The major tells his men that the enemy is stronger and more numerous than before, and that they must defend their positions. He tells them that he has ninety men with him, including the commander of the 19th platoon from the trans-mission earlier. He says that he is not afraid of the enemy, because he has a personal feeling for the shogun, which he does not share with the rest of his men. The major wonders why the women are so eager to use him as an example of how to use a man. He wonders if they are using him as a symbol of their power, and he wonders if it is rude of the women to ask him not to use men for their own ends. He also wonders if there are no more imperial bases in this way, and wonders if the enemy will get what it wants either way. He asks the commanders to keep the enemy away from them, but they refuse, saying that they have to return fire only if absolutely necessary. He worries that if the women do not approve of their rebellion, they will be another obstacle in the way of the rebel forces.