Through the night, Mariko insists Toranaga’s ladies will depart Osaka at noon under his orders. She sends a cipher at first light to report events and warns Kiri Ishido may destroy her carrier birds. Kiri supports the plan yet reveals Toranaga had secretly prompted her to plant the Exalted One idea with Lady Ochiba—suggesting he sprung the trap himself. They resolve to proceed and go to see Blackthorne.

At Blackthorne’s quarters, Ishido has posted twenty Grays who refuse to leave him unobserved. Yoshinaka arranges a compromise so Mariko and Blackthorne can talk at a distance. In Latin and Portuguese they affirm their love and plan to meet if she is delayed. Blackthorne argues Toranaga is using them as bait; Mariko admits the public challenge was deliberate and says Lady Ochiba does not oppose their journey. She will ignore Yabu’s orders, follow Toranaga, and “humble” Ishido.

At dawn, Blackthorne bathes and goes to the battlements among Browns and Grays; the Gray captain admires his sword Oil Seller. Below, Kiri oversees packing for the cortege. Mariko visits briefly; Blackthorne quietly warns her the Gray captain understands Portuguese. She departs to collect her belongings, leaving with ten Browns and then fifty Grays as an added honor guard. Blackthorne watches her vanish into the maze of walls and waits.

Late morning, he eats, returns to the parapet, and “watches a stone grow,” forcing patience while fearing assassins he cannot counter.

Offshore, Rodrigues drills the small frigate Santa Luz, furious at lax gunnery. He recalls rushing from Nagasaki with Captain‑General Ferriera after dell’Aqua’s urgent signal, fearing the Ingeles might use Japanese to threaten the Black Ship. Haunted by Alvito’s help for Blackthorne and curses about witchcraft, Rodrigues prays. Eight bells ring: high noon.