that he is ill. Iemitsu assigns Matsudaira as Chief Chamberlain, Yagyu as Inspector General, and shuffles his cabinet to deal with his brother's potential attempt to seize the shogunate. The nobles in Kyoto will not appoint a new shogun and refuse to take a side, forcing the brothers to resolve the matter between themselves. Bekki Shōzaemon, commander of Suruga, cuts down the Negoro banners that the warriors have set up. Lord Date in Sendai offers to help Tadanaga and sends his daughter for him to marry. Doi helps Tadanaga gather the support of various powerful lords. Ogasawara Genshinsai, a fighter as famous as Yagyu, also agrees to help Tadanaga in exchange for being appointed his fencing instructor once Tadanaga becomes shogun. The Negoro warriors and the Yagyu siblings attack Doi at night but Karasuma Ayamaro stops them and kills one of Yagyu's sons. Yagyu sends Mon to work in Lady Kasuga's harem to guard Prince Iemitsu. Genshinsai visits and challenges Yagyu, who claims that he cannot fight because he is the prince's fencing instructor, then draws his sword and cuts through the wall behind him where Jubei is hiding, cutting his face and blinding him in his left eye. Jubei also manages to injure Genshinsai's hand before he flees. Genshinsai seeks out the help of his old apprentice Yukinojo, who is now working as a kabuki performer. Yukinojo dresses as a handmaiden and attacks Iemitsu. Mon jumps in front of the weapon and saves his life but sustains a moderate injury. Hayate sneaks into her room at night and brings her some medicine for her wound. The Yagyu siblings and Negoro warriors attack Tadanaga on Minobu Road. Sagenta, leader of the Negoro, and Akane are killed during the battle. Yagyu sends Jubei to Kyoto to eliminate the troublesome nobles. Jubei kills Lord Ayamaro. Sanjo Saneeda meets with Yagyu, who accuses him of orchestrating disputes in an attempt to fight Tokugawa and restore imperial control. Iemitsu plans to apologize to the emperor in Kyoto in exchange for being appointed as the new shogun, but Tadanaga learns of this and heads to Kyoto himself to reach the emperor first. Rifles are sent to the Negoro warrior with instructions to attack on Iemitsu at Kisei River on the morning of November 8, 1624, but they find the litter empty and realize that it is a trap, whereupon they are fired upon by waiting