This chapter's epigraph is from a speech by Benio in which he laments the fact that the family has been forced to live "shoulder-to-shoulder" with the public. Benio laments that he will be the one to take care of the "dead ninja" . He tells the audience that he has wanted to be a ninja since he was separated from his master ten years ago. But Benio refused to let him do so. He says that he likes Benio even more than he did when they were apart. He compares them to the "chief punishment of the breaking family" , which is to kill both of them for breaking the family's "tradition." He tells Benio that if he does not die with his master, he will die with him. He also tells him that his desire to follow his master to the grave reminds him of the courage he once felt when he returned Benio's powers to him.