Of course the chase is on to get Asirpa back from Tsurumi. Well, of course Tsurumi has all of his bases covered. With Hijikata, Sugimoto and Botaro on their tails. Was able to bait out Hijikata. Even Sofia coming into play ends up getting baited as well. It would fit that Sugimoto and Botaro on the right track. Though a few things that are interesting first are, did Sugimoto recognize who Kikuta is? Looking back, this is their first time seeing each other. Though Kikuta calls Sugimoto Norabo. What could that mean? Even after betraying Sugimoto which led to Asirpa being captured, we now have Botaro sacrificing himself. As Shiraishi points out, that is unusual behavior from him. It could be from him fucking up in losing Asirpa. Though it could say that, much like Sugimoto he looked at Asirpa as a kid who shouldn’t be in this fight for the gold. It would make the most sense, as there are signs that Botaro could be looked at as Sugimoto if he never met Asirpa. Though he tells some big information.
Sugimoto wants to save Asirpa more than everyone, but it makes sense to get more allies if dealing with Tsurumi. Granted, asking Hijikata for help isn’t what he would want to do, but the situation isn’t ideal. Meanwhile, Hajime and Koito’s conversation as Tsurumi takes Asirpa into the church to talk is interesting as Hajime points out Koito reported to Tsurumi normally. Every time before, we have seen him talk all nervously. It could highlight now more than ever his trust is wavering. Which of course gets Hajime to sneak in on their conversation.
As we are all aware, we know that Tsurumi is Hasegawa. One thing is clear: the wife and daughter he loved weren’t fake. However, Tsurumi is a man of logic more than going for things like revenge. As he lost allies, he didn’t let their deaths affect the path he took. In this, nature makes him a great antagonist. As he does truly want to make Japan flourish. Though the truth that Wilk killed his daughter and wife is a big bullet that Asirpa must swallow. Now it makes sense with Wilk’s wolf-like personality that he would cut and kill those that would be a burden. Though to think Sofia’s reason for staying was for a murder she didn’t commit.
Though a lot more of the facts Tsurumi shared about Wilk are interesting. We know that Wilk originally wanted to form an alliance for both Hokkaido and Karafuto, which was always ambitious. But as soon as Wilk started having a family, he changed. As Tsurumi points out, from a logical point of view, switching to only focusing on Hokkaido was more reasonable, plus considering his new family lived here. Of course Kiroranke feeling betrayed is no surprise. As Wilk gave up on his ambition. Of course Kiroranke was the one who truly cared for Sofia and the Russians, and he knew what Kiroranke’s answer would be. Though Wilk truly wanted Asirpa to lead the Ainu, it was just the Ainu in Hokkaido more so.
One of the things we knew for a long time was that Noppera-Bo killed the Ainu men, but when Sugimoto met up with Wilk, he said he didn’t kill the Ainu. Both of these facts are true. Tsurumi can be seen as the one that killed those Ainu because he knew Wilk’s past. Which caused a fight between those Ainu men. Now the other point of view is that it was Wilk’s past that caused that friction, so it would be true that Noppera-Bo killed those Ainu because Wilk is Noppera-Bo.
One thing is clear as day: Wilk still absolutely cared about leading the Ainu. In fact, he wanted to pass that one to Asirpa. When you consider that whole incident, it would be a burden on Asirpa as she grows up. This is probably the first incident of Wilk not being a good father to Asirpa because he left her. It is hard to say for Asirpa’s sake if this was better for her. She became independent, but there is a loneliness in her heart. Which wasn’t filled until she met Sugimoto. Though it is rather interesting that because of Tsurumi, Wilk ran to Abashiri Prison. It makes sense now why Warden Inudou had so much information on them because that was his condition for protecting Wilk. The sad part is how Kiroranke moved because despite knowing Wilk was alive, he knew their ideals changed. Both men cared about the Ainu, but what was the disagreement? Though his death was a death Wilk would be proud of because Kiroranke viewed that he would hold back the Ainu.
One of the biggest foundations of this manga is how it teaches us both Ainu culture and many different Kamuy. As many times as you angered the Kamuy, you would receive punishment. However, gold comes from the living, but it is the Ainu who don’t value gold. All the misfortunes of hunting the gold could come from the Golden Kamuy. Now this is where Tsurumi gets Asirpa. Is he afraid of the Golden Kamuy? I would highly doubt it. However, he knows how precious Asirpa views the Kamuy, and using that against her would stop her from pursuing the gold because that would not be the way to lead the Ainu. It works because Asirpa tells Tsurumi her father’s name. This will make the fallout from this volume interesting to see.