EPISODE CONTEXT

Directly following Recca's pledge of loyalty to Yanagi in Episode 1, this installment examines the immediate fallout — specifically how that declaration fractures his bond with Fūko and invites new conflict. It's an essential early building block in a 42-episode run, establishing rivalry and the seductive pull of power that will drive much of the series' broader narrative. This episode transitions the show from setup into its first real character conflict, laying groundwork for the alliances and threats that define the arcs ahead.