As Kiroranke’s group gets attacked by the Russians, who were informed by Tsurumi we see Ogata’s sniper skills really come into play. Ogata not killing their leader, causing them to stall, is one of them. In fact, the Russian named Vasili seems to be a sniper of equal caliber. A lot of the things that would normally draw out a lower-skilled one were avoided. Though those skills came to bite him as Ogata was eating snow to make Vasili think nobody was there when in fact he was hiding. His main quote of a good sniper is extremely cautious.
Ogata isn’t able to fully kill Vasili, but it’s enough for it to be considered a victory on his end. Though with as much snow eaten, he starts to not feel well, and he remembers his half-brother. It seems he tempted his half-brother with things like women and killing, which never amounted to much. In fact, he played a big role during the war even if he never killed. Though Ogata did kill him, as we know. The real question is why did he remember this? When he wakes up, he sees Asirpa. Sugimoto never wants Asirpa to kill, so perhaps there will be a time that she will be forced to kill.
Kiroranke provides the group with the information that Tsurumi informed us of in the last volume. Though it appears that Asirpa’s father was also a part of the group. Of course this information has Shiraishi freaking out, and for good reason. This is a group that killed the Russian Czar, and just more people may be after him. Though Asirpa is more than confident to learn more about her father, it is clear her determination is heightened. It is because of Asirpa’s resolve that Kiroranke is willing to provide additional information and background on them fighting for their home. Though in reflection of this, Shiraishi is provided an opportunity to leave, and no one thinks he will stay. Sugimoto did ask him to protect Asirpa in his stead. Though you can tell he cares for Asirpa.
Interestingly enough, Kiroranke’s group has two predictions given to them. The first is that someone is coming from behind. Clearly this implies Sugimoto. But the other means someone will die. Considering Ogata’s flashback and Shiraishi staying out of character, who knows who that could be? To add on to that, Kiroranke mentions one of the members of the group and the leader of their rebellion is Sofia, who knew her father well. This connects some of the dots from the information Sugimoto got from the Yamada Circus.
Though one thing is curious: what is the daughter of the couple doing in the prison as Sofia? Was the man who she left with part of the rebellion?