Edo has been suffering from crimes led by Tanbei of Chigashira. Heizo is faced with a mystery when jailed Kumehachi claims that he is not the real Tanbei. Kumehachi remembers Tanbei as a boss who abides by the three articles of a true thief. Heizo took Kumehachi's word and ordered him to find the real Tanbei.

A burglary occurred at the dry-goods wholesaler where 15 people were slaughtered. It was detected as the doing of Shugoro of Hakabi's clan. Omasa tells Chugo that they can use the money given by her regular customer, not knowing he is in fact Shugoro of Hakabi.

Arson Theft Control struggled to investigate Gohei Ishikawa, a member of a notorious clan led by Shinbei the Viper. As a child, he was abused by his step-father. While Heizo was in Kyoto, the abuse escalated and led to him stabbing his step-father to death. He ran away from Edo and resented Onihei for the incident.

Koyanagi saved a woman from throwing herself along with her child in the water. They were the wife and child of Matahachi of Shishidome who was arrested by Koyanagi. Koyanagi was frustrated that he couldn't catch Monzaburo of Amabata and lets Matahachi out with his family in exchange for information on Monzaburo's whereabouts.