Chapter 203

Chozo returns home to Niwauchi with the money. She praises and pets him, before she throws the bag at her underlings telling them to be more careful next time. Toranosuke and Hikoshiro arrive at Seigan temple which will serve as their base of operations during this mission. In the courtyard they see the priests praticing the Hozoin spear style, although Joan notes they also learn other bujutsu aside from spearmanship. They introduce themselves to their new senpai, Tobizaru, who is recuperating in a room, waiting for his wound to heal.

Somewhere else, Mineishi is practicing kendo, while Yomiji observes while drinking something. Until they are summoned by Sakakura to escort Bontenmaru to the Seigan again."'At any rate, why did Azumi come to the temple in this country? Currently she is the Tenkai's pupet, so she should be here on the high priest's oroders. So how much of what we're trying to do in this country has the high priest Tenkai caught wind of?! Shit! What a troublesome thing.. Again that Azumi ... That girl who annihilated Bishamonten and his men.' (Sakakura)"We learn that while accompanying his father on a falconry trip, they dropped by Tenkai's residence for a visit so that Hidetada could thank Azumi in person for the great mission she accomplished. And it was there Bontenmaru fell in love with her at first sight.

Tobizaru wins against Toranosuke and Hikoshiro at shogi, and laughs at how poor they are at it compared to him. They ask Tobizaru when Azumi will return, to which he replies he doesn't know. He doesn't tell them, but he knows she went out to meet Hyosuke for a bit. Bontenmaru arrives and waits for her return. He also notices Toranosuke and Hikoshiro, and learns they will be training at the temple from today as they will become Azumi's apprentices. He calls them over and looks at their handsome faces in disgust, when finally Azumi arrives.