I was talking about this earlier this year. Shimotsuki is not just a throwaway lineage for Zoro. It might be possible on the off chance there’s much greater things about to be revealed with this.
The reason I am confident Zoro is a Shimotsuki is earlier in Wano, Oda had Kawamatsu say Shimotsuki were known for their toughness. As we know Zoro is tough and always endured severe hardship and moved onto to the next mission/obstacle. For ex, Mihawk cut him diagonally across the chest, holding back just enough to allow Zoro to live, Kuma subjugated Zoro into experiencing the pain Luffy endured throughout his fight against Moria. In Onigashima, he not only withstood the brunt of a combined attack from Kaido and Big Mom, an attack that encompassed a majority of Onigashima, but did so long enough to allow his fellow Worst Generation members fighting to escape from the attack, despite sustaining serious injuries as a result.
Oda also had some plot lines set up for the ending of Wano (which imo should include with Worldwide events and Zoro’s past). He mentioned starting with Zoro’s interest in visiting Ryuma’s grave to pay respects. Also:
- Shimotsuki Ushimaru has the silhouette of Zoro.
- Shimotsuki Ryuma has the silhouette and parallel of Zoro.
- Shimotsuki Yasuie is who Zoro rolled around with in Wano.
- Ringo is where Ryuma’s grave is.
- Ringo is where Ushimaru and Gyukimaru ruled as Daimyo and partner.
- Tenguyama Hitetsu is holding Nidai Kitetsu for someone. Oda/Luffy teased Zoro with Nidai Kitetsu.
We know how much Oda respects and treats Zoro’s character:
- Fight Hawkins
- Fight Killer
- Fight Denjiro
- Receive Enma
- Meet Hiyori, daughter of Oden
- Fight Apoo
- Fight at Rooftop with Superrnovas
- Unlock Conqueror’s Haki
- Scar Kaido
- Endure Hakai
- Cut Fire
- Fight King
- etc ongoing
We received a glimpse of Zoro’s past early in the story when he was 7 or 8. Just like Luffy, we didn’t know much before that or how he even ended up in the East Blue. But being a Shimotsuki/Kozuki allots people with a different king of life compared to other people. Why would Oda wait 1000 chapters to reveal more about the backgrounds of the second most important character in One Piece, and the most discussed/debated character in One Piece.
Like I’ve said earlier…
