The head of the Yoshikiri gang is sentenced to six years in Suzugamori Prison and YotarÅ drinks with the melancholy gang. On a visit to a bathhouse YotarÅ convinces Yakumo to perform rakugo in the prison and Yakumo gives a heartfelt and moving performance. Later, Yakumo goes to see YotarÅ performing Inokori but leaves before the end, calling it "disagreeable". Yakumo waits until the theater is closed and then performs the rakugo Shinigami to the rows of empty seats. At the end of the performance he collapses and knocks over a candle, then sees Sukeroku as a shinigami. Yakumo is about to surrender to death when YotarÅ arrives and Yakumo decides he doesn't want to die just yet. YotarÅ carries him from the burning building.