Baratie Arc: Part IV (Story of Zoro)

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We now come to a set of chapters that is sort of a staple of One Piece. Zoro’s character is a pretty steady constant until WHAM character arc right the hell out of nowhere, usually tied into the overarching themes of the arc. So let’s explore this arc. This is also where we see another side to Sanji that I feel is often underrepresented. So while this part will include Krieg at the beginning to set for context, a great chunk of it is going to be all about Zoro.

First, though, we snag a bit from the tail-end of 48, after Krieg has left the building to take care of his men.



Luffy is talking about Sanji, btw, and his recent moment of badassitude + all the things he stands for.

Before that, though, let’s look briefly at Usopp. Shit has just turned real and it is no longer a game of just sailing around. (though not half as real as it’s going to be) and he is ready to get on out of here.
Zoro’s not particularly worried, and yeah, if he’d been there? He would have trashed them. But here it’s important to note that Zoro speaks on a Zoro level. What isn’t a problem to him shouldn’t be a problem to others, but he’s actually leagues ahead of Usopp.

Here, also, Luffy sees the bigger picture, as is one of his talents. It, in a way, mirrors Zoro’s fight with Mihawk. This is Luffy’s first fight against someone who is after the one piece. But note, “if he truly is strong” Luffy is not discounting Krieg’s abilities due to appearance. But he’s also not counting them either. Instead he’s waiting to see where Krieg will fall.

Luffy asks Gin why he says he didn’t know anything about the Grand Line even though he’s apparently been there. Gin, terrified, says he can’t believe whether it was real or a nightmare. Gin says that all of Krieg’s ships were destroyed by a single man.




I love these reaction shots. Luffy is shocked and somewhat overwhelmed by this news but not afraid. Usopp is freakin’ out like I can’t believe how flippin’ dangerous that place is. Zoro… Zoro baby what is it with that expression? I think for him it’s mostly along the lines of oh fuck is it that guy? What if it is? And Sanji is caught between being terrified and trying not to show it, ending up just looking pissed.

Gin goes on to tell about the horror story about how a mysterious man appeared right the hell out of nowhere and sunk the ships one by one, and then the storm came up which luckily carried the main ship away. He says that it’s too terrifying and he doesn’t want to think about it and then:



Once again, Zoro is a million percent not ready for Mihawk yet. Not even he conceived of a guy that strong. He is just on this side of freaking out about it but of course he’s not. Not yet.

As we go into Chapter 49, we see that Zeff really knows his stuff.




And it shows that Usopp does not. This actually says a few things. Usopp is a pirate geek. He knew about the Kuroneko and about Shanks (before he even knew that Yasopp sailed with them) but Mihawk? Not so much. Mihawk has probably never been to the East Blue before this, and you can get a sense of how small and out of the loop the East Blue really is. It could also mean that Mihawk is more swordsman than pirate since Zoro certainly knows who he is and his name moves in certain circles. Or a mix of both.

Also I just love the way they are sitting, Usopp kind of flopped in the chair his hands back, still sort of tense bust also a bit relaxed. There’s nothing to worry about right this very moment after all. And Luffy just casually perched on the table. I love it when Luffy sits/crouches on stuff that’s normally not to be sit/crouched on. It’s great characterization.




Nothing much to say here but I really like the way this panel is drawn, particularly Usopp’s expression and Luffy just all cross-legged with his feet on the table. At any rate, this isn’t the first time Zoro knows more about the wider world than they do and it won’t be the last.

The cooks say that it must be the guy that came in one day and drunk so much wine his eyes turned red, and then we have an interesting bit of characterization.



Zoro does not like looking like an idiot. He was all that stressed for no good reason and rather than say it was a mistake on Johnny’s part, he just sort of drops the whole thing. Also I think he’s sort of relieved that it’s not Mihawk, since, as I said, he’s not really ready for the guy by any means. So he just brushes it off. Also the right panel is a really nice shot of Zoro looking stressed I’ve gotta say. Now we’re not going to cap every shot of Zoro looking delicious or we’ll be here all day. Moving on:



I love how calm Zeff is about this. He’s alright even with Gin yelling at him, taking it in stride. But also it’s a great introduction to the Grand Line that I feel like is easily forgotten until we get to the actual sea itself. The people there are strong and unpredictable. The sea itself is strong and unpredictable. It even goes to show that even he has no clue as to what Mihawk may have been after. Mostly I think he says what he does to counter Sanji’s question—which was sensible enough—by pointing out the sometimes senselessness of the Grand Line.



I love Usopp’s “are you shitting me rn” face. Zoro nails what Zeff is saying in one. (Which shows that he’s not as much of an idiot as fanon might suggest) and Luffy at first seems serious—but then we see another aspect to Luffy. Danger is exciting as hell to him. The more dangerous the better. If he’d been keen with going to the Grand Line before he’s really on that horse now because one piece AND adventure! How awesome is that! Also Usopp, my love, you are on the wrong ship for that. Luffy is thinking of the danger which is the miscommunication here.



Zoro is able to relax now that he knows he doesn’t gotta go up against Mihawk right this second. He’s also kind of day dreaming here in a sense, thinking about his own ambition, hands on his swords. He’s even sort of wistful and smiling a little. It’s such a good look for him.

But Sanji? Look close at this because this is an important facet of his character. He calls them idiots and the type to rush to their deaths. I think he’s definitely seen shit like this before. It’s such a different tone, too, from the other members thus far. He calls them idiots for wanting to go to a place that trashed a guy much stronger than they are. I think he’s partly jealous and wants to go himself, but I think a greater part of him is afraid to get into a situation like that. We’ll definitely see more of it as the chapter progresses, but much like with Usopp, fear is integral to Sanji’s character. Though not at all in the same way due to their natures. But we’ll hit those beats when we come to them.

Also Usopp in the background of this. Like, oi! Who are you calling an idiot, Mr. Wouldn’t give ma a fruit cup!

Zoro sits up a little at this, becoming more alert, still casual but ready to defend himself. He’s not saying it’s not foolhardy…



Zoro’s got a lot of pride. Again, he doesn’t like being called or thought of as an idiot. (Even if he is sometimes) But we see here again why he’s such a good fit with Luffy. He put his life on the line for this dream. Not just that, but he’s prepared to die if he has to. Greatest Swordsman or bust. But he’s also calm as he says it. He’s speaking to Sanji on a level that’s man to man, fighter to fighter.



And that’s why people will more readily believe that Zoro is the captain rather than Luffy. XD Cute little bastard. He’s like, yep! That’s exactly it and I’m the same way!

But Usopp is still in “pirate game” mode a bit, as well as “gotta show I’m just as tough as them” mode, and “show that blondie I mean business” mode, and “keep up so you don’t get left behind” mode a little. But as he was two seconds ago ready to get the hell out of there and not go to the Grand Line, Zoro calls him on his bullshit. Zoro is essentially telling him without words, these are important statements and you can’t just say it without meaning it to get a leg up.

Sanji is super annoyed at them. You can tell by the wrinkles by his nose. I think that he hates to hear what he’s hearing because there is a part of him longing to be free and sail the oceans—but too much chains him down. Both responsibility and his own issues. So he can’t stand being entranced by it.

Zeff? He likes these kids. I think he’s looking them and seeing what real idealistic pirates are like. What he used to be back in the day or who he used to know. I think he sees in them the potential to make it big.
All this body language is interrupted by Patty reminding them that they have a psycho parked in the back who is gonna come wreak havoc at any minute so can they figure out what the hell they’re going to do?

Meanwhile, on Krieg’s ship, the starving men eat and then do what pirates do best!



Celebrate at still being alive! I love those two shitheads hugging in the background. Tell me that’s not the most adorable thing you’ve ever seen and I may well in fact ship them. But nevermind that because Krieg has a bomb to drop.



He looks kind of amused by all their nonsense. But I think it’s mostly a ‘I’m back in business’ look. His men, however, are none too happy with this statement.



Shooting your subordinates (with a Don!) Now this is interesting because to look at our antagonists, three of them mangled their subordinates due to disrespect (Alvida, Buggy and Morgan), Buggy used one for a shield to protect himself. Kuro was out to kill his subordinates from the get-go with no respect for them – But Krieg has mangled Gin simply for reminding him of his promise and shot this guy for just hesitating. But the only reason Krieg shot him was because he was the unfortunate idiot to speak up. Krieg didn’t even give him a chance to say no. You get the sense that he’s not as comfortable in his seat of power as he wants to be (especially given their recent catastrophic failure) and uses fear of getting killed to keep men in line, not even letting them voice the slightest hesitation about the plan.

He asks if any of the others disagree. They say no, though it’s obviously fear driven, and Krieg tells them the plan to take over the Baratie and their prey are just measly cooks. Inside the Baratie, a line of cooks standing on defense say they can hear Krieg’s men coming…



And look at these slick bastards waiting for the party to start. All the blasé and unimpressed. Except for the Great Captain who would really not like to die today pls and thks, and Patty who is bracing for impact. And thennn Mihawk comes by and cuts the galleon right in half.



No, but see, they’re just reacting to a NOISE and probably the sea bucking underneath him. Most everyone is inside the Baratie so they couldn’t have seen what had happened. At least not clearly. But think of it, gearing up for this massive fight on either side, ready to win or lose or in any case fight—tensions high and then ZUDADAN!! Startling as hell and Zoro reaching right for his sword and Sanji looking like a muppet and even Zeff is like what the shit just happened. That’s because sometimes in Soviet One Piece, Grand Line comes to you.



All pretenses are dropped and Krieg is freaking out. This has got to bring back flashbacks of the Grand Line for him and what had happened. Though of course he didn’t know the ships had been cut, only disappeared but still he’s gotta be thinking –oh shit it’s happening again. And, well, it is.



Once they realize their own people are in danger? Luffy is freaking gone, bouncing from table to table. He has the fastest reaction time. Usopp, too, showing his brand of courage. When he doesn’t have time to think, he’s gone, too, not to run away, but to look after the ship, leaping over the table like a boss. It’s difficult to tell who exactly is saying what (at least for me) but I think that Zoro’s the one speaking of Jonny and Yosaku—and Usopp saying it might be too late. If it’s wrong feel free to correct me but I like this. Luffy just MOVES, Zoro worried about the people onboard, Usopp, negative, but still moving.



Meanwhile Zeff is a boss himself, showing that he’s the captain in this situation and in a second knows the danger and what to do about it. You have to make snap decisions like this in the Grand Line and can’t always wait to see what’s going on.



Poor Johnny and Yosaku. They are having a rough day. I just love, though, Zoro worrying about the ship and Nami, Luffy looking over the water as if he can spot it and Usopp tearing out still like oh crap, oh crap, oh crap.



The great thing here is, of course, they will meet again—Not because they are linked by fate, but due to Luffy’s indomitable will.

In either case I love the guys freaking out. Zoro and Luffy freaking out like this is rare. Zoro is pissed but Luffy is more unbelieving of it all and rofl I love Usopp holding onto his head as if it’s going to fall off.



Also Zeff quietly freaking out as he realizes just who is coming to dinner.


As we open chapter 50 we get a great shot of the wrecked ship, everyone wondering what happened—and a flashback of what happened with Nami, how she tricked Johnny and Yosaku and fled and all the things after that. I’m going to wait until the beginning of the Arlong Park Arc to cover it because as well placed as it is in the manga, for the sake of this analysis, it’s better suited to introduce the tone of that arc.
So we’ll come instead to the tail end of their story:



I love how Johnny and Yosaku are bowing like that. Saying that she ran away but also it was their faults for being tricked/not guarding better and they are apologizing for their failure.

But Zoro is really blaming himself for not seeing it coming. He knew how Nami was and yet let himself be tricked and wow it’s pissing him off. He’s hitting the wall with a Don even. Even Usopp is crazy mad because hello it was their means of escape! But also I think he’s mad because it was the Merry. But Usopp isn’t really equipped to have anywhere for the mad to go except clenching his fists and being generally angry, clenching his teeth. This is unlike Zoro who has to hit something to vent his frustrations.
Luffy says he still sees their ship and:



I love the desperation that Luffy asks for their ship and they have no idea what he needs it for.
Zoro knows, though. He knows just by Luffy saying their names. Because goddamn if he can’t read Luffy’s mind. But also look, his over the hot anger already. He’s annoyed, sure, but he’s just like, forget it. She can’t be trusted so let’s just cut her loose. He’s not really interested in vengeance of any kind and would just rather let it go. He’s not the kind who can get burned once and then again. Usopp, though, you see already how important the Merry is to him. Not just the ship at this juncture, I think, but what it means—attached to Kaya as it is and he has to take care of it.



Luffy’s little concern face. I love it. He doesn’t know why Nami left the way she did. He knows it’s not right and he doesn’t know why it’s not right but he’s already decided that she’d be their navigator because—well—they’d already made an alliance. (and we all know how that turns out) But also he’s used to chasing people to the ends of the earth and back again when he wants to be friends with them no matter what they do. (See: Portgas, Ace D)



I love Zoro’s pouty eyebrow raise as he gauges how serious Luffy is about this. As for Usopp I think he’s surprised that Luffy is so determined about Nami but is really more concerned with getting the ship now. And of course Zoro gives in because he wasn’t kidding when he said that Luffy’d be his captain. (though it doesn’t mean he won’t complain about it) And immediately makes the decision and pulls Usopp into it. Johnny and Yosaku says they’re ready to set sail.



Luffy being responsible. I think he’s pretty confident in their ability to, if not get Nami back, or detain her, at least find out where she’s headed. Either way he believes in them enough to do what it was he set out to do, which is right now, paying off his accidental debt. (Though I still don’t think he would have stayed for a year)




And then this. Zoro telling Luffy to be careful. We see an echo of this in the timeskip. First mate looking after his captain and informing him this is no ordinary attack. Looking after Luffy and wanting him to be careful and it’s just so adorable. Luffy, in all seriousness, says he will be and recognizes Zoro worrying about him. This is kind of the first time they’ve been separated for an unknown amount of time since they met.




Krieg looks terrified, as well he should, but also looks like he’s trying not to be terrified at all.
And Zoro—he looks stressed as fuck. He is not prepared for any aspect of this. I think he knows it and I think he’s a little bit afraid of what it might mean. It’s sort of like going to your first day of college and on day two find out you have to present your Master’s Thesis.

And Zeff reveals that yes, indeed, that guy is who you think. The strongest swordsman in the world:



Dracule “Hawkeyes” Mihawk. With an appropriately fancy don. All he needs is a few cords of Spanish Guitar for his intro.



I love that Mihawk seems to consider this here. He seems all serious, which he is, of course.



He’s also kind of a massive troll. A serious troll. I have no doubt that he had nothing better to do so came along to badger them because—well why else would he? That is freedom right there. The Yasopp wannabe gets pissed at this explanation and shoots at him. It’s super ineffective.



Zoro is in frikken awe over this. This is a master swordsman at work. His ideal right there. Mihawk uses the blade with grace and precision. Zoro is such a good swordsman even now, though, that he can see what Mihawk did even if he can’t replicate it, and understands greatness when he sees it. Zoro asks if Mihawk cut the ship, Mihawk says he did.



His expression – he doesn’t know what to do with it. On one hand this is the coolest thing he’s ever seen. Mihawk is just as powerful as he thought he’d be and Zoro knows he’s going to fight him. But there’s no doubt he recognizes at least some of the difference in level and is pretty sure he’s going to get his ass kicked if he doesn’t fight spectacularly. So he’s both going ‘hell yes’ and freaking out, just a little.
The guys around Zoro start to recognize him. Zoro says he set sail to find him and Mihawk asks what for.



That takes balls of titanium right there. Zoro made his decision and now he’s going to go through with it. He’s following the courage of his (sort of suicidal at this juncture) conviction.



I love the varying reactions to this. Especially Krieg and Sanji not quite believing Zoro is who everyone says he is. (note, that they say it. He doesn’t) I think Sanji and Krieg’s reactions are due to the fact they expected someone a bit more terrifying and also like, what are the odds that he show up here? But also Zoro has a NAME for himself. A name even Sanji has heard of. A name others have given him. Already he’s recognized as a pretty strong guy.




Luffy is, of course, watching every second to see how it goes down. Whereas Usopp has far different priorities. Who cares about this? His treasure is sailing away and he might not ever see it again! Come on, guys, focus!



I love Mihawk trying to figure out his game. He’s not assuming what Zoro’s game is. Though I think he’s pretty damn sure it’s ignorance that it’s coming from. Also I love that about Mihawk that he’s looking into why such a duel is happening. He doesn’t go out of his way to prove that he’s better or get insulted by thinking Zoro isn’t good enough. He basically is just asking him if he’s sure he really wants to get into it and why. Zoro tells him his conviction. But what is really interesting it’s that his ambition AND a promise to Kuina. So, as we looked into Zoro’s flashback earlier, why did he want to be the strongest in the first place? What is the first thing that motivated him to start down this road? What, Oda, what?



Also I think that Usopp has become resigned to the fact that A) this is pretty intense and B) they’re not going anywhere until it’s over. Also Luffy quiet watching again.

We switch back to Nami for a bit, but as I said, we’ll touch on it in Arlong Park Arc.



Right away, Mihawk recognizes Zoro’s potential. He really doesn’t want to do this. He will out of respect for Zoro’s conviction and determination, but you can sense how reluctant he is to eviscerate this kid.
There’s quite an audience watching. Johnny and Yosaku say that Mihawk can’t beat their bro and Krieg complains about the state of his ship. Zoro asks what Mihawk is going to do with “that” aka the tiny knife that Mihawk pulled out:




Mihawk is not a showoff bully in other words. He has a massive amount of strength, but it’s beneath him to crush Zoro right out of the gate with everything he’s got. Also note that while Mihawk cut down the Krieg Pirate’s ships, he didn’t actually cut them down. There is still a chance of them surviving. Slim to none, granted but again it is beneath him to go all out to slaughter those so weak. In this way, too, he’s both taking Zoro’s ambition seriously, but showing him that he’s sort of like a mouse trying to fight a giant tiger.

While he does acknowledge Zoro has a name for himself, he goes on to say that the East Blue is the weakest of the four blues.



Also Mihawk, you troll. He’s absolutely serious because he doesn’t have a blade smaller than that. Again, telling Zoro, I can trounce you with just this. Zoro feels he’s being mocked –thinking that Mihawk is underestimating him.



Of course it’s Zoro seriously seriously underestimating Mihawk at this juncture and overestimating himself. Again I think he realizes that Mihawk is much stronger than he is, but he’s gotta be close right? So if he fights his hardest and beyond that, he’ll be able to defeat him. On the other hand, he won’t be able to win without killing him—which is directly against the idea of strength that Mihawk represents and that Zoro idealizes.



This is so monumental right here. It’s just a few lines but it really drives home the point that the East Blue? Is nothing. Their strength? They are still babies in the wading pool. There is a much bigger world out there than they realize. There are threads that go so deep that they can’t even fathom. It’s not only a great set up for the Grand Line, but for the Arlong Park Arc itself. After all the Fishmen there aren’t just there because but connected to things that happened when our current protagonists were babies themselves and even earlier. Just because you’re strongest in the well, Mihawk is saying, doesn’t mean a thing when you’re out of it.

Zoro attacks Mihawk with an onigiri and:



Case in fukken point. Firstly, true strength is precision and look there is nothing about that that isn’t precise. But also? Zoro not only can’t even attack him, he can’t even move and he can’t believe that he is really so far from his goal. Look at him in the far left. Sweating, trembling with effort, but Mihawk won’t budge. (and in the background, everyone freaking out about what’s going on)



Just this whole page. Remember how Mihawk said a sword that isn’t graceful isn’t strong? Zoro’s sword isn’t particularly graceful at all. He wails at Mihawk with all he’s got in a series of brutal attacks and he’s not even breaking a sweat. The most he can do is be frustrated at the difference in level. He’s understanding how huge the world is and how much further he has to go. But the big thing here is? This isn’t just a ‘see how I do’ battle, not for Zoro. When he said he left behind any attachment to life, he meant it. This is all or nothing. Do or die. Become the strongest or not. And to be this far down at this point? That’s aggravating as hell.

Not to be deterred he gets back up and attacks again to the point that even Mihawk comments on his ferocity. (Still not breaking a sweat though)



How great is it we’re seeing Zoro’s inward voice, though? It’s so rare to see that from anyone but this is his desperate moment. In any other story it would be his climax. His final boss fight. And the first thing he remembers is Kuina and their promise. That’s how much weight is on Zoro’s swords, the strength of that promise. He remembers the promise, remembers his vow to get even stronger because Kuina cannot.
He remembers people running just from his presence and meeting Johnny and Yosaku who decide to join him because they are impressed by his strength.



And Mihawk just wonders why he’s fighting so hard. It’s one thing if Zoro was just trying to prove himself but he recognizes Zoro is trying to win despite the overwhelming odds and it makes him curious as hell. I don’t think he’s ever met a guy quite like Zoro before. And Zoro? Who is at the pinnacle of the East Blue? To be called a weakling? That’s a pretty major blow. Especially since he’s still losing and badly.

Even Johnny and Yosaku get pissed at this and leap as if going to attack but Luffy yanks them back and holds them down, telling them not to interfere.



Though he’d really freaking like to interfere himself and kick that guy’s ass for saying something like that. It’s through sheer effort that he holds himself back because he recognizes it’s Zoro’s fight and Zoro’s will to prove himself and he doesn’t like how it’s going but he can’t stop it. He can’t because he knows it’s Zoro’s fight. He knows it’s Zoro’s dream. So he’s preventing anyone from interfering from that dream. Even himself.

And I don’t think Usopp gets it fully but I think he can see how worried Luffy is for Zoro’s sake but he’s holding back from helping for some reason. Usopp is seeing how intense Luffy can be and how much he cares.
Zoro gets knocked back again but as he gets up again to do a Tora Gari he remembers what else he’s fighting for.



For Luffy’s sake. For his promise to Luffy who Zoro believes in completely even at this early date. He has to become the strongest so that he will really be someone for Luffy, the future Pirate King, to really be proud of. To keep up with him and keep pace with him. This is the promise that Zoro carries forward, not for Kuina or her will, but for the will of the boy right beside him. It’s fantastic.
Anyway, this happens.



Which we know. But look at Zoro’s feet.



He’s still barely holding them up there, sinking back, but not stepping back and there’s why. He can’t step back. His ambition is so great he can’t take a step backwards from it and forgive himself. Is this a stupidass move? Damn right it is. But that’s how Zoro is. He has to keep moving forward in his own ambition. Putting his life on the line for it and not taking even a step back. Also it hurts and you can tell how much it hurts. It’s embedded in him and he’s trembling both from exertion and probably pain, but he keeps standing there because this is what he started and even if he can’t finish it right at this very second he will.

Mihawk basically tells him, yes, that’s what defeat feels like. Zoro says that’s why he can’t step back, Mihawk says that he’ll die:



Bam, the courage of Zoro’s conviction. Become the strongest or die trying. Of course we know that but to actually see that he won’t back down, even impaled as he is, bleeding from the mouth as he is which can’t be good, shows us more than anything what kind of guy Zoro is. He’s grinning now. Sweating, yeah, but grinning. If he is going to die, he’s going to die with a grin.

Zoro tells Mihawk his name, Mihawk says he’ll remember it, recognizes Zoro as a swordsman by saying he’ll respect him by attacking him with the strongest sword in the world:



And Zoro is setting this ultimatum for himself. Do or die. Go big or go home (in a body bag). He has decided this is how it’s going to be and puts all his faith in this final attack.




And check it out. It makes Mihawk sweat. This isn’t a weak attack by any means. Zoro is pretty freaking strong even now. Strong enough so that he doesn’t die as Mihawk cuts through the two unnamed swords like melted butter and hits him, too. But what does happen?



He loses. Which is even more painful because he isn’t the world’s strongest and he’s still alive to know it. He’s been soundly defeated. I love how he sheathes Wado, though. He doesn’t drop it but takes the time, just barely holding back pain and emotion, by sheathing it respectfully. The weight of Kuina’s will still rests on it.



And he turns so that Mihawk can take his win and strike the final blow. With a smile. He doesn’t regret the fight and he’s dying without a wound on his back. i.e. running away, being a coward, though it will come to mean more later. And a Mihawk smile. Check that out, Zoro, you’re two for two with Mihawk. Needless to say Mihawk is impressed by this even though he does strike him a good one with the sword. Luffy screams out Zoro’s name.



But Zoro is not strong enough to die on his own terms. The strongest swordsman in the world is the one who sets the terms. Who decides whether or not to kill him. Who has decisive control over the end of the battle. Because that is what winning is. Mihawk cuts the shit out of him yes, but he can kill and he can choose not to kill and that is power. Also note that Zoro lets go of the Wado. It’s almost as if Mihawk is relieving him of his own promise to defeat Mihawk or die trying, at least at this very moment. He takes the promise because he can, because he is the stronger and Zoro has a long damn way to go.



Luffy is so pissed and upset and angry that he can only scream. Like he knows that Zoro chose to do this but he can’t let Zoro go like this, not ever and he doesn’t want Zoro to die. I mean we know he won’t but Luffy sure as hell doesn’t. And Usopp is freaking out too, of course.



And then you have Sanji who looks about a hairs breadth from crying himself and it’s only a huge amount of control that stops him from doing so. This is basically everything that Sanji feared would happen should someone choose to follow such an insane path coming true. Zoro’s commitment is not something he understands and he doesn’t think he can understand it.



Yeah, Sanji isn’t the kind of person who can get rid of attachments to life so easily. He doesn’t understand the point of death. Yes he will get shot to shit for the sake of feeding someone but that’s different. This is following your own dream even though you know it’s hopless. And he knows a thing or two about hopelessness. As we’ll see when we get to his past, Sanji is ultimately a survivor. Surviving is good, doing something stupid to get yourself killed for the sake of some ambition is bad. Again, much like Usopp, but the difference is that Usopp pursued his ambition. He was going to set out on a boat alone. Yes he still struggles with it and will struggle a great deal more, but he’s near inconsistently over his head and lacks confidence in himself. Sanji has the confidence in his own abilities, but aside from ties that keep him to the Baratie, which are really freaking strong, he can’t see himself throwing his life away so pointlessly and hopelessly on a dream that might not even exist.

Zoro falls in the water. Johnny and Yosaku dive to save him and Luffy?



Just goes full out “Damn you!” rawr to punch Mihawk in the face. Now aside from Sanji who we will get back to, I want you to take a close look at Luffy. He is without his hat. (it fell off when he flung a hand over). The hat is significant both when he pulls it on and when he pushes it off or it is otherwise not on his person. In this case? This is pure undiluted Luffy rage. It’s not the burden of Shanks’ promise. It’s not his ambition. It’s the desire to kick the ever loving shit out of the person that took his nakama away. For as full of smiles as he is, he is also full of anger.

Sanji meanwhile is looking shocked and afraid for Luffy’s safety. Like oh fuck no what do you think you’re doing?! You’re going to get your shitty ass killed! He’s known Luffy for longer after all and has come to like him—and also I think he sight of someone so full of grins and kind of dumb is startling as hell.
Luffy flies his way over there, Mihawk dodges easily (and I’m willing to bed he has some form of observation haki). He guesses that Luffy must be a friend of Zoro’s



Mihawk you’re really kind of a good guy. Luffy, however, looks like he’s about two seconds from bawling from relief, and probably would if he was a dozen years younger.



And just Luffy’s expression, relieved and worried at the same time. Poor Zoro’s had a rough time of it, too and I love the teamwork of everyone getting Zoro onto the boat.

Now, you should really go look at the pages for yourself because if I put them here, I’ll only have to do a bunch of full pages of Mihawk being awesome. Which is awesome! But I have nothing to say about what they look like, only the words. So if you have Chapter 52, I suggest you give it a look see. But I will transcribe the words here because, wow. Wow.


Mihawk:I am Dracule Mihawk, and it is much too early for you to die. Know thyself. Know thy world. And become strong, Roronoa!

Know thyself. Know what you are really fighting for. Know the meaning of strength. Know the meaning of your own strength.

See more of the world. See what kind of different swordsmen are in it. Don’t think you’re the best just because you’ve seen a tiny bit of it and can fight well. Get stronger.

Mihawk: No matter how many months or years pass by, I shall stand at the top of the world and wait for you! Surpass me, Roronoa!

Does that give you the chills? It gives me the chills. Though it is wonderful to hear, I think it is a sort of hidden turning point for Mihawk. As will be proven below by Zeff. Encountering Zoro gave him a slightly new perspective on the world, or at least on the strength of one certain man of the East Blue. Mihawk, it sort of seems that he’s found something to look out for and look forward to. Someone’s progress to follow. You could almost say that Mihawk is to Zoro like Shanks is to Luffy.



Man, Zoro, you look wrecked.

But mostly this for Zeff’s statement to underscore how powerful Mihawk’s statement was. It’s not known how much Zeff knows Mihawk, but as far as we know him, he seems not to care this much about anyone (other than Shanks). So it’s a pretty big deal.

Mihawk asks Luffy what his goal is and Luffy tells him.



Mihawk smirk. I love it. Buuut yeah, Mihawk is right. Because think about it. In order for Zoro to be the strongest swordsman, he’s just gotta defeat Mihawk. For Luffy to become Pirate King? He has to beat out everyone else who wants to be Pirate King, people who don’t want him to be Pirate King, not get caught by the Marines and find the one piece. But Luffy don’t care what you think you dumb Hawker, he’s gonna do it anyway.

After that, Luffy asks how Zoro is and Usopp says he’s still alive but only unconscious and then…Zoro lifts Wado Ichimonji , unsheathed, into the air.



Sanji’s expression in the upper right, though. He looks both kind of heart broken and emotionally exhausted. Like what can this guy be saying? What’s going to happen now?

And Zoro. Zoro. He apologizes for worrying Luffy. We know that they care for each other but this is the first time he’s said anything like this. And what he’s saying, that he’d only embarrass Luffy if he didn’t become the best swordsman. Although the promise to Kuina very much remains a thing, his biggest concern right now is Luffy and Luffy’s legacy as Pirate King and Zoro’s own worthiness to be there beside him.



Zoro is crying again. What, again? Yes, again. Remember the first time we’ve seen him cry?




After he was trounced by Kuina yet again. The same hand to his face, trying really hard to hold it back but not able to at all. Covering his frustration at not being enough. Not being strong enough to do what he’d wanted. To not be as strong as he wanted for whatever reason he wanted it before her. He can’t look at her or anyone.

But in the present? His eyes are uncovered. This is probably the most emotionally vulnerable we’ll ever see him. He’s still frustrated as hell that he couldn’t do it and upset as hell and unable to stop himself from crying because he feels he failed and he shamed Luffy in some way by not being the strongest. But he makes the promise with his eyes open, despite the tears, because it’s important. Because when he was a kid…whoever or for whatever reason he was getting stronger wasn’t there. Here? Luffy is standing not too far away. There for Zoro to prove himself to. There to give Zoro a greater sense of purpose.

I mean, what was he going to do without Luffy if he defeated Mihawk? Let’s say that he didn’t meet anyone else, continued on his way as he is doing now, became the strongest swordsman and then…what? His vow to Kuina has been fulfilled, but she’s not there. He is the strongest, but there is nothing left for him to be except to keep his title until he loses it again.

Sailing with Luffy? He’ll not only be the strongest swordsman, but he’ll be the Pirate King’s strongest swordsman. Luffy will be there to show him how proud he is and how glad he is of Zoro’s strength. (and of course the others will be there, too, just as proud and ah—hold on I have something in my eye)

Oh yeah, and also his vow? Remember



He’s made it before.

Just after he made this vow in the past, he lost to Kuina.

Here in the present? He does lose again. Twice.

But the point is not that he loses. The point is that he gets back up and keeps fighting. We’ll come to the whys and wherefores when we reach that point. But the strength and importance of the vow lies in who it is made to, not what it says.

In the past…who was he vowing to? As far as we know, himself. Though there may have been others long gone. In the present? Again, vowing to Luffy. Someone right there in front of him.



Mihawk’s grinning again. He’s probably smiled more times here than he has in a long time. He really likes the pluck of this crazy ass kid, and his strength. There’s a lot of fire and passion in him. Though also there seems to be a hint of (this brat is a little crazy).

Note in the middle panel we have the “ki” wind again. The physical manifestation of Zoro’s will. (outside of haki) The vow in and of itself is also wrapped around Wado.

And Luffy? Luffy is starting to grin. His last expression was shock but now his smile is picking up. Out of Zoro’s promise to him and Zoro’s faith in him. Even if he already knew it, hearing it is something else altogether. Also just knowing what an awesomely strong guy Zoro is, even in losing.



And this. Just this. Already calling him Pirate King, Zoro you big dork. That’s how much faith he has in Luffy. That Luffy will do as he dreams and that they both will. Fighting and adventuring side by side (something in my eye again. /snff)This is nakamaship at its finest, tying their dreams even more solidly together. And Luffy’s grinning with full force at the end of it just brimming with happiness.

Now, taking this all into account, remember when I said Mihawk is almost to Zoro as Shanks is to Luffy?
The almost lies in the fact that while that may be very true on Mihawk’s end (at least in terms of watching for the progress of someone as Shanks does with Luffy), it’s not true on Zoro’s. Mihawk’s speech was powerful, but Zoro seemed to be unconscious for the most of it. He never acknowledges it. We never see him react to it. Whereas the hat is a promise to Shanks, Wado is a promise to Luffy, not Mihawk. Whatever Mihawk thinks and feels is immaterial to Zoro because Mihawk is just an opponent, not a mentor. (at least, not yet)
At any rate, Mihawk says they make a great team and he’d like to see them again. Luffy has no response but to watch him go with fists clenched. Luffy, I feel, still isn’t happy with Mihawk knocking the crap out of his swordsman.

We’ll go briefly to a scene with Krieg to round out Mihawk’s character since this is the last we’ll see of him for a while. So, foregoing Krieg’s characterization for a moment.



Firstly, even if we don’t know how well Zeff knows Mihawk, he certainly seems to know his habits well.
Secondly, Mihawk is a troll, though an honest troll. Though on the outset it seems like a really jerky thing to do to wail on some guys just because they woke you up.
But let’s look at a few components of the situation.

Mihawk himself is not a careless guy. While he is thorough and can be cold, I can’t see it in him to just attack any ship that wakes him up. If it were a Marine ship or a civilian ship, I can see him letting it pass by. But in this case it was a pirate fleet, and as a Shichibukai, it’s Mihawk’s role to take them down. Naturally he did it just for something to do, because he was awake, so why not? But if you’re going to be a pirate and an open one, you have to expect things like that. Still, for all that Mihawk isn’t really all that interested in Krieg and he lets the guy live. Gives him a chance. Note again, even though he cut the main ship in half, he didn’t kill anyone. Though he cut the fleet in half, it’s likely the same that he didn’t kill anyone. Not even accidentally because he is a master swordsman. Sure there’s a 99.9% chance that all those who got sunk drowned anyway, but if Mihawk had gone after them with an intent to kill it would be a 100% chance that they’d all be dead.

Even here:



Kreig is being an asshat, trying to prove his strength by shooting Mihawk with everything he’s got. That he’s worthy of attention to, and Mihawk? Is just moderately annoyed. With that swing of the sword he doesn’t even touch Krieg, just cuts the ship a little more, creates a wall of water and leaves.

Now we’re running a little long and we’ve covered a lot, so let’s just go back to Usopp and Luffy before we leave off.



D’aww, Luffy giving orders. And as for Usopp? He’s had a boost of confidence from everything that’s happened and a sense of camaraderie. He’s not mentioning the importance of Merry, but talking about matters important to the crew. He’s telling Luffy not to worry because they’ve totally got this and both reminding Luffy what they are here for and professing faith that Luffy can get what they’re here for.



And notice that it’s Usopp that says when they should go to the Grand Line. The one who didn’t really want to go is saying, when we have everyone we came for let’s move on! It’s a great line and I still think he’s really nervous about it. But right now he’s full of let’s do this and follow our dreams! Feels. And also? That is quite a distance Usopp chucked that hat. Look how far away they are. And a hat is lighter than say a stone and subject to winds. But Usopp throws it and when he throws, things go where they’re meant to because he’s just that good.


Themes


It’s A Big World, Little Frog: It’s a huge world and as much as we’ve seen how strong they are? This is only the beginning. They are still children compared to what awaits them on the Grand Line, it’s both exciting and terrifying—but they can’t take those dangers for granted as Zoro did and as Krieg did. You have to be prepared—but also you can’t be prepared. You don’t know what you’ll be up against until you face it so you have to be ready to handle just about anything.


Courage of Conviction: There is a prevailing yet subtle theme throughout One Piece that was stated in the Fishmen Island arc. Are we good or bad? Enemies or allies? That’s up for you to decide. In other words, whereas in something like Naruto, Naruto is definitely the hero and what he does is (for the most part) heroic and coded as good. What Luffy and the others do are—just what they do—following their own natures. In this case it applies to courage of conviction.

Zoro has courage of conviction. He won’t step back even though he could die. And in this case? There was no miraculous second wind. No trick that saved him from dying. The only reason he didn’t die here, more than once, was simply because Mihawk chose not to kill him.

In that case is his courage of conviction a bad thing? That he would have been killed if who he’d been fighting decided it? What do you think?

I think it is who Zoro is. That he can’t be or do anything else but react to his truest nature. And that’s okay.

But also tied in with this, too, is that Courage of Conviction does not always equal Success of Conviction. Much like Zeff stepped in for Sanji (and other reasons which we’ve discussed) Mihawk steps back for Zoro. Krieg certainly had and has the courage of conviction to go/return to conquer the Grand Line, but he lacks the strength to see it through. But he does have another thing in common with Luffy and Zoro which is
Persistence of Conviction. We haven’t seen Luffy lose yet, but we know he has and we know he will. Luffy loses all the damn time. But he keeps pushing forward.

We’ve seen Zoro lose twice. And twice he’s said he won’t lose again. And we’ll see him keep pushing forward.
Krieg was trashed by the Grand Line, Krieg wants to return to the Grand Line and keep pushing forward. Though the major difference between them and him?


Recognizing a Loss as a Loss:

Krieg cannot do that. He thinks he has all the answers and is already the strongest. Other than maybe having more information, he thinks that will give him precision. It’s actually a smart move—except there is no information that will help him. He can’t just bully his way onto the Grand Line at his inflexible power level. It’s just not going to work.

Zoro was on the same level as Krieg. Though he recognized Mihawk as someone stronger and that he would have to bring his best game, he thought he was already strong enough to beat him. He did his best to beat him and couldn’t figure out why he couldn’t win. But when his best wasn’t enough, he recognized a loss for what it was. Accepted it and let Mihawk have the final blow. (Though still lost because he didn’t get what it was he wanted ie death) Since he is still alive, he can learn from that loss.


The Strong Get to Choose How They Die: As I’ve said, Zoro says he will be the strongest or die. He’s not the strongest so he doesn’t get that choice. Twice Mihawk has the choice to kill him. Twice he refuses.



Characters

Zoro: Zoro’s big character moments are mostly a reflection of who he has become since his last moment, and then the change and hints of who he will be at the very end. So as for the whole scope of Zoro’s character as we know him right now—

Protective: We’ve seen him be protective over others, especially Rika from way back in the Morgan Arc, but more and more that protection and worry centers around his crew. Right away he was worried about the ship and those people on it. Nami, who is crew, and Johnny and Yosaku who are his friends.

But also he’s protective about small things that are important to him. When Usopp interrupted in an earlier chapter when Luffy was having his I’m Going to be the Pirate King moment with Krieg, and when Zoro was talking about his dream and his willingness to die for it and Usopp said the same with me! Acting all tough. Zoro basically called him out on it. Why? Because those things are important to him. He’s protecting the image that Luffy presents as someone who is going to be the next Pirate King. He’s protecting the seriousness of the idea that they’re going to die for their dreams. He knows Usopp has a long way to go yet and is trying to nudge into the spotlight with them, but Zoro won’t let him because it’s not authentic and he doesn’t believe Usopp will follow through.

Confident in what he believes: Even though he knows that the idea of putting his life on the line can be considered idiotic, that doesn’t stop him from saying it is his ideal and believing in it and himself. Much like Luffy, he doesn’t care what other people have to say about his dream. He is confident in what he believes and confident in everything he believes. Sometimes even to his detriment. He also believes in Luffy. He wouldn’t follow Luffy if he didn’t have 100% faith in him. Even if there’s not a whole lot to go on at the moment, Zoro believes anyway.

Confident in his abilities: To his credit and to his detriment. Zoro already considers himself in the top tier—and tbh it’s hard to blame him. He’s never been anywhere outside the East Blue and he can already kick everyone’s ass inside it. How can he know the world is harder than he expects unless he faces it? But the higher you think you are, the harder you fall when you realize what a gap remains. He can’t imagine why it’s so damn hard to fight Mihawk – though to a credit to his own strength and the courage of his own conviction, this stunning realization doesn’t effect his fighting skills at all.

Going all the way: Once Zoro decides to do something of his own will, he’s going to be confident in doing it and seeing it through. He fights Mihawk til the end. Tries to get his own way til the end. Fails at it but didn’t back down even once. He decided to be the strongest for his sake and Kuina’s dream. He decides to fight Mihawk the moment Mihawk arrives and though we’ve seen how all the unsure about it he is to begin with, once he challenges him, he can’t do anything but go through with it. He decided to have 100% faith in Luffy and so he does have 100% faith in Luffy. He decided to trust Nami a little and…that didn’t turn out so well. A trust broken is not easily repaired, so quick was he to give up on her. He’s not as intuitive about people to guess there might be something more. On the other hand, he hasn’t seen any of Nami’s vulnerability yet.

Doesn’t like to be wrong: Zoro is so confident and confidence is so much part of his self image that he projects and wants people to see him as that he hates to be wrong. He hates to mess up and he hates to fail. He hates looking like less. Sanji called him an idiot but Zoro was confident enough in his dream that he could brush it off. But he is so glad that he caught himself before mistaking Mihawk for the dude who drunk too much wine. And he deflects the question as well so the misunderstanding isn’t even brought up. He is confident that he can defeat Mihawk, but when he can’t and is proven not only wrong but thoroughly wrong, he is frustrated to tears at how wrong he was and how much he still has to go. He was starting to be confident about Nami being alright and when he found out he was wrong, he punched a wall. But at the same time—when he’s wrong, he’s wrong. He doesn’t persist in believing he’s right once it’s proven otherwise.
Carrying Forward: So where does Zoro go from here? Simply realizing he’s still got a lot of training to do. But the major shift has been in focus. Getting stronger less for someone in the cool past and more for someone right there ten feet away in the warm present.


Mihawk: Is a troll but an honest one. I mean I’m sure he knows what he says will piss people off, but he doesn’t really care because it’s the truth. He’s massively strong but in complete control of his abilities. A testament to his strength is that he doesn’t have to kill if he doesn’t wish to and 9 times out of 10, doesn’t wish to. There is no point in killing people so weak and he doesn’t like waste. Though I do believe he been going to kill Zoro when he said “Die” but Zoro deflected him out of his own strength—and that was due to respect to Zoro as a swordsman. Mihawk is the kind of man who gives respect where he sees it due, no matter how low that person is in level because it’s not about level but about passion and determination.

He’s also kind of a world weary guy. He’s seen what the world has to offer and isn’t really all that impressed with any of it. As a Shichibukai and friends with a yonkou, he probably knows more about the world than he really wants to. But Zoro’s persistence and dedication awakens something in him, almost like giving him a reason, giving him something to do, a sense of progression. Life has become interesting again. Also if you’re a pirate it’s probably not a good idea to disturb his nap.


Luffy: Continues to protect Zoro’s dream, understanding the significance of the fight even though he wants to beat Mihawk up… and then goes flying to beat Mihawk up. He’ll let Zoro do his thing but if Zoro falls, Luffy is going to kick the ass of the person that hurt his nakama whether or not it was a fair fight. He fully understands what he’s getting into with becoming Pirate King and the Grand Line. He doesn’t know all of it, but he knows generally that he’s going to have to go fighting the whole way and knows that he can’t know what’s out there other than it’ll be dangerous and thrilling.


Usopp: Still kind of waffling. I still don’t think he’s on the boat of “this is really happening holy crap” but he’s definitely on the boat of “is this really happening!? Holy crap!” In other words, he’s a very reactive person. He’s terrified of scary things as they happen and wants to flee, and still wants to flee after the fact. But if there’s something wrong with something he cares about he launches toward the source of the problem without thinking and he’s super attached to Merry. So attached that he keeps telling the others they gotta go after it until he realizes that they’re not moving. He lies, as I said, to keep up with the others and prove his worth to them and himself and it is a lie, but on some level he wants it to be true.

And yeah, it’s sort of not okay to be lying about things that are so serious and important to the lives of idealized pirates but Usopp is still learning about this sort of thing. Learning how it is on the open ocean and what all this means. So his pulling back and forth from fear to let’s do this to let’s not to let’s go I’m ready to I am so not ready is pretty much his mini try-fail-try cycle. Because he has no experience with this kind of dangerous life he has difficulties continually running forward when terrifying things happen.

Sanji: Is pretty emotionally worn out at this point. It’s been a hell of a day for him and watching Zoro go through all this—This is probably the biggest fight Sanji’s seen since he first met Zeff and the one with the highest stakes. And for someone who is both pulled by emotion and fighting to hold back his own emotional responses due to a need for a perfect image (and also to hold back his own need to fly free + he’d be emoting over a man) all this shit going down is trying as hell. At the end he’s just ‘what is happening now’ and I think that on some level he feels sorry for Zoro whose dream is busted when he was so sure he could kick Mihawk’s ass. Sanji is seeing the results of failure and that’s all he can see.

To that end? Parallel to Usopp, Sanji is afraid. He doesn’t want to go out there and die for the sake of an impossible dream. The responsibility to the Baratie holds him back but he doesn’t even want to take the first step, or see why he should, but at the same time really does want to. His own push and pull is internal and it’s something you see throughout. The main difference between Sanji and Usopp is confidence and experience. Sanji knows he can kick ass and has kicked ass. He knows how strong he can fight and how strong he will fight for someone he cares about. Usopp isn’t even sure about the latter. He will, of course, but when he has time to think he’s not even sure he will/can rush to the aid of those who need him.
Krieg: Not half as strong as he thinks he is if he can’t even allow a smidge of hesitation or discontent with orders. (and not even a no) He also seriously thinks he can take on Mihawk where Zoro has failed by shooting at him from a distance but obviously he wasn’t paying attention because it doesn’t work at all.



Relationships

Luffy/Zoro: Zoro worries about Luffy, Luffy worries about Zoro, it’s the cutest damn thing ever. Their relationship has cemented at this point. Even though it hasn’t been very long they’ve been together at all. Maybe a month on the outside. That doesn’t matter. They understand one another without needing words, at least the other’s intentions and goals. But already for Zoro, Luffy is his captain. He is not interested in doing things like going after Nami and only does them because that’s what Luffy wants. Because he is a first mate, literally the first one, and that’s what they should do. Especially as Luffy has to stay behind and do his thing at the Baratie. Zoro has only one goal in mind and anything else Luffy wants to do, he’ll help him do it, so long as they keep going forward. They have the deepest emotional bond, too. And certainly the deepest for Zoro. Of course Luffy will generate super deep bonds with all his nakama, but Zoro remains the one who is just at his level and who understands him the most –and vice versa.