Discussion Ace replaced Who?

[Carnal]

How about Mihawk?

- Explains the pre-existing rivalry with Shanks and their many battles Whitebeard remembers.
- It explains why it took them a while to replace him (he betrayed them by joining the marines/taking the title of worlds strongest swordsman) *note*
- Explains why he was curious as to the current difference between himself and Whitebeard (ominous as to if he had made the correct decision in leaving his crew and going solo)

Note: Roronoa had explained multiple times to Luffy that if he had stood in his way of becoming the world's strongest, he would have left the crew (regardless of how his feelings changed after time passed).

It could be that a condition of being recognized as the world's strongest swordsman is to have no allegiances (other than the Marines) and to take the title without a crew.

 

[Razh]

I thought of Mihawk before but something doesn't fit.

Vista is an oldtimer in WB pirates. He's been there for more than 20 years. This panel, where Vista concludes Mihawk heard of him pretty much dismisses Mihawk as not only a 2nd commander, but the crewman as well.

 

[M3J]

I thought of Mihawk before but something doesn't fit.

Vista is an oldtimer in WB pirates. He's been there for more than 20 years. This panel, where Vista concludes Mihawk heard of him pretty much dismisses Mihawk as not only a 2nd commander, but the crewman as well.

Not necessarily. It could mean that both he and Vista either rarely talked with each other or Vista wasn't as well known back in the time? Considering the divisions, was it possible they never met before?

 

[Razh]

Not necessarily. It could mean that both he and Vista either rarely talked with each other or Vista wasn't as well known back in the time? Considering the divisions, was it possible they never met before?

Seeing how WB pirates are a one big familly and how even allied crews are connected, I don't find it likely.

Mihawk - Vista situation is no different from Crocodile - Blackbeard situation. If it's possible that Mihawk was a 2nd commander without ever meeting Vista, then it's also possible Crocodile was a 2nd commander without ever meeting Blackbeard.