A wounded Nio wakes up in a luxurious sickbed in Nijo Castle. After a night of unsettling experiences, Kikuchiyo makes him a startling offer: leave the Miburo to serve the Shogun directly. Where do Nio's loyalties lie, and what has he learned from his encounter with the Blood Risshidan?

Hajime visits the Snake in search of work, but how far will he go for money? Meanwhile, Nio and Taro meet a woman named Nagi and her husband, Yotaro.