Shibukawa, who had been secretly meeting with a prostitute he had fallen in love with, disappears from the sight of the group that night after being caught and suspected of being a Choshu spy. Kyujuro was told that Shibukawa had "returned home," but Daisaku, who realized that he had been purged, was tormented by guilt. Shibukawa's incident stirred among the members as increasing tensions between Hijikata and Serizawa began to surface. Serizawa asks Kondo to choose between Hijikata and himself as Kondo would always trust Hijikata, who would never change his decisions to follow any other means to achieve their goal. Hijikata says that he would become a demon if it meant that Kondo could rise; he asks Okita Souji to accompany him. Yamanami advice Serizawa not to drink too much, and Serizawa tells him that he is a fool. That night, Hijikata and the remaining members ambush Serizawa, and he realizes that Kondo's absence makes his choice clear. Kyujuro witnesses bloodshed before his eyes and is reminded of Ryoma's words. Shinnojo begs Namunosuke to stop, as he can't bear to see him kill his own comrades. Serizawa refuses to commit seppuku and accuses Hijikata of being ruthless and ready to cut down anyone to achieve his dreams. He scoffs at the Bushido Code and their shallow sincerity, telling them that he'll be waiting for them in hell before being cut down by Hijikata. Kyujuro, stricken by the turn of events, realizes why his father had warned him against seeking revenge. (Source: Drama-Otaku; edited by MyDramaList)