Original artwork, not a still
Scars on the back are a swordsman's shame.
— One Piece · 1999
Behind the line
What it means
Our interpretation.
It is Zoro's whole code in one sentence: a swordsman who retreats is already beaten, so he would rather take the loss in the chest and see it coming. It also seals his bond with Luffy and sets his lifelong goal of surpassing Mihawk. Fans use it as the shorthand for never running from a fight, and it is the standard caption for any Zoro tattoo, scar or sword-fighter edit.
Context reviewed
In context
Spoilers for One PieceShow the scene
In the Baratie arc, Roronoa Zoro finally meets Dracule Mihawk, the swordsman he has crossed an ocean to challenge. Mihawk first answers his three swords with the small knife he wears as a pendant, then draws his black blade, Yoru, out of respect for Zoro's will. Zoro's final attack is stopped and two of his swords shatter. Beaten, he refuses to run or turn away and offers his chest, declaring that a wound on the back is a swordsman's shame. Mihawk cuts him diagonally across the torso, holding back just enough that he lives. It happens in chapter 51-52 of the manga and episode 24 of the anime.
Sources (3)
- One Piece Wiki: Dracule MihawkHistory, Baratie arcReference checked
- One Piece Wiki: Chapter 51Short and Long SummaryReference checked
- One Piece Wiki: Episode 24Short SummaryReference checked
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