Oath at the Zoo is the 244th chapter of Morikawa Jouji's manga series Hajime no Ippo.
Details
- Characters Introduced: None
- Locations Introduced: None
- Techniques Introduced: None
- Mentioned Boxers: None
- Title Page Character(s): Umezawa Masahiko, Makunouchi Ippo, Makunouchi Hiroko
Summary
At home, Ippo is unable to get his mind off Sendou's new abilities that can easily nullify the Dempsey roll. As he thinks of an alternative, he receives a call from Kumi, who says she needs his help, but is interrupted by another nurse who needs her help. Before hanging up, Ippo asks her out. Kumi accepts and Ippo is puzzled as to where to take her.
They end up going to the zoo, where they see different animals that resemble people they know, including a white-browed gibbon that looks like Mashiba (and scares Ippo). While looking at a tiger, Ippo can only think about Sendou, whose nickname fits him perfectly as his ferocity resembles that of a tiger's. The tiger suddenly urinates on Ippo, who immediately runs to wash off and change his clothes.
Ippo later asks Kumi about what was troubling her on the phone, and she replies that she wants to apologize for the sign she left at the gym. Ippo reveals that Aoki ended up taking the blame for that, and Kumi tells him that it was due to him giving his first autograph to another woman. Ippo apologizes and promises that he will sign for her; the first one as Japanese featherweight champion.