A drowned body with strangulation marks was found by a large river, while a man stained in vermilion collapsed at the “Hisago” liquor store. A dropped koban was identified as a fake by Nagatsugu Yingko. The dead man, Minokichi, was a Kazari craftsman exploited by a man named Denzo, who was also later found dead. Ten other Kazari craftsmen were reported missing. Choji, investigating the scene, witnessed one gang member kill another to silence him. Choji’s investigation leads him to Shinsuke Shinanoya, a lumber merchant with ties to the fake koban and whose daughter Choji had previously saved. Choji connects the koban to Sadoya, run by Ginbei, who disappears nightly. Keeping watch, Choji intercepts a message for Bun-ei, whom Seikichi, Sadoya’s keeper, summoned to Ryukokuji Temple. Disguised as Bun-ei, Choji enters a forgery foundry, confronting Ginbei. With fireworks timed like lightning, Choji seizes and binds the gang, foiling their plans.
