Ichi is beaten up by other masseurs who believe that he is practicing in their area. He goes home and starts drinking, cursing the power of money. Sabu us called to attend the funeral of Sota the tile maker who apparently died accidentally by falling from a roof. Sabu is suspicious and believes that Sota was killed by a projectile. Then came a string of highway robberies, with people killed by a small sharp weapon. Sabu sespects it may be a mat sewing needle and questions mat-maker Gisuke and finds he was a former samurai. Sabu follows him, and sees him kill a rabid dog by throwing a needle...