Renji goes to see his father to question Tetsuya's allegations of black-market donations that arose when he launched the Shinseikai. However, Tetsuya's heart condition worsens and he collapses on the spot. Renji's father's death brings an end to the feud between father and son, and Tanigawa persuades him to keep the truth of the allegations to himself, and he decides to follow his father's wishes and become a politician. At the same time, Prime Minister Suzuki dissolved the House of Representatives and called a general election, as ordered by political fixer Oda. With Tanigawa's support, Renji launches his own political activities, but is outnumbered by his opponent, prefectural assemblyman Horiuchi. Renji is again contacted by a mysterious person.