Episode 988

"Reinforcements Arrive! The Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates!" is the 988th episode of the One Piece anime.

Short Summary
Marco, Izou and Nekomamushi arrive and Marco knocks the Big Mom Pirates back down the waterfall. Meanwhile, Kanjuro brings Momonosuke to Kaidou.

Long Summary
Although Luffy attempt to follow the plan, Kid and Killer continue to wreak havoc on enemy units. Meanwhile, at the eastern mountain path, Kin'emon's forces split into two groups. One group enters the castle while the other continues down the path. Chopper's tank joins the group entering the castle. Most of them see Big Mom's shadow from the window and dive into the water, but she opens the window to find Chopper's tank.

The Big Mom Pirates, led by Perospero, finally make it back up the waterfall and into the country. However, they see another flying figure, Marco the Phoenix, who arrived to Wano Country to aid Luffy. Although they attack Marco, he uses his claw to push the ship back down the waterfall. Nekomamushi and Izou, who have also arrived to aid the rebellion, ride up the waterfall and watch the ship falling down.

Marco remembers seeing Luffy in the Summit War of Marineford. When Akainu attempted to kill an unconscious Luffy, several Whitebeard Pirates, including Marco, Vista and Izou, all held Akainu back while Luffy was taken to safety.

Orochi meets with Kaidou and discusses the samurai's plan. Orochi believes that the allies have died at sea. He comments on how trusting the samurai were of Kanjuro prior to his betrayal, since he nearly died along with them in the boiling pot twenty years ago. However, Kaidou laments that Oden never told them the location of Laugh Tale.

The Beasts Pirates outside, unaware that Kanjuro was on their side, act hostile towards him, but they are defeated and Kanjuro enters Orochi's throne room. He brings with him an unconscious, beaten Momonosuke. Meanwhile, Page One carries Ulti down the hallway.

Law's submarine encounters a particularly strong current. They decide to charge at it at full speed, passing the current but causing a jostle. Meanwhile, Nekomamushi just finished climbing the waterfall with his subordinates, but it he would unlikely make it to Onigashima in time.

In the mansion, Zoro cuts down a wall to get to Kaidou, only to find several Beasts Pirates on the other side. He and Luffy fight the enemies off, with Luffy practicing his Ryuo on them. More enemies come, and Luffy prepares to battle them.

Anime Notes

 * The anime adds the following:
 * Kid continuing to fight off the Beasts Pirates.
 * Sanji going away from his group on his own. In the manga this was only mentioned.
 * The Big Mom Pirates firing shots at Marco, who dodges them, before being kicked down again from the waterfall.
 * In the English dub, Perospero shouts "Looks like our crew is falling down again!" after Marco kicks down the ship, a reference to the catchphrase of Team Rocket from the Pokémon anime.
 * Kanjuro cutting down the Beasts Pirates subordinates before seeing Orochi and Kaidou.
 * Law's group making it through some sea currents.
 * On their way to Kaidou, Luffy and Zoro come across more enemies. Luffy and Zoro get separated while taking them down.
 * Luffy fights grunts using ryuo as practice and using conqueror's on others.
 * Page One carrying Ulti on his arms while looking for Yamato.