@mootmar Sure, but I was referring to Ienaga physically becoming a woman by eating body parts. I fully understand the belief and reasoning behind it, but that doesn't mean it's actually working. I think Ienaga is just tricking him/herself using makeup etc into thinking that eating people is working.
Oh hey, I was just rereading this since the author's other series, Shikushiku Shikushi, is finally getting translated, and I noticed there's a cameo from the main character of that series on page 7!
Good lord, it's been so long that I couldn't even remember following this, let alone why. Then I checked the author and realized it was the author of Gokicha, so that explains it. Thanks for the translation!
@eRW298 I think they said previously that they've hired him as a guide and are paying him. No idea why he's still sticking with them now though, considering the number of murderous psychos they come in contact with. Maybe they're paying him REALLY well.
I think the point of this story is that we don't know whether she's alive or not. How much of what Tsurumi said was true, and how much was a lie? I'm sure Tsukishima would like to believe that she's alive, but that could very well be another lie.