With the stolen files, Taiyo links Tanpopo to Hotel Dandy Lion. Overnight, Kyoichiro kidnaps Taiyo to the middle of the ocean. The former forces the latter to fight a dozen assassins while disarming a torpedo fired from an actual Tanpopo submarine to demonstrate some of the difficulties he will face. Kyoichiro reveals that taking on Tanpopo requires having at least a five star Gold-ranked spy license, while Taiyo is still only Bronze rank. Despite this, Taiyo insists on fighting Tanpopo as long as they are a threat to Mutsumi. Having seen Taiyo's resolve, Kyoichiro confirms Makoto owns a suite at the Dandy Lion. Futaba is suspicious of Kyoichiro's motive in involving Taiyo with an enemy like Tanpopo, though he insists he is only helping Taiyo avenge his family. Taiyo infiltrates the Dandy Lion but Makoto escapes again. Taiyo is then forced to fight Nohmen, Dandy Lion's owner enhanced by Hazakura, Makoto's experimental drug to mimic the Yozakuras' abilities. Powerless against Nohmen's super strength and rapid healing, Taiyo almost dies but is saved by the timely arrival of Shinzo.