Sugimoto leaves the village and returns to Otaru alone, where he learns of the incident with Ushiyama. He is captured by Tsurumi, who accuses him of killing the soldiers. Asirpa and Retar track Sugimoto and find Shiraishi, who tells her Sugimoto's location.

The disguised Suzukawa attempts to bribe the 7th for Shiraishi's freedom, but he is killed Second Lt. Koito Otonoshi, who foils the plot on Tsurumi's behalf. Sugimoto flees with Asirpa, Ogata, and Shiraishi on an experimental hydrogen airship, though they are pursued by Koito. The group manages to throw Koito off the ship and escape the 7th by travelling through the Daisetsuzan mountains.