One Piece Blade Users Guide: Mihawk Rivals (2026)

One Piece’s “World’s Greatest Swordsman” debate is heating up again, with fresh discussion pointing to several blade users who could plausibly trade blows with Dracule Mihawk—especially as the series teases new god-tier power on the horizon.

Mihawk’s threat level—and why rivals still matter

Dracule Mihawk is presented in One Piece as the World’s Greatest Swordsman and someone defined by overwhelming strength. He was recently tied to a bounty of 3.590 billion berries, a figure that underscores just how dangerous he is perceived to be by the World Government. In sheer standing and capability, Mihawk is placed among the top-tier elites of the One Piece world.

His sword mastery is described as unmatched, but that doesn’t automatically mean no one can compete. The series has room for characters who are stronger than him, along with swordsmen capable of giving Mihawk a serious fight.

Meanwhile, the Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit lineup is set to gain a new “godly” addition, hinted through the Harley mural shown in One Piece chapter 1138.

5) Flower Sword Vista

Former 5th Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates
Haki Type: Armament, Observation

Flower Sword Vista is the ex-5th Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, and he has already clashed with Mihawk once during the Paramount War Arc. While Vista clearly isn’t on Mihawk’s level—there’s an enormous gap in raw strength—he’s still a highly capable swordsman who isn’t something most fighters can dismiss.

Even Mihawk reportedly acknowledged Vista’s sword skills, which says a lot. Their Marineford confrontation ended in a stalemate, and Vista performed remarkably well. The audience still hasn’t seen Vista’s full potential, but it’s known he uses strong Armament and Observation Haki. Put together, that means Vista can absolutely create the kind of challenge Mihawk would respect—and likely enjoy.

4) Roronoa Zoro

Strongest Straw Hat officer
Haki Type: Armament, Observation, Conqueror’s

Roronoa Zoro is the Straw Hat Pirates’ swordsman and the strongest officer in Luffy’s Yonko crew. On the open seas, he’s a threat that can’t be underestimated. Even if Zoro isn’t at his peak yet, he’s already strong enough to challenge Mihawk and even land injuries during a fight.

Zoro uses all three Haki categories and continues to grow at a rapid pace. Fans have watched him rise in strength arc after arc, since he hasn’t completed his ultimate objective. In terms of directly rivaling Mihawk, Zoro is positioned to deliver a standout showdown and impress the series’ greatest swordsman without hesitation.

Separately, One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda is also preparing to reveal Imu’s Devil God form in the Elbaf arc, a detail first teased in Chapter 1085 about three years ago.

3) Fujitora

Powerful Navy Admiral
Haki Type: Armament, Observation

Fujitora serves as a Marine Admiral, and that role alone signals a major threat profile—he’s described as having a 3 billion bounty. Power-wise, Admirals are known to be able to take on Yonko-level fighters, even if they can’t necessarily defeat them outright. That places Fujitora in a similar competitive lane.

Still, Fujitora’s approach to swordplay isn’t “traditional” in the same way as other swordsmen. He uses gravity through his blade, Yakuza Kasen, which means he’s not strictly treated as a straightforward candidate for “Strongest Swordsman in the World.” However, he is undeniably a swordsman and a fighter fully capable of matching Mihawk in combat. His Devil Fruit gives him flexible, hard-to-predict tools, while his Armament and Observation Haki are both portrayed as top-tier. As a result, Mihawk wouldn’t have an easy time—and Fujitora would likely be the kind of challenge that appeals to him, especially for a blind Admiral who fights on his own terms.

2) Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro

Powerful Elder
Haki Type: Armament, Observation, Conqueror’s

During the Final Saga, Oda introduced the Elders to the audience, and among them, St V. Nusjuro was shown to be an extremely dangerous swordsman. He wields a Supreme Grade Sword named Shodai Kitetsu, and he’s also backed by Haki that’s said to be on par with—or even greater than—that of the Yonko.

Fans are aware that Zoro has tremendous strength and technique, but Zoro also has the Yokai ability Bakotsu, which grants incredible speed and the ability to freeze opponents. On top of that, he’s an immortal-type figure who keeps coming back even when he’s been damaged at his very core.

Given those elements, there’s no clear way to say Mihawk could dispose of Nusjuro easily—even if Mihawk’s sword technique is superior, which is also presented as debatable. Since Nusjuro hasn’t been deeply involved in the world’s ongoing events, it’s possible he’s even stronger than Mihawk in One Piece.

Luffy also has one open slot in his pirate crew, and Eiichiro Oda has set up three main candidates to take that position after Elbaf.

1) Shanks

Mighty Emperor with the strongest Haki
Haki Type: Armament, Observation, Conqueror’s

Portrayed by Oda as the strongest Haki user alive right now, Shanks is a nightmare for anyone who has to face him. His rivalry with Mihawk stretches back many decades, and it’s been left unresolved—meaning neither side was ever officially declared the winner.

Shanks is an excellent swordsman, but what truly makes him stand out is his Haki. In pure blade skill, Shanks isn’t considered as good as Mihawk. Even so, overall he can still come out stronger thanks to his Haki. If the two ever fought at full intensity, the expectation is that Shanks would win. For sword technique alone, though, Mihawk remains the superior blade user.

One Piece is available to read via Manga Plus.