Ikoma somehow survives and heads towards the last Hayajiro left in Kenkin Station, the Kotetsujyo. Meanwhile, Ayame and her people were left behind to fend off the Kabane when a young girl named Mumei appears before them. The girl clears open a path to the Kotetsujyo with incredible combat prowess.

The other people lock Ikoma and Mumei into the rear car. But that means the Kotetsujyo has lost two of their best fighters. Just then, the Kabane attack. What's more, among them is a Wazatori, a Kabane that has the ability to learn and become stronger with each battle...

The Kotetsujyo picks up survivors from Yatsushiro Station which has been destroyed by the Kabane. Among the survivors is Enoku, an old friend of Mumei's. He points out to Mumei how weak she'd become as he witnessed how close she's grown to the people of the Kotetsujyo. Rattled, Mumei chooses to throw herself into a reckless fight and finds herself in a dangerous situation.

The Kotetsujyo is standing before a giant cluster of Kabane, the Black Smoke, and all seems hopeless. Meanwhile, Ikoma and Mumei find themselves at the bottom of an abandoned station. Surrounded by Kabane, Mumei buried under rubble, and no backup in sight, the situation is dire, yet Ikoma still somehow stands forward to face it.

The Kotetsujyo arrives at Shitori Station, the first populated station it's encountered since leaving Kenkin Station. Ikoma and the others leave to shop for some supplies, and experience their first moment of peace in ages. Meanwhile, Ayame negotiates with Shitori Station to see if they could spare some food, but food is precious everywhere...