Chapter 126 of the Jigokuraku manga.
Summary[]
At the magistrate, Sagiri and Jikka present themselves to the shogun as the two only surviving Asaemons to make it out alive and are ordered by Aoki to make their report. Sagiri remembers earlier back how Jikka will take the initiative in making the report but wonders as to what he will do. Jikka first bows his head in gratitude for being assigned to the mission and tells them that, since Shugen has lost his life during the mission, he will be the one to make the report. Jikka then presents the deliverance of the Elixir of Life and reports that the only surviving criminal was Tamiya Gantetsusai after the other criminals, Gabimaru, Aza Chōbei, Yuzuriha, and Nurugai, were executed by him. With this, Gantetsusai is then pardoned by the shogun. Before allowing Aoki to end all matters, Jikka asks him about the arrangements that were made concerning the Iwagakure chief. Aoki confirms to Jikka that the Iwagakure chief was dealt with, after the latter testified that the leader had his own ambitions during the mission, which was viewed as treason against the shogun, and presents the leader's severed head, much to Sagiri's shock. Aoki also reports that the body of the chief has been transformed into a tree after they forced him to test the effects of the elixir before beheading him, as per Jikka's suggestion. Aoki then questions if the state of the chief could be viewed as immortality but is convinced by Jikka that the shogun could live forever as a divine tree to watch over his family in exchange for his humanity. After their business with the shogun were over, Jikka falls down tired and becomes pleased that things went according to plan. Earlier on the ship, Jikka sees that Gabimaru and Yuzuriha has picked Gantetsusai as the one to receive the pardon due to his high reputation and suggests that they abandon their names and former life upon separating on boats. Yuzuriha then connects this with the I Ching Gui Fa warned her about on Kotaku. As they prepare to depart, Sagiri receives a goodbye hug from Nurugai and yells out her farewells to Yuzuriha who happily waves back. She then sees that Gabimaru is the last to depart. The two meet each others gazes and happily say their goodbyes without having to say a word. In the present, Jikka sees Sagiri thinking about the others and tries to cheer her up, stating that it was fate that brought everyone together and that all they can do is hope that whatever of path in life they are on will make them happy. After hearing these words, Sagiri looks up with a smile as she starts to cry. Meanwhile, Tōma is revealed to have departed from Kotaku, after managing to acquire a ship of his own, and is accompanied by an unknown person. After the arrangements were made by Jikka, Gabimaru becomes shocked to see Yui and eagerly runs towards her. After finally being reunited, the couple set out on their own.