights and stuff rather than a helpless baby like Nami or a child with known parents like Usopp? Isn’t it quite fascinating that only he and Sanji have absolutely no known Origins and are the 2 people without Devil Fruits with the most mysterious of powers. Regarding Sanji we barely have any hints and all is just speculation but I have some references about Zoro and that is why I chose to make this theory. The purpose is that Zoro’s origins open a wide number of horizons to explore. The reality behind his powers, future arcs and predictions in One Piece etc. can all be discovered sooner or later if we know his origins. (Regarding his powers, Coby when describing Zoro to Luffy said he is a demon incarnated in human form in one of the early episodes in one piece.)
Now with the evidence in hand, I tried to figure out his origins albeit not the immediate parentage exactly. More like an ancestor or someone at least 2 to 3 generations earlier. That person is Ryuma. How? Let’s get onto that.

2) Comparisons and similarities
Comparisons and similarities can be the best of proofs sometimes since we all know genes pass down the generations and some similarities are retained even between some distant generations (Hold your thoughts on me being a lunatic for a while )
So let’s see. First and foremost the appearance.

Isn’t the appearance of Ryuma in this colored image pretty similar to pre time-skip Zoro? Oda hasn’t drawn many male characters with similar apperances and usually they are from same lineage eg. A younger Garp and luffy look a little bit similar.

Next up is their behaviour:-
-Both are swordsman and very skilled and honorable ones too. There is no need to explain this as we all have seen Zoro’s fight with Mihawk and in Thriller Bark, Ryuma’s zombie claiming to bring dishonor to the great Samurai’s body. In Monsters, Ryuma mentions something called ‘Warrior’s soul’ during his interaction with the restaurant owner.

I think this also refers to the honor of a swordsman as much as it refers to a swordsman’s skill. All across the Monsters chapter, we have seen Ryuma to be very honourable. Zoro talking about a cut on the back to be a disgrace to a swordsman and his final words to Ryuma’s zombie suggest he is a man of honor and not just his own but a swordsman’s honor in general.

NOW IMPRINT THE ABOVE IMAGE IN THE MIND BECAUSE IT HAS ANOTHER BIG REFERENCE TOO.

-Zoro dreams of being the World’s greatest swordsman. In the above panel, you saw The King to be the strongest swordsman in the world and if you’ve read the last panel, the king is none other than ‘Ryuma, the King’. (Though he himself is unaware of it). Zoro’s dream collides with Ryuma’s reality. Just a mere co-incidence? No problem. Let’s go further.

The above 3 were the main big factors but there are tons of smaller similarities too:-
-Zoro’s tendency to be flat broke at the beginning of the series and also initially he and Luffy starving. Similar is the case with Ryuma in the above mentioned chapter.

-Zoro possesses some level of arrogance and so does Ryuma especially when the towns people accuse him and later on when he sees Shirano and DR steal the belongings of people.

-Zoro also can be some one concerned for other’s well being even if they are not related or strangers perhaps. Eg. Zoro picking up the man shot by a Celestial Dragon to the hospital simply because he is injured. Ryuma also was very concerned for Flare’s well being and though not showing it, perhaps the town as well.

-Zoro and Ryuma are both very indebted and dedicated to the person who saved their life. Zoro to Luffy and Ryuma to Flare albeit in much different circumstances. They are concerned for both for their physical and mental well being. Eg. Ryuma when he sees Shirano stealing realises it would break Flare’s heart to know the truth and Zoro’s reaction and concern when he realises Ace died.

-Both aren’t exactly behind fame.

Zoro simply wants to achieve his dream while Ryuma is a wandering samurai who protects people. Zoro also has a deep streak to protect as seen throught the series especially for his nakama.

-Zoro though initially reckless later becomes very protective and attached to his swords. This is evident when in Thriller Bark, when zombie Ryuma asks him why he needs the Shusui when he already has 3 swords and was fighting with 2, Zoro replied he felt uncomfortable without the 3rd and we saw him give Yubashiri a funeral if it could be said. Ryuma in monsters said that a sword is a swordsman’s life.

-If you go through Monsters, there are still many other smaller behavioural and characteristic parallel’s which signify similar personalities for most parts. So many similarities are there that there can only be a few conclusions.

Moving on

3) Foreshadowings
Unlike the similarities and comparisons, these aren’t based on personal character but events throught the series which provide concrete evidence to support the theory. I have 5 evidences here in total.

1) The most obvious being Zoro fighting Ryuma’s zombie for the meitou Shuusui. Brook couldn’t defeat him and Zoro stepped in simply because he heard of Ryuma’s legendary reputation and his urge to fight a great swordsman. You might feel this to be vague but hold on a second. Rewind back to the 2nd image of this theory which i asked you to remember carefully. Ryuma when he hears about the King (not knowing it’s himself), has a desire to cross blades with the strongest swordsman believing him to have a great ‘Warrior’s Soul’. Another behavioural similarity too but more so an event marking a foreshadowing to the future.

2) I will post 2 images here which will explain everything without the need of much words.

A sword chooses its owner and the Shuusui’s will for Zoro to be its master. It is a sword wielded by a former ‘World’s Greatest Swordsman’. Definitely there would be far too few people it could chose as its masters. And it chose Zoro. It couldn’t just be because of the dream would it? Wouldn’t there be a sense of belonging when it is wielded by someone from the same lineage with equal or higher potential?

3) During Punk Hazard, we saw Zoro slay a dragon. (Hold it not just yet). Remember the technique? He didn’t use his trademark Santoryuu but rather the One Sword Style Ittoryu with the sword used being Shuusui. Ryuma also slayed a dragon with the same sword (He was only a 1 sword user). Not just that, they both slay it with a single mightly slash on the neck. I don’t suppose co incidences are this frequent after all I mentioned above.

4) Another set of images about their cutting capabilities.

Ryuma cuts copper which others believed couldn’t be cut with a sword. Remember Zoro beating Daz Bones and cutting steel? Both these men have feats which not ordinary swordsman would do and Zoro’s journey is leading him to his ancestor’s path of the World’s Greatest swordsman. (Getting more believable? Don’t worry, there’s one more)

5) In the anime, Brook noted both swordsmen to be strength relying swordsman and had this to say :-

Both possess inhuman strength to supplement their swordsmanship.

Conclusion:-
All the above led me to believe that Zoro would be Ryuma’s descendant but definitely not an immediate one as Zoro commented in the end to having wished to have fought Ryuma in his ‘era’ signifying a bigger gap in time periods. Also if Ryuma was a close ascendant, Zoro probably would have known so they must have been around atleast 3 generations apart perhaps.
Also Ryuma was a samurai from Wano but he wandered around so it wouldn’t also be neccesary for Zoro to be born in Wano and hence he hasn’t also inherited a samurai’s lifestyle. This just removes the doubt why Zoro was in East Blue as a child and not somewhere on the Grandline as they were generations apart and Ryuma being a wandering samurai.
Now a little bit of believable speculation. Who would have been Ryuma’s mate?
This lovely lady. (Yes I am a Sanji fan minus the pervertedness Just love her character is all)
Flare (It just fits. Wait a minute… I am a theorist not a matchmaker.. Damn)

Well, I thank you for the patience to read such a long theory. It was so long that by the end i forgot how i even started it I covered all major points but may have forgotten some minor ones. Will gladly appreciate all feedback. Whether it actually comes true or not is upto Oda-sensei so don’t flare me if it doesn’t Just tried my best as always and I hope you liked it (Tried to add little bit of humour so you don’t get bored)

*Theory by Portgas D. Shanks