Dracule Mihawk is one of the strongest charactersin Eiichiro Oda’sOne Piece. Introduced during the Baratie, Mihawk was revealed to be the World’s Strongest Swordsman and the man Roronoa Zoro was looking for. Holding the title of the strongest, it was quite easy to see that Mihawk was in a class of his own. When Zoro challenged him, the difference in strength between the two was more than apparent.
RELATED:One Piece: Is Mihawk Stronger Than Shanks?
The fight was such that fans didn’t even get to see any of Mihawk’s true skill. However, in the Marineford arc, the swordsman, also known as Hawk Eyes, showed glimpses of his ability. Yet, Mihawk’s true skill has still not been seen to this date. WithOne Piece1058, however, fans now know a lot about him. Things, such as his massive bounty of 3,590,000,000 berries and his status in the world ofOne Piecehave been revealed, however, the most curious detail about him is his title of “Marine Hunter.”
Mihawk’s Past
The majority of the details about Dracule Mihawk’s past have not been revealed to the fans just yet. However, some very interesting bits were mentioned in the Vivre Cards, which are compiled by Oda’s editors. While not always accurate, the cards stated that Mihawk was famous long before the Great Pirate era even began. He trained his skill with his sword relentlessly and went on to challenge strong swordsmen. Mihawk fought countless battles and with every single clash, he got closer to the title of the World’s Strongest Swordsman. Eventually, he conquered all and attained this title for himself.
Ever since then, Mihawk has held this title to this day and hasnot lost a single sword fight. Interestingly, Mihawk would most certainly have fought against some powerful Navy swordsmen as well. It is possible that his marine hunting activities had to do with him looking for a worthy opponent in certain Marine officers. At that time, some Marine Vice Admirals or Admirals could potentially have been skilled swordsmen and that would give Mihawk the perfect opportunity to chase them down.
Why Mihawk Was Called The Marine Hunter
Mihawk’s title of “Marine Hunter” certainly has to do with him looking for a challenge. To understand this, fans need to look back at the very introduction of his character. Mihawk was first mentioned by the leader of the Krieg Armada, Don Krieg himself. He mentioned that on the 6th day on the Grand Line, he was saved by a massive storm after a single man wiped out nearly all his ships. His flagship, the Dreadnought Saber, managed to survive and return to the East Blue. As fans know, this person was none other than Dracule Mihawk. Krieg made it successfully back to the east, however, Mihawk didn’t give up the chase. Despite knowing that Krieg was way below him in terms of power, Mihawk chased him and his men down looking for a challenge and quite possibly a way of killing time.
This can very well be tied to Mihawk’s title of “Marine Hunter” as well. IfMihawk received this titleafter acquiring his World’s Greatest Swordsman moniker, then it is possible that he simply started hunting down Marines to kill time until he found a worthy rival. This could have especially come into play after Shanks lost his left arm. Mihawk’s greatest rival losing his arm would mean that he would have needed other ways to kill his time. Hunting Marines would have been perfect. This also ties into how Mihawk would have become a member of the Seven Warlords. After seeing him mercilessly slaughter several Marines just to kill time, the World Government likely offered him a position among their ranks in order to turn him into an ally.
RELATED:One Piece: The Cross Guild, Explained
Mihawk And The Cross Guild
Afterthe dissolution of the Shichibukai system, Mihawk was seen leaving Kuraigana Island and Crocodile called him and proposed the idea of an alliance. Together, the two went on to form the Cross Guild, which Buggy was comically mistaken to be the leader of. Interestingly enough, Eustass Kid mentioned that the Cross Guild is placing bounties on Navy heads. Consequently, the big bounty hunters and even pirates are going after Marines now and turning them into the Cross Guild. The hunters, for the very first time, have now become the hunted. As fans know now no, Mihawk was famed for hunting Marines in the past and now, the Cross Guild is doing the same. This could very well have been his idea.
As to whyMihawk wants to hunt Marinesright now is simply not known. A sound reasoning behind this could be just so the Cross Guild is left in peace. With the Marines being hunted themselves, an attempt towards harming an organization such as the Cross Guild would certainly not be made. Mihawk seems to have played it very smart and, thanks to the bounties placed on Marine heads, he can live his life in peace and await the arrival of Roronoa Zoro, the man who he wishes to surpass him.
