The chess match between Tsurumi & Hijikata continues to be as compelling as ever. First, we have Tsurumi using Ariko as a double agent for Tsurumi to infiltrate Hijikata’s group; he actually gives Ariko fakes. After all, only Tsurumi would be able to detect which are fakes and which are not.
However, the series shines in how Hijikata responds because he knows something is up. Tsurumi isn’t an idiot to let skins be stolen. He knows that either Ariko is a spy or Tsurumi let those skins be stolen. Either way, it points to them being fakes, but to have what are fakes on him is still a decent game.
Tanigaki’s farewell to Cikapasi was well done because, recall, Cikapasi didn’t have a family. Essentially, with Tanigaki and Inkarmat they were the closest thing to a family for Cikapasi. The bond he developed with Enonoka is something he shouldn’t let go of. Tanigaki needs to go back to Inkarmat so this is a farewell. It’s an outstanding emotional scene because it is the equivalent of a father saying goodbye to his son. This all started based on a dream, Cikapasi, but now he has the chance to truly start a family with Enonoka.
It wasn’t a big surprise that the incident that had Koito kidnapped before was a setup by Tsurumi. Funnily enough, it was Ogata who was the one who made Koito open his eyes. It’s clear that Tsurumi wanted Koito’s father’s connection to the navy. Tsukishima is right in that Tsurumi would kill Koito in a heartbeat when he is deadweight to him. For Tsukishima he knows of Tsurumi’s lies and still follows him because he wants to see the future Tsurumi is building towards, which is an interesting spin on it. Still, what does Koito plan to do with this information?
Shiraishi is one of the biggest fools in this series and is used as a joke so much of the time. However, he delivers an incredibly well-timed lecture to Sugimoto. Since rescuing Asirpa he isn’t looking at her for who she is. The stuff she learned with Kiorranke was real, and the issues of the Ainu are real. Tsurumi doesn’t give a damn about the Ainu. Meanwhile, Asirpa loves the Ainu to her heart. As much as Sugimoto talks about being partners with Asirpa it is clear he looks at her as a kid first and a partner second at this moment. Now with the next episode, Tsurumi lining up to pick up Asirpa things will get very interesting.
This episode adapted chapters 207-210. It is quite impressive for them to fit everything in those 4 chapters in this episode since the dialogue is quite dense.