As for Luffy, up until this point, Zoro has seen him:
Stand up to Marines, take a great risk in rescuing Zoro's swords, beat down Ax-Hand Morgan who was a pretty impressive guy in his own right.
Get trapped by Buggy (via Nami) yes, but also beat down Buggy who was a Pirate Captain and fairly strong by East Blue Standards
Take on the Kuroneko Pirates, and beat their captain.
And bounce a cannonball into the Baratie, which was bad aiming, sure, but better than Merry getting a hit.
All in all, Zoro has seen Luffy be strong. Zoro has seen Luffy say he's going to do something and do it. Why wouldn't Zoro believe that Luffy can become Pirate King. That Luffy may act dumb sometimes (and I will forever fight the idea that Luffy is an idiot because he can act dumb but he's really damn smart when it comes to what he's good at) doesn't make a difference.
As for Zoro himself? He is all about confidence in himself and his own abilities. He is insanely strong, and he knows it, and he has more confidence than he has actual ability to back it up. Especially in the beginning, though he starts to get a touch more humble as they go along (though only by a little). That's why he thought he could take on the greatest swordsman in the world and win. Though he didn't expect it to be easy.
I don't think at any time Zoro thought his goal was impossible. Even when he was beaten. He was crying due to frustration at losing. At not being strong enough yet. At not being strong enough for Luffy who he respects and admires and who has lofty ambitions that Zoro needs to be strong enough to help fulfill. He promises it to him because he lost, bad. So bad that he had no choice but to take his opponent's mercy. It's here actually that we see Zoro take responsibility of helping Luffy toward his goal.
So, firstly, yes I think Zoro is casual about people's ambitions in the sense that if they say they're going to do a thing, he's all for them doing a thing. Much like Luffy is.
I don't think he imagined the hardships because I don't think he imagined he would lose. But I do think he has a good sense, especially post Mihawk and as they get further into the Grand Line, of how dangerous the world is. Hell he probably knew before how dangerous the world was to other people. Helmeppo and the Marines were one thing, but he got his considerable reputation in bounty hunting dangerous pirates.
Also he didn't want to be a pirate-- but Zoro is unique in the matter because he had no choice. It was either be a pirate or hand himself over to the Marines for Justice. Who knows how that would have gone. If he wanted to continue on his journey, piracy was his best option and with someone who was strong enough to fight for his dream...and hell, win it.
So yes, I can agree that Zoro was a little naive pre-Mihawk, but considering he is the strongest man in the East Blue pretty much (strong enough to get Baroque Works' attention) and so far they've taken on three dangerous enemies and won three times, it's no wonder he thinks that they are unbeatable.
But post-Mihawk, I don't think it's because he's lazy at all. I think he has utter faith and confidence that Luffy will achieve what he set out to do. Zoro is telling Luffy in that scene: "I haven't given up either! I'll keep fighting even though I've been defeated! I swear to you I'm not done!"
Because he wanted Luffy to keep believing in him, too.
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Date: 2014-11-28 10:09 pm (UTC)As for Luffy, up until this point, Zoro has seen him:
Stand up to Marines, take a great risk in rescuing Zoro's swords, beat down Ax-Hand Morgan who was a pretty impressive guy in his own right.
Get trapped by Buggy (via Nami) yes, but also beat down Buggy who was a Pirate Captain and fairly strong by East Blue Standards
Take on the Kuroneko Pirates, and beat their captain.
And bounce a cannonball into the Baratie, which was bad aiming, sure, but better than Merry getting a hit.
All in all, Zoro has seen Luffy be strong. Zoro has seen Luffy say he's going to do something and do it. Why wouldn't Zoro believe that Luffy can become Pirate King. That Luffy may act dumb sometimes (and I will forever fight the idea that Luffy is an idiot because he can act dumb but he's really damn smart when it comes to what he's good at) doesn't make a difference.
As for Zoro himself? He is all about confidence in himself and his own abilities. He is insanely strong, and he knows it, and he has more confidence than he has actual ability to back it up. Especially in the beginning, though he starts to get a touch more humble as they go along (though only by a little). That's why he thought he could take on the greatest swordsman in the world and win. Though he didn't expect it to be easy.
I don't think at any time Zoro thought his goal was impossible. Even when he was beaten. He was crying due to frustration at losing. At not being strong enough yet. At not being strong enough for Luffy who he respects and admires and who has lofty ambitions that Zoro needs to be strong enough to help fulfill. He promises it to him because he lost, bad. So bad that he had no choice but to take his opponent's mercy. It's here actually that we see Zoro take responsibility of helping Luffy toward his goal.
So, firstly, yes I think Zoro is casual about people's ambitions in the sense that if they say they're going to do a thing, he's all for them doing a thing. Much like Luffy is.
I don't think he imagined the hardships because I don't think he imagined he would lose. But I do think he has a good sense, especially post Mihawk and as they get further into the Grand Line, of how dangerous the world is. Hell he probably knew before how dangerous the world was to other people. Helmeppo and the Marines were one thing, but he got his considerable reputation in bounty hunting dangerous pirates.
Also he didn't want to be a pirate-- but Zoro is unique in the matter because he had no choice. It was either be a pirate or hand himself over to the Marines for Justice. Who knows how that would have gone. If he wanted to continue on his journey, piracy was his best option and with someone who was strong enough to fight for his dream...and hell, win it.
So yes, I can agree that Zoro was a little naive pre-Mihawk, but considering he is the strongest man in the East Blue pretty much (strong enough to get Baroque Works' attention) and so far they've taken on three dangerous enemies and won three times, it's no wonder he thinks that they are unbeatable.
But post-Mihawk, I don't think it's because he's lazy at all. I think he has utter faith and confidence that Luffy will achieve what he set out to do. Zoro is telling Luffy in that scene: "I haven't given up either! I'll keep fighting even though I've been defeated! I swear to you I'm not done!"
Because he wanted Luffy to keep believing in him, too.