Kazuha contends with the rivalry between the Sugimoto brothers. Maki, the one she's in love with, resents Saki, the brother who teaches at Kazuha's school - and the feeling may be mutual. Now we'll learn how their mother blamed Maki for all of their family misfortunes and how a mysterious woman became involved in this family feud. Will all of this information affect Kazuha's feelings toward Maki?

Life begins at 40... even for pathetic losers. Shizuo Oguro is living his dreams... sort of. A complete waste of a human life until now, 40-year-old Shizuo breaks free from the corporate rat race and charts himself a fairly random and new career course: to become a published manga artist. Sure, he lacks the talent, discipline, or any other skill necessary to become a success in the manga industry - but that's not enough to stop Shizuo!

When a yakuza boss is murdered and his money is stolen, both truth and revenge are brutally sought. Leading the charge is Kakihara, the bleach-blonde pain junky whose interrogation methods are fetishistically sadistic. As the layers of the sordid tale are peeled back, it appears that someone is trying to turn rival gangs against each other. The centerpiece of this strategy is Ichi the Killer, a mysterious and completely unhinged master of slaughter.

Ryomou's visit to the cemetery turns into an inevitable fight, and a new face from Seito arrives at a critical point to change the stakes and derail Ryomou's hidden agenda. Meanwhile, Kan'u searches for the Crouching Dragon, with Ryuubi and Chouhi concerned and close behind her.

With Sonsaku's apparent death, Nanyou's position in the Kanto region is in question. Discussions with Seito bring Koumei's long-term plans into focus, and the two schools join forces against their common foe, Kyoshou. Its leader, Sousou, continues to lose more of himself to his ancient namesake and when he is consumed entirely, it's his friend who pays the price.