Once things began to calm down from the attacks that struck Yogo Osako and Mirumoto Tetsuzae, Bayushi Kachiko stood up and slipped off her outer kimono. Claiming that she needed to relax after the recent excitement she headed for the bathhouse across the lawn in the Scorpion Garden. Togashi Tenko joined her with the injured Yogo Osako following after Shosuro Jocho agreed. Bayushi Shizuka followed her mistress closely, but the normally confident yojimbo seemed uncomfortable by the exposure right after that assault, continually tugging her own kimono tightly closed.
Heading back from the bathhouse Akodo and Tenko encountered Ume facing off against a girl wielding a meteor hammer with surprising skill. After disarming Ume, fending off Tenko, and binding Akodo, she demanded that they surrender in the name of the Emperor, revealing the Imperial mon in a hidden panel of her hammer and introducing herself as Kitsu Sukeban. Taking them into custody it was revealed that she was a member of a secretive group of undercover agents serving the Emperor directly that she referred to as the oniwaban. Her investigation had led her to the conclusion that Ume was the White Lion of the West who had posted the threat to Kachiko's life. Akodo and Tenko were able to talk the matter out and establish an alibi for Ume, at which point she suggested that they work together to find the real White Lion.
The second day of the competition proceeded largely without incident as the competitors spent the day composing poems extemporaneously. The competitors, magistrates, and VIPs were all invited to a party at the House of Foreign Stories by Shinjo Sanefusa, whose family owns it.
Kasuga Osamu slipped out and used the opportunity to sneak into the room of Syrup, the geisha who had tried to buy poison a few days earlier, at the House of Breaking Waves. He didn't find anything suspicious, obvious signs of a struggle, or intent to flee the city. He took some letters he found to investigate later.
Back at the party, Ide Asamitsu demanded that Doji Yogoso face him in a duel to answer for his poem. Tenko was able to talk them into settling their dispute with a duel of words. Bayushi Kachiko was delighted by the idea and threw her support behind it, volunteering to act as judge. Asamitsu did well, but Yogoso's acid tongue and greater experience at such matters won handily.
Heading for home, Sayonara Koneko attacked the unarmed magistrates, stating that she was there as revenge for Hiccup. Seriously injuring the party, she was driven off, due in part to the timely intervention of Gate, vowing that she would be back to finish the job.
Arriving back at the mainland as dawn was breaking, a scream was heard coming from the Bridge of Drunken Lovers. The Syrup had come upon Soshi Moriko, the poet who also used Makoto's publisher. Her hands had been cut off and tongue cut before being left for dead hanging from the bridge on display to the entire city. A sign on her body claimed that “Makoto shall spread her poison no more” with the White Lion mon. Kasuga attempted to save her life, but after the long night the severity of her wounds was beyond his abilities.
Looking up, Akodo saw a woman watching them from the Bridge of the Dragon. Dressed in white, carrying an umbrella, and with her face covered by a hannya mask. She bowed slowly to them before heading off into the Leatherworker Quarter.