Summary
What is a swordsman without his sword? From the moment he set out from East Blue’s Shimotsuki Village, Zoro’s goal inOne Piecehas been to become the greatest swordsman in the world—a title he relentlessly pursues to this day. His mastery over the blade is nothing short of legendary, withonly a handful of swordsmen able to stand toe-to-toe with himin battle.
Throughout the series,we’ve witnessed Zoro’s techniques evolve, from his iconic Three-Sword Style to the awe-inspiring Nine-Sword Style. And yet, surprisingly, Zoro has proven that he doesn’t even need swords to showcase that he is the best swordsman of the new generation, and his No Sword Style is proof of that.
The Origin of Zoro’s No Sword Style
The Davy Back Fight and the Groggy Ring Event
Zoro’s No Sword Style first made its unexpected debut during the chaotic Groggy Ring event in the Davy Back Fight—a pirate game steeped in tradition and notorious for its ruthless competition. The Davy Back Fight is a legendary contest among pirates, said to be created on Pirate Island in homage to the mythical Davy Jones. It serves as both a challenge and a way for pirate crews to conscript members of rival teams, with Foxy, the captain of the Foxy Pirates, being infamous for using these games to bolster his ranks.
The Groggy Ring event, a particularly bizarre match in the Davy Back Fight, involves three players on each team, with one designated as the “ball.” The objective is to knock the opposing team’s “ball” into a large, circular goal, reminiscent of a basketball hoop, to score a point. But there’s a catch—no weapons are allowed, which was why Zoro stepped onto the field without his swords, forcing him to improvise.
How Zoro’s No Sword Style Works
The Technique Behind the Dragon Twister
Unfortunately, Roronoa Zoro has only used the No Sword Style twice (and one of these instances wasn’t even canon), leaving fans with limited details about how it works. However, based on the manga, its obvious that this technique mirrors the motions ofZoro’s iconic Three Sword Style’s Tatsu Maki, but with a key difference: it’s done without swords, relying solely on Zoro’s arms.
Without the sharp edge of his swords, this version of Tatsu Maki lacks the cutting power that typically accompanies Zoro’s attacks. Instead, the No Sword Style is primarily used to send opponents flying. The technique’s force comes from the powerful rotating motion Zoro creates by spinning himself, which generates a vortex that propels his enemy several feet into the air. Despite the absence of blades, the impact of Zoro’s arms can deliver devastating force into his opponent’s body, causing severe blunt trauma—a substitute for the cutting damage of the original sword-based technique.
Much like its sword-wielding counterpart, an image of a dragon appears behind Zoro as he performs this move, adding a mythical flair to the already impressive display. In the VIZ manga and later Funimation subs, this technique is referred to as the Dragon Twister.
Variations of Zoro’s No Sword Style
No Sword Style Has Two Non-Canon Variations
Zoro’s No Sword Style, though seldom used,has inspired some intriguing variations, showcasing his adaptability even when handcuffed or facing overwhelming odds. These variations are proof of how far Zoro would go to avoid using martial arts, but he does gain points for creativity.
One such variation isKusari Tatsu Maki(literally translated toChain Dragon Twister). This move is a twist on the standard Tatsu Maki, specifically designed for situations where Zoro is handcuffed to others. By rotating and creating the familiar spinning vortex with the handcuffed person acting like an extension of his arm, Zoro not only attacks his target but also uses the added weight of those he’s chained to as additional force. For reference, this technique was notably used inOne Piece Partyto demolish a falling building while Zoro was chained to Luffy, Bartolomeo, and Cavendish.
Another variation isAshura: Punch, a derivative of Zoro’s Nine Sword Style. This move is based onKiki Kyutoryu: Ashura, whereZoro, wielding his Wado Ichimonji in his mouthand holding his other two swords out front, creates an illusion that makes it appear as though he has three faces and six arms, each wielding swords. When executed without swords, Zoro lunges forward, punching with all nine “arms,” mimicking the power and ferocity of his sword-basedAshura: Ichibugin. This technique was used inOne Piece Partyto stop a swarm of Germa 66’s clone soldiers.
However, these variations of the No Sword Style have not been featured in theOne Piececanon. As a result, it’s challenging to classify them as canon, leaving their place in the broader narrative uncertain.
Does Zoro’s No Sword Style Use Haki?
The Power Boost of Armament Haki
In the Wano arc, Zoro took his No Sword Style to a new level by infusing it with Haki. This enhancement isn’t part of the original technique, but it shows Zoro’s growth and adaptability. During the two-year time-skip, Zoro trained under Mihawk at Kuraigana Island,where he mastered the use of Haki. While Zoro primarily excels in Armament Haki, he also has a solid grasp of Observation Haki.
When Zoro combined Armament Haki with his No Sword Style, the move’s power increased significantly. The infusion of Haki not only strengthened the attack but also amplified its impact, making it a far more devastating technique. Although Haki isn’t necessary for the move to be effective, it undeniably enhances the strength and overall effectiveness of the attack.
One Piece
Cast
One Piece is a Japanese manga written and illustrated by Eiichiro Oda. The series follows protagonist Monkey D. Luffy and his Straw Hat Pirate crew as they explore the Grand Line to find the King of the Pirates' ultimate treasure, the One Piece, in order to become the next king. The manga’s popularity helped it spin off into a larger media franchise, including an anime with more than 1,000 episodes.
