In July 1171, Kiyomori succeeds in marrying off his daughter, Tokuko, to Emperor Takakura, thanks to the hospitality he offered to the cloistered Emperor Go-Shirakawa and Shigeko (Empress Dowager Kenshun). The Taira family enjoys the pinnacle of their prosperity. On the other hand, Tokitada, who serves as a chief prosecutor, sends spies throughout the town to monitor against people who would speak ill of the Taira family. Around the same time, Oniwaka, a Buddhist warrior monk, meets a boy in Kyoto who had deep involvement with Oniwaka in the past.
１１７１年、清盛（松山ケンイチ）は宋から得た羊を後白河法皇（松田翔太）に送る。一方、時忠（森田剛）は京の町に「かむろ」を放ち平家をあしざまに言う者を取り締まる。そんなとき京に伝染病が発生。その原因は清盛が送った羊にあるというウワサがたつ。それは清盛の、娘・徳子（二階堂ふみ）入内（じゅだい）の野望を阻止しようと八条院（佐藤仁美）が流したのだ。そして、五条大橋では、あの運命的な出会いが…。
