Kikuhiko and Hatsutaro, promoted to futatsume, left their master's house to live an impoverished life on their own. Ever since changing his name to Sukeroku, Hatsutaro's popularity has skyrocketed. Even Kikuhiko is shocked by his unwavering ability to make people laugh at difficult stories. Meanwhile, Kikuhiko is working to feed the both of them, so much so that he can't even get good training done. To cheer him up, his master introduces him to a geisha called Miyokichi...
二つ目となった菊比古と初太郎は、師匠の家を出て貧乏二人暮らしを始めた。初太郎は助六を襲名してからというもの、休む暇もないほどの上り調子。臆せず笑いを取りにいく話しぶりには、菊比古も舌を巻くばかりだった。一方の菊比古は助六のぶんまで食い扶持を稼ぎ、ろくに稽古もできない状態。なかなか調子の上がらない菊比古のためにと、師匠はみよ吉という芸者を紹介するのだが……。
Les débuts de carrière de Shin - qui s'appelle désormais Sukeroku - et de Kikuhiko ne sont pas tout à fait semblables, même si les deux amis continuent de vivre ensemble. Après un énième entraînement infructueux, le grand maître décide de faire quelque chose pour décoincer Kikuhiko...
