Well, with the 7th Division coming in, it is one big ruckus, as well as when you add that Hijikata’s group betrayed Sugimoto. As expected, Inudou kept Noppera-Bo in a place no one would question. As Inudou & Hijikata clash in front of Noppera-Bo, this was a battle that had been going on for ages. Inudou is still angry that Hijikata didn’t succumb to the new Meiji government. Regarding the shogunate, they want their loyalty, but more as pawns. Hijikata is the one that scares them because he is taking a stand against them, which is the last thing the government wants. Though it is quite impressive how Hijikata was able to beat Inudou. Though Noppera-Bo escaped from his grasp. Between the factions, his side lost the most in this prison encounter.
Sugimoto ends up clashing with Nikaidou, who is still hell-bent on getting his revenge. Sugimoto almost went down, but got one over Nikaidou. Of course he couldn’t kill him given his priorities at the moment. He wants to get Noppera-Bo and then bring him to Asirpa. Though in reality he is concerned if he is Asirpa’s father, why is he making his daughter the key? Her father killed those Ainu, which is one red flag, and he claims he wants Asirpa to lead the Ainu. Though at that moment from Sugimoto, you can tell he really cares for Asirpa because he is the one person who doesn’t want her to get involved with it if she can. He is doing so she can get answers. Though as soon as Noppera-Bo mentions he didn’t kill the Ainu, he gets shot by Ogata.
This is a brilliant development by Noda. The prediction that Asirpa would be betrayed by one of the 3 men she was traveling with. It’s clear it was never going to be Sugimoto. Shiraishi’s personality would make no sense in betraying her. Thus it leaves Kiroranke as the one that would make the most sense. In another turn we see Kiroranke working with Ogata, who appears to be separate from Hijikata’s group. Since it feels unlikely that he would be for killing Noppera-Bo. As Sugimoto gets shot, Asirpa is taken away, and we see that Inkarmat is stabbed with Asirpa’s knife. Inkarmat’s declaration that Kiroranke killed Asirpa’s father was true, but where Inkarmat was wrong is that this was a future prediction rather than what happened in the past. Though it seems likely it was Kiroranke that killed those Ainu who were allied with Noppera-Bo. Though interesting enough, it was Inkarmat that made sure the evidence stayed, and Kiroranke didn’t mean to stab her. When his mention of the Japanese swallowing us up probably implies that Asirpa’s father was enjoying life in Japan, but forgot their original intentions. Kiroranke, much like everyone in this manga, has their own story from their perspective.
It wouldn’t feel right if Sugimoto was dead. Of course he miraculously survives. Now he is with the 7th Division alongside Tanikagi. Of course Sugimoto and Tsurumi’s interests align. Asirpa is key to the gold from Tsurumi’s perspective. Of course Sugimoto cares for Asirpa and seeing her being the core of a war is the last thing he wants for her. Interestingly enough, Koito’s father mentions it would be wrong of him to spare his son. So it is clear that he cares for his son. He also mentions much of the same behavior is why Noppera-Bo wanted Asirpa to lead the Ainu. Though the difference between Koito and Asirpa at this point is that Koito is in the duty where he belongs. Meanwhile, Asirpa is caught in a big mess and thinks Sugimoto is dead. But what does she actually want?
In all of this, Hijikata finds notes that Inudou left behind, and there is some light for their group. Though he mentions going south, the 7th Division has the skins they gathered. It’s difficult to see them making a comeback against the 7th Division at this point.