At the Edo Castle, a dispute continues between Gou who wants to make Kunimatsu the Tokugawa's successor, and Fuku who insists that Takechiyo is the most eligible successor. While the dispute is heating up, Oba no Tsubone falls ill. Sensing her life is approaching to an end, Oba no Tsubone advises Hidetada to talk things over with Ieyasu, and tells Gou never to forsake her own offspring no matter what happens.
江戸城内では、聡明な次男・国松（松島海斗）を推す江（上野樹里）と、長男・竹千代（水原光太）一筋の乳母・福（富田靖子）の徳川家跡継ぎをめぐる争いが続いていた。そんな折、大姥局（加賀まりこ）が病に倒れる。大姥局は、秀忠（向井理）に家康（北大路欣也）とよく話し合うよう忠告し、江には「母が子を諦めてはならない」という言葉を残す。
