HIGHLIGHTS

Dracule Mihawk is the strongest swordsman in One Piece, using Yoru and skilled in Armament and Observation Haki.
Shiryu, a Ten Titanic Captain, and Vista, a Whitebeard Pirates commander, are potential matchups for Mihawk.
Roronoa Zoro, a Straw Hat Pirates member, and Shanks, a Four Emperors member, are Mihawk’s main rivals, with Zoro aiming to surpass Mihawk as the strongest swordsman.

Dracule Mihawk is the strongest swordsman in One Piece. It is unclear when he obtained the title, but it is safe to say that he has been the holder for many years. In battle, Mihawk relies on Yoru, a Saijo O-Wazamono grade sword that dwarfs most blades. Despite its size, Mihawk can wield it flawlessly in combat.

Mihawk is adept at using Armament and Observation Haki, as he was knowledgeable enough to teach Roronoa Zoro. Unlike most One Piece characters, Mihawk despises being part of a crew. In fact, he spent most of the time by himself. Over the years, Mihawk’s name has made him a target of many blitzkriegs from his rivals, and while he has repelled most of them, there have been times when his back was up against the wall.

Some of the characters are not direct rivals to Mihawk, but they are potential matchups.

5Shiryu

One Of The Ten Titanic Captains

Shiryu used to be the chief jailer of Impel Down, but Magellan locked him up due to excessive violence against prisoners. He was finally freed during Blackbeard’s invasion of the facility. However, Shiryu decided to ally with the pirates and became one of the Ten Titan Captains.

Presently, Shiryu possesses the Suke Suke no Mi, a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit that allows him to turn invisible. With such power, it is extremely difficult for his opponents to keep up with him. Shiryu can also use it to launch surprise attacks on his enemies. Shiryu has a named sword called Raiu, but its grade remains unknown. Mihawk and Shiryu have absolutely no connection, but seeing Shiryu try to trick Mihawk’s sharp eyes would be a true spectacle. Mihawk and Shiryu might come face-to-face as their captains are actively looking for the One Piece.

4Vista

Fifth Division Commander Of The Whitebeard Pirates

Vista was a commander of the Whitebeard Pirates and one of the oldest serving members. He was with the crew when they crashed onto the shores of Wano, and he stayed loyal until after their loss to the Blackbeard Pirates in the Payback War. Naturally, Vista has been a part of many big fights, and since he managed to survive all of them, it proves he is an outstanding fighter.

Vista is able to use both Armament and Observation Haki, and he was one of the few people who managed to stop Akainu momentarily in Marineford. Vista also fought against Mihawk in Marineford, and he was able to hold his ground without too much trouble. Mihawk even acknowledged Vista’s strength and said only a fool would not have heard of him. The fight between Vista and Mihawk never reached a proper end, but it is safe to assume that both of them would be more than happy to face each other.

3Fujitora

A Marine Admiral

Fujitora is a Marine Admiral who was selected through the World Military Draft along with Ryokugyu. Unlike most people working for the World Government, Fujitora has a strong moral code. He blinded himself after seeing the amount of hatred and evil in the world. Despite losing his eyesight, Fujitora was chosen to become an Admiral, which says a lot about his strength.

Fujitora possesses the Zushi Zushi no Mi, a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit that allows him to manipulate gravity. With its power, he can bring down meteors from the sky. Fujitora possesses the Yakuza Kasen, making him one of the few characters who possess a Saijo O-Wazamono grade sword. If Fujitora was not a talented swordsman, he would not have obtained a weapon of the highest grade. Fujitora and Mihawk are not direct rivals, but the Admiral openly advocated against the Shichibukai system. So, if given a chance, Fujitora would not hesitate to spill Mihawk’s blood.

2Roronoa Zoro

A Talented Swordsman

Roronoa Zoro is the second-strongest fighter in the Straw Hat Pirates. Before joining Luffy on his arduous yet ambitious journey, Zoro used to work as a bounty hunter. He hunted down pirates, which made him renowned throughout the world. From a young age, Zoro’s goal has always been to become the strongest swordsman in the world.

He knows that to achieve this goal, he needs to beat the current recipient of the title. Zoro fought Mihawk in the Baratie arc, but the latter completely humiliated him. The defeat helped Zoro become stronger and push beyond his limits. Currently, Zoro can use three types of Haki, which makes him a very special fighter. His physical abilities are also impressive, as evidenced by his fights. Zoro will indubitably become Mihawk’s greatest rival in the future, and their duel will go down in history.

1Shanks

One Of The Four Emperors

Shanks is one of the Four Emperors of the Sea, making him a dangerous opponent. Shanks does not possess a Devil Fruit, so his method of fighting revolves around Haki. He can use all three types of Haki, along with their advanced versions. So far, Shanks has shown that he can infuse his attacks with Conqueror’s Haki, a skill that only a few possess. Furthermore, he can nullify the Observation Haki of his opponent, which significantly increases his chances of landing a hit.

Shanks used to be rivals with Mihawk, and the battles between the two were deemed legendary. But the rivalry came to an end when Shanks lost his arm. Since then, the two have become more chummy, with Shanks even offering a drink to Mihawk. Despite the current nature of their relationship, it is safe to say that Shanks was Mihawk’s fiercest rival.