In 1147, when Kiyomori and the members of the Taira family visit Gion Shrine to pray for the prosperity of the Taira family, they get into a skirmish with armed priests. The incident escalates into a serious political problem, involving the Imperial Court, temples, shrines, and samurai families. While Yorinaga and Michinori (who renamed to Shinzei after entering the Buddhist priesthood) conflict with each other over the treatment of Tadamori and Kiyomori who are under detainment, the retired Emperor Toba decides to talk with Kiyomori directly.