After the loss in the Battle of Fujikawa, Kiyomori reluctantly gives in to Munemori's tearful appeal for restoring the capital to Kyoto. Learning Kiyomori's decision, Yoritomo no longer understands Kiyomori's thoughts toward a samurai-oriented country, and asks Benkei about Kiyomori's younger days. As he hears of Kiyomori's boldness and fearlessness, Yoritomo comes to realize that Kiyomori and Yoshitomo had the same ambition for the future as Yoritomo is now trying to achieve. Around the same time, the Taira forces accidentally burn down Todaiji Temple while trying to drive out the warrior monks.
富士川の戦いで大敗した清盛（松山ケンイチ）。平家はすでに武士ではないという忠清（藤本隆宏）の言葉が、清盛の心に強く刻まれる。頼朝（岡田将生）は東国を平定、鎌倉で新たな国づくりを始めていた。高倉上皇（千葉雄大）が危篤となり苦境の清盛は悩んだ末、夢の都・福原を離れることを決断。京に都を戻し巻き返しを図る。そんななか南都・奈良で戦う平家軍が、誤って東大寺の大仏を炎上させ、清盛は更なる窮地に追い込まれる。
