The fifth episode of "Last Samurai Standing" opens with a deeper dive into Kawaji's backstory, revealing his enduring animosity towards the samurai. He views them as relics of the past, parasites leeching off the powerless and using their honor as a shield to justify their actions. Kawaji, once an architect of war, fired the cannons that destroyed the battlefield and claimed countless lives, betraying his own troops in the process. Now, as the mastermind behind this game, he harbors a relentless desire to eradicate these "ghosts from the past."
In the present, the VIPs are confronted by their mysterious puppet master, who has an array of entertaining surprises in store for them up until the final act. However, Okubo, a proud soul, refuses to believe that Kawaji has aligned with the Bureau, despite it being a concept he himself had initially conceived.
Meanwhile, Sakura and Shujiro engage in a fiery sword clash as Shujiro commands his men to stand down, allowing for a fair fight. As their blades clash, Kyojin manages to outmaneuver his two guards and finds his escape route out of the police station. He fights his way through until he scampers off the balcony and into the woods, joining forces with Sayama.
At the same time, Iroha saves Shujiro from imminent doom by throwing the smoke bomb Kyojin had given him, freeing Shujiro to rush out.
Eventually, the group regroups and clarifies what is already known: that the Police Bureau is being financed by high-level executives with Kawaji, the master manipulator, pulling the strings.
As dawn breaks, Shujiro dispatches a telegram to the Home Minister, his message weighted with urgency, seeking to impart vital intelligence to Okubo. Maejima, ever the mediator, receives the message and Shujiro, mindful of the strict protocols governing their conversation, seeks protection. In a concession that reflects the gravity of the situation, Maejima agrees to a meeting.
Maejima conveys the news to Okubo, along with the recent development that the Police Bureau is conducting "field experiments" involving over 150 officers. This revelation jars Okubo, who realizes the danger they now face, despite their past ties and close bond.
The group struggles forward towards Chiryu, a step closer to their ultimate goal of reaching Tokyo. Each member requires five tags to proceed, and they have the necessary amount...except for Sayama Shinnosuke. Futaba is shocked at the prospect of leaving him behind, but he graciously accepts their help as they depart. Despite this setback, Futaba's kindness and empathy inspire the others to part with their spare tags, enabling Shinnosuke to continue his journey alongside them.
Kanjiya, however, is not far behind and has amassed a formidable number of tags. He effortlessly navigates through Chiryu with little more than a slight breeze. Just beyond this checkpoint, Kyojin and Shinnosuke decide to separate from the others due to their status as fugitives from the law. Ironically, they stumble upon Sansuke in the woods.
The remaining trio continues on the main road, while Nagase discovers that the coded telegrams are using a European cypher, translating into English characters. Upon deciphering the message and learning of events unfolding at the arena, he hustles to inform Okubo before it's too late.
Unfortunately, despite this crucial intel, Enju suddenly confronts Nagase in front of the Home Minister. Nagase is shocked to see him and is unable to convey his findings before he's brutally murdered.
In the aftermath of this tragic turn of events, news of Shujiro's contact with the Home Minister reaches Kawaji. Rather than eliminating him for this transgression, Kawaji decides to let the contestants tear each other apart, especially with bloodthirsty Kanjiya and Gentosai on the hunt.
