Oath

This is a color spread serving as the title page for the chapter. The text "CHAPTER 52 'OATH'" is at the top right. The page is divided into eight rectangular panels surrounding the central "ONE PIECE" logo. The logo itself features a small drawing of a pirate in the 'O', a skull and crossbones in the 'P', and a seagull on the 'E'. The top row of panels shows Nami winking playfully and sticking her tongue out while making an 'OK' sign with her hand; Roronoa Zoro smiling confidently with his hands behind his head; Monkey D. Luffy biting into a massive piece of meat on a bone; and Usopp looking surprised while adjusting his sniper goggles. The bottom row features Gin looking serious with his bandaged head; Dracule Mihawk in profile, holding his cross pendant; Zeff glaring intensely while touching his braided mustache; and Sanji looking cool, smoking a cigarette with his hand covering his mouth.

This page is an identical color spread to the previous page, likely a different scan or version of the same artwork. The text "CHAPTER 52 'OATH'" is at the top right. The page is divided into eight rectangular panels surrounding the central "ONE PIECE" logo. The top row of panels shows Nami winking playfully and sticking her tongue out while making an 'OK' sign with her hand; Roronoa Zoro smiling confidently with his hands behind his head; Monkey D. Luffy biting into a massive piece of meat on a bone; and Usopp looking surprised while adjusting his sniper goggles. The bottom row features Gin looking serious with his bandaged head; Dracule Mihawk in profile, holding his cross pendant; Zeff glaring intensely while touching his braided mustache; and Sanji looking cool, smoking a cigarette with his hand covering his mouth.

This page contains a single, small panel in the bottom right corner, leaving the rest of the page blank white. The panel shows a close-up of Dracule Mihawk from the chest up. He is looking downwards, his wide-brimmed feathered hat obscuring his eyes. His large black sword, Yoru, is sheathed on his back. He wears his unbuttoned patterned shirt and the cross pendant around his neck. The mood is somber and quiet following his devastating strike against Zoro.

The page opens with a large, dramatic panel of Monkey D. Luffy screaming in absolute terror and rage, his mouth wide open and eyes bulging as he yells, "ZORO! AHHHHHH!". Below this, a panel shows Sanji looking utterly shocked, his cigarette dangling from his mouth as he asks, "WHY...!?". Next to him, Usopp is in tears, screaming "BRO!" in despair. The bottom half of the page is a wide shot of the Baratie restaurant's deck. The cooks and the Krieg Pirates are all staring in stunned silence at the aftermath of the duel. One of the onlookers exclaims, "EVEN PIRATE HUNTER ZORO COULDN'T COME CLOSE!". Another person, sweating nervously, adds, "THIS IS THE POWER OF THE GRAND LINE... THE POWER OF THE WORLD...!" The sheer scale of Mihawk's strength has left everyone paralyzed with fear and awe.

Sanji is shown sweating and stressed, his thoughts racing as he watches the scene. He thinks, "THAT DAMN BASTARD'S OUT OF HIS MIND! HIS ENEMY WAS THE WORLD'S STRONGEST! THE RESULT'S OBVIOUS! IF IT'S GONNA MEAN YOUR DEATH, THEN JUST THROW YOUR DAMN AMBITION AWAY!". A flashback panel shows Zoro's determined face as he previously stated, "EVER SINCE I'VE DECIDED TO BECOME THE WORLD'S GREATEST SWORDSMAN, I THREW AWAY MY ATTACHMENT TO LIFE." Sanji, unable to comprehend this level of reckless determination, yells out loud, "IT'S SIMPLE! JUST THROW AWAY THAT AMBITION!". The bottom half of the page shows a dramatic silhouette of Zoro falling backward into the ocean with a large splash, his two remaining swords slipping from his grasp. In the background, Dracule Mihawk stands calmly on the floating wreckage of Don Krieg's ship, smoothly sheathing his massive black sword with a "TURN" sound effect.

Johnny and Yosaku, Zoro's bounty hunter friends, desperately dive into the ocean after him. Yosaku cries out "BRO!" while Johnny yells "DAMN IT!" as they plunge into the water to save their drowning friend. Meanwhile, Luffy is consumed by rage. He stretches his arms far back, preparing a powerful attack. He screams "DAMN YOU!" at the top of his lungs. In a dynamic wide panel, Luffy launches himself through the air like a slingshot, flying directly towards Dracule Mihawk, who is standing calmly on the floating debris of the destroyed galleon. Luffy's fist is pulled back, ready to strike the Warlord in retaliation for what he did to Zoro.

The Baratie cooks watch Luffy's reckless charge in shock. One of them points and yells, "WHAT'S THAT!?". Sanji is completely stunned, his mouth hanging open so wide that his cigarette drops from his lips. A large action panel shows Luffy flying through the air, his fist extended forward as he roars, "ARGHHHHH!". He is aiming a direct punch at Mihawk. On the deck of the Baratie, Zeff watches the stretching boy and deduces, "HE MUST BE A DEVIL FRUIT USER!". Nearby, Don Krieg also watches Luffy's attack, gritting his teeth and muttering, "THAT BRAT...!". The tension is high as Luffy recklessly attacks the man who just effortlessly defeated Zoro.

Dracule Mihawk easily dodges Luffy's incoming punch with a swift, fluid motion, his cape swirling around him. He calmly observes Luffy and says, "A COMRADE OF THE YOUNG SWORDSMAN? SO YOU'VE ALSO, WITNESSED WHAT JUST TRANSPIRED...!". Luffy's stretched fist misses Mihawk completely and crashes violently into the wooden wreckage of the galleon, smashing the thick planks to splinters with a loud "SWOOSH" and a massive impact. The force of his own missed attack sends Luffy tumbling. He lands face-first on the wooden debris, groaning "OOF!" and "NGHH..." as he struggles to recover from the awkward landing. Mihawk remains completely unfazed by the assault.

Mihawk looks down at Luffy, who is still lying on the wreckage, and calmly reassures him, "FEAR NOT. THAT MAN IS STILL ALIVE." Luffy's head snaps up, his eyes wide with surprise and relief as he hears this. He gasps, "ZORO!?". Meanwhile, out on the water, Johnny and Yosaku have managed to pull Zoro onto their small boat. Yosaku is crying and shaking Zoro, yelling, "BRO! ANSWER US, BRO!". Johnny urgently says, "HURRY UP AND GET HIM ON THE BOAT!". Luffy looks over towards the boat and screams "ZORO!". A close-up shows Zoro lying on the deck of the small boat, completely unconscious, his head thrown back, and blood pouring from his mouth and the massive wound on his chest.

Dracule Mihawk stands tall, his piercing eyes focused. He formally introduces himself, stating, "I AM DRACULE MIHAWK! IT IS MUCH TOO EARLY FOR YOU TO DIE." On the small boat, Johnny and Yosaku are frantically trying to save Zoro. Yosaku yells, "HURRY! APPLY THE MEDICINE ON HIS WOUNDS!". Mihawk continues his speech, his voice carrying over the water: "KNOW THY SELF! KNOW THY WORLD!". In the bottom panel, Mihawk holds up his small cross-shaped knife, pointing it directly at the unconscious Zoro. He delivers a powerful challenge to the defeated swordsman: "AND BECOME STRONG, RORONOA!"

Mihawk stands majestically on the floating wreckage, his large sword resting on his shoulder. He declares his position to Zoro: "NO MATTER HOW MANY MONTHS OR YEARS PASS BY, I SHALL STAND HERE AT THE TOP OF THE WORLD AND WAIT FOR YOU!". Luffy watches him intently, sweating slightly but listening closely. Mihawk continues his challenge, "SO FORGE ON AHEAD WITH THAT FIERCE CONVICTION AND TRY TO SURPASS MY SWORD!". The bottom half of the page is a massive, intense close-up of Mihawk's face, his hawk-like eyes glaring fiercely as he shouts his ultimate challenge: "SURPASS ME, RORONOA!"

Zeff and the Baratie cooks listen to Mihawk's declaration in awe. Zeff thinks to himself, "TO THINK THAT MIHAWK WOULD SAY SUCH A THING...". On the small boat, Yosaku is crying uncontrollably, shaking Zoro's bloody body and begging, "BRO! ANSWER ME!". Zoro's chest is covered in a massive, dark bloodstain. Mihawk then turns his attention to Luffy, asking, "BOY, WHAT DO YOU AIM FOR?". Luffy, sitting on the wreckage, glares back defiantly and shouts, "PIRATE KING!". Mihawk smirks slightly and replies, "A TOUGH PATH, INDEED. EVEN TOUGHER THAN SURPASSING MYSELF." Luffy sticks his tongue out childishly and retorts, "WHATEVER! I'M GOING TO DO IT ANYWAYS!"

On the small boat, Luffy calls out anxiously, "USOPP! IS ZORO ALRIGHT!?". Usopp, tears streaming down his face, yells back, "LIKE HELL HE'D BE ALRIGHT! BUT HE IS STILL ALIVE! HE ONLY LOST HIS CONSCIOUS!". Yosaku continues to sob, pleading, "BRO...! PLEASE ANSWER US...!". Suddenly, a sound effect "HUH!?" indicates surprise. Luffy looks over, his eyes wide, and says, "ZORO?". A large panel shows Zoro's arm suddenly raising straight up into the air, his hand firmly gripping the hilt of his white sword, the Wado Ichimonji. Johnny and Yosaku stare in absolute shock at the sudden movement from their critically injured friend.

Sanji watches the scene unfold, his cigarette still in his mouth, looking deeply affected. Zeff also watches silently. Zoro, barely conscious and trembling, speaks weakly, "L-LUFFY... C...CAN YOU HEAR ME...?". Luffy responds immediately, "YEAH!". A close-up shows Zoro's face; he is crying, tears mixing with the blood pouring from his mouth and the massive gash on his chest. He says, "SORRY FOR WORRYING YOU... I KNOW... IT WILL ONLY EMBARRASS YOU...!". Luffy listens intently, his expression serious. Zoro continues, "THAT IF I DON'T BECOME... THE WORLD'S STRONGEST SWORDSMAN,". Johnny and Yosaku panic, crying out, "BRO! BRO! PLEASE DON'T TALK ANYMORE!". Zoro coughs up more blood with a "GUH!" but forces himself to yell, "I SWEAR!"

A massive, emotional close-up shows Zoro's face contorted in pain and determination. Tears stream from his eyes, and blood covers his chin and neck as he screams his vow: "THAT I'M NEVER GOING TO LOSE AGAIN!". Luffy breaks into a wide, proud smile, tears forming in his own eyes. Zoro holds his sword high in the air, a symbol of his unbreakable resolve. Mihawk watches this display of sheer willpower and smiles approvingly. Zoro finishes his oath, his voice echoing over the sea: "UNTIL THE DAY I FIGHT HIM AND WIN... TO NEVER LOSE AGAIN!"

Zoro lies flat on his back on the small boat, his arm still raised, holding his sword towards the sky. He calls out to Luffy, asking, "ANY PROBLEMS? PIRATE KING!?". Luffy, beaming with a massive, joyful grin, replies enthusiastically, "NOPE! HEE HEE!". Mihawk, having witnessed enough, turns away, his cape swishing behind him. He looks over his shoulder one last time and says, "I'D LIKE TO SEE YOU TWO AGAIN, YOU MAKE A GOOD TEAM. SOMETIME IN THE FUTURE..."

Don Krieg, furious that Mihawk is leaving, yells out, "HAWK-EYES! DID YOU COME ALL THE WAY OUT HERE FOR MY HEAD? THE HEAD OF THE INFAMOUS RULER OF EAST BLUE, 'DON KRIEG'!?". Mihawk glances back over his shoulder, looking completely bored, and replies, "FOR A WHILE, YES. BUT I'VE ALREADY ENJOYED MYSELF HERE. AND SO I'LL RETURN BACK TO MY NAP." Krieg's men are terrified by their captain's provocation. One stammers, "D-D-D-DON!". Another panics, "W-WHY'S HE PURPOSELY TRYING TO PREVENT THAT MAN FROM LEAVING...!?". Krieg ignores them, aiming his weapons and declaring, "NO NEED TO BE SO CURT. YOU MAY HAVE HAD YOUR FUN, BUT I SURE HAVEN'T!"

Don Krieg unleashes a barrage of gunfire from his massive shoulder cannons, aiming directly at Mihawk. He roars, "HOW ABOUT YOU DIE BEFORE LEAVING!?". Mihawk looks back, his expression unchanged, and mutters, "YOU NEVER LEARN, DO YOU...". In a swift, devastating motion, Mihawk swings his massive black sword. The sheer force of the swing creates a massive shockwave that churns the ocean and kicks up a huge cloud of water and debris, completely obscuring him from view. As he disappears into the spray, he simply says, "HMPH, FAREWELL."

The smoke and water spray clear, revealing that Mihawk has completely vanished. Don Krieg stands there, looking annoyed, and grunts, "HMPH, GONE ALREADY...". The massive waves caused by Mihawk's parting strike violently rock the Baratie and the surrounding wreckage. Krieg's men are thrown off balance, screaming "AGHHHHH!" as they tumble around. Luffy, standing on the Baratie deck, yells out to his crewmates on the small boat, "ALRIGHT! USOPP! GO ON AHEAD!". On the boat, Usopp, Johnny, and Yosaku are securing Zoro. Usopp yells back, "ZORO AND I'LL DEFINITELY BRING BACK NAMI! SO YOU MAKE SURE TO GET US A COOK!"

Usopp continues yelling from the departing boat, "ONCE WE HAVE 5 PEOPLE IN OUR CREW! LET'S HEAD TO GRAND LINE!". Luffy, grinning widely and adjusting his straw hat, shouts back, "YEAH! LET'S!". Sanji watches the small boat sail away, taking a drag from his cigarette, and mutters, "THEY'RE FINALLY COMING. DAMN PESTS." Luffy then turns his attention to Zeff, pointing at the Krieg Pirates who are still causing trouble. He offers a deal: "HEY OLD MAN! IF I CHASE THEM AWAY FOR YOU, WILL YOU LET ME OFF THE HOOK?". Zeff, looking stern but accepting, replies, "FINE, DO AS YOU WISH!"

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