Botan has joined forces with Tenka to find the Orochi's vessel. Tenka notices Soramaru eavesdropping and keeps him in the dark about it. Shirasu later interrupts Soramaru while he is training to become stronger. Outside a formal ball, Tenka meets with Kiiko Sasaki, a Yamainu Squad member, not long before encountering Tomomi Iwakura, the Minister of the Right. Elsewhere, Soramaru humbly requests Sösei to teach him the way of the sword, but Sösei rejects him. Shi Qian-Lang and Takeda agree to help Soramaru if he assists them by finding answers about the Orochi's vessel from inside Gokumonjo...