Chapter 18

## Rescue Operation

* Color
* Volume

**Rescue Operation** (救出作戦, *Kyūshutsu sakusen*) is the 18th chapter of the *Golden Kamuy* manga.

## Synopsis

Asirpa and Shiraishi arrive to the 7th Division barracks. Shiraishi says that there's about 30 soldiers at any given time; he mentions that the building used to be a store and that's why the windows have bars on them. Shiraishi tells Asirpa that the 7th Division are too dangerous to go against and they might already be too late. Asirpa remains confident that Sugimoto is still alive. She claims that Sugimoto is a man who is hard to kill and that he never lets his fear of death control him. Asirpa reminisces of Sugimoto fighting a bear and jumping into its den, saying that no one but her father would be able to do that.

Shiraishi climbs to the window of Sugimoto's cell and sees that the fight between Sugimoto and the Nikaidou twins is stopped by the soldiers who heard the ruckus. Lt. Tsurumi orders to keep the twins away from Sugimoto, and the soldiers tie up Sugimoto while commenting on how he was able to fight even with his hands and feet restrained. Shiraishi goes back to Asirpa and tells her that Sugimoto is alive, which cheers her up. Shiraishi comes up with an escape plan and strikes a deal with Asirpa: he is willing to bet it all on Asirpa and Sugimoto and rescue the soldier but in return he wants part of the gold. Asirpa agrees and says that she doesn't care about the gold so Shiraishi and Sugimoto can just split it between each other.

Shiraishi explains the plan to Asirpa: they must tie a long rope to the four corners of the metal bars on the window, then Shiraishi sneaks into Sugimoto's cell and signals Asirpa. In her turn, Asirpa will have to tie a rope to one of the horses in advance and then make it run when Shiraishi gives the signal. The horse will yank the bars off, making it possible for Shiraishi and Sugimoto escape. Shiraishi asks if Asirpa has soap so he can lather up his body to slip through the bars easier. Asirpa says that she has none; however, she has some bear grease for cooking.

Sugimoto is lying in his cell when he is spooked by Shiraishi who he assumes is a monster. Shiraishi reminds him that he is the Escape King and explains that he came to rescue Sugimoto for an Ainu girl who threatened to shoot him with a poison arrow if he didn't help.

Nearby, the 7th Division soldiers that were guarding Sugimoto hear some noise coming from the stables. They think it must be thieves and decide to check it out; however, it's actually Retar that the horses sensed.

When Shiraishi tries to undo Sugimoto's handcuffs, someone approaches the door to Sugimoto's cell. It turns out to be the Nikaidou twins who came to take their revenge. Youhei tells his brother to wait outside and make sure nobody comes in while he kills Sugimoto and later makes it look like Sugimoto was attempting to escape. Kouhei advises his brother to not use the gun and instead use his bayonet. When Kouhei leaves with Youhei's gun and shuts the door, Youhei finds his bayonet missing. He turns around and sees Sugimoto charging at him while holding a knife.

Some moments later, Tsurumi arrives at the scene and witnesses the aftermath of the fight: Youhei is dead and Sugimoto is heavily injured, with his intestines sticking out of his gut. Tsurumi remarks that the candle of Sugimoto's life is truly on the verge of being blown out. Sugimoto asks Tsurumi to save him, promising to give up on the skins, much to Tsurumi's delight.

## Character Appearances

* Saichi Sugimoto
* Kouhei Nikaidou
* Youhei Nikaidou
* Asirpa
* Retar
* Yoshitake Shiraishi
* Wilk *(Mentioned)*
* Tokushirou Tsurumi