Ep. 3: Irako advances as Kogan's successor candidate while challenging rivals to retrieve the heads of the Funaki twins.

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One year later, Irako has won the affection of Kogan's daughter Mie and mastered Ushimata's technique, positioning himself as a potential successor to Kogan. During moments of clarity, Kogan provides instruction at the dojo. To determine whether Irako or Fujiki is the more suitable heir, Kogan issues a challenge requiring them to bring the heads of the twin sons of master Funaki Ichidensai, recognized as the two finest swordsmen in Nissaka. The pair confronts the twins at night in the woods, initially presenting themselves as Kamaitachi rather than samurai. Both Kogan and Irako win the contest, returning with the severed heads of the Funaki twins, while Irako pauses by the roadside to vomit.