Having abducted Hana from her adoptive family, Michiko is on the run from the law when she runs out of gas. Hot in pursuit is Atsuko, a police sergeant and acquaintance of Michiko's from childhood, and the one who put her in jail in the first place.

Michiko is summoned at gunpoint to see Rico, the local favela boss. Pepê Lima, a dancer at a nearby nightclub run by Rico, approaches Hatchin with information about Hiroshi. However, Pepê has an agenda of her own for meeting with Michiko and Hatchin.

Michiko visits her old friend Ivan to ask the whereabouts of a man named Satoshi, who might know where Hiroshi is. Thinking the task ahead to be dangerous, Michiko leaves Hatchin with Zelia Bastos at the orphanage where she grew up, for her safety.

When Michiko's motorbike breaks down, the two are stranded for several days in a rural river settlement. While there, Michiko becomes attracted to a man named Bruno, but has second thoughts when she finds out that he is a married man.

As Michiko hurries to catch up with the circus, Hatchin is adjusting to life without her. A former performer, coincidentally named Michiko, takes an interest in the children with the circus. However, an investigative reporter insists they are in danger.

After being demoted, Atsuko is reassigned to Ilha Azul, a small town on the edge of the jungle. There, she befriends Vanessa Lee, a girl who reminds her of her younger self, and who, like her, wants to get out of town and move on with her life.

Michiko goes to pick up the fake I.D.s she had made, but finds that she is unable to pay for them. When Michiko fails to return, Hatchin goes out looking for her, and ends up being taken in by a kindly Chinese opera singer who offers to help find her.

Satoshi and Hatchin arrive in a town Satoshi left desolate ten years earlier. Satoshi calls Shinsuke, and challenges him to settle matters once and for all. While waiting for Shinsuke to arrive, Satoshi tells Hatchin more tales about Hiroshi.

The local police force closes in on Michiko and Hatchin, out to frame Michiko to clear themselves of their own wrongdoing. Michiko and Hatchin have an intense standoff with the police captain. Atsuko and Ricardo arrive to take Michiko into custody.