Episode 3

**"Confidential File 614, the Enemy Within"** (機密事項六一四 シシシンチュウムシ, *Kimitsu Jikō Roku Ichi Yon: Shishishinchū Mushi*) is the 3rd episode of *Joran: The Princess of Snow and Blood*.

## Characters

* Elena Hanakaze
* Jin Kuzuhara
* Sawa Yukimura
* Makoto Tsukishiro
* Asahi Nakamura
* Janome

## Synopsis

Asahi and Yukimura struggle with the nature of their relationship, while the mole leaking Nue secrets is found... or is he?

## Plot

Jin Kuzuhara reveals to Sawa Yukimura that he ordered the death of the treasurer as he was ordered to do so by Yoshinobu Tokugawa. Later, Makoto Tsukishiro visits Sawa and informs her that the treasurer's body is taken care like usual. He comments that thanks to Yoshinobu, at surface all looks peaceful as there are no battle, pillaging or riots, but Sawa states its due to the people not knowing what is happening. Makoto tells her to drop the sister act if she still wishes to kill Janome, and tells her where she can leave Asahi, as sooner or later, Janome will find out Sawa is alive and that will put Asahi in danger. Sawa states she doesn't care if Asahi dies, but Makoto reveals that his sentimental side also causes him problems, so he knows.

Sawa recalls how Jin told her to get rid of her weakness. He gives her information about Janome, who used to be a top scientist for Yoshinobu, but carried inhuman experiments on children and the elderly. He used himself as a test subject and pursued the secret of immortality via cellular genetic modification and eventually found Sawa's clan. As they refused to cooperate, he killed them all and took their blood. Returning home, Sawa finds Asahi asleep on the table and carries to bed.

In the morning, Sawa tells Asahi that she should leave and they should not had lived together since she killed her parents. Asahi reveals that she is also trying to kill her and wonders if she wants her gone as she is scared. Sawa states they don't know anything about each other and tells her to go to the temple Makoto told her. Sawa is fine if Asahi kills her, but won't allow it until she kills Janome. Before leaving, Sawa tells Asahi that when she comes back, if she is still there, she will kill her.

At the graveyard, Makoto, Sawa and Elena visit one of the cleaners and tell him that the fake assassination attempt tip traces back to him. Makoto uses a key to unlock the coffin that the cleaner was pulling and confirms its full of money. The cleaner states he doesn't know anything and Makoto reveals that in such case he will spend time with Jin and his tortures. Seeing that they won't believe him, the man puts his hat down and steps on it, triggering a bomb. As they wake up, they see that the cleaner had escaped via underground tunnel. Sawa goes into the tunnel, while Elena follows the tunnel above ground. Makoto states he twisted his angle and stays behind. He then opens the coffin and finds the cleaner inside, who points a gun at him and states he isn't a traitor. Makoto pulls out a gun and tells the cleaner to play his role until the end and then shoots him.

Jin wonders why Makoto killed the cleaner and Makoto states he took his own life. He also found his coded exchanges and payments from Janome, which saves Jin's trouble to extract that info. While burrying the cleaner, Elena says she wants her coffin to be red and wonders about Sawa's, who states blue, but will first kill Janome. Jin wonders if Makoto tracked down Janome, but Makoto states he thought his mission was to track down the traitor. Jin then pulls out his blade and quickly slashes at Makoto, cutting his frontal clothes and revealing to have a female body, and tells him to not forget where he stands.

Makoto recalls the treasurer, gave him a treasuer map that will lead to the end of the Yoshinobu Tokugawa's regime and Nue. Following it, he finds a hidden notebook. Sawa returns home and sees that Asahi had left. However, she sees the pouch with money she gave her and traces of blood and heads out following them. She fellows the blood to Yamazaki's house, where Asahi often played with her dog and got free food. Elsewhere, Asahi is tied up with Yamazaki next to her, who is Janome in disguise. Janome states he is looking forward to the spectacle of siblings being reunited with Makoto agreeing and stating everything is unfolding according to plan.