At the Sōunji, the family temple of the Hōjō, the ninth ninja, Kuromaru impersonates the chief priest. He gives Shintarō some tea laced with a paralysing drug. Then he takes Shūsaku and the abbess Koshinjo hostage. He lures Shintarō to the ruins of Ishigaki Castle, weakened as he is by the drug. However, unknown to Kuromaru, Oboro intends to help Shintarō. Under her guidance, Tonbei rescues the two hostages and she kills her comrade, Kuromaru, for Shintarō's sake.
