Ep 2. Stenka

The episode "Stenka" of Golden Kamuy season 3 continues the story of Saichi Sugimoto and Asirpa as they travel through Hokkaido in search of hidden treasure. This time, they find themselves in the middle of a conflict between two rival gangs, the Russian and Chinese groups, who are fighting for control of the area.

The episode opens with Sugimoto, Asirpa, and their new companion Kiroranke stumbling upon a scene of violence as Russian soldiers brutally attack a Chinese gang. The trio manages to sneak away unnoticed, but they soon learn that the Chinese gang is led by a woman named Chen, who was kidnapped by the Russians.

Determined to help Chen, Sugimoto and Kiroranke come up with a plan to sneak into the Russian base and rescue her. Meanwhile, Asirpa works on decoding a secret message left by her father, hoping it will lead them closer to the treasure they seek.

As the group prepares for their rescue mission, tensions rise between Sugimoto and Kiroranke, who seems to be hiding something. In a tense standoff, Kiroranke reveals the truth about his past and his connection to the Ainu people, leaving Sugimoto to question his loyalty.

The rescue mission itself is a thrilling sequence of action and suspense, as the three heroes must use all their skills to sneak past guards, disable traps, and fight their way through the enemy stronghold. Along the way, they confront their own fears and doubts, and learn to rely on each other more than ever before.

In the end, the rescue is successful, but not without some unexpected consequences. As the Russian and Chinese gangs prepare for further conflict, Sugimoto and Asirpa must continue their journey, hoping to find answers to the mysteries that surround them.

Overall, "Stenka" is a tense and exciting episode that deepens the relationships between the main characters and raises the stakes of their journey. With its blend of action, drama, and historical detail, it's a great example of why Golden Kamuy is one of the most engaging anime series out there.