Tokuko finally carries Emperor Takakura's child. The prospect of an emperor from the Taira lineage is a happy tiding, but the prospect of Kiyomori's tightening grip on power bodes ill.

Shigemori's passing hits Kiyomori hard. However, with Shigemori gone, no one is left to stand up to Kiyomori, leaving his whims and ambitions unchecked.

Kiyomori moves the capital to Fukuhara, a new figure moves against the Heike, and Koremori is charged with leading the counterattack.

Biwa witnesses the final clash between the Heike and the Genji. In the aftermath, Biwa sets out to tell the Heike's story.