Golden Kamuy: The Growing Threat of the 7th Division

Episode 3 of this latest season of Golden Kamuy sets up the danger that might lie ahead for Sugimoto’s group, and especially for Hijikata’s. Tsurumi might still be off at Abashiri prison, but the soldiers of the 7th Division aren’t letting the promise of treasure slip them by. What starts off as a chance to recuperate from battle quickly turns into another race for a tattooed prisoner. With the 7th Division one step closer to the gold and an important comrade of Hijikata’s now dead, what kind of complications await should the groups cross paths again?

Now that the next steps have been set in motion for both Hijikata and Sugimoto’s groups, all that’s left is figuring out what the 7th Division is planning. Tsurumi is still off dealing with the aftermath at Abashiri, but some familiar faces make an appearance at Noboribetsu hot spring. Known for its healing properties, the 7th Division regularly sends its wounded there to recover. Privates Nikaido and Usami are there to heal when they hear about a suspicious event from new faces Warrant Officer Kikuta and Private Ariko. Though they initially seem disinterested and write it off as nothing, Nikaido and Usami suspect it might be related to the gold and secretly go on to investigate.

The 7th Division Is Dangerous — No Matter What

It turns out that Toni, the blind prisoner who Sugimoto faced off against in Season 2, is the source of the mysterious geta sounds both Kikuta and Ariko mentioned to Nikaido and Usami. He and the rest of his blind partners are working undercover to provide information about the 7th to Hijikata. Toni slips up, leading Ariko and Kikuta to catch on to something fishy. This, combined with the delays faced by Hijikata in the previous episode, show how the 7th is quickly gaining the upper hand in the chase for the gold. Both Kikuta and Ariko rightfully suspect that the geta man is a tattooed prisoner, and both hope that by bringing his skin to Tsurumi, they will be reinstated into working by his side. As more soldiers begin to partake in the hunt for the gold, it remains to be seen whether they will follow Tsurumi blindly or whether dissent will brew if the call of riches proves stronger than Tsurumi’s vision for a new Japan.

Skepticism toward Tsurumi’s plans, after all, led Ogata to desert. So far, the current soldiers of the 7th seem enamored with Tsurumi, but it’s possible that others will not have the same stance. His actions might well cause some of his pawns to leave his side, or infighting between soldiers could cause a rift as they all fight for Tsurumi’s good graces. Whether they’re with or against him, though, the soldiers of the 7th Division are known to be the strongest unit in the Japanese army. Any opposing force from within the 7th has and will continue to pose a threat to both Hijikata and Sugimoto’s groups. Both Ariko and Kikuta showcased their skills in their fight against Toni, proving that they’re far more than ordinary soldiers.

Using a trick rumored to have been used by pirates, Kikuta is able to see all his blind opponents during their nighttime showdown and quickly gain the upper hand. Ariko’s excellent hunting and tracking skills are also ultimately what take Toni down. Both have proven themselves to be extremely capable and are a stark contrast in seriousness when compared to Nikaido and Usami. While the latter have spent more time with Tsurumi in the series, it’s possible that their ineptitude might cost them their place. It’s already clear that Kikuta didn’t appreciate the two of them partaking in the hunt for Toni.

The 7th Division continues to gather more pieces of the map and formidable opponents continue to show up amid their ranks. Hijikata’s group has also just faced what appears to be a serious setback. Is there another possible team-up between Hijikata and Sugimoto’s group, if only to delay the advancement of the 7th? Tsurumi may not be back in the picture just yet, but his machinations are very much still in play.