The Taira clan finally succeeds in subduing the pirates, however, Tadamori is not granted the rank equal to the aristocrats. Kiyomori, on the other hand, gets promoted and pays a visit to Tadazane. On the way back home, Kiyomori and Morikuni, fisherman-turned-samurai, encounter Takashina no Motoaki, a lower-class aristocrat, and his daughter, Akiko. Motoaki immediately takes a liking to Kiyomori and asks him to take Akiko as his wife. Although Akiko feels reluctant to marry Kiyomori because of her low status, she gradually falls for Kiyomori as he reveals his honest feelings toward her.
海賊討伐を経て、清盛（松山ケンイチ）は従四位下の位を得て出世する。そんなある日、清盛は下級貴族・高階基章（平田満）とその娘・明子（加藤あい）と出会う。基章は、ひと目で清盛が気に入り、明子を嫁にもらってくれないかと勧める。はかなげな明子に心ひかれた清盛は、義清（藤木直人）に頼み、恋の歌を明子に送る。一方明子は、清盛のことを琵琶の弟子・時子（深田恭子）に相談していた。
