Episode 959

"The Promised Port! Wano Country Arc Act 3 Begins" is the 959th episode of the One Piece anime.

Short Summary
25 years ago, Kozuki Oden parted ways with the Roger Pirates after their voyage to Laugh Tale, seeking to open Wano Country's borders. In the present, Orochi heads to Onigashima from Port Habu to partake in the Fire Festival, and as twilight draws near, the Nine Red Scabbards reach Port Tokage. However, none of their allies are there, and they cannot get in contact with anyone, including the Straw Hats.

Long Summary
25 years ago, the Roger Pirates had a drunken feast at their ship. Kozuki Oden expressed his appreciation for being able to join Gol D. Roger on his voyage. Silvers Rayleigh, Shanks, and Buggy offered to help him in his quest to open Wano Country's borders, but Oden replied that he should handle this alone; he was confident that with the help of his retainers, he could become shogun and accomplish his goal.

In the present day, Act 3 of the Wano Country Arc begins. In Port Habu in Hakumai, Orochi boards a ship headed for the Fire Festival in Onigashima. He drinks heavily in celebration. The people in the Flower Capital also celebrate passionately.

Meanwhile, at the rendezvous point, Tokage Port, Momonosuke and the Scabbards find out that not only it is storming heavily, but their ships and allies are nowhere to be seen, and Kin'emon desperately tries calling their allies on the Tanishi. However, he cannot reach any of them, and his pleas quickly become desperate before Ashura Doji silences him.

Rewinding back to two days before the Fire Festival, the alliance members moved to conclude their preparations and head for Port Tokage. After overseeing the completion of the ship restoration in Port Itachi, Franky and Usopp headed to Amigasa Village to reunite with their crew, leaving the ships in the care of the Musketeers and Wano carpenters.

In the Prisoner Mine, Hyogoro oversaw the prisoners collecting all the weapons they could find while Cho acquired the weapons stored in Ringo. Jibuemon talked with some allies about making sure they all moved to Port Tokage discreetly, and they agreed even though Orochi and many of his officials would have already left for Onigashima.

In Amigasa Village, Hitetsu gave the Straw Hats some kabuto armor, and Luffy, Chopper, and Brook were excited to don it. Sanji asks Zoro why he does not want to wear the armor, to which he replies the armor will slow him down. Then, he finally taunts Zoro with his higher bounty causing Zoro to unleash Enma. Both of them had a fight before getting whacked by Nami. Eventually, Nami and Robin discussed with Carrot, Wanda, Shishilian, Concelot, and Giovanni about the full moon that would be present during the final battle, and they hoped that the minks could use Sulong and that Nekomamushi and the Guardians would arrive on time. Meanwhile, Luffy looked out toward the ocean, noting that Jinbe had not yet arrived despite Big Mom being here. After finding out what had happened with Jinbe, Zoro assured Luffy that the fish-man would come if he was still alive.

In Okobore Town, however, the citizens were confronted by Holed'em, who revealed that the Paradise Farm was still being stolen from despite him burning down the Mt. Atama Thieves' hideout. The citizens deduced that the Nine Red Scabbards had likely stolen the food if the reports of their return were accurate, though decided to not say a word about it. Tsuru then came and told Holed'em that she would guide him to the food, as she wanted to help her husband Kin'emon and the Kozuki Family's plan. However, the other citizens stopped her by claiming aloud that they had eaten the stolen food, shocking her and angering Holed'em.

Back again, in the present, at Tokage Port, as the Scabbards start to lose hope of their allies showing up, Inuarashi finds a boat that looks intact and prepares to sail out to Onigashima alone. Momonosuke says that they should change the date of their rendezvous and Shinobu attempts to stop Kin'emon and the rest of the Scabbards from going towards Onigashima, however, Kin'emon declines. On Onigashima, Orochi parties as he thinks about an incident that occurred the previous day.

Anime Notes

 * Starting with this episode, the opening DREAMIN' ON updated several characters' outfit color schemes.
 * The anime adds the following:
 * Chopper and Brook's reaction when Robin says that they look cute as bugs in samurai armor.
 * When using Enma, the anime shows Zoro slicing Sanji's cigarette in addition to the cliff. Nami whacks Zoro and Sanji on the head while the two are quarreling.
 * The scene of Wano's citizens celebrating the Fire Festival is extended.
 * Holed'em is not shown holding a person by the head like in the manga.

Trivia

 * This episode adapts the most pages since Episode 566.