One Piece Chapter 1046: Is Zoro alive? Will he Survive to Fight Again?

There has never been more hype surrounding One Piece than right now!

From Luffy’s insane god mode Gear 5 potentially zapping his life out to Onigashima teetering on the edge of disaster, the stakes are high, as everyone’s lives are on the line – especially our master swordsman, Zoro.

No one’s predicament comes close to our beloved moss man as the unfortunate turn of events after his hard-earned victory over King had us fearing he could lose more than his sense of direction.

While the menacing presence of the Grim Reaper was enough to send us into a fit of nail-biting anxiety, Oda makes matters worse in Chapter 1042 by featuring Zoro’s seemingly lifeless body dangling from the Basement.

However, with his latest appearance in the recent chapter, we have to ask – Is he alive?

It’s still uncertain if Zoro’s alive, as Chapter 1046 features a worried Franky carrying the swordsman across the burning Right Brain Tower while exclaiming he’s in a critical condition and urgently needs medical attention from Chopper.

Will Zoro Come Back?

It’s unthinkable to imagine One Piece’s universe without our favorite swordsman slashing through countless hordes of enemies with his dazzling swordplay and living the pirate life with his fellow Straw Hats.

Zoro will bounce back as he’s an integral and indispensable member of Luffy’s crew. Plus, there’s no way he’ll fizzle into non–existence after the immense build-up he’s received over two decades.

Moreover, One Piece’s story is far from over. While the Wano Country Arc is soaking up all the limelight, Luffy’s goal is still incomplete. So, you can bet Zoro will survive to see his Captain’s dream come to fruition.

5 Reasons Why He’ll Return:

1. Luffy’s First Mate –

Zoro’s stuck with Luffy through thick and thin since he was recruited. As the first crew member and First Mate, he’s made it his mission to support his Captain’s goal no matter the cost.

Throughout his journey with Luffy, Zoro’s displayed unparalleled loyalty and friendship as he stood up for his Captain regardless of the dangers ahead.

Whether it’s his brutal sacrifice of weathering through Kuma’s test, swallowing his pride and begging Mihawk to train him, or facing King after he’s battered and broken, he determinedly declares that he will live to see Luffy as the Pirate King.

Moreover, with a race to find the One Piece and a clash with the Blackbeard Pirates over the horizon, Zoro will definitely be by his Captain’s side, stronger than ever.

2. B. Kuina’s Will –

While most of Zoro’s shrouded past is only slowly dribbling into his character, his rivalry with his childhood friend and swordswoman prodigy Kuina has heavily influenced his life.

Besides her consecutive 2001 wins over him serving as an inspiration to better his skills, Kuina’s untimely death set Zoro’s goal of becoming the greatest swordsman in stone.

Although he was angered that she could no longer fulfill their promise, he tearfully swore at her memorial that he would take up her will and realize each other dreams.

With the heart of Oda’s story infused in Zoro’s goal and Mihawk still regarded as the strongest swordsman, you can be sure Zoro’s putting off that trip to Heaven until he claims that title.

3. Survived Near Death –

Zoro’s always knocked on death’s door and emerged triumphant despite the many severe blows he’s sustained along the way.

Whether it’s powering through Luffy’s immeasurable pain in the Thriller Bark Arc or withstanding Mihawk’s devastating slash, Zoro’s unbeatable strength and unshakeable resolve shine as his character’s defining highlight.

Even his stellar mental fortitude refuses to see him defeated no matter the circumstance. Be it boldly declaring that ‘No one can take my life, or facing off against a Yonko and a Flying Calamity, Zoro has outright denied death even if he’s staring right at it.

So even though being at the mercy of a Grim Reaper is a cause for alarm, there’s no stopping Zoro from keeping his streak going strong. But since the stakes are significantly high, it’ll be a challenging hurdle to cross.

4. D. Shimotsuki Roots –

Wano Country Arc dropped massive lore bombs on Zoro’s ancestry with his striking resemblance to Ryuma and unexplored ties to Ushimaru Shimotsuki.

With an unknown past linked to a prominent samurai clan, it’s unlikely the arc will close on his death.

5. Conquering Enma –

It’s long been established in the One Piece world that swords have their own personality. While Zoro has an amicable relationship with Sandai Kitetsu and Wado Ichimonji, Enma’s been notoriously difficult to tame.

Ever since Hiyori gifted Zoro with the demonic sword, it has been a long grueling struggle of successive montages of training to control its raw, unbridled power.

So, it’s all the more logical that his hard work has to pay off with him mastering Enma and emerging with a new Black Blade after his harrowing brush with death.

Who or What is the Grim Reaper?

Ever since its mysterious and intimidating debut in Chapter 1038, the Grim Reaper has become the talk of the town, spawning theories that classify it as either a classic Oda gag, symbolism, or a literal supernatural entity.

While the latter two have merit, the former’s has already been debunked. When the chapter dropped, fans speculated that Oda decided to pull a fast one and have Zoro hallucinate Brook as the Reaper.

However, it’s now confirmed that Soul King cannot be the apparition as he was atop the Skull Dome, a far cry away from Zoro’s location. Even the panels are purposely contrasted to drive home the point that Zoro’s life is in imminent danger.

Now moving on to symbolism. It’s entirely plausible that the Grim Reaper represents death or Zoro on its brink, as Reapers are usually tasked with soul collection upon completion of one’s life.

However, it’s also likely that the swordsman’s hallucinating the entity due to the compounded effects of the Minks tribe’s medicine and his unbearable fatigue and injury simultaneously hammering him.

As Chopper explains in the same chapter, the miracle concoction grants a temporary burst of extreme healing, only to deal double the damage later. So, it makes perfect sense Zoro’s severely affected physical state is messing with his mind.

While it does offer a logical explanation, the supernatural forces tied to Zoro’s demonic sword offer an even better answer.

It’s popularly theorized that the Reaper is the manifestation of Enma.

As Shimotsuki Kozaburo has stated, a sword’s personality must be mastered by a swordsman in order to wield the weapon effectively. So, it makes perfect sense that the sword’s challenging Zoro.

Compared to his ‘problem child’ Sandai Kitetsu, Enma frustratingly resists Zoro, even sucking out his Haki till his arm shrivels up. Likely, it hasn’t accepted him as its master, as it activates only when Hiyori plays the shamisen.

Moreover, its synonymous name with Yama, the Buddhist King of Hell, points to a possible grudge it bears against our favorite moss man.

Since Yama’s the personification of death and is responsible for judging souls, the sword may not have taken kindly to Zoro’s brazen declaration in Chapter 1036 to usurp its position as the ruler of the fiery inferno.

Will Zoro defeat it?

Whether it’s a daunting test of dominance or a battle of his own will to survive in the face of death, Zoro has to overcome the entity to fulfill his and Captain’s goal.

Despite his constant brushes with death, Zoro could be inherently terrified of dying on his friends and having his dreams crushed by death. Hence, Oda’s given him the perfect opportunity to conquer his fears by triumphing over them.

While it’s troubling his physique is no condition to duel a potential supernatural threat, it’ll likely be a mental battle as the Reaper’s nowhere in sight when Franky’s carrying his unresponsive body.

About One Piece

One Piece is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Eiichiro Oda. It has been serialized in Shueisha’s Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine since July 22, 1997.

The man who had acquired everything in this world, the Pirate King, is Gol D. Roger. The final words he said at the execution tower were “My treasures? If you want it, I’ll let you have it. Look for it; I left all of it at that place.” These words sent many to the seas, chasing their dreams, headed toward the Grand Line, in search of One Piece. Thus began a new age!

Seeking to be the greatest pirate in the world, young Monkey D. Luffy also heads toward the Grand Line in search of One Piece. His diverse crew is joining him along the way, consisting of a swordsman, marksman, navigator, cook, doctor, archaeologist, and cyborg-shipwright, this will be one memorable adventure.