Toranaga’s defeated clan moves to Edo and awaits their fate. Blackthorne must decide who he fights for – the lord who has turned his back on him, or the ambition…

Lady Ochiba returns to Osaka in order to accelerate the Regents’ campaign against Toranaga. In Ajiro, Toranaga tests Mariko’s loyalty to his cause.

After Blackthorne survives a brazen assassination attempt, Toranaga realizes he must ferry his allies out of Osaka or risk certain defeat.