Semiconscious after the gate incident, Blackthorne is revived by Mariko as Yabu and the Gray captain argue about moving on. To protect the escape, Blackthorne reinforces his feigned madness, switching between Portuguese and Latin while Mariko cautions him that the captain likely understands both. He is placed in a litter as the column resumes toward the sea.

Through night-lit Osaka, Blackthorne and Mariko discuss food, frugality, law, women’s roles, and the Emperor’s divinity. Mariko shares how she learned Portuguese and Latin and recounts her mother’s sacrifice as an ideal of duty. The Gray captain reveals his own Latin in a slip, then pointedly interrogates Blackthorne, heightening tension and suspicion.

Without warning, arrows slash from a rooftop. The Gray captain is killed instantly. Volleys concentrate on the litters; Toranaga’s disguise is pierced but his body armor saves him. Buntaro shields Toranaga, Yabu leads men toward the archers, and Blackthorne drags Mariko to cover as Browns and Grays scatter under fire.

In the chaos, a Gray officer orders a runner to alert Ishido. Toranaga quietly commands the stop; Buntaro shoots the messenger. The officer charges Toranaga but Buntaro cuts him down, aided when Mariko blinds him with a flare. Mariko arms herself, Blackthorne wields a flare and seizes a half-spear, and Yabu hacks through attackers as the melee swirls around Toranaga, who stands composed with his sword sheathed.

The Grays rally and launch suicidal charges but are broken. Three attempt to flee for reinforcements; Buntaro kills one, two escape. The remaining Grays are slain. Toranaga’s identity is now known, the escort shattered, and Ishido will soon be alerted, raising the stakes of the flight to the sea.