EPISODE CONTEXT

Coming off the tactical cat-and-mouse conflict of Episode 8's 'A War of Hide and Seek,' Episode 9 escalates dramatically by pitting Tokiyuki's group directly against the Seigi Party's leadership — shifting from evasion to confrontation. Positioned at the three-quarter mark of this 12-episode season, 'My Buddha' serves as a critical pivot point where the accumulated character development and alliances are tested under real pressure. It directly sets the stage for Episode 10's 'A Perverted Kid and Disturbances of Holy Power,' pushing the narrative toward its endgame stretch.