Fans surely remember the moment Zoro first held the Sandai Kitetsu in Loguetown. From that moment, speculation began: “If the third generation (Sandai) is already so formidable, how terrifying must the first (Shodai) and second generation (Nidai) be?”
After the Nidai Kitetsu appeared in Wano, the final piece of the most cursed sword lineage was revealed. Its owner is none other than Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro, one of the Five Elders (Gorosei). Let’s uncover some shocking truths about the Shodai Kitetsu!
1. Fan Theories Confirmed
The One Piece community’s suspicions were well-founded. Sharp-eyed fans noticed Nusjuro’s sword guard bears the unmistakable design unique to the Kitetsu line. Given his status as one of the Gorosei, it makes perfect sense that Nusjuro wields the first-generation sword, the strongest and most heavily cursed of them all. With Nidai Kitetsu confirmed to remain in Wano, all clues point to Nusjuro and the Shodai.
2. Strange Reaction During His Encounter with Zoro on Egghead
On the futuristic Egghead Island, Nusjuro directly confronted Zoro. Interestingly, Nusjuro’s sharp gaze immediately locked onto the Kitetsu sword in Zoro’s hand. It was as if he recognized the “offspring” of the same sword lineage as his own weapon. This detail strengthens the belief that Nusjuro is a master of the first-generation Kitetsu.
3. Unexpected Confirmation from a Figure Advertisement
Sometimes the most important information doesn’t come from the manga but from unexpected places. In November 2025, Banpresto released images of an Ichiban Kuji figure set featuring a standoff between Zoro and Nusjuro.
The accompanying text stunned fans: “Those who wield the Shodai and Sandai Kitetsu will tear the world apart.” This is almost a tacit confirmation from Shueisha’s partners about Nusjuro’s sword identity.
4. Kitetsu Sword Logic: The Older, the Stronger
In Oda’s world of swordsmanship, the older the Kitetsu generation, the more terrifying its quality and power:
Sandai Kitetsu: Third generation (Wazamono grade).
Nidai Kitetsu: Second generation (O Wazamono grade).
Shodai Kitetsu: First generation (Saijo O Wazamono grade).
On Egghead, we saw Nusjuro effortlessly slice Pacifistas in half in an instant. Even with advanced Haki support, the sheer quality of a Supreme Grade sword helped him deliver such precise strikes.
5. One of the 12 Supreme Grade Swords (Saijo O Wazamono)
The Shodai Kitetsu ranks at the highest level of Meito swords, standing alongside legends like Mihawk’s Yoru, Gol D. Roger’s Ace, Fujitora’s Yakuza Kasen, and Whitebeard’s Murakumogiri.
The appearance of the Shodai Kitetsu signals an even fiercer battle ahead for Zoro, as he faces the “ancestor” of the very sword he wields.