Cornered by his outlaw status, Sakamoto learns the family store is failing and, through a flashback to how he and Aoi built it, resolves not to lose it. His answer is a wild plan: seize control of the JAA and turn the shop into a nationwide chain, just as X's forces strike a JAA weapons factory.
Summary
Sakamoto gazes at the store from the street, recalling Nagumo's warning that being branded X's accomplices leaves them two grim roads: kill Uzuki to prove their innocence, or tear the JAA down entirely, with death waiting either way. Wandering and brooding, he dispatches two assassins who assume he is oblivious, then remembers Rion Akao's billion-yen bounty and decides he needs to speak with Aoi.
Inside, he hovers out of her sight, unsure what to say. Aoi, unaware he is there, remarks that she has something important to discuss. Dreading talk of divorce after quietly downing yet another attacker, he instead hears that money troubles may force the shop to close. Fewer customers, scared off by the constant assassins, and the spread of chain convenience stores have drained their finances. He suggests relocating, but Aoi refuses to abandon the place they built together and all the memories it holds.
A flashback shows a younger Sakamoto, discouraged after a failed interview, walking with Aoi, who insists he belongs somewhere. Discovering his home is a condemned building, she hits on turning it into a neighborhood shop, a place made just for him. Back in the present, Sakamoto thanks her, then rushes to a laptop and searches for franchise chains. He asks Lu Wutang how many branches the JAA runs; the answer is thirty-seven domestic locations plus four overseas, doubling if affiliates count, all set in cities. Set on the idea, Sakamoto declares he will take over the JAA and make his store a national chain, drawing baffled looks from Shin and Heisuke, scorn from Lu Wutang, and interest from Granny Miya. Before he can explain, a broadcast reveals X's organization has hit a JAA weapons factory.
Key Events
Nagumo's earlier ultimatum frames Sakamoto's dilemma: kill Uzuki or destroy the JAA. Aoi reveals the family store faces closure from lost customers and chain-store competition, and a flashback recounts how she conceived the shop as a place where Sakamoto could belong. Sakamoto lands on an audacious scheme to seize the JAA and franchise his store across Japan. The chapter closes with news that X's organization has attacked a JAA-owned weapons factory.
Notes
Titled Belonging (Ibasho), this is the one hundred seventy-first chapter, part of the JAA Jail Arc. It ran in issue 30 of 2024 on June 24, 2024, and opens Volume 20. Nakatsugawa debuts here, while Nagumo, Hana, and Lu Shaotang appear only in flashbacks and several Order members are merely mentioned.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens in Chapter 171 of Sakamoto Days?
Sakamoto learns the family store faces closure from lost customers and chain competition, and after a flashback to how he and Aoi built the shop, he resolves to seize control of the JAA and turn the store into a national chain.
Why is the Sakamoto family store struggling in Chapter 171?
Aoi explains that fewer customers, scared off by constant assassin attacks, combined with the spread of chain convenience stores, have drained the shop's finances.
What does the flashback in Chapter 171 reveal?
A flashback shows a younger, discouraged Sakamoto being told by Aoi that he belongs somewhere, leading her to turn his condemned building home into the neighborhood shop.
What is Sakamoto's plan by the end of Chapter 171?
Sakamoto declares he will take over the JAA and expand his family store into a nationwide franchise chain, after learning the JAA runs thirty-seven domestic branches and four overseas.
How does Chapter 171 end?
The chapter closes with a broadcast revealing that X's organization has attacked a JAA-owned weapons factory.
Sources & Information
Looking for more on Chapter 171? The Sakamoto Days Wiki on Fandom has a dedicated page with community notes.
View on FandomThis content is original writing by Daddy Jim Anime based on the Sakamoto Days anime series, manga, and official materials. Sakamoto Days was created by Yuto Suzuki, published by Shueisha, and animated by TMS Entertainment. All rights to Sakamoto Days and its characters belong to their respective owners. Episode and chapter references are cited where applicable.
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- Created byYuto Suzuki
- Published byShueisha
- Animated byTMS Entertainment
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