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Missing, and presumed dead, the chain of events following Kanga’s disappearance from the tribute ship remain somewhat vague. Apparently, a Fukian naval patrol vessel on maneuvers picked up the men adrift in coastal waters the following day. Not having any reason to believe that they weren’t all pirates, the Chinese ship arrested and detained them. Transported to Fuzhou, Kanga, for reasons which are not perfectly clear, was charged with piracy, not permitted to explain himself, and taken to Beijing for sentencing along with the others. By order of the Qing Magistrate, a guilty verdict brought the death penalty for the prisoners. Piracy in those times had escalated into a national problem and those found guilty as charged were executed in an effort to further deter the assaults on Ryukyu tribute ships.

In those days, condemned criminals on death row were entitled to a final meal before execution was carried out. While the pirates slopped up their food like pigs, Kanga, who had not eaten in days, protested his incarceration, and refused to touch his last meal. Chinese officials wondered about him and reported his unusual behavior to their immediate superiors. Finally, Kanga was given the opportunity to explain himself, and at long last proved his innocence. Moreover, Beijing dignitaries exalted his bravery against the pirates and rewarded him with special privileges. Such consideration permitted Kanga to remain in Beijing, where he learned Chinese boxing while pursuing his studies as a ryugakusei, before returning to Okinawa.