Zoro has dedicated his life to becoming the world’s strongest swordsman. Even before joining the Straw Hat Pirates, he was already well-known for his exceptional skills and achievements in battle. His abilities improved significantly after he joined the crew and underwent a two-year training period under Dracule Mihawk, the “Strongest Swordsman in the World.”

By the time he met Luffy, Zoro had already made a name for himself as a fearsome bounty hunter in the East Blue. His reputation was so fearsome that Koby had heard of him as a “demon in the form of a man.” His success in hunting pirates earned him the nickname “Pirate Hunter,” a title he still holds even after becoming a pirate. After suffering a crushing defeat to Dracule Mihawk, Zoro vowed never to lose again. Since joining the crew, he has defeated numerous formidable adversaries, many of whom are fellow swordsmen.

Alongside Luffy and Sanji, Zoro is considered one of the Monster Trio of the Straw Hats due to his immense strength. In some instances, he has even been mistaken for the leader of the Straw Hats because of his extensive reputation. Onlookers have often wondered how he could not be the captain after witnessing his power. Throughout the crew’s journey, Zoro has acquired some of the most legendary swords in history, using them to enhance his skills and develop devastating attacks.

Zoro was the second member of the Straw Hat crew to receive a bounty, and for much of the crew’s existence, his bounty has been the second highest. He was identified as a Super Rookie after obtaining a bounty of 120,000,000 Beli before reaching the Sabaody Archipelago. He was one of only two non-pirate captains (alongside Killer) of the “Worst Generation” to have that distinction.

Weaker individuals are easily intimidated by Zoro. Koby once remarked that Zoro had a “demonic aura” at Shells Town, even when he was tied up and starved for over a week. This intimidating presence has persisted even in the New World. For example, when Monet realized the extent of Zoro’s power and killing intent, she froze in place as he charged at her. After Zoro performed a harmless attack, she was so terrified that she couldn’t reform her Logia body to its normal state. When Zoro gets serious in battle, he usually dons his black bandanna on his head.

Since entering the New World, Zoro has rarely been wounded or faced a serious challenge. He defeated Monet with sheer strength alone, without using Haki, frightening her to the point where she couldn’t control her elemental form. His first real challenge was a brief confrontation with Admiral Fujitora, who described Zoro’s slash attack as ferocious despite being held down by gravitational force. As a showcase of his greatly improved strength and skills, Zoro defeated Pica, one of Donquixote Doflamingo’s top three elite officers, in just a few moves after slicing apart his colossal stone body and understanding the nature of his Devil Fruit abilities.

Zoro suffered his first serious wound in Wano against Kamazo the Manslayer, but this was because he avoided a surprise attack from Gyukimaru. Despite this, he still managed to defeat the assassin with a single attack, even without Shusui at the time. During the Raid on Onigashima, he faced off against Emperor Kaidou, known as the world’s “Strongest Creature,” in both his Beast and Human-Beast Forms. Zoro managed to wound Kaidou, giving him his second scar since Kozuki Oden, earning Kaidou’s acknowledgment. In his battle against King, Kaidou’s right-hand man and the Beasts Pirates’ head All-Star, Zoro applied advanced Haoshoku Haki and Busoshoku Haki to his three swords, defeating the Lunarian despite suffering grievous wounds. Due to these events, his bounty was raised to 1,111,000,000 Beli, the second highest among the Straw Hat Pirates, just below his captain, Monkey D. Luffy, who was recognized as an Emperor.

After arriving at Egghead, Zoro faced Kaku again, who had become an elite CP0 fighter and awakened his Devil Fruit, and won once more. Soon after, he confronted the Seraphim S-Hawk and S-Bear alongside Rob Lucci, Kaku, and Luffy. Later, during the Egghead Incident, Zoro fought in single combat against Lucci, an even stronger opponent than Kaku, on equal terms, causing him serious injuries and effectively winning the fight.