Golden Kamuy Season 4 Episode 13: The Vanished Kamuy

The episode opens with an aerial view of Goryokaku, a star-shaped fort, engulfed in smoke and littered with fallen soldiers. The scale of the battle is immense, a grim testament to the fight for the gold. Tsukishima is seen quickly moving through a building, his rifle ready, as word spreads of Hijikata Toshizo's escape. Even in this chaos, Ogata Hyakunosuke appears distressed, calling out for Tsukishima, indicating the battle's personal toll on all sides.

Amidst the carnage, Lieutenant Tsurumi stands over the bloodied bodies of Russian soldiers, his face a mask of anguish and rage. He screams the names of his fallen comrades, a profound display of grief that humanizes his otherwise chilling ambition. This raw emotion then gives way to a sepia-toned flashback, revealing Sofia's past as a revolutionary, burdened by choices and the weight of her comrades' sacrifices. Her husband's words about revolutionaries being driven by great love, not just killing, offer a haunting contrast to Tsurumi's present fury.

Tsurumi, still covered in blood and tears, continues to cry out the names of the dead, his despair palpable. He faces Tsukishima, questioning his hesitation, before turning his gaze toward Asirpa. He acknowledges her as Wilk's beloved daughter but then proclaims that her future must be her own choice, a stark and unexpected concession from the usually controlling Lieutenant Tsurumi. This moment is a brief, agonizing release in the relentless battle.

As Sugimoto and Asirpa attempt to ride to safety, Tsurumi aims his rifle, not at Asirpa, but at Tsukishima. He fires, hitting Tsukishima in the chest, who falls wounded. This act is followed by Koito Otonoshin appearing, calmly declaring forgiveness for Tsurumi in a surreal, bright haze. Then, in a moment of brutal reality, Tsurumi shoots Tsukishima again at close range, leaving him gravely injured. Asirpa's horrified reaction to this betrayal is visceral.

In the chaos following the shots, Asirpa is thrown from the horse, her Ainu tools scattering. Sugimoto screams her name in panic as she plummets towards the water. But it is Shiraishi Yoshitake who appears, catching her tools and then pulling Asirpa to safety with a surprising show of strength and timing. He declares he can finally repay his debt to Fuchi, a moment of light amidst the darkness. Their escape is then joined by Genjiro Tanigaki, adding another unexpected ally.

Just moments before the dramatic escape, Genjiro learns of the battle at Goryokaku and the possibility of Asirpa's presence there. His concern is immediate and profound, marked by a tearful realization. Inkaramatto, with her baby in a sling, calmly urges him to go, promising to wait for him to fulfill his duty and make peace with his past. Genjiro, visibly pained but resolute, promises to return.

Back at Goryokaku, Tsurumi is still on the ground, wounded, with a burnt photograph of his family in his bloodied hand. Tsukishima approaches, gently covering Tsurumi's hand, offering a moment of quiet, almost sympathetic understanding for Tsurumi's prolonged suffering. Yet, in a stark reversal, Koito Otonoshin then appears, firing his pistol at Tsurumi. Tsurumi lies wounded, a faint smile on his face, clutching the now bullet-ridden photograph, seemingly accepting his end.

Observing the escape from a tree, Ogata Hyakunosuke plots his move, certain that Tsurumi anticipates his strategy. He aims his rifle, calculating the shot, even pondering the sun's reflection. Unexpectedly, Ogata himself is shot, a sudden splattering of blood surprising him as he realizes he has been hit. His rifle, now bloodied, is left behind as Sugimoto and Asirpa ride away, unknowingly escaping another calculated threat.

Realizing they are still pursued, Sugimoto makes a snap decision: they will take the nearby train. Hijikata Toshizo and Usami are already on board, engaged in brutal combat with soldiers. Sugimoto pulls Asirpa onto the moving train, with Shiraishi following, detaching the carriages from underneath. This creates a separate battleground, trapping Tsukishima in a carriage that is then violently attacked by Usami, leading to an explosion.

While Sugimoto, Asirpa, and Shiraishi escape the exploding carriage, Hijikata Toshizo continues his relentless fight against soldiers across the train's roof. He is a whirlwind of precise, deadly strikes, demonstrating remarkable agility for his age. Finally, he confronts Usami, and their battle is brutal, a fierce exchange of blows and shots. Hijikata ultimately prevails, stabbing Usami, who falls defeated from the train.

Exhausted and wounded, Hijikata lies on the train roof, victorious but spent. Sugimoto, Asirpa, and Shiraishi find him, relieved to see him alive. The immediate threat is over, but Hijikata confirms that Tsurumi's unit is still in pursuit. As the train disappears into the distance, Sugimoto reflects on their 'hell ride,' a moment of shared exhaustion and temporary reprieve, yet the shadow of the ongoing chase remains.