The Kogan instructors find Suzunosuke's body but no leads to his killer who has used a strong upward stroke to kill. They decide to select and kill the strong swordsman Hikagi Jingorou to be the scapegoat for Suzunosuke's death. Battle-scarred Munakata Shinpachirou volunteers to carry out the plan and kills Hikagi Jingorou. However, on his return he encounters a misshapen man with a sword on a bridge and realizes that he is Suzunosuke's killer. Later Munakata's head is left on the bridge with an imitation sword as a challenge. Instructor Yamazaki Kurouemon goes to avenge his death, and kills two ronin at an inn criticizing the Kogan school. However Yamazaki also encounters the mysterious swordsman and his head is also left on the bridge.