Episode 956

"Ticking Down to the Great Battle! The Straw Hats Go into Combat Mode" is the 956th episode of the One Piece anime.

Short Summary
Hiyori parted ways with Zoro and Kawamatsu, and the two later inform Momonosuke and the Scabbards with him of her survival.

Zoro receives Enma and sees its destructive power. Luffy continues training his Busoshoku Haki and Zoro trains with his new sword. Meanwhile, the Ninja-Pirate-Mink-Samurai Alliance adds more numbers to their cause and finish up with their preparations.

On the day before the Fire Festival, Momonosuke and his group of retainers march to the rendezvous point to meet up with their allies.

Anime Notes

 * This episode's "To Be Continued" end screen has sakura petals falling in front of the text.
 * The anime adds the following:
 * Momonosuke imagines Hiyori as an adult dropkicking him.
 * After destroying one steel plate while in Gear Fourth, Luffy later trains with multiple steel plates surrounding him.
 * Another scene of Enma trying to drain Zoro's Haki during training.
 * When the alliance gains 4,200 troops, Kin'emon and his group got excited. This was not shown in the manga.
 * Tama giving Momonosuke a kasa hat.
 * In the manga after the Udon takeover, Kid and Killer do not appear until the raid begins.

Trivia

 * After this episode, a message featuring Luffy and Chopper announced that the upcoming January 4 issue of Shonen Jump would have the 1000th chapter of the manga and thanked the fans for their support up to the milestone.