Not too much of a surprise that the 7th Division is now trying to hide evidence of the fake skins. Though this results in a forced cooperation of Sugimoto & Hijikata’s groups for now. Sugimoto cares more for Asirpa and the gold than for himself, as long as he gets a cut of it. Of course, even with the opposing sides knowing there are fake skins, he knows that they don’t know how to detect them. At the very least, chaos is enabled, and for Tsurumi, that alone is a huge advantage.
We also see an interesting flashback scene featuring both Hijikata & Nagakura. Inudou and Hijikata were on opposing sides, and Inudou’s hatred for Hijikata is so strong he wants him to suffer to his death and even brings him to Abashiri Prison. Of course we know Hijikata’s fire isn’t one to be the least lit off. Though here we see a great showcase of Hijikata & Nagakura’s bond. Essentially we see them talking as if they are in their youth, showing that times might be different, but their bond is the same as it has always been. Great visual demonstration to showcase this.
Meanwhile, Shiraishi’s guilt of betraying Sugimoto’s group is at its highest since he encountered Hijikata’s group. Of course he values his life over the gold, but it seems he somehow ended up in a worse circumstance because of it.
This episode adapted most of volume 9, Chapter 82, and most of 83. Chapters 86-90. Skipping Shiraishi’s flashback & the Fake Ainu Village arc. The former was backstory, and the latter was some more addition to the worldbuilding from the manga. Nothing significant lost, but slightly disappointing.