At dawn, the Regents—Ishido, Kiyama, Zataki, Ito, and Onoshi—meet with Lady Ochiba amid the aftermath of the ninja assault. They argue over responsibility, motives, and the safe-conducts. Onoshi insists that holding anyone now would dishonor Mariko, Achiko, and Lady Maeda and implicate Ishido. In a vote, passes are upheld.

Attention shifts to Toranaga’s intentions. Kiyama declares Toranaga will never come to Osaka and warns he may even delay the Emperor’s arrival, nullifying Ishido’s plan to force Toranaga’s seppuku. A tremor shakes the castle, but when danger passes, the Council unanimously votes to mobilize and wage war against the Kwanto if the Imperial visit is postponed.

Blackthorne regains consciousness, deaf and battered but intact, and resolves to reach Nagasaki and seize the Black Ship. Yabu checks on him. Ishido relocates Blackthorne to the donjon’s inner quarters for safety and later tells Ochiba he will use Blackthorne as leverage against Christian daimyos while promising mass suppression of Christians after Toranaga’s fall. Ochiba weighs Ishido against Toranaga, and they discuss deployments, Zataki’s likely betrayal of Toranaga, and using the Heir’s presence to legitimize their army.

In the shattered chapel, Father-Visitor dell’Aqua learns the Regents voted for war and decides when and how to inform Toranaga. He organizes Mariko’s state funeral arrangements, securing ashes for Christian burial, and coordinates Achiko’s burial. Friar Perez arrives; dell’Aqua presents a Papal order mandating non-Jesuit priests depart and all missionaries route via Portuguese domains. Perez rejects it as outdated and predicts imminent Spanish supremacy. Alarmed, dell’Aqua prepares for the worst, orders Kiyama summoned, dispatches war news to be relayed to Toranaga, and calls for Ferriera.