In the village where Blackthorne first shipwrecked, Omi and Mura wait for the galley that carries Toranaga. Mura is glad to be a Christian. If anything displeases Toranaga, Mura believes he can intercede with his Christian God to help the village. He also believes that the coming war could be endless.

Toranaga commands Fujiko to be Blackthorne’s consort. She agrees to do this for half a year, but in truth, she would rather die than serve Blackthorne. Toranaga weighs the pros and cons of killing Yabu. He knows Yabu is ambitious, which makes him untrustworthy. If Toranaga goes ashore, he will be at the mercy of Yabu’s men, should Yabu decide to move against Toranaga. An astrologer once predicted Toranaga would die by the sword. Perhaps it will happen on this beach. He inspects the troops, who are led by a man named Igurashi. Toranaga honors Yabu with compliments, which surprises Yabu.

When they are alone, Igurashi tells Yabu that Toranaga resigned from the Council of Regents. He learned this from Sazuko, one of Toranaga’s consorts, who is also Yabu’s spy. There are rumors that Toranaga is preparing for war.

Yabu believes Toranaga’s resignation will be their death sentence at the hands of the other daimyos.