Episode Summary
In 1992, Cheng Ming and Yukiko visit Unit 731 ruins, discussing the US immunity deal. In 1941, Kojima accidentally shoots Kawaguchi while trying to talk to him. Kawaguchi reveals the army is breeding plague fleas for biological warfare. Kojima agrees to shoot a propaganda film to gain access to the facility. Arakawa steals evidence photos and reclaims his Chinese identity. The episode ends with a tense moment where Kojima, the defector, and the spy Arakawa all end up in the same room.
Spoiler Alert
The 1992 Visit
We start in the summer of 1992. Cheng Ming takes Yamabe Yukiko to the ruins of the Unit 731 power plant. The vibe is heavy. Yukiko feels deep shame. She knows Japan committed unforgivable crimes here. Cheng Ming shares a dark piece of history. He explains that Shiro Ishii sold human experiment reports to the Americans after WWII. The US gave them shelter in exchange. It was a dirty, inhuman trade. The museum is just a shell right now. It has ruins and testimony, but hard evidence is scarce. Yukiko hands a booklet to Cheng Ming. He immediately wants to go abroad to gather evidence. Yukiko warns him it won't be a walk in the park.
A Messy Reunion
Back in 1941, Kojima Yukio is on a mission. He tracks down the two thieves from White Tiger Hall. They give up a location. They say Kawaguchi Satoshi might be hiding at the Middle East Granary. Kojima goes there. Kawaguchi is on edge. He thinks Kojima is there to arrest him. Kojima tries to calm him down. Tong Changfu tries to make a run for it. Kawaguchi panics and fires his gun. He hits the wall. Kojima tackles him. They struggle. The gun goes off by accident. Kawaguchi takes a bullet to the leg. Kojima has to ask Tong for help. They drag the wounded man to Tong's house. They call in Vet Liu. It is a desperate move to use a veterinarian on a human. Kojima promises to take full responsibility if things go wrong.
The Spy in the Darkroom
Arakawa Ryohei is watching everything closely. He sees Takahashi Akihiko heading out on a temporary mission. He suspects more "Maruta" (prisoners) are about to be slaughtered. He sees Number 909 lying to the prisoners. 909 tells them they will be released in three days. He tells them to eat and drink well. Arakawa knows this is a lie. He waits for Takahashi to fall asleep. He steals the darkroom key. He develops photos of the evidence. We get some backstory here. His mother took him to Japan when he was small. She married his stepfather. He changed his name from Chen Ruping to Arakawa Ryohei. But now, he wants to be Chinese again.
The Truth About the Fleas
Vet Liu manages to treat Kawaguchi. Kawaguchi wakes up at night. He tells Kojima the horrifying truth. The Square Building is full of plague-infected rats. They are breeding them in massive numbers. These rats feed the fleas. Maiko died because she got bit by one of these fleas. She had the plague. The army is breeding fleas to win the war. They are hard to detect and multiply fast. Soldiers from Nomonhan admitted they dumped cholera into the Khalkh River. Kojima can barely believe it. He asks Tong for his take. He decides he has to find the answers himself.
Playing the Game
Kojima changes his strategy. He tells Shiozawa Ryuichi he is willing to shoot the propaganda film. Shiozawa brings Minister Nakadome to a theater. They watch Kojima's latest film. Kojima plays the humble artist. He says he doesn't want money. He will even bring his own equipment. Nakadome buys it. He agrees to talk to Shiro Ishii. Arakawa starts his own plan. He convinces Takahashi to give him a camera. He claims he wants to learn so he can help shoot photos at Tenri Village.
Worlds Collide
Kojima arrives early to move Kawaguchi. He borrows Tong's cart. He gives Tong a piece of information before leaving. Kawaguchi didn't see a girl in the granary. But he did see traces of a fire. Kawaguchi gives Tong some money as thanks. Kojima warns them to be careful changing it at the black market. Then things get tense. Arakawa shows up. He wants to take a group photo of the residents. It is too dark outside. He wants to go inside. Tong blocks the door because the wounded man is in there. Kojima surprises everyone. He opens the door and invites them in.
