As most of the volume centered around getting Shiraishi back from the 7th Division, the ironic part is that Sugimoto is the one pushing to rescue Shiraishi; it’s Shiraishi’s fear of Sugimoto finding out he is a rat that led to him being captured over and over again. Though Hijikata’s remark about Kiroranke is most interesting. As he mentioned, the Russian Empire was after both Kiroanke & Noppera-Bo. With Hijikata he has been the most knowledgeable character in this series alongside Tsurumi, so him saying this holds a lot of weight.
Hajime’s remark about Tsurumi & the genius firearms inventor Arisaka being war addicts is an interesting remark. Arisaka would be for war because you would need weapons for war. Of course Tsurumi emotions show with him. While Tsurumi is carrying the honor of the men who died during the war or were cast out. You can see that this method of using the gold can leave a pause in one action.
Shiraishi being in the hands of the 7th Division has Sugimoto following with Ogata & Suzukawa, which was quite bold. Especially when 2nd Lieutenant Koito entered the meeting. One thing that is definitely clear is that Koito is more than capable. He was able to detect Suzukawa’s disguise, and he gave enough of a chase to make Sugimoto & company uncomfortable. Still, Sugimoto confronting Shiraishi isn’t exactly surprising, but for him to say the skins that he provided to Hijikata were fake. Since he gave them before the fake skins were introduced. Could it be that Sugimoto knows how vital Shiraishi is and he is bullshitting him? Of course Shiraishi would go with the flow if that were the case.
Meanwhile, we still have Tanigaki’s “family” still well behind. Will they be able to catch up? Though the remark that the man you chase will kill you. Now the thing about this is that we know about Shiraishi potentially betraying the group. But it would be out of character for Shiraishi to kill, so this traitor would have to be either Sugimoto or Kiroanke.