In 1174 in Fukuhara, Japan-Sung trade has already started. Kiyomori advises the cloistered Emperor Go-Shirakawa and Shigeko to visit Itsukushima Shrine to pray for the nation's prosperity. Meanwhile, Saiko and Narichika (Go-Shirakawa's aides) start to fear the growing power of the Taira family. Shigeko tells Saiko and Narichika to act as a bridge between Go-Shirakawa and the Taira family. However, after the passing of Shigeko in 1176, the power balance within the Imperial Court begins to fall apart. Around the same time in Izu, Yoritomo and Hojo Masako are gradually nurturing their love.
平家と朝廷のバランスを保っていた建春門院滋子（成海璃子）の死で清盛（松山ケンイチ）と後白河法皇（松田翔太）の関係にも暗雲が…。法皇は悲しみを背負いながら有名な「梁塵秘抄（りょうじんひしょう）」を編み始める。西光（加藤虎ノ介）、成親（吉沢悠）も清盛への警戒心を強め、世は再び激動の時代へ…。厳島の海上社殿に、盛国（上川隆也）と立つ清盛は、何を思うのか。そして、ついに清盛への反逆ののろしがあがる！
