Tokushirou-san's Number One

Synopsis

Though they let Ostrog slip away, Hijikata's group keeps up the chase, relying on Tsudan and Ariko's tracking skills. Cornered, Ostrog sets the straw bundles in the packing room ablaze and escapes again. Around the same time, Kadokura — hounded by Usami — is finally caught, and the tattooed skins Hijikata entrusted to him are taken. Then Ogata appears and plunges into a fierce fight with Usami. Meanwhile, Asirpa, separated from Sugimoto, steps into the engine room, where the fleeing Ostrog appears……. Realizing Asirpa is Ainu, Ostrog justifies his crimes by overlaying Ainu lore onto the Virgin Mary. Asirpa rejects this, and he turns his weapon on her, only to be finished off by Sugimoto, who rushes in. At the same time, the battle between Ogata and Usami reaches its climax. Badly wounded by Ogata's surprise shot, Usami still tries to reunite with Lt. Tsurumi. But shot through from behind by Ogata, Usami dies in Lt. Tsurumi's arms. Afterward, Kamiechi appears atop the chimney and taunts that, thanks to him, the code can no longer be solved. But each faction had already realized the code could be cracked without gathering every tattoo. Falling from the chimney, Kamiechi meets his end, despairing that he didn't get the reaction he'd hoped for.