One Piece: 7 Best Things About Sanji And Zoro's Relationship

Summary

Sanji and Zoro are engaged in constant rivalry with silly fights and petty competitions.
Still, they share a mutual respect despite constant bickering and insults.
When it truly matters in battle, they have impeccable teamwork.

Every crew has those two people who are always fighting all the time. They call each other with silly and nasty nicknames, they get on each other’s throats, and they even duke it out from time to time. In the Straw Hats, those people are Sanji and Zoro.

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That being said, these two actually have one of the best working relationships on the ship. They’re at each other’s throats so often that they practically know everything about each other, making them the perfect yin to each other’s yang. So with that in mind, here are the 7 best things about Sanji and Zoro’s relationship.

7

Constant Rivalry

Fights Over Petty Things

Episode: Episode 519
Story Arc: Return to Sabaody Arc

Zoro and Sanji always engage in a constant rivalry. Be it while they are on board the ship, on land, in the middle of a mission, or even on the battlefield. There are always random things that can spur them into a silly fight. More often than not, this random competition leads to a brawl.

One of the most hilarious random competitions between them is when Zoro considers himself superior to Sanji because he arrives earlier at their ship after the two-year training period. Another constant rivalry between them is over who has the higher bounty. That’s how petty they can get.

6

Mutual Respect

Respect Behind the Scorn

Episode: Episode 377
Story Arc: Thriller Bark Arc

Despite the fact that Zoro and Sanji are always acting like cat and mouse, they actually have mutual respect toward each other. Zoro always respects Sanji’s combat skills, and although he never says it, he enjoys Sanji’s food quite a lot too. Likewise, Sanji also respects how much Zoro cares about his fellow Straw Hats.

One of the defining moments in their relationship was when the swordsman sacrificed himself to Bartholomew Kuma for the sake of Luffy and the rest of the crew back in Thriller Bark. From that moment on, Sanji’s respect for Zoro skyrocketed.

5

Pushing Each Other to be Better

Great Sparring Partners

Episode: Episode 521
Story Arc: Return to Sabaody Arc

Out of everybody in the Straw Hats, the ones who quarrel the most are undoubtedly Zoro and Sanji. Incidentally, they are also two of the strongest members of the Straw Hats, second only to the captain himself. If Zoro is Luffy’s right-hand man, then Sanji is his left-hand man.

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Both men know that with great strength comes great responsibility. That’s why, despite looking as if they just randomly fight with no reason whatsoever, their quarrels are actually a form of sparring. Not only that, their ego also doesn’t allow them to fall below the other, which means they end up inadvertently pushing each other to be better and stronger.

4

Total Dedication to the Captain and the Crew

The Wings of the Future King of Pirates

One Piece Zoro and Sanji Attacks a Pacifista

Episode: Episode 521
Story Arc: Return to Sabaody Arc

As mentioned earlier, Sanji and Zoro know their role as the first line of defense for the Straw Hats crew. They are also the tip of the spear that should jump into the battlefield first and tackle the strongest enemies around. Both warriors know their job and gladly do it to the best of their abilities.

There are numerous examples of these two dedications in full display, such as that moment when Zoro and Sanji jump ahead and destroy the Pacifistas before they can attack Luffy in the Sabaody Archipelago. That is also why during a mission, Sanji and Zoro deliberately split into different teams to ensure they can give proper protection for every crew.

3

Supporting and Protecting Each Other

They Got Each Other’s Back

One Piece Sanji Protect Zoro in Wano Country

Episode: Episode 1012
Story Arc: Wano Country Arc

Both Sanji and Zoro usually engage in one-on-one fights against their opponents. However, there are times when they find themselves having to support and protect each other. Despite their constant bickering, they have no problem helping each other out, though they will still complain and insult each other afterwards.

During the Wano Country arc, Zoro single-handedly withstood Kaido’s full power attack. As expected, his body was wrecked, and he lost consciousness soon after. Luffy asked Law to take Zoro away and treat his wounds. After the treatment, however, Law immediately joined Captain Kid to fight Big Mom, so he asked Sanji to keep Zoro safe until he recovers. Sanji begrudgingly agreed. With Zoro’s wounded body in tow, Sanji kicks through the battlefield, protecting Zoro from every incoming enemy attack.

2

Absolute Trust in Each Other’s Abilities

They Know What They’re Capable of

Episode: Episode 754
Story Arc: Zou Arc

Despite their constant squabble, one thing remains true since the first time they met each other till now that they have become the crew of one of the Four Emperors, which is the fact that both Sanji and Zoro have absolute trust in each other’s abilities, especially in regards to combat.

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One of the best examples of this trust comes during the Whole Cake Island saga. At the time, Sanji, Nami, and some of the crew head towards Zou first while Luffy, Zoro, and a few others stay behind at Dressrosa. Some are worried about Nami and the others, but Zoro reassured them, saying Sanji would surely keep them safe.

1

Impeccable Teamwork

When Yin and Yang Work Together

Episode: Episode 1046
Story Arc: Wano Country Arc

Zoro and Sanji are more than happy to make fun of each other. Sanji will call Zoro “mosshead” or “marimo”, while Zoro will happily call him “twirly-brows” or “Mr. Nosebleed.” When it truly matters, however, they both can execute impeccable teamwork.

For example, take their amazing teamwork during the fight against King and Queen during the last part of the Wano Country arc. They both attacked King and Queen at the same time. When King swings his swords at Sanji for a counterattack, Zoro parries them with his swords. When Queen launches his mechanical claw at the preoccupied Zoro, Sanji kicks that claw away with his flaming leg. So yes, these two rivals can pull off incredible teamwork when they want to.