adminEver since Dracule Mihawk’s introduction in One Piece, fans have been confused about his role and his significance to the story. This confusion also erupts from the fact that One Piece fans have yet to see Mihawk get involved in a major battle and portray the full extent of his power, which justifies his title as the strongest swordsman within the series.
This uncanny development has also led to fans calling Mihawk a fraud character who hasn’t engaged in a proper duel yet. From Vista to Shanks, Dracule Mihawk has built a reputation as the swordsman who measures everyone’s strength, but rarely goes all-in, leaving fans torn about his role in One Piece. There are a bunch of battles that have been avoided by the strongest One Piece swordsman, which have earned him the tag of a fraud character.
1. Vista
Mihawk fighting Vista during the Marineford war | Credit: Toei Animation
The former 5th Division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, Vista of the Flower Swords, is the strongest swordsman of the Whitebeard Pirates. One Piece fans got to see him in action during the Marineford arc when Whitebeard’s crew attacked the Marines. The main challenge for Vista at the time was Dracule Mihawk, and the two got into a small scuffle, which Mihawk himself indefinitely postponed.
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According to the story, their battle was postponed because they tried to escape from being surrounded, but it seemed like Mihawk was deliberately avoiding him. This could have been the first time One Piece fans saw Mihawk in extreme action, yet he chose to hold back, leaving many to question whether the world’s strongest swordsman truly lived up to his legendary reputation.
2. Red-Haired Shanks
Mihawk meeting Shanks after a long time in One Piece | Credit: Toei Animation
One of the most crucial developments about Dracule Mihawk that adds substance to his strength is the fact that he was a rival to Red-Haired Shanks. The lore of their battles was one of the most talked-about things, to the point where even Whitebeard acknowledged it. However, Mihawk lost interest in him after Shanks lost his left arm, and thus, their confrontations ended. Fans have been eager to watch them battle again for a long time.
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While this was somewhat understandable, Shanks’ portrayal of his true strength in One Piece made fans question Mihawk’s decision. It seemed like he was dodging their clash, and ever since, the two have rarely crossed paths in One Piece, let alone engaged in any significant rivalry battles. Even during the Marineford arc, when Shanks appeared on the battlefield, Mihawk decided to leave, making fans call him a fraud again.
3. Crocodile
Crocodile fighting Mihawk during the Marineford war | Credit: Toei Animation
While Crocodile and Dracule Mihawk are partners now handling the Cross Guild along with Buggy, before the time skip, they had a different type of interaction. The two engaged in a small clash in Marineford when Mihawk launched an attack on Daz Bones for protecting Luffy on Crocodile’s orders, and this became one of the main highlights of the Marineford war.
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Although they mutually agreed to avoid the confrontation, Mihawk’s character came under scrutiny for not fully engaging Crocodile, especially since it was his duty as a Warlord to confront such threats. Fans saw this as another example of him sidestepping meaningful battles and further cementing his “fraud” label in One Piece.
4. Whitebeard
Mihawk launching an attack towards Whitebeard | Credit: Toei Animation
Another character whom Mihawk tried to engage with and then avoided during the Marineford war was Whitebeard. He attempted to test his capabilities against Whitebeard when the Emperor arrived at Marineford by launching a strike. However, his ferocious attack barely made an impact as it was effortlessly blocked by Whitebeard’s crewmate Jozu without even a scratch.
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He then chose not to pursue a full-scale fight, and while it was portrayed as if the swordsman was merely measuring his strength, it came across as a deliberate avoidance of a true battle. Instead of pushing himself against one of the strongest figures in the world, Mihawk held back, giving the impression that he prioritized maintaining his title and reputation.
5. Monkey D. Luffy
Luffy avoiding Dracule Mihawk’s attacks during the Marineford war | Credit: Toei Animation
Finally, the last character that Mihawk engaged in a battle with during the Marineford arc was Luffy, the One Piece protagonist. While he did test Luffy’s reflexes and potential, he never really aimed to defeat him or force a rematch. His interest was piqued by Luffy’s abilities, and he wanted to see for himself what his rival found in this 17-year-old and why he had placed his trust in him.
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Although this didn’t feel like Mihawk avoiding a battle, it still questioned his role as a Warlord who was loyal to the World Government in One Piece. It doesn’t really add to the fraud allegations, but still, it questions his developments within the story and his obligation to the Navy, which appointed him to fight against One Piece characters trying to stop Ace’s execution.
6. The Marines
After the World Government voted to dissolve the Seven Warlords in One Piece, Dracule Mihawk found himself under constant attack from the Navy as he became a wanted criminal again. While he dealt with quite a lot of them, at one point, he decided to take on Crocodile’s offer of forming an organization and avoiding the confrontations with Marines altogether.
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He pointed out that the Marines were consistently swarming his castle, and instead of dealing with them once and for all, he would choose to relocate. This felt like the One Piece’s strongest swordsman was avoiding the Navy soldiers to keep his title of being the “Marine Hunter” intact, thus adding more fuel to the allegations of him being a fraud within the series.
7. Other Emperors of the Sea
Buggy, Crocodile, and Mihawk discussing One Piece | Credit: Toei Animation
When the final saga started in One Piece, Buggy, the “co-leader” of the Cross Guild, suggested that they should go after the One Piece treasure and claim it. While this suggestion was understandable given the circumstances, Mihawk immediately rejected it, making it clear that he had no intention of engaging in combat with the Emperors of the Sea. He explained that such battles would require an immense amount of effort.
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While this highlighted Mihawk’s desire for a peaceful and quiet life, One Piece fans couldn’t help but get the impression that the world’s strongest swordsman was once again avoiding a confrontation. Thus, it added more fuel to the fraud allegations against him, and since then, he has been placed in the background of the story.
These confrontations generate a lot of excitement among fans, but Mihawk’s tendency to sidestep them often undermines the tension and anticipation. Hopefully, One Piece fans will get to see him in action soon, considering the plot has already reached the final saga. Do you think Eiichiro Oda is saving Mihawk for the final war, or will he let him fade away like a side character? Let us know below!
One Piece anime is currently available to watch on Crunchyroll.
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