The recruited ex-samurai begin planning an attack on Nagasaki against Kiichi's wishes, which distresses Kiichi when they reveal their intentions to him. Learning of the upcoming insurrection from an informant, Itou requests that Yugiri leave Saga with Kiichi for their own safety; having anticipated this, Yugiri sends letters to powerful connections in the Meiji government entreating them to grant protection to Kiichi. That evening, Itou kills the insurrectionists before they can carry out their attack, but is witnessed by Kiichi and reluctantly attempts to silence him, revealing himself to be a government assassin...