"Cage of Blood" 「血煙無情 Chikemuri mujō」 is the eighth episode of Basilisk.
Summary[]
Tenzen Yakushiji tells Oboro that the Anti-War Pact had been nullified by Ieyasu Tokugawa and that he wants them to engage in a battle to the death. She can't believe it at first, but states that Gennosuke Kōga would not allow a war between them and attempts to leave, but Tenzen explains that Kōga's intentions area already clear.
As Okoi sucks Jingorō Amayo's blood, he notices some spilled salt and manages to drag himself to it. As he starts to dry, he turns into his slime form, surprising Okoi who releases him and he manages to hide. Okoi intends to get away, but Nenki Mino shows up at the door, wanting the list as Tenzen wants to show it to Oboro. At the same time, Saemon Kisaragi learns from Hotarubi that a Kōga girl named Okoi was captured and requests Hotarubi to take him to her. Okoi fights Nenki, who manages to capture her and she starts sucking his blood. She says she needs to find more skin, but much to her surprise, Nenki's body is covered in hair. Nenki then uses his hair and pierces Okoi's body, saying that even though he was told not to kill her, she didn't leave him a choice and since she was on the list, she was going to die anyway at some point.
Saemon arrives to see Okoi fatally injured by Nenki, but he ignores Nenki and goes straight to Okoi. Nenki wonders what's wrong with Yashamaru and Saemon explains that some of Hotarubi's snake venom is still left. Nenki jokes that Yashamaru messed with another woman, only to get a fierce glare from Hotarubi. Saemon takes Okoi's hand and signals to her that it is him. He apologizes for being too late and Okoi tells him she killed one old man, for which he congratulates her. She tells him where she hid the scroll and soon dies from her wounds moments later. Nenki asks Yashamaru what happened at Sunpu, but Saemon says he can't say until he meets Oboro. Nenki reveals that Tenzen is currently speaking with Oboro, trying to convince her that there is war and Saemon realizes that Gennosuke is still alive. Nenki reveals all the Kōga they had killed and wonders why Tenzen fears Gennosuke. Saemon takes the scroll secretly while Nenki finds Jingorō and throws him in the rain as he needs water. Hotarubi finds the dead Rōsai Azuki and as Saemon was about to leave, he hears the voice of Oboro who had learned about Okoi and goes to free her. But as she comes, she looks at Saemon and her eyes dispel his technique. Saemon throws salt at Nenki and his sword at Oboro, but Tenzen protects her. He then throws the scroll outside and Jingorō was about to catch it when Gyōbu Kasumi appears behind him and takes it. Saemon sneaks out while they start chasing Gyōbu. As they lose sight of Gyōbu, Tenzen tells Koshirō Chikuma to gather the men.
Tenzen and the rest then head out towards Gennosuke, but see that Gyōbu and Saemon are already there and had given him the scroll. Gennosuke then tells Gyōbu and Saemon that they are returning to Kōga Manjidani.