As the order of the ex-emperor Goshirakawa to attack the Heike family has been issued, Yoshitsune heads to Ichinotani, a natural stronghold surrounded by the sea and sheer cliffs where the Heike family has taken up a position. Tomomori, hearing that Yoshitsune’s army is approaching, sends a part of his troops to Mikusa Mountain for an ambush. Yoshitsune scents Tomomori’s tactics and has some of his retainers go on the scout. The scouts come back bringing a local hunter and his sister. With the two as the guide, Yoshitsune surveys the enemy position himself and finds out that it is hard to beat them by a frontal attack. Employing tactful tactics, Yoshitsune beats the Heike’s troops in Mikusa Mountain without losing his army and advances to Ichinotani. Around that time, Munemori receives a letter from the ex-emperor. In the letter, the ex-emperor tells Munemori to avoid fights and wait because the ex-emperor is working on the reconciliation between the Heike and the Genji families. Munemori believes the words of the ex-emperor and is relieved, falling into the ex-emperor’s trap. At last, the battle between the Heike and the Genji begins.
平家追討へと出陣した義経（滝沢秀明）。しかし平家が陣を構えた一の谷は、そそり立つ断がい絶壁に守られた天然の要害。伊勢三郎（南原清隆）らが偵察から連れ帰った土地の漁師・鷲尾三郎（長谷川朝晴）の案内で、自ら偵察した義経は、まともに挑んでは勝てないと判断、平家の兵力を分散させるべくある戦略を考える。一方、平宗盛（鶴見辰吾）のもとには、後白河法皇（平幹二朗）からある書状が届いていた。
