Lista episodi

Yamauchi Kazutoyo distinguishes himself by defeating a renowned enemy commander during the siege of Kanagasaki in 1570, but is seriously injured by an arrow to the face. Oda Nobunaga orders a retreat after he is warned of a surprise attack. Despite his serious injury Kazutoyo volunteers to join Hideyoshi as rear guard to cover Nobunaga's retreat. Kazutoyo's bravery inspires Hideyoshi and his men to proclaim him as a 'war god'.

Yamauchi Kazutoyo and his men survive their ordeal as Nobunaga's rear guard. They are praised and rewarded by Nobunaga for their bravery. While Kazutoyo and his men recuperate in a temple a young woman named Korin seek shelter with them. Korin treats Kazutoyo's wound and in a moment of weakness Kazutoyo shares his bed with Korin.

Kazutoyo confesses his infidelity to Chiyo, causing her to leave him and stay with her aunt and uncle. Chiyo's uncle tries to convince her to forgive Kazutoyo and return to him. Chiyo hurries home when she hears the conch shell calling the men to arms, but arrives too late to see Kazutoyo off to battle. At the battle of Anegawa in 1570, during a savage battle in the middle of a river Kazutoyo is knocked off his horse and disappears under the waters.

Chiyo is asked by Hideyoshi's wife Nene to be a teacher for Hideyoshi's nephew, and raise the boy as a samurai. Oda Nobunaga is threatened by enemies on all sides and makes a momentous decision that will reverberate across the land. He orders the annihilation of rebellious monks and the destruction of their temple Enryakuji on Mount Hiei, one of the holiest sites in Japan. Kazutoyo and his men are horrified and disgusted by the order, but have no choice and take part in the massacre as the temple burns to the ground.

Chiyo has grown to love Hideyoshi's nephew as a son, but is parted from him as the boy is offered as a hostage to an enemy by Hideyoshi for political reasons. Nobunaga is threatened on two fronts as the feared warlord Takeda Shingen and the shogun Ashikaga Yoshiaki march against Nobunaga. When news spread of Shingen's death, Nobunaga marches against Yoshiaki and brings an end to the Ashikaga Shogunate.

Oda Nobunaga lay siege to Odani castle in 1573 and the end of the Azai family is near. Hideyoshi sends Kazutoyo as an emissary to Odani to negotiate the safe passage of Azai Nagamasa's wife Lady Ichi and her children. Kazutoyo gives his word to Lady Ichi that all her children will be spared. Azai Nagamasa commits suicide as Odani falls to Nobunaga's troops. Nobunaga rejoices at his reunion with his sister Lady Ichi, but secretly orders the death of her son, the heir to the Azai House. Kazutoyo is tormented as he is given the gruesome task of overseeing the crucifixion of the young boy.

Nobunaga rewards Hideyoshi with the right to build the castle town of Nagahama. For saving Lady Ichi and her children from the fall of Odani castle Kazutoyo is rewarded with an increase in stipend. Kazutoyo's raise causes his comrade-in-arms and closest friends to keep their distance. Hideyoshi's wife Nene confides in Chiyo of Hideyoshi's womanizing. Chiyo and Kazutoyo meet their lord Hideyoshi's mother Naka who is happy and content working as a lowly farmer.

Kazutoyo's faithful retainer Sofue Shinemon asks permission to retire. Shinemon is asked to stay on as Kazutoyo's advisor. The mysterious Rokuheita, disguised as a ronin gunner, enlists as a retainer of the Yamauchi clan, bringing with him his young wife. Kazutoyo and his senior retainers are shocked to recognize Rokuheita's wife as Korin, the woman Kazutoyo had an affair with, who they now know is an enemy spy.

Chiyo and Kazutoyo had convinced Hideyoshi's sister Asahi to leave her farm and move to the castle at Nagahama on the condition that her husband Gensuke would never have to bear arms for her brother. Kazutoyo is forced to break his promise to Asahi as Gensuke's skill as a carpenter is needed by Hideyoshi on the battlefield at Nagashino.

While Kazutoyo is away on campaigns and building projects for Hideyoshi, Chiyo gives birth to a baby girl she names Yone. By the time Kazutoyo returns home Yone has grown to a young girl who shies away from the father she has only met. Hideyoshi has arranged a marriage for his widowed sister Asahi. Chiyo tries to console Asahi who is still grieving the loss of her husband Gensuke and feels betrayed by her brother, and blames Kazutoyo and Chiyo.

Hideyoshi disagrees with Nobunaga's strategy and leaves the battlefield without permission. Nobunaga suspects Hideyoshi of treason and confines him to his castle. Fear sweeps through Nagahama as Hideyoshi and all his retainers, including Kazutoyo, could be put to death as traitors. Hideyoshi decides to hold a great banquet, feasting and partying with his retainers and their families, as he awaits Nobunaga's judgment.

Nobunaga's cruelty is causing dissension among his generals. Hideyoshi and Kazutoyo are sent to Harima to deal with one of the rebellious warlords. The mysterious Rokuheita reappears and tells Kazutoyo that Nobunaga's harsh rule is coming to an end, and that Kazutoyo should rebel against Nobunaga. Chiyo fears for Yone's future as children of samurai are used as political pawns by warlords like Hideyoshi and Nobunaga.

The dissension among Nobunaga's generals continue. He sends Kanbe Kuroda as an emissary to mediate with another rebellious general. Chiyo agrees to look after Kanbe's son. When Kanbe disappears after meeting with the rebels Nobunaga suspects Kanbe of treason and orders his son be put to death. Chiyo and Kazutoyo risks Nobunaga's wrath by hiding Kanbe's son.

Chiyo helps an injured woman on the street and brings her home to care for her. Kazutoyo returns from the horse fair to tell Chiyo of a magnificent horse coveted by everyone, but too expensive for anyone to buy. Chiyo gives Kazutoyo the money given by her uncle on her wedding to buy the horse. Oda Nobunaga learns of this and summons Chiyo and Kazutoyo. Nobunaga praises Chiyo for her unselfish act which has brought fame to both Kazutoyo and Nobunaga himself. Chiyo is also shocked that the injured woman she helped was Lady Noh, Nobunaga's wife.

Kazutoyo is away on a military campaign with Hideyoshi and Chiyo writes letters to her husband regularly of news back home. Oda Nobunaga is at the height of his power and showing every sign of being corrupted by it. He is frequently at odds with his general Akechi Mitsuhide and ignores wise counsel. At a banquet for Tokugawa Ieyasu, Nobunaga insults and humiliates Mitsuhide. Akechi Mitsuhide resolves to overthrow Oda Nobunaga.

June 21, 1582, Akechi Mitsuhide leads his army on an attack on Honno-ji Temple to kill Oda Nobunaga. Surrounded, Nobunaga has the temple set on fire to deny Mitsuhide his head as a trophy. With only a few bodyguards and his wife Lady Noh by his side Oda Nobunaga makes his final stand as Honno-ji Temple burns.

Akechi Mitsuhide is defeated by Hideyoshi at the Battle of Yamazaki. Kazutoyo is sent after the fleeing Mitsuhide only to find him wounded and dying. Mitsuhide dies in Kazutoyo's arms, his final words to Kazutoyo is for him and Chiyo to survive and endure. Kazutoyo orders his men that no harm come to Mitsuhide's body and not to reveal its location. Hideyoshi returns home triumphant, but the power struggle to replace Oda Nobunaga begins.

In a council of Nobunaga's generals, Hideyoshi succeeds in being chosen the guardian of Nobunaga's infant son and heir. Nobunaga's sister Lady Ichi decides to defy Hideyoshi by marrying his rival Shibata Katsuie. Ichi and Chiyo bid each other a final farewell as their husbands will soon be on opposing sides. Kazutoyo is rewarded with a pay raise and hires new retainers and servants. Chiyo learns that Kazutoyo's faithful retainer Kichibei has fallen in love with one of the new maids and schemes to bring the two together.

Hideyoshi has Kazutoyo and his retainers lay siege to one of Nobunaga's retainers. Overconfident of victory Kazutoyo and his men are caught off guard by a surprise attack. Kazutoyo is reprimanded by Hideyoshi for his carelessness. Kazutoyo's loyal retainer Goto Kichibei resolves to redeem his master's honor by being the first to break through the enemy castle. Kichibei plants the Yamauchi flag in the midst of the enemy but is struck down and dies in Kazutoyo's arms.

Toyotomi Hideyoshi defeats his powerful rival Shibata Katsuie at the Battle of Shizugatake. Hideyoshi lays siege to Katsuie's castle, but is obsessed with rescuing Lady Ichi. He sends Kazutoyo as an emissary to guarantee safe passage for Lady Ichi and her three daughters. Kazutoyo succeeds in bringing the three daughters out of harm's way and is praised by a grateful Hideyoshi, but Lady Ichi chooses to stay and die with her husband Shibata Katsuie.

Hideyoshi rewards his retainers with land, castle and an increase in stipends, except for Kazutoyo who receives only a small raise. Kazutoyo suspects he is being punished for failing to save Lady Ichi. He lets Chiyo know of his anger and frustration, and contemplates leaving Hideyoshi's service. Unable to console her husband, Chiyo seeks the advice of Kazutoyo's mother. Hideyoshi's wife Nene realizes that Lady Ichi's oldest daughter Chacha has become a rival for her husband's affection.

Chiyo is overjoyed to be reunited with the young boy she raised like a son, Hideyoshi's nephew Hidetsugu, now a young man rumored to become the Toyotomi heir. Tokugawa Ieyasu challenges Toyotomi Hideyoshi's rise to power. During the Komaki Campaign two great armies glare at each other in a test of wills. Some of Hideyoshi's impatient generals march out and are defeated by Ieyasu at the Battle of Nagakute where Kazutoyo saves Hidetsugu on the battlefield and from Hideyoshi's wrath. Despite the defeat Hideyoshi becomes Imperial Regent and vows to make Ieyasu submit. Kazutoyo is rewarded for saving Hidetsugu by becoming lord of Nagahama castle.

The Yamauchi clan is in high spirits as Kazutoyo becomes Lord of Nagahama Castle. Kazutoyo is overjoyed as he is reunited with his missing brother Yasutoyo. Chiyo learns that Yasutoyo was cared for by Akechi Mitsuhide's daughter Tama, who has returned from exile and is having difficulty adjusting to life back with her husband Hosokawa Tadaoki. Kazutoyo faces his first test as castle lord by providing food and shelter to one of Hideyoshi's large armies passing through Nagahama.