Having found a town, Mugen finds a restaurant, sits down at a seated table of Yakuza, and helps himself to the meal. The owner warns him of the Nagatomi Clan, but he pays no regard. Mugen says that Yakuza are pathetic and that's why they join gangs. This strikes up some tension, but the Nagatomi boss, Rikiei is quick to intervene.

He stops the dispute, and offers Mugen some better food (and a job with the Yakuza). Mugen is all ears if the dinner is crab, what luck.

Meanwhile, a han/chou gambling game is taking place. The town carpenter loses the game and the Yakuza let him know that he is in debt. Mugen and Rikiei enter the gambling house. He predicts that outcome will be zorome chou, two of the same number, meaning that the game is fixed. He tells Mugen that only the strong will survive in the country regardless of social classes. The dice are revealed and low and behold, he was correct.

Back at the carpenter's house, Suzu, his daughter, is teaching Sousuke, the Kawara Clan's boss' son. The Nagatomi yakuza tell the man that if he cant pay, then another exchange must be made, as he looks at the daughter. The son is fed up with the Nagatomi Clan and runs off.

Incidentally, Jin shows up at the same restaurant as before. He makes a more quiet entrance and barters with the owner, since he has no money. The owner tells him that there is money to be made in gambling, and the Kawara Clan used to control the town. The Kawara Clan boss is a kind man "Heitarou the Merciful." They were in power until six months ago, before the power shift.

The carpetenter goes to the Heitarou for help, but since he has no evidence of being cheated in the game, they cannont interfere. The carpenter pleads that half the town has befallen the same fate as he. If this keeps up the island will be taken over.

In the end, the weak are destined to be conquered by the strong as Rikiei explains his coming of power. Mugen pays little attention to his words and focuses on his crab dinner. The boss explains that with Mugen's strength and his money, they would be unstoppable. Mugen understands that the boss's operation is one big scam.

Back at the restaruant, the owner tells Jin there is money to made as a bodyguard for the Nagatomi clan. Speaking of the devil, they enter. So, does Sousuke, who is determined to get the carpenter's contract back. He gets roughed up by the Yakuza and Jin offers the boy a demonstration of his talents. Jin slashes the Nagatomi's kamonos open, and they flee the restaurant without the contract.

Fuu, also, wanders into the same town. She meets a fortune teller, who tells her she can help her with what she is looking for. Fuu pays her, but her only advice is to "be careful of pots?"

The freightened Nagatomi return to their hideout and tell the boss of the events with the Jin and Sousuke. Mugen offers to take care of the bodyguard. However, Rikiei's previous bodyguard, Ishimatsu, has a problem with Mugen coming in. Mugen, of course, is not one to back away from a fight. The boss stops their fighting and sends Ishimatsu to get Suzu.

Sousuke thanks Jin for the assistence, but instead Jin lectures Sousuke not to wave a sword around unless he is prepared to die.

As Fuu is running down an alley, a man accidentally bumps into her and drops his pot. He says that if she cannot compensate the money for the pot, than she must work to pay it off and she is taken to the Nagatomi brothel.

At the carpenter's house, Ishimatsu is taking Suzu away. The carpenter pleads that this was not a part of the deal. However, the grudge is no longer against his shop, because the Kawara Clan interfeered.

As they leave, Heitarou confronts Ishimatsu on his decision. Ishimatsu explains that he is no longer his student. Their friedship is no longer honored.

Sousuke takes Jin back to the Kawara Clan. Heitarou tells his son that because of his actions, the Nagatomi have taken Suzu to a brothel. Heitarou explains that they cannot attack the Nagatomi, for that is what they want. Hate breeds more hate and Jin should leave. However, Sousuke says he will not idle by his fathers cowardly methods and runs off again.

Fuu meets to Suzu at the brothel. Suzu explains that she cannot escape with Fuu, because she must help her father.

Playing to his scam, Rikiei anticipates a Kawara attack. He explains that Suzu is the bait to brew an uprising from the Kawara. He uses shady tactics to keep his business out of trouble and in business. He tells Mugen to find a girl while they wait.

To evade notice, Jin and Sousuke conjour a plan to sneak into the Nagatomi hideout. Their idea is interesting to say the least. Jin dresses as a female prostitute, but the cover is blown quickly and the Nagatomi are alerted. Mugen reacts to the situation, but is not suprised to find Jin as the bodyguard. It must be their fate to do battle.

Note:
The Nagatomi Clan boss wears designer glasses.

The Nagatomi dojo has a mechanical crab out front with mechanical legs. A device like this seems out of place in the Edo era.