Kanpei, long after the expulsion, has become a hunter. One rainy day, he meets on the highway a fellow "rōnin". The conversation reveals that Yuranosuke and the others did not immediately assault Moronao's extremely well guarded mansion, but dispersed peacefully, and that Yuranosuke & his son have fallen into decadent seeking of pleasure. Kanpei mentions rumors he has heard that 40 or so of the "rōnin" are conspiring to kill Moronao. The other "rōnin" categorically denies this: the meetings and solicitations are for the charitable purpose of raising funds for a fitting memorial for En'ya's grave. Kanpei resolves to acquire money to donate towards the memorial. Later, an old man comes along the road with the large sum of 50 ryō in his wallet, earned by selling his daughter – Kanpei's wife – to a brothel. He is accosted and then killed by Sadakurō the highwayman. No sooner has Sadakurō hidden the body and counted the money than he is accidentally shot by Kanpei, hunting a boar. Kanpei does not see clearly the body in the dark, but takes the money as a gift from heaven and hurries home with his donation to find the other "rōnin". At Kanpei's home, his wife and mother-in-law await the return of the old man; their money will enable Kanpei to become a samurai again. But he has yet to return when the pimp comes to claim Kanpei's wife. While the pimp argues with them and describes his transaction with the old man, Kanpei arrives with the tell-tale wallet. He is accused of murdering his father-in-law, and because it was dark, even Kanpei believes it. While Kanpei gives his account of events, he commits seppuku. His fellow "rōnin" arrive, and tell how they inspected the body of the old man more carefully - he had died of a sword, not a gun. But it is too late for Kanpei. Impressed by his dying sincerity, they accept the donation and allow Kanpei to sign in blood the written oath of vengeance to become the 46th member. "It's quite true that I felt a certain amount of indignation - about as big as a flea's head split by a hatchet – and tried forming a league of 40 or 50 men, but what a crazy notion that was! ...