Although Jin and Norio were able to rescue some of the monks from the Mongols, there are still several missing, including Hochi. Norio believes he knows where the Mongols are keeping Hochi and asks Jin to help rescue the healer-monk, Jin and Norio track down Hochi after taking out Mongols and takes him back to the village. Norio is concerned that the Mongols will attack Akashima Village since Hochi has been rescued. Hochi believes they should take shelter at Castle Kaneda as it would be easier to defend, but Jin believes there's not enough time for everyone to travel there. Norio and Jin devise a plan to protect the people by setting up traps using the incense burners that are found throughout the village however Hochi gets killed during the attack while protecting Norio. Having heard from Ryuzo of Jin's talent, a straw hat ronin named Hirotsune eagerly awaits Jin in the Field of the Equinox Flower where he practices with his sword. When Jin arrives for their duel, he advises Hirotsune to take Ryuzo's word, but Hirotsune believes there is nobody left to challenge him but Jin. The two then unsheathe their blades and begin a duel. As the duel progresses, Hirotsune comments that Ryuzo's stories don't do Jin justice, to which Jin responses that they never did. The duel ends with Jin victorious and Hirotsune slain.