Formation of Special Fire Force Company 8 / The Strongest Hikeshi.Formation of Special Fire Force Company 8: Lieutenant Takehisa Hinawa tells Company 8 about its formation: How he was unable to kill his friend and fellow army officer Tojo who became an Infernal, how he met fire officer Akitaru Obi who had decided to form his own Special Fire Force company, and how later they recruited Maki.
The Strongest Hikeshi: Later, Company 8 arrives unannounced at the headquarters of Company 7 in the Asakusa district. Commander Shinnmon Benimaru takes offence and insults Shinra, so Shinra challenges him to a duel, however they are interrupted by a fire alarm. A local man Kantaro has become an Infernal. Benimaru, regarded as a hero by the local population and the most powerful local fireman (火消し, hikeshi), assaults him with a flaming matoi, but destroys a number of houses in the process. Benimaru eventually kills Kantaro by thrusting his hand through the victim's body.