Zoro's relationship with Mihawk is one of the most intriguing rivalries in One Piece, as it begins with Mihawk slaying Zoro with a simple knife, but also praising his determination in the hope that Zoro would one day become strong enough to be his rival. During the time skip, Zoro begged Mihawk to train him so he could become stronger, and although Mihawk initially refused, he eventually agreed. Why? Keep reading our article to find out.

After the crew split up before the Time Skip, Zoro came to Mihawk's castle and begged him to train him. Mihawk initially refused because he believed Zoro had failed to defeat the Humandrills, then backed out, but Zoro proved him wrong, still begging Mihawk to train him. Although the idea of ​​Zoro asking him to train him while simultaneously planning to take his head in the future amused him, he nevertheless agreed to train him, but only after Perona healed the pirate's grievous injuries. The two trained for two years, during which Mihawk taught Zoro how to imbue his blades with Armament Haki, transforming them into black swords during that time.

The rest of this article will introduce you to yet another aspect of Zoro and Mihawk's shared history. There are several important elements in their shared history, and the training Zoro undertook with Mihawk is one of the most important. This article will tell you all the known details about this training, although we must warn you that there aren't many. Since the time skip was only explained rather than narratively analyzed by Oda, we know some details, but not many. Of course, the article will contain spoilers, so be careful how you approach it.

Mihawk agreed to train Zoro because Zoro convinced him that he was worth it.

We all know that Zoro considers Mihawk his greatest rival, but the two eventually train together, and it's one of the most interesting narrative moments in One Piece. But before we get to that part, let's go back to the Baratie Arc, as we'll be chronicling the initial encounter between these two characters.

Mihawk is determined to finish sinking the Dreadnought Saber, which he had been interrupted from a few days earlier, while the Straw Hat Pirates fight Creek and his troops. But Zoro challenges Mihawk to a duel as soon as he recognizes him.

Mihawk successfully repels his opponent's three blade attacks with a single knife before stabbing Zoro in the chest at the very last second. However, the Seven Warlords of the Sea member is moved by his rival's spirit and grants him the privilege of witnessing his black sword in action. Zoro is about to make the strongest move, but Mihawk manages to shatter two of his swords with a single blow, leaving only the Wado Ichimonji intact.

Zoro admits defeat and positions himself to be stabbed by his opponent, exposing his chest, convinced that a back injury is a hindrance to a swordsman. Mihawk smirks and stabs him in the chest, but stops long enough for him to survive. He then challenges him to become the greatest swordsman in the entire world:

"My name is Dracule Mihawk!! It is too soon for you to die. Discover yourself. See the world!! And become strong, Zoro! However long it may take… I will be waiting for you at the top. Strive with all your heart and mind to defeat this blade, ferocious one!!! Strive to surpass me, Roronoa Zoro!!!"

– Chapter 52, One Piece manga

Soon after, Mihawk decides it's time to return to the Grand Line. However, when Creek attempts to attack the swordsman, the swordsman's blows split the ship in two. And that's where their story begins, how they became rivals. Even though Mihawk was aware that he was far superior to Zoro at the time, he saw some potential in him and believed that Zoro could, in time, become strong enough to replace Shanks, who was his former rival in the series.

Zoro, of course, because of the childhood promise he made to his late friend, wanted to become the best swordsman in the world, and knowing that Dracule Mihawk is the greatest swordsman in the world, it makes sense that he accepted his challenge and began training to become the best in the world.

Namely, to win this title, Zoro knew he had to first defeat Mihawk, and to do that, he would have to become much better, which he has been doing all this time. But, while their stories developed separately for most of the plot, the two reunited again just before the two-year time skip, during which the team temporarily disbanded. So, what happened?

During the Post-War Arc, Mihawk returns to Kuraigana and encounters Perona and Zoro, who are fighting the Humandrills. He then gives the boy a boat to leave the island and returns to the castle. After hearing of Gecko Moria's supposed death, Perona begins to cry. The swordsman is uninterested in the girl's displeasure, as he reveals that he saw Moria still alive at the end of hostilities. However, he also tells her that he cannot know the truth.

Later, he leaves the castle and notices that the fight between Zoro and the Humandrills is still ongoing, that the boat he gave the boy has been destroyed, and that the guest is struggling to cope with the beasts infesting the place. He tells him the history of the island and offers to return to the castle to rest, but Zoro refuses. Mihawk walks away, leaving him to do what he wants. Shortly after, Zoro returns to the castle and begs him to be his teacher so he can become even stronger.

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Mihawk initially refuses, believing that Zoro has failed to defeat the Humandrills infesting the island. The boy explains that he has actually managed to defeat them all, but despite this, he realizes that he needs further training to be able to face the dangers of the New World and, consequently, protect his captain.

Mihawk understands that Zoro put aside his pride to make this request and therefore grants him his wish, being, at the same time, quite amused by the fact that he was going to drag away the person who wants to take his head.

Few details are known about this training, but we do know that Mihawk taught Zoro how to imbue his swords with Armament Haki, a very complex and powerful technique. In fact, it requires so much focus and willpower that Mihawk forbade Zoro from drinking even a drop of alcohol (and Zoro loves alcohol) until he mastered this technique, which Zoro eventually adhered to. After the time skip, a much stronger Zoro rejoined his friends and crewmates, knowing that he still had much to learn before he could possibly face Mihawk.