On Mariko's journey through eastern Shikoku back to her husband, Lord Ito, Daimyo of the island province of Awaji, she reaches Tokushima after a number of incidents chronicled elsewhere. Another day's travel takes her to the port of Naruto in time for the overnight ferry to Awaji province. The waters are dangerous as strong currents run round Awaji Island where it restricts the flow of the tides from the Inland Sea out into the ocean. However, the captain is experienced and he has the latest navigational aids (beacons on the many islands that dot the Inland Sea). But he looks worried. He says to Mariko that he can't see the beacon on Hajima Island, and fears he has gone off course. He starts to turn the boat but suddenly there is a grinding sound as the boat scrapes along rocks. The boat starts to sink and Mariko, unable to find anything that floats to hold on to, has to swim for her life. A swift, swirling current drags her away from the foundering boat and starts to pull her under. There is no light; there is no help. Mariko will surely drown.

As Mariko's body tumbles towards the sea bed, the ghostly figure of a woman swims up. Mariko finds that she is able to breathe normally. The apparition asks Mariko who she is and what has happened. She listens to Mariko then says, "You have been deceived by pirates. They covered the lights on Hajima Island so that your boat would hit the rocks and they could salvage the cargo. All of your companions have drowned. It is a sad but old story in these waters." She continues by telling her tale.

"Once upon a time on the Inland Sea, on all the inhabited islands there was to be found, under the trees by the beach, an old-fashioned stone beacon with the words 'ever-burning light' carved into it. There was a girl in love with a young man living on another island. Every night she swam out from her island to his, guided by the beacon. But the young man then ceased to love her, and one stormy night blew out the light and let her drown.

"I am that girl. Now I am cursed to roam these waters forever, witnessing the tragedies it never fails to bring. It is very sad; but there is one happiness allowed me - those who are pregnant I am allowed to save."

At these words the Mariko falls unconscious, and wakes lying on a beach surrounded by rescuers, wondering if it was all a dream. The locals say they have heard of the story of the girl. Mariko goes to the shore and throws an item of personal jewellery into the sea as an offering. Then she sets of for Sumoto, vowing vengeance on the pirates and privately promising to set up a shrine to the girl.

A few weeks later, we see Mariko attending the rite of dedication for the shrine she set up for the apparition that apparently saved her from drowning. After the ceremony is over Mariko stays the night as it is a day's journey back home. In the morning before setting off she visits the shrine and discovers, on the ground in front of it, her copy of The Art of War and the Sword of Hachiman.

After a further few weeks we see what has happened to her plans to set up beacons and rescue boats and marines to catch the pirates. It appears that the pirates have moved on; whether due to the fear of retribution or just to follow seasonal currents is not known.