Episode 961

"Tearfully Swearing Allegiance - Oden and Kin'emon" is the 961st episode of the One Piece anime.

Short Summary
The Mountain God continues its rampage in the Flower Capital until Oden confronts and defeats it. After this incident, Oden was expelled from the capital. Due to their admiration for Oden, Kin'emon and Denjiro decide to follow him.

After staying with Shimotsuki Yasuie for a time, Oden decides to travel to Kuri. Along the way, Oden is also joined by Izou, Kikunojo, Kanjuro, and Raizo. Oden eventually arrives at Kuri and prepares to fight the bandits there.

Long Summary
The giant boar, named the Mountain God, rampages around town in search of its baby. Upon hearing that the Mountain God swallowed Tsurujo, Kin'emon decides to battle it head on. Despite having stabbed the beast, Kin'emon is knocked back into the ground and defeated. Oden then appears and uses his sword, slicing the beast cleanly in half. Although there were no casualties from the incident, a quarter of the town was destroyed by the Mountain God.

Oden is blamed for the incident, and he receives the notice of disavowal from his father, exiling him from the capital. Kin'emon and Denjiro decide to follow and serve him.

Oden stays at Hakumai and meets the region's daimyo, Yasuie, and his servant, Orochi. He ends up destroying the room he stays in, steals money from the safe and then leaves to travel around the country. He plans to end up at Kuri, the country's lawless region, where he would restore order to the region. He would find followers during his journeys; he met young siblings Izou and Kikunojo in Ringo, Kanjuro in Kibi, and mountain bandit Raizo in Udon. However, while in Kuri he would come face-to-face with bandit Ashura Doji and start a battle.

Anime Notes

 * The anime adds the following:
 * The moment Tsuru was swallowed by the Mountain God is shown.
 * A scene of Hyogoro ordering his men to evacuate the capital and preparing to fight the Mountain God.
 * After he is incapacitated by the Mountain God, Kin'emon tries in vain to pick up his sword.
 * A small scene of Oden also asking Izou and Kikunojo on why they were following him.
 * When Raizo wants to join Oden, the latter shows his annoyed face.
 * When Oden slices up the Mountain God, the anime shows Oden hardening his arms.
 * When Oden asks how long Kin'emon and Denjiro are going to follow him, they were walking on land in the manga. In the anime, they are walking on a bridge.