Hime meets with Yūhi Shinatsuhiko, a tochigami, to discuss Rin's status in the city, and they decide to have her attend school and work in the city. Hime assigns Akina to be Rin's caretaker, but she quickly leaves. When she encounters Hime, she asks why Akina is allowed in the city, and Hime claims that Akina's tuning ability is necessary for the city's peace; however, Rin considers tuning murder. Elsewhere, Enjin Hiizumi, a wolf yōkai, attacks one of the Seven Pillars, the spiritual sakura trees that protect the city. Throughout the city, yōkai begin to lose control of their powers, and Hime confronts Akina, who is upset about Rin's belief that tuning is murder. Near Akina's office, Rin begins to lose control of her powers, and Akina uses tuning to expel the yōkai that was possessing her. The following day, a grateful Rin arrives at Akina's office to sell food.

Hime meets with the Senior Council, and discovers that one of its members is severely injured, as all of the members of the Senior Council are linked to the Seven Pillars. Meanwhile, several yōkai begin to lose control of their powers. Tōka accidentally uses her oni powers to break a car, and is hospitalized. Kyōsuke confronts Akina, accusing him of lacking the resolve to remedy the situation by using tuning on Enjin. Ao attempts to visit Hime, but finds her furiously training. Enjin recalls the time a member of the Hiizumi clan used tuning on him after he claimed Sakurashin should be a city only for yōkai. Ao confronts Akina and tells Akina that he should use tuning on Enjin regardless of the danger to Gin's soul. The following day, Akina and Hime meet with the Senior Council members, who order them to cut down the Seven Pillars.