One Piece is a manga and anime series that has captivated millions of fans around the world with its epic story, diverse characters, and thrilling adventures. The series follows the journey of Monkey D. Luffy, a young pirate who dreams of finding the legendary treasure One Piece and becoming the King of the Pirates. Along the way, he recruits a crew of loyal and powerful companions, each with their own goals and dreams.
One of these companions is Roronoa Zoro, a swordsman who aims to become the world’s greatest. Zoro is known for his three-sword style, his sense of direction (or lack thereof), and his rivalry with Sanji, the cook of the crew. Zoro is also one of the strongest fighters in the series, having clashed with many formidable opponents, such as Dracule Mihawk, the greatest swordsman in the world, and Pica, one of the top executives of the Donquixote Pirates.
Another character who has a history with Zoro is Smoker, a Marine officer who pursues Luffy and his crew across the seas. Smoker is a user of the Moku Moku no Mi, a Devil Fruit that allows him to create and manipulate smoke. He also wields a jutte that can negate Devil Fruit powers. Smoker first encountered Zoro in Loguetown, where he tried to arrest him for being a pirate. However, Zoro managed to escape with the help of Luffy and Dragon, Luffy’s father and the leader of the Revolutionary Army.
Since then, Smoker and Zoro have crossed paths several times, such as in Arabasta, where they teamed up to fight against Crocodile, the leader of Baroque Works and a former member of the Seven Warlords of the Sea; in Marineford, where they witnessed the death of Portgas D. Ace, Luffy’s brother and a commander of the Whitebeard Pirates; and in Punk Hazard, where they formed a temporary alliance to defeat Caesar Clown, a mad scientist and a subordinate of Kaido, one of the Four Emperors.
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The Fan Theory: Are Smoker and Zoro Related?
Given their frequent interactions and some similarities in their appearance and personality, some fans have speculated that Smoker and Zoro might be related by blood. This fan theory is based on several assumptions and clues, such as:
- Smoker and Zoro share some physical traits, such as white hair (light blue-green in the pre-timeskip anime), brown eyes, muscular build, and scars on their bodies.
- Smoker and Zoro have similar fighting styles, both using weapons (swords and jutte) and Devil Fruit powers (smoke and Asura) that enhance their physical abilities.
- Smoker and Zoro have similar attitudes, both being stern, serious, loyal, honorable, and determined. They also have a sense of justice that sometimes clashes with their respective sides (Marines and pirates).
- Smoker and Zoro have similar backgrounds, both being orphans who were trained by swordsmen (Koushirou and Tashigi) who resemble each other. They also have connections to Wano Country, a land of samurai where Zoro learned his swordsmanship from Kozaburo Shimotsuki, the grandfather of Koushirou and Kuina (Zoro’s childhood friend and rival), and where Smoker encountered Trafalgar Law (a pirate ally of Luffy) who gave him a clue about the secret history of the world.
Based on these assumptions and clues, some fans have theorized that Smoker and Zoro might be cousins or distant relatives who share a common ancestor from Wano Country. This ancestor could be Shimotsuki Ryuma, a legendary samurai who was known as the King of Monsters and who wielded Shusui, one of the 21 Great Grade swords. Ryuma’s corpse was stolen by Moria (another former member of the Seven Warlords) who used it to create a zombie that fought against Zoro in Thriller Bark. Zoro defeated Ryuma’s zombie and inherited Shusui as a reward.
According to One Piece Wiki, Ryuma was also featured in Monsters , a one-shot manga by Eiichiro Oda (the creator of One Piece) that was later incorporated into One Piece as canon. In Monsters , Ryuma was shown to have white hair (black in some color pages), brown eyes, and a scar on his left eye. He also smoked cigars (like Smoker) and had a bounty on his head (like Zoro). He was also very strong and skilled with his sword, being able to slay a dragon (like Zoro did in Punk Hazard).
The Evidence: Is There Any Proof That Smoker and Zoro Are Related?
While this fan theory is interesting and plausible, there is no definitive proof that Smoker and Zoro are related. In fact, there are several arguments that could debunk this theory, such as:
- Smoker and Zoro’s physical similarities could be coincidental or artistic choices by Oda, who often reuses character designs or gives them distinctive features to make them stand out. For example, there are many other characters in One Piece who have white hair, brown eyes, scars, or muscular build, such as Kizaru, Marco, Shanks, Rayleigh, etc.
- Smoker and Zoro’s fighting styles could be influenced by their respective mentors or environments, rather than by their bloodline. For example, Smoker learned to use his jutte from Hina (his friend and fellow Marine officer) who also uses a similar weapon. Zoro learned to use his three-sword style from Koushirou (his master and Kuina’s father) who also taught him the principles of swordsmanship. Their Devil Fruit powers could also be random or acquired by chance, rather than inherited or predetermined.
- Smoker and Zoro’s attitudes could be shaped by their experiences or goals, rather than by their personality. For example, Smoker became stern and serious after witnessing the corruption and injustice of the Marines and the World Government. He also developed a sense of justice that led him to pursue Luffy and his crew, whom he considers as criminals. Zoro became loyal and honorable after making a promise to Kuina (his childhood friend and rival) to become the world’s greatest swordsman. He also developed a determination that led him to follow Luffy and his crew, whom he considers as his friends.
- Smoker and Zoro’s backgrounds could be connected by fate or coincidence, rather than by family ties. For example, Smoker and Zoro met in Loguetown because they were both drawn to Luffy (Smoker as an enemy and Zoro as an ally). They also encountered each other in Arabasta, Marineford, and Punk Hazard because they were both involved in the same events or conflicts (such as the Baroque Works plot, the Whitebeard War, and the Caesar Clown incident). Their connections to Wano Country could also be unrelated or indirect, rather than direct or significant.
The Conclusion: Is Smoker Related to Zoro?
In conclusion, there is no conclusive evidence that Smoker and Zoro are related by blood. While they have some similarities and interactions that could suggest a possible relation, they also have many differences and contradictions that could disprove it. Therefore, this fan theory is more likely to be false than true.
However, this does not mean that Smoker and Zoro do not have a relationship at all. They do have a relationship that is based on respect, rivalry, and cooperation. They respect each other as fighters and as individuals who have their own ideals and dreams. They rival each other as enemies and as competitors who challenge each other’s strength and skills. They cooperate with each other as allies and as partners who work together to overcome common threats or enemies.
Therefore, Smoker and Zoro are related by something more than blood: they are related by spirit. They are two warriors who share a bond of honor and courage that transcends their affiliations or backgrounds. They are two characters who enrich the story of One Piece with their dynamic and complex relationship that adds depth and excitement to the series.
What do you think of this article? Do you agree or disagree with this fan theory? Do you have any other fan theories about One Piece? Let me know in the comments below!
