Shikamaru wakes up from nightmares and shows Rō the little intel they have on Gengo. Hinoko reunites with Rō and Shikamaru and informs them that how no one knows anything about Gengo or Fushū Castle. They go around Tobari and find a Konoha missing-nin, Minoichi, who they cornered to learn more of Gengo. Later that night, Gengo appears for a public speech and reveals a restrained Sai, which the crowd asks for his death. As Gengo's words begin to affect them, Shikamaru and Rō create a diversion to try to save Sai, but he retaliates, having been entranced by Gengo. Gengo's words affect Rō and Hinoko, and tries converting Shikamaru but he strangles himself with his own shadow.