Anotsu is pursued by the Rokki-dan and again encounters Rin who helps him to escape them. Anotsu had told the officials that he would go to Satsuma, but it was a ruse. He offers to take Rin with him, but only if Manji accompanies him as he prepares for a showdown. Meanwhile, Sösuke Abayama leads a band of Ittö-ryü recruits on a mission to lead the Rokki-dan away from Anotsu. Rokki-dan spies, Meguro and Tanpopo, encounter a group of Shogunate troops and Tanpopo is wounded by a poisoned shuriken...