Tragedy strikes when some unsavory men ambush the racers. When push comes to shove, Kosame must come to terms with his mother's killing or hang his friends out to dry.

The threat of danger puts the race at a standstill as the organizers change their plans. While Appare is busy trying to solve his cooling problem, other racers get drunk and visit the hot springs.

As the race once again resumes and heads towards a Missouri railroad bridge, Gil the Butcher lives up to his name and sets his dirty plans in motion.