Kusaka considers abandoning his clan. The Head Administrator, Sufu Masanosuke, offers to send him to London to learn about the West. Before leaving, Kusaka meets with Akizuki one last time and they declare their love for each other. While Kusaka is in England, Akizuki gains the leadership of his clan. After four years, Kusaka returns to Japan and receives a high ranking post in the Imperial army. During this time, Japan is in the midst of the Boshin War, with Kusaka on the Satsuma-Choushuu (Imperial) side and Akizuki on the Bakufu (Shogunate) side. During one of the last battles, Kusaka finds Akizuki about to commit seppuku after having lost a leg to cannon fire. Kusaka is forced to kill a comrade who sees him aiding Aikizuki.