Naoe explored the area northwest of Miki Castle, finding a group of samurai hunting down a rōnin near a farm.
- Samurai Spearman: Found you, traitor! Wait until the Ox hears.
- Ronin: And how do you plan to tell him once I take your tongue?
Naoe joined the fight, helping the rōnin eliminate the group of samurai. She then spoke to him, though he wore a hat concealing his identity.
- Naoe: You're the ronin from Miki Castle who broke rank with the Ox.
- Ronin: Your relationship with the Ox will determine my answer.
- Naoe: He is my target.
- Ronin: Ah. Then I am that ronin.
- Naoe: I need your help to get to him. I don't want to harm any conscript willing to walk away.
- Ronin: Though I am thankful for your blade, I cannot help you, miss. I am in enough trouble as it is. Deserters who followed me have been taken back to Miki Castle. And if that wasn't enough, I have endangered my friend. Seiji. He is being kept in Kanki Castle. These soldiers told me after I bled it out of them.
- Naoe: Sounds like we are both in need of help.
- Ronin: Seiji and I promised to look out for one another. I intend to keep my end of our deal. There are men in Hirada who need saving. Perhaps you could start by helping them. My name is Koshiro. I hope to see you again, miss. You fight well.
- Naoe: Naoe.
The two parted ways with a bow. Having heard Koshiro's wish to save Seiji, Naoe traveled to the Ruins of Kanki, and the Kanki Castle within. Infiltrating the complex, Naoe got near to a residence and eavesdropped on a guard and a servant.
- Castle Guard: I need to see the commander.
- Servant: The commander is busy.
- Castle Guard: Busy with what?
- Servant: That's none of your business, is it?
At the Jorakuji Temple, Naoe found an injured Koshiro clashing with Seiji and his guards, joining the fight.
- Commander Seiji: More trouble. This is one of yours, Koshiro?
- Naoe: Let him go.
Naoe and Koshiro, now without his hat, defeated Seiji's guards and wounded him.
- Commander Seiji: (breathes) You would rob us of our chance to fight back?
- Naoe: You have been blinded by the Ox's promises. Just like all the others.
- Koshiro: Seiji, listen! In another life we were brothers. We fought together. Bled together. All our youth was spent at war. Against the Uragami, Akamatsu, Lord Hideyoshi. The Bessho!
- Commander Seiji: (breathes) And now you war against me. Your dearest friend. Your talents... wasted. We could have made a difference. (gurgles)
- Koshiro: We could have. Yes.
Koshiro turned to Naoe.
- Koshiro: You are prepared to make the Ox answer for what he has done?
- Naoe: And free those under his control. Including the deserters.
- Koshiro: Some will refuse saving. Some are already lost. How do you deal with them?
- Commander Seiji: (breathes) Whatever you are going to do, just do it. Our cause will not end with me.
- Koshiro: Our history clouds my judgement. You will have to decide. Is Seiji worth saving?
- Naoe: Koshiro's friendship has spared you today. Work towards deserving it.
- Commander Seiji: (breathes) "Frienship." We will not meet again, Koshiro.
Seiji took his leave, with Koshiro unwilling bidding him farewell.
- Koshiro: No, we won't. Goodbye, old friend.
With Seiji out of the picture, Koshiro spoke to Naoe.
- Koshiro: You spared his life.
- Naoe: You promised Seiji you'd look out for him. I am helping you keep your promise.
- Koshiro: I am in your debt. Now, on to Miki Castle for the deserters. Find me there. Perhaps there is some good left to salvage in all of this.
The two bid each other farewell.
- Naoe: I trust Koshiro will come through for Yasuke. And the deserters... I can help them. But we still need a way to sneak in.