One Piece: 6 Characters Zoro Surpassed in the Final Saga, Ranked

The confirmation of Sanji’s Conqueror’s Haki in One Piece Chapter 1187 has finally proven what many fans long suspected: the “two wings of the Pirate King” are both ascending to extraordinary heights. But Sanji’s awakening also casts a spotlight on his eternal rival, Roronoa Zoro, the man who has wielded the power of kings since Wano. The Final Saga, the narrative stretch from Egghead Island to the eventual end of One Piece, is Zoro’s ultimate proving ground, and based on canon feats, bounty comparisons, and narrative positioning, here are six major characters he has definitively surpassed, ranked from the least consequential to the most debated.

The Final Saga Power Boost, Zoro’s New Abilities

To understand how Zoro has leaped past these characters, we must first acknowledge the game changer: Conqueror’s Haki Infusion. Unlocked during the Wano Country arc, this advanced technique allows Zoro to coat his blades in the invisible force of his Haoshoku Haki, dramatically increasing both attack power and defensive capability. It is the foundation of his signature “King of Hell: Three Sword Style,” a form that enabled him to scar Emperor Kaido, a feat that places him among the very few who have ever drawn blood from a Yonko.

Zoro’s current bounty of 1.111 billion berries further reflects his growth. That figure not only exceeds the bounties of several former warlords and commanders but also confirms the World Government’s recognition of his threat level. However, one major caveat remains: Zoro’s stamina when using King of Hell is still limited. He cannot maintain the form indefinitely, and against highly regenerative opponents, this could prove decisive.

The Lower Rungs (#6, #4)

#6: Vista, The Old Guard’s Peak

Vista’s credentials are impressive. At Marineford, he temporarily stalemated Dracule Mihawk, the world’s strongest swordsman. That single clash has fueled years of debate about Vista’s true strength. But the context matters, Mihawk was not fighting seriously, and Vista’s swordsmanship, while elite, has not shown any growth since the Paramount War. Zoro, by contrast, has evolved dramatically. With Conqueror’s Infusion, his raw attack power far exceeds anything Vista has demonstrated. A single King of Hell strike would likely overwhelm the Whitebeard commander. Vista remains a legend of the old generation, but he now stands below the man who will inherit Mihawk’s throne.

#5: Charlotte Katakuri, The Future-Sight Barrier

Katakuri has long been considered a benchmark for first-mate tier power. His bounty of 1.057 billion berries was once a high bar, but Zoro now exceeds it at 1.111 billion. More importantly, while Katakuri’s advanced Observation Haki allows him to see slightly into the future, Zoro’s Conqueror’s coating gives him the offensive advantage to bypass that foresight. Katakuri’s Mochi Mochi no Mi and awakening are formidable, but Zoro’s Haki-infused blades can cut through even Logia and awakened Paramecia defenses. Katakuri’s speed and precognition would make the fight intense, but Zoro’s superior armament and Haoshoku would ultimately prevail.

#4: Shiryu of the Rain, The Destined Rival

This is the most speculative entry on the list, but also the most narratively compelling. Shiryu is the Second Ship Captain of the Blackbeard Pirates, and Oda has confirmed him as the crew’s Number Two. Both men serve as the right hands of their captains, and Shiryu wields the Suke Suke no Mi (invisibility fruit), making him a deadly assassin. By narrative scaling, Zoro and Shiryu are destined to clash. Note: This ranking is based on narrative trajectory, not a confirmed fight. Given the Straw Hat Pirates’ upward arc compared to the Blackbeard Pirates, Zoro has already outpaced Shiryu in narrative standing. The swordsman’s bounty growth, his scar on Kaido, and his role as Luffy’s most trusted warrior all indicate that when they eventually meet, Zoro will not be the underdog.

The Upper Echelon (#3, #1)

#3: Donquixote Doflamingo, The One-Shot Candidate

In Dressrosa, Doflamingo required a combined effort from Luffy (with Law’s support and a temporary recovery) to be defeated. At that point, Zoro was not strong enough to take on the Warlord alone. Today, the gap is vast. Zoro’s Conqueror’s Infusion would allow him to cut through Doflamingo’s string-based defenses with ease. Doflamingo’s Awakening, while impressive, does not grant him the durability of a Yonko. A single King of Hell strike, the same that scarred Kaido, could end the fight in one exchange. Doflamingo was a Luffy-level threat in his arc; now he is a Zoro-level warm-up.

#2: Rob Lucci, The Off-Screen Leap

Their fight on Egghead Island was a highlight of the arc, but it ended inconclusively. The Egghead scrap was unresolved; by Elbaf, Zoro’s off-screen growth pushes him ahead. Lucci displayed his Awakened Zoan form, matching Zoro blow for blow before Jinbe intervened with a decisive attack. Some fans argue that Lucci was holding his own, and officially the fight was unsettled. However, by the time the Straw Hats reached Elbaf, Zoro had clearly moved past Lucci. The swordsman’s off-screen growth between arcs, combined with his continued refinement of King of Hell, places him above the CP0 agent. Lucci remains a dangerous opponent, but he no longer operates on the same tier as a Yonko’s first mate.

#1: Marco the Phoenix, The Conditional Crown

Marco is the toughest case on this list. With a bounty of 1.374 billion berries, his regenerative Phoenix powers make him exceptionally hard to put down. He held his own against Admirals and Yonko during Marineford and the Wano war. The question is whether Zoro can inflict enough damage to overcome Marco’s regeneration. The answer lies in Zoro’s feat of scarring Kaido, a blow that required immense Haki concentration and left a permanent mark on a Yonko. If Zoro can deliver that level of damage to Marco, the Phoenix’s regeneration may be overwhelmed. But there is a condition: Zoro’s stamina with King of Hell is limited, and Marco can outlast him if the fight drags. If Zoro manages his energy and lands a decisive strike early, he wins. It is a close call, but the swordsman’s current peak output edges him ahead.

A Note on “Surpassed”

This ranking uses “surpassed” to mean that, based on current feats and narrative positioning, Zoro stands above these opponents in a direct matchup. Speculative entries (Shiryu) are explicitly framed as projections, while unresolved fights (Lucci) rely on off-screen growth consistent with Oda’s storytelling. The conditional stance on Marco keeps the analysis honest. In every case, Zoro’s Conqueror’s Infusion is the dividing line, his signature technique has elevated him beyond the thresholds these characters represent.

Beyond the List, What Lies Ahead for Zoro

These six characters represent milestones on Zoro’s path, but the Final Saga holds far greater trials. Shiryu will likely be his next major opponent, and their clash will put all these speculations to the test. Beyond that stands Dracule Mihawk, the ultimate goal. Zoro’s Conqueror’s Infusion has already elevated him above former rivals and commanders, but mastering King of Hell’s stamina drain will determine whether he can claim the title of World’s Strongest Swordsman before One Piece reaches its end. For now, the swordsman of the Straw Hat crew continues his relentless ascent, and the characters on this list are just the ones left in his wake.