Shino and Genpachi fall into the Tone River after lightning
strikes Horyu Tower. They are rescued by Genpachi's old friend,
Kobungo Inuta, who runs an inn in a small town nearby. A rowdy
youth, who as a young man had killed a man, Kobungo sealed his
sword after his father was killed trying to stop one of Kobungo's
duels. Genpachi is only slightly injured and recovers quickly,
but Shino is suffering from a high fever. Kobungo's brother in
law, Fusahachi, tips off the search party about the two fugitives
and the inn is surrounded by Koga vigilantes. Grimly, Kobungo
finally breaks the seal of his sword. Fusahachi attacks Kobungo,
but kills his wife by accident. Infuriated, Kobungo kills
Fusahachi. Strangely, upon death the two corpses transform into
dogs. Kobungo hurls Fusahachi's head outside, where the Koga
vigilantes believe it to be Shino's and return to Koga. Shino now
discovers Genpachi and Kobungo also have beads identical to his
own.
"The Cicada Spirit Cry"
Shino, Genpachi, and Kobungo leave for Otsuka village to see
Sosuke. Kobungo must make a detour on the way to drop off his
baby nephew, Daihachi, with relatives in the mountains. As
Kobungo reaches the house, he sees a bead in baby Daihachi's hand
and realizes the infant is one of the dog warriors. Suddenly,
Princess Fuse and Yatsufusa appear. Kobungo hands the baby to her
and heads for Otsuka village.
Sosuke has been sentenced to death by crucifixion. Shino and
Genpachi sneak into the execution site and wait for morning, and
when the execution is about to begin, attempt a rescue. As they
are cornered by gun-toting locals, Kobungo appears!
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