Chapter 52

Chapter 52 is named "The Oath".

Cover
Volume: 6 Pg.: 146-147

Color spread: the Straw Hat Pirates with the major characters that appeared in Baratie.

Short Summary
Zoro is utterly defeated and nearly killed by Mihawk. After this, Zoro makes a promise to never lose another fight again since the "Pirate King" deserves the best. Additionally, Usopp, Johnny, Yosaku and Zoro leave Luffy to convince Sanji to join the crew and to retrieve Nami.

Long Summary
After having seen his first friend utterly defeated, Luffy charges against Mihawk full of rage, but is easily avoided. Instead of fighting, the swordsman tells him that Zoro is not dead. Curious, he asks Luffy what is his goal. When Luffy answers "Pirate King", Mihawk understands the potential of this future crew. He asks Zoro to become powerful enough that they can fight again. Zoro, despite being barely conscious, makes the promise to the future pirate king that, until he fights Mihawk again and beats him, he won't ever lose again. Satisfied by these spirits, Mihawk leave without paying much attention to the Don Krieg pirates who he was looking for in the first place.

Usopp then ask Luffy to stay here and convince Sanji to join them, while they are trying to retrieve Nami. When Luffy goes back to the Baratie ship, Don Krieg's men are starting to plot something. Luffy decides to make a deal with Zeff: if he gets rid of them, it will settle his debt with Zeff.

Chapter Notes

 * When Luffy attacks Mihawk, everybody realizes that he has eaten a Devil Fruit.
 * Mihawk sees potential in the Straw Hat Pirate's future.
 * Luffy decides to stay at the Baratie while the rest of the Straw Hat Pirates go to bring back Nami.
 * Zeff decides that he will drop all charges of Luffy's damages if he can defeat Don Krieg's crew.

Anime episode
Episode 24