A ship-wrecked English navigator becomes both an observer and a participant in historic changes wracking a Japan coming to grips with contact with western society.
Iemitsu, Tokugawa Shogun III, hates his eldest son Takechiyo; all his love is given to his younger son Tokumatsu. One day, he orders Takechiyo to an initiation rite in Yedo (today's Tokio). Takechiyo lives far away under the surveillance of Hotta Masamori
Zyro is training hard for a chance to avenge his loss to this arch rival, Shinobu. Shinobu however refuses to battle him claiming that it would be a waste of his time.