The Muei ninja have searched the Kiso-Kaidō road but can't find Shintarō. They wonder if he has taken another road. Tarōbō tries to persuade their boss, Urabe Hidari to sever his ties with Kongō. He refuses, they duel and Hidari is killed but not before he sends a top to Kongō with all that has happened. Tarōbō goes to the head of the next ninja in the challenge, the Shintō school but this turns out to be Kongō in disguise and he knows all that Tarōbō has done. In the ensuing duel, Kongō cuts off Tarōbō's arm. Meantime the Shintō ninja pour sleeping gas into Shintarō and Tonbei's room at the inn but they are waiting for them and kill them. On the road the next day Tarōbō intercepts them and warns them to be careful, there is danger ahead. He also swears revenge on Kongō. The next name on the challenge is Yūgasumi
