User blog comment:Fliu/Chapter 970 Wano Wars: Kozuki, Fallen Clan/@comment-77.246.49.45-20200203104714/@comment-3507581-20200221164513

Zoro's pre-timeskip battles were more trepidant, such as unleashin Asura on Kaku, or obtaining the Shusui after defeating Ryuuma. Also, even if before Kyoshiro his battles weren't properly challenging, he displayed a better mastery of his techniques.