This month's episode begins at the Itto-ryu's House of Swank, the brothel that they used to recoup after a long day killin' folks and burnin' down sword schools. Abayama is talking to the plump owner of the brothel, who tells him that they're not welcome anymore for all the trouble that they caused (no fewer than three deaths indirectly).

Abayama concedes. He feels the weight of another loss on his shoulders.

On his way out, he decides to see his favorite girl one last time. She isn't around, but her friend is.

To make a long story short, SHE'S DEAD.

Abayama walks off through the marketplace to get back to Itto-Ryu HQ.

On his way, he spots Makoto (Remember him? The young Mugai-ryu spy who worked as a cleaning boy?). Makoto had run off earlier, and at the sight of Abayama, he drops everything and runs away.

"STOP!"

He chases Makoto outside of the market, into a quiet area with nobody around.

Now mind you, he's not after Makoto to kill him or anything, he just wants to know what happened to him (although he's sure that he was a spy and all that).