Hey! When you have time, could you please translate the left and the right page? I know that it's maybe a bit much, but I can wait. Really.
+
Wut too much text ~_______~
Hehe, sorry to bother again cnet but I'd like you to translate this page when you have a chance pls, it's in line with the earlier translation and for the same purpose.
http://mangahelpers.com/downloads/read-online/608/180?t=1247063022
Ichigo: What are you -
Ishida: Urahara has given me a rundown on the Arrancar. // Apparently the group that the Arrancar Grimmjow brought to attack us was a mixture of Gillian and Adjuchas. // When a Menos Grande becomes an Arrancar, it generally takes on a human form... / ...but apparently the only class guaranteed to take human shape is the Vasto Lorde. // In the other two classes... / ...most Menos do not take a fully human form even upon becoming Arrancar. // And interestingly... // The lower the Menos' intelligence... // ...the more Hollow-like a form it will take.
http://www.onemanga.com/One_Piece/499/17/
As I'm sure you're aware "first-mate" was never used here. Zoro is referred to as the second or second-in-command, which isn't the same as VC or first mate imo. Obviously the VC is generally second-in-command, but I see no reason why someone can't be considered a "second", while never officially being made VC. Killer was not introduced as the Kidd pirates VC for example.
As I'm sure
you're aware, that was
my translation you're insulting =p
However, yes, I'll admit that line is ambiguous. 二番手 could mean any number of things, and could be interpreted as purely referring to his having the second-highest
bounty in the crew. From the context, though (Zoro serving under Luffy), I'm inclined to think it's talking about, or at the very least implying, precedence within the crew.
Next is this databook translation from the Zoro page of OP Yellow posted on NF. I have no way to determine just how accurate this translation is, and as such I can't quite trust it.
http://forums.narutofan.com/showpost.php?p=13316065&postcount=24
Well, I wouldn't put too much stock in translations based on Chinese versions as a general rule XD Nothing is going to come through
two translations with the exact same meaning as it started out with ><
Your image seems to be broken, but I found the page in question anyway. I'm assuming the line you wanted me to look at is the one which mentions 副船長. Incidentally, all the nitpicking that seems to be going on in your discussion about the distinction between "first mate" and "vice-captain" is just plain silly. "First Mate" is just what I (and I daresay others) have been using as a translation of 副船長, because it's the word that's most familiar in English for the second-in-command of a pirate ship. It sounds more natural and "pirate-y" than "Vice-Captain". That's all. I don't think the
literal term "first mate" has ever appeared in One Piece, and nor do I expect it to. Oh, and arguing that "second in command" and "vice-captain/first mate" aren't the same thing really does seem like grasping at straws.
At any rate, as I'm sure you'll be pleased to hear, no, that line doesn't categorically say that Zoro is the first mate of the Straw Hats. It says "A reliable man to have around, who can be considered the First Mate figure of the crew." Basically calling him the first mate without
actually calling him the first mate.
However, I'm still inclined to think, myself, that he is at the very least the de facto first mate of the crew. (And for the record, I neither want nor expect Jimbei to join, and even if he did, I'd be shocked if he was ever considered the first mate of the Straw Hats.)