However, he did not give up hope; he took charge of an orphaned child of Shozan, who was assassinated, at the request of Katsu, and broadened the Western knowledge from Amane NISHI (a torchbearer) who was introduced to him by Katsu.
しかし心の光を失うことなく、暗殺された象山の遺児の世話を勝から頼まれて引き受けたほか勝から西周(啓蒙家)を紹介され、西洋事情の見聞を広めたのもこの頃である。