Blackthorne returns by galley to Osaka with Yabu and Vinck, viewing typhoon damage and the looming castle. He has sent most of his crew and the treasure back to Yedo with Erasmus under guard, keeping Vinck to help. Wariness pervades as Yabu and Blackthorne agree to lie low and await messages, while Uraga’s knowledge of Jesuits and Christian daimyos proves increasingly valuable.

An elegant cutter bearing Ishido’s and the Regents’ ciphers brings Ogaki Takamoto, an Imperial court prince. Ogaki announces that the Emperor himself will attend the obeisance in nineteen days, with the Sacred Regalia, and delivers Yabu’s invitation. Yabu formally accepts, realizes Toranaga cannot refuse, and chooses to follow Yuriko’s counsel by plotting Ishido’s assassination. He is also invited to Lady Ochiba’s birthday reception hosted by Ishido.

Inside Osaka Castle, Mariko meets Kiri and Lady Sazuko, delivers letters, and confirms Toranaga is “confident” while masking his true strategy. They discuss Ishido’s lockdown, a failed escape by a consort, the hostage status of all ladies, and typhoon devastation that may make the Kwanto harvest decisive. Kiri reports Blackthorne and Yabu have docked and that Ishido will display everyone, including Blackthorne, at the reception.

That night Uraga, disguised as a Buddhist priest, evades patrols and returns to the galley. Blackthorne spots a shadow tailing him ashore. Uraga reports Yabu will stay in the castle overnight, the imminent official function, and the coded instruction “seventy” to be ready for instant flight. He confirms Mariko’s arrival under heavy guard and notes the Father-Visitor’s presence and a vast public Mass planned the day after the obeisance.

Uraga adds market rumors—Yodoko ill, uncertain reports of Toranaga’s progress, soaring rice prices, and extreme loan rates—and that Chimmoko, Mariko’s maid, entered the Jesuit Mission, possibly arranging a meeting. They weigh the risks of any contact, given language and surveillance.

Suddenly, arrows hiss from the darkened fishing boats offshore. Blackthorne dodges, but Uraga is struck through the throat. Grays swarm aboard and Vinck rushes to help as the attackers vanish into the night. Blackthorne pulls the shaft in vain; Uraga bleeds out in his arms, and Blackthorne, shaken, instinctively makes the sign of the cross. The murder cements the danger before Ishido’s reception and the Emperor’s arrival.