Kansuke is wounded by gunfire in the night assault at Kawagoe Castle. He is saved by Yukitaka Sanada and stays at a temple in Kozuke, Uesugi’s territory, while the wound heals. Sanada makes up his mind to serve under Harunobu, the enemy of the Uesugi clan, but he faces stiff opposition from his wife and retainers. Meanwhile, Yu gives birth to a long-awaited baby boy, who is named Shiro. While in Echigo, the Nagao family seizes power and Kagetora Nagao, a younger brother of the head of the family, emerges as a powerful leader. Having returned to Kai and met baby Shiro, Kansuke finds a new purpose in life—aiding the son of Yu and Harunobu.