While Senku's team in Araxá builds the "Fortress Medusa" around the reactivated Petrification Weapon, their hideout is discovered by Stanley's elite unit. The plan to petrify themselves along with the attackers in an emergency and revive later is jeopardized when the scouts Suika and Francois encounter the enemy at the riverbank. During their escape attempt, they are cornered, but Francois manages to warn the main team via a secretly sent Morse code message.

Meanwhile, Kohaku, Tsukasa, and Hyoga launch a desperate guerrilla attack to buy time. They quickly realize they are outmatched by the professional soldiers in direct combat. Their new goal is to destroy Stanley's radio to cut off communication with his headquarters and the hostage situation there. In the central climax of the battle, Hyoga sacrifices his life to clear a path for Kohaku, who finally shuts down the communication equipment.

Severely wounded, Tsukasa reflects in his final moments on the ironic turn: The science he once sought to destroy is now the last hope for salvation. The episode ends with the prospect that the success of Senku's team and the power of the Medusa will decide life and death.