Episode Title:
Discharge
Episode Description:
After seeing the contents of Heita's tobacco case, Botaro the Pirate realizes that Sugimoto is also after the Ainu gold. During a struggle they are both thrown overboard and Botaro tries to drown Sugimoto, but he breaks free and captures Botaro. Sugimoto then declares that they will work together, sharing information to gain an advantage over Tsurumi and Hijikata's groups. In Sapporo, Usami uses an unconventional method to track the prostitute killer, but he escapes from Usami and Kikuta and kills another two women that night. Kikuta meets Rikimatsu Ariko, now mistrusted by both Tsurumi and Hijikata, and asks him to work for the government to help Tsurumi find the gold before disposing of him. Ishikawa Takuboku reports to Hijikata the Sapporo killer is following exactly the pattern as the notorious Jack the Ripper indicating that he intends to disappear after the fifth murder which will occur in 40 days time. Meanwhile, a newspaper article about children disappearing, points to the escaped prisoner Keiji Ueji heading towards Sapporo. His description matches the candy seller Asirpa saw near the Utashinai coal mines. All three groups begin to converge on Sapporo.
