Chapter 223

## Nikaidou Cheers Up

**Nikaidou Cheers Up**, or **Nikaido Gets High** (二階堂 元気になる, *Nikaidō Genkininaru*) is the 223rd chapter of the *Golden Kamuy* manga.

## Synopsis

At a clinic, Nikaidou greets a good morning to both Tsukishima and Koito and Koito notes how awfully peppy he seems to be. Nikaidou credits his mood to the new medicine that Arisaka gave him, which turned out to be a drug called Methamphetamine that was created by Arisaka’s friend, Nagai. As Arisaka shows off the effect of the drug to Tsukishima, Ienaga performs a checkup on Koito before attempting to eat his skin. However, Tsukishima points a gun to her head, threatening to kill and take her tattooed skin.

Ienaga points out that both Tsurumi and Hijikata already has copies of her skin but quickly changes her mind when Tsukishima says that he will use her skin to make a wallet. She attempts to draw Koito’s blood but Tsukishima tells her not to do that as there is no need and realizes her true motive for staying at the hospital instead of running away. Ienaga points out that a doctor like herself is quite rare, saying that she was backed up by Tsurumi.

Elsewhere, in a certain house, Ogata warns Hijikata’s Group about Ienaga’s affiliation with Tsurumi but most of the group aren’t as concerned about Tsurumi finding them. Ogata states that they are underestimating Tsurumi’s abilities and that it is not easy to escape from a shinigami. Hijikata agrees with Ogata, saying that there is no such thing as being too cautious when dealing with a man like Tsurumi.

Some time later, Ogata goes out hunting for ducks, but finds difficulty in being able to shoot them down. Hijikata’s Group eventually makes their way to a temple, noting that its high frequency of visitors may make for a good hideout. Kadokura speaks with Hijikata and Nagakura, telling them about another large batch of prisoners escaping, which was coordinated by one of the tattooed convicts, Boutarou the Pirate.

Ogata makes his return to the temple, having managed to kill and take home a Whooper swan, surprising Hijikata’s Group with the size of the bird. Ariko is shocked to see Ogata and both men exclaims that they never thought the other would betray Tsurumi as well. Kirawus comments on the large swan, saying that they usually fatten up around this time of the year and cannot fly, making them susceptible to be caught even without a gun.

As they begin to cook the swan, Kirawus quotes a saying that if one eats a swan, then their hair will turn gray, citing that as a reason for not eating the swan. Hijikata’s Group then jokes around about eating the swan with Toni being mortified to learn that his once jet black hair has now turned grey. As Hijikata, Nagakura, and Toni eats the swan, Nagakura is perplexed about the other men’s reason for not eating the swan. Hijikata says that death visits everyone equally and that they should just eat it and enjoy themselves.

Once night had fallen and Hijikata’s Group gets into bed, the younger members discusses the superstition before deciding to eat the leftovers of the swan. Nagakura wakes up to find them eating the swan, calling them gluttons. Kadokura tells him that they came up with the conclusion that if their hair will turn grey, then that means that they will not go bald. The younger members began to laugh and Nagakura joins them momentarily before getting offended.

## Character Appearances

* Narizou Arisaka
* Kouhei Nikaidou
* Kano Ienaga
* Otonoshin Koito
* Hajime Tsukishima
* Hyakunosuke Ogata
* Toshizou Hijikata
* Shinpachi Nagakura
* Kadokura
* Tatsuma Ushiyama
* Kirawus
* Anji Toni
* Rikimatsu Ariko
* Kantarou
* Boutarou *(Debut)*