Episode four of Like a Dragon: Yakuza shows how Aiko became tangled in her current predicament: wanted by the Yakuza and her life in danger. It’s revealed that she’s stolen millions of yen despite the consequences she was aware of. Now, Aiko has disappeared, leaving Haruka in Yumi’s care. Kazuma and Yumi are now on the search for Aiko with the help of The Florist of Sai. 

While Kazuma and Yumi search for Aiko’s boyfriend, Oishi, the two are surrounded by Yakuza. Taken by limousine, Kazuma is sent to meet the head of this Yakuza clan. Kazuma meets the leader of this Yakuza clan, Goda, an older man adorned with Yakuza tattoos. Goda tells the tale of a rogue yakuza member who went by ‘The Dragon’ and had a dragon tattoo. He then requests to see Kazuma’s dragon tattoo. Kazuma disrobes to reveal his dragon, though it’s missing its eyes.

Goro, Kazuma, and Yumi sit and speak civilly. The money that Aiko and Oishi stole was Goro’s, and he plans on acting accordingly. Yumi offers her finger, and even herself, as repayment for Aiko’s act, though Goro refuses. He praises Yumi’s bravery, though he intends to get all of his money back. He offers to give her time to solve this, explaining she has till tomorrow at midnight before his men make their move.

Kazuma keeps Nishiki updated and explains Aiko’s situation. Nishiki will also try to help on his part, though he warns that Yumi has also changed over the ten years, similarly to Aiko. As Kazuma speaks with Yumi, it’s apparent she’s lost her spark for her sister. She’s bitter about the trouble Aiko has caused. 

Kazuma then reflects on the past, looking back to the year 1996. He remembers Miho being like a little sister to both Yumi and him. One day, as he was teaching her to fight, she ended up collapsing. At the hospital, the doctor explains that Miho must immediately start taking dialysis, insinuating she has a poorly functioning kidney. Even if her condition is treatable, she’ll be on a waitlist for years for a kidney transplant. Hearing this, Kazuma immediately goes to Dojima and bows at his feet. He begs Dojima to allow him to start fighting for money.

Kazuma begins to fight underground to gain money for Miho’s new kidney and Nishiki applies to donate his kidney to Miho. Despite Nishiki’s attempt, he and Miho have different blood types, making him unable to give his kidney. Kazuma continues to train to win money for Miho. Every time he wins a fight, he gets more and more ink added to his tattoo. Once his dragon tattoo gets its eyes, Kazuma will then be the next dragon of Doujima. 

Kazuma continues to fight while Nishiki and Yumi save as much money as possible. Kazuma becomes very successful, though Dojima wonders if he’s too big. Dojima meets with Nishiki, asking him why he hadn’t come to him about his sister sooner. Dojima brings a black market dealer, explaining that they may be able to find a match for Miho. Even so, getting a kidney for Miho may cost 100 million yen. Dojima explains to Nishiki that they should profit off of Kazuma’s loss for the transplant.

Yumi continues to work at the club and even asks the owner for a paid advance. Her boss agrees to help, knowing Miho is very sick. During this time, Aiko makes an appearance, embracing Yumi. 

Yumi brings Aiko back to her place to rest and catch up. As Yumi prepares the space, Aiko quietly steals money as she sees it. Aiko flatters and praises Yumi, stating she must make so much money. She then asks Yumi to get her a job at the club, explaining she’s used to entertaining. Yumi gets quiet, realizing Aiko isn’t really there to see her but to use her. 

In the present, more bodies show up, adorning the pentagram on their chest. Yakuza gangs attend a meeting to discuss The Omi’s continuous murder rampages, wondering if they’re claiming turf. It’s revealed that this body was Oishi, with no sign of Aiko. Nishiki is assigned to find Aiko to find the demon of the Omi group. Detective Date explains to Kazuma that The Omi could have set Oishi up. Now, The Omi and Goro want their money, and both are looking for Aiko. 

Yumi finds out that Haruka has run away from her nanny to look for Aiko. Yumi explains to Kazuma that Aiko sent her daughter a suicide postcard from Megumi Lake. Kazuma offers to call Nishiki for help, but Yumi explains that he’s different how after ten years have passed. She says that everyone is selfish and wants their own way, and that is how The Demon gets what he wants. 

The Omi group infiltrates the hideout of The Florist of Sai. They demand The Florist of Haruka’s location. The group slaughters many innocent lives, including one of Detective Date’s moles, revealing that the police were close to finding out who The Demon was. The Demon points his gun at The Florist, explaining that he’s going to slaughter more innocent people until he gets his money back.

The episode shows more development in both the past and future. Audiences are shown how Yumi and Aiko became estranged and how Miho’s health declined. As the series continues, viewers can hope to see how Aiko became a criminal, how her relationship develops with Yumi, and how Miho will be involved in the future, if at all. Both Nishiki and Yumi have claimed they have changed a lot in the past years, so it’ll be interesting to see if they will remain loyal to Kazuma, and what they mean by that claim. Overall, it feels as though the story is narrowing in on the truth behind this series of mysteries. Audiences can expect a surprising reveal that ties the past and present together.

Rating: 7.5/10