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ThroughoutOne Piece, Zoro has continuously pushed the limits of his swordsmanship, refining his techniques and incorporating powerful new abilities so that he can protect his crew. But it’s only in few arcs that fans see Zoro truly push himself beyond anything they could’ve imagined, andthe last time he did this was in Wano—right before he surrendered himself to Enma and took on the title of “King of Hell”.
That fight was the birth of his King of Hell Three Sword Style: 103 Mercies - Dragon Damnation technique, and it quickly became a fan-favorite move. This technique, a variant of his Flying Dragon Blaze, is a fusion of his Armament and Supreme King Haki, amplified by the power of Enma. But what fans may not know is that it’s alsoa reference to Ryuma and his prequel that Oda wrotelong beforeOne Piece.
King of Hell Three Sword Style Explained
What Is the King of Hell Three Sword Style?
Zoro’sKing of Hell Three Sword Styleis an advanced variation ofhis signatureSantoryu(Three-Sword Style). After embracing Enma’s full potential, Zoro infuses all three of his swords with not only Armament Haki but also Supreme King Haki. This combination exponentially increases the power and range of his attacks. However, maintaining this state drains a significant amount of Haki, making it a technique that Zoro cannot sustain for prolonged periods without serious consequences.
What Makes Enma So Special?
Enma, one of the 21 Great Grade swords, is a legendary blade known for its ability to draw out excessive amounts of the wielder’s Haki.The sword originally belonged to Kozuki Oden, and his daughter gave it to Zoro as a show of gratitude after he returned Shusui (Ryuma’s sword) to Wano.
Mastering Enma allowed Zoro to effectively supercharge his attacks with Supreme King Haki, enhancing their cutting power to an extreme degree. InDragon Damnation, this synergy between Zoro and Enma plays a crucial role in amplifying the attack’s destructive force.
Zoro’s 103 Mercies - Dragon Damnation: The Technique
Mechanics of the Attack
Dragon Damnationis a long-range techniquethat combines Supreme King Hakiand Armament Haki into a devastating slash. Zoro charges at his opponent, leaps into the air, and aligns his two hand-held swords with his mouth-held blade before delivering a descending slash. The sheer force of the Haki-infused strike extends beyond the reach of his swords, sending an enormous flying slash toward his opponent.
Zoro Versus King
Zoro first used 103 Mercies - Dragon Damnationduring his battle against King on Onigashima. As King unleashedOmori Karyudon, an attack that generated a massive dragon-shaped fire blast hotter than magma, Zoro countered withDragon Damnation, slicing through the fiery attack, King’s sword, and even his body, despite his Lunarian durability.
The Connection to Ryuma and Flying Dragon Blaze
A Stronger Version of Flying Dragon Blaze
Dragon Damnationis a direct evolution ofFlying Dragon Blaze, the technique Zoro used against the legendary Ryuma in Thriller Bark. In that battle,Flying Dragon Blazewas powerful enough to set Ryuma ablaze, proving its strength even in its base form. This was the attack that madeRyuma recognize Zoro’s strengthand deem him worthy of wielding Shusui. With the addition of Supreme King Haki and Enma’s influence,Dragon Damnationelevates this attack to an entirely new level.
Possible References to Ryuma
The name103 Merciesmay be a subtlenod to Ryuma and Oda’s earlier work,Monsters, in which the legendary samurai slays a dragon. The thematic elements of dragons, samurai, and judgment in Zoro’s attack name suggest a possible reference to this story. However, it remains unclear whether Zoro himself is aware of Ryuma’s full legacy.
As his journey continues, it remains to be seen how much further Zoro can push hisKing of Hell Three Sword Style—but ifDragon Damnationis any indication, Zoro’s potential is limitless.
