Chapter 6: Number One

Arc: Romance Dawn · Saga: East Blue · Released: 1997-09-22 (Vol. 1)

Summary

At the Shells Town execution yard, Luffy has just freed Zoro from his crucifix-post and asked him to join the crew. Zoro agrees (“I gave you my word”) and the Marines open fire — only to discover their bullets bounce off Luffy. A grizzled lieutenant identifies what they’re seeing on sight: “He’s eaten one of the Devil Fruit… the secret treasure from those seas!” (p. 2). Switching to swords, the Marines charge — and Zoro, still gripping the rope, declares his life-pact: he will become the world’s greatest swordsman, and if Luffy ever forces him to abandon that dream, Luffy must commit hara-kiri (pp. 5-6). Zoro deflects every sword in one move (p. 8) while Luffy launches Gum-Gum Whip — taking out the entire line of marines with a single stretched leg (pp. 7-9). Morgan arrives, shoots his own panicking subordinates (“I won’t tolerate defeatists… in my outfit!!!”), introduces himself as Captain Axe-Hand Morgan, and attacks Luffy with the axe grafted to his right arm (pp. 13-17). Luffy is briefly stunned; Morgan declares “I sentence you to death!” — but Luffy answers “I’m not gonna die” because he’s fighting for Koby’s dream (pp. 18-19). Helmeppo tries to take Coby hostage at gunpoint; Coby tells Luffy not to let them win on his account (p. 20); Luffy and Zoro drop the captain’s son and clock Morgan in a single coordinated strike. End-of-chapter beat: Luffy says “Nice… Zolo!”; Zoro replies ”…No sweat… Captain!” (p. 23) — Zoro’s first time addressing Luffy as captain.

Payoffs

Notable panels

• Page 1 — Chapter title splash, “NUMBER ONE”. Luffy mid-cheer (untying Zoro), arms up, Zoro grimacing on the post.
• Page 2 — Senior Marine lieutenant’s grim close-up identifying the Devil Fruit. This is the first on-page Marine to be drawn with the standard veteran-officer iconography (broad coat, jutting jaw, scar implied) — visual codifier.
• Pages 5-6 — Zoro’s mission-statement two-page set piece. The framing matches Luffy’s barrel-top declaration from Ch. 1 — close-up of the eyes, fragmented speech bubbles, mounting type.
• Pages 7-9 — Gum-Gum Whip splash + the first big “Zoro deflects everything” KLANG panel. The chapter’s titular “Number One” moment — both protagonists demonstrating their endgame-tier ceilings in a single page-flip.
• Page 10 — Luffy says ”…RUBBER MAN!!!” with a feet-first comedic angle. First use of the line that will define his self-introduction to enemies for decades.
• Pages 11-12 — Morgan’s full-body reveal: axe-arm, steel jaw plate, the ”…IN MY OUTFIT!!!” gasp panel. The axe is on the right arm — visually inverted vs. Shanks’s missing left arm, both authority figures defined by what’s not a normal hand.
• Page 17 — Morgan’s overhead axe-strike. Composition mirror of executioner-poses Oda will reuse (Roger’s execution Ch. 1, Ace’s execution Ch. 574 — same vertical-blade-into-skull framing).
• Page 23 — Final panel: Zoro in three-sword stance (one in mouth, two crossed), back to camera, Luffy small in background — the iconic Zoro silhouette is established here for the first time.

• What’s the white sheathed sword Zoro carries? Held throughout the chapter; will be named Wado Ichimonji in Ch. 5-7 flashback continuation. Tied to Zoro’s pre-Luffy backstory.
• Why does the Navy know Devil Fruits by description on sight? The lieutenant’s instant ID (p. 2) implies a Marine training catalogue or briefing system. Seeds the World Government’s hidden Devil Fruit ledger eventually shown via Vegapunk and CP0.
• Who is Morgan’s son’s mother / what is Helmeppo’s family situation? Helmeppo screams “Daddy!! Kill him!!” (p. 21) — single-parent framing. (Minor thread; never paid off in detail but contextualizes Helmeppo’s later redemption arc.)

Mentions / first appearances

• Luffy — first uses “Straw Hat Luffy” self-introduction (p. 14)
• Zoro — first declares “world’s greatest swordsman” dream (pp. 5-6); first addresses Luffy as “Captain” (p. 23)
• Koby — held hostage by Helmeppo (pp. 20-21); voices the line “Don’t let them win because of me!” (p. 20)
• Helmeppo — first appears holding pistol to Coby (p. 20)
• Morgan — first full on-page appearance and naming (pp. 11-14, “I’m Captain Axe-Hand Morgan!!!”)
• Shells Town — Marine base / execution yard (entire chapter setting)
• Gomu Gomu no Mi — re-confirmed by Marine identification (p. 2)