In the One Piece Egghead Arc, a single clash between Roronoa Zoro and Rob Lucci has sparked heated discussions among fans: Zoro’s two main blades strike Lucci’s leg, and shockingly, they have no effect.
This moment, brief as it is, carries layers of meaning about Zoro’s growth, Lucci’s resilience, and the ever-evolving power scale in Eiichiro Oda’s masterpiece.
Why this scene matters, what it says about both characters, and why it’s both frustrating and fascinating for fans?
The Scene: A Clash of Titans
Zoro vs Lucci pic.twitter.com/k6lYFdQTwk
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During the Egghead Incident, Zoro steps in to protect Dr. Vegapunk from Lucci’s assassination attempt. As Lucci, now a CP0 agent with an awakened Devil Fruit, lunges forward, Zoro counters with a swift attack using two of his blades Wado Ichimonji and Enma, his most iconic swords.
The blades clash against Lucci’s leg, hardened with a combination of Armament Haki and Tekkai, a Rokushiki technique that makes his body as tough as iron. To everyone’s surprise (and Zoro fans’ chagrin), the attack doesn’t even scratch Lucci, who is sent crashing through the Labophase walls but emerges unscathed.
This moment is a gut punch for Zoro enthusiasts. After all, this is the guy who sliced through Kaido’s scales and cut a mountain-sized Pica in half! So why does Lucci’s leg shrug off Zoro’s strike like it’s nothing?
What It Means: A Test of Zoro’s Limits
On the surface, this clash highlights Lucci’s incredible durability. His mastery of Tekkai, boosted by Haki and his awakened Neko Neko no Mi, Model: Leopard, makes him a tank. In the One Piece power scale, Lucci’s no slouch, he’s likely on par with Yonko Commanders like Marco or King, sitting just below the likes of Admirals or Yonko. His ability to block Zoro’s attack without a scratch shows how far he’s come since his defeat by Luffy at Enies Lobby.
But more than that, this moment is about Zoro’s journey. Zoro’s been climbing the ranks as one of the Straw Hats’ heavy hitters, mastering Advanced Conqueror’s Haki and wielding Enma, a blade that draws out his strength at a cost.
Yet, this scene reminds us that Zoro isn’t at the top of the food chain—yet. His attack wasn’t a named technique like “Dragon Damnation” or “Ashura,” which suggests he wasn’t going all out. , Oda uses this clash to show that Zoro still has room to grow before he can challenge the likes of Dracule Mihawk or the Five Elders.
It’s frustrating to see Zoro’s blades bounce off, but it’s also a reality check. One Piece thrives on moments like this, where even the strongest characters face setbacks that push them to evolve. Zoro’s not the type to sulk; he’s the guy who sharpens his swords and comes back deadlier.
The Power Scale Context
Let’s break it down using the One Piece fandom’s power scale:
Zoro’s Level: Post-Wano, Zoro’s a beast. He’s defeated King, a Lunarian with insane durability, using King of Hell Three Sword Style infused with Conqueror’s Haki. Fans place him at high Yonko Commander level, maybe even touching Admiral territory in his peak moments. His feats like cutting Pica or scarring Kaido put him among the series’ elite swordsmen.
Lucci’s Level: Lucci’s no longer the CP9 underdog. His awakened Zoan form and Haki mastery make him a formidable foe, likely mid-to-high Yonko Commander level. He tanked hits from Gear 5 Luffy (though he was outclassed) and fought Zoro for hours without folding. Blocking Zoro’s attack with his leg shows his physical prowess rivals top-tier fighters.
The Clash: When Zoro’s blades hit Lucci’s leg, it’s a Yonko Commander-level swordsman testing his raw power against a similarly ranked martial artist’s defense. Lucci’s Tekkai-Haki combo is like a steel wall, and Zoro’s unnamed attack didn’t have the Conqueror’s Haki “oomph” needed to break through. Think of it like Zoro swinging with 70% effort impressive, but not his full arsenal.
This moment underscores a key One Piece theme: power isn’t just about strength, it’s about strategy and timing. Lucci’s defense was perfectly tailored to counter Zoro’s quick strike, but as we see later in Chapter 1110, when Zoro gets serious with a named attack, Lucci can’t keep up.
Why It’s Frustrating—And Why That’s Okay
As a Zoro fan, I’ll admit it: seeing his blades do zero damage stings. After Wano, where he was cutting dragons and emperors, you expect him to slice through anything. But this scene isn’t about diminishing Zoro—it’s about building tension. Oda loves throwing curveballs to keep us guessing. Lucci blocking the attack makes their fight more compelling; if Zoro one-shot him, we’d lose the gritty, drawn-out duel that defines Egghead’s chaos.
Plus, let’s be real: Zoro thrives on challenges. Back in Alabasta, he couldn’t cut Mr. 1’s steel body until he learned to “hear the breath of all things.” In Wano, King’s Lunarian flames pushed him to unlock Conqueror’s Haki. This moment with Lucci is another hurdle, a reminder that the path to becoming the World’s Greatest Swordsman is paved with setbacks.
My Take: A Setup for Zoro’s Next Big Win
In my opinion, this clash is Oda setting the stage for Zoro to shine. The fact that Lucci blocks Zoro’s attack early on makes their eventual conclusion in Chapter 1110 where Zoro defeats Lucci with a single Conqueror’s Haki-infused strike, way more satisfying. It’s classic One Piece storytelling: show the hero struggling, then let them unleash their true power when it counts.
This scene also proves Lucci’s worth as an opponent. He’s not just fodder; he’s a legitimate threat who forces Zoro to dig deeper. That’s what makes Zoro’s victories so epic he doesn’t just win he overcomes.
Final Thoughts
Zoro’s two main blades hitting Lucci’s leg with no effect is a moment that sparks debate, frustration, and excitement. It shows Lucci’s insane durability, tests Zoro’s limits, and reminds us that even the Straw Hats’ swordsman isn’t invincible yet.
On the One Piece power scale, it’s a clash of near-equals, with Lucci’s defense edging out Zoro’s initial strike. But as we know, Zoro’s never down for long.
