In the vast world of One Piece, incredible weapons abound, each carrying legendary tales and accompanying great characters. Among the most notable is Wano’s legendary sword: Enma.
The Legendary Origins of Oden and Zoro’s Sword
Few weapons in One Piece hold the status and legendary history of Enma. Forged decades ago by the legendary blacksmith Shimotsuki Kouzaburou, Enma is one of two Great Grade Weapons he created, which he considered his greatest masterpieces. The other sword is Ame no Habakiri.
Due to their unique traits and immense power, no one could easily wield these two swords as they were extremely difficult to control. Everything changed when a young Kozuki Oden possessed them. He proved to be the only one strong enough and skilled in Haki to use them properly. From then on, Enma and Ame no Habakiri became Oden’s main weapons as he adventured with the Whitebeard and Roger crews.
Upon returning to Wano after many years, Oden found his homeland occupied by Kaido. Thanks to his legendary strength and the incredible quality of the two swords, Oden was able to fight Kaido and inflict the only scar ever seen on the body of the “strongest creature in the world” to this day. Enma and Ame no Habakiri proved to be the only weapons capable of wounding the world’s strongest being. After Oden was betrayed and defeated, both swords were entrusted to his wife, Kozuki Toki.
Toki eventually passed the two swords to her children, giving Enma to Hiyori and Ame no Habakiri to Momonosuke. For about 20 years, neither weapon was used until the Wano arc, when Enma was finally entrusted to Roronoa Zoro by Hiyori. Returning Shusui to Wano, Zoro received this nearly legendary sword as a replacement.
Enma’s Unique Nature and Its Role in the Final Battle
As one of the 21 Great Grade Swords, Enma ranks among the greatest blades in the One Piece world. Shimotsuki Kouzaburou, a legendary blacksmith, regarded Enma as the greatest weapon he ever forged, which is significant considering he also crafted Wado Ichimonji, one of Zoro’s three swords. In this regard alone, Enma surpasses and outclasses 99% of One Piece’s weapons.
Moreover, Enma possesses a special ability unseen in any other weapon so far. This trait allows it to draw out the user’s Haki, making even its normal strikes far more powerful and dangerous than usual. This was evident when Zoro accidentally sliced off a large section of Wano’s coastline, highlighting the biggest risk of wielding this sword: its difficult-to-control nature.
Enma can draw Haki from its user without permission, which is dangerous because overuse could kill the wielder. This ensures only the strongest and most capable Haki users can handle it. Additionally, as a Great Grade Sword, Enma is significantly heavier than a typical blade, adding to its destructive power and difficulty to master.
Looking ahead, Enma is expected to become a Black Blade, a phenomenon where a sword permanently absorbs Haki, changing color and becoming much stronger. A Black Blade can harness Haki’s power without needing constant reinforcement. Judging by how Oden and now Zoro wield it, Enma is almost certain to follow this path. Furthermore, the sword’s level can increase with use, so it’s possible Enma will reach its ultimate form before One Piece concludes.