Tragedy stalks a blind swordsman.

Ichi is charged with protecting a little boy and getting him safely to his father; soon gangsters realize there's a reward for finding the wealthy merchant's heir, so Ichi has to defend Taro from kidnappers who would ransom him.

Zatoichi defends the Akikusa family against ruthless assassins; he spares one and they embark on a journey together, confronting their pasts.

Ichi ends up in a town where a corrupt officer decides which yakuza gang gets to have the periodically moved Jizo statue and hold the festival in their gambling territory, taking bribes from both sides while plotting their collective downfall.

A ronin named Murakami finds out about a medical procedure that might restore his sister's sight, but it is costly; to raise the funds, he takes assassination commissions from yakuza gangs who want Zatoichi killed.

Former lovers reunite in a world of human trafficking; Zatoichi battles a vengeful killer; Osei steals his cane for revenge.