Sanada Maru

In February 1582, the Takeda clan, overlords of the Sanada clan, is driven to the brink of destruction by Oda Nobunaga's assault. Sanada Masayuki urges Takeda Katsuyori to make a stand at Iwabitsu Castle. However, many within the Takeda look down on the upstart Sanada. One night, Katsuyori brings shocking news to Nobushige and Nobuyuki, sending them on a desperate escape. (C)NHK

Nobushige and Nobuyuki flee Shinpu Castle in Kai and heads for Iwabitsu Castle in Joshu, where Masayuki is waiting. However, marauders lie in wait. Meanwhile, Katsuyori is betrayed by his retainers, and the Takeda clan collapses. With the forces of Tokugawa Ieyasu and Oda Nobunaga poised to strike, the Sanada clan must choose between Hojo Ujimasa and Uesugi Kagekatsu. (C)NHK

Masayuki stakes the Sanada clan's survival on a secret letter, ordering Nobuyuki to deliver it to the Uesugi clan. However, Muroga Masatake's spy tracks this. Nobushige is drawn into conflict with Muroga's villagers as he aids local girl Ume with his childhood friend Kiri. Elsewhere, an unexpected figure appears before Tokugawa Ieyasu, Honda Masanobu, and Honda Tadakatsu at Takato Castle. (C)NHK

Masayuki and Nobushige head to meet Oda Nobunaga and have a fateful encounter with Tokugawa Ieyasu, whom they will later face at Oda's main camp. Hoping to become Oda retainers on favorable terms, the Sanada clan finds Ieyasu firmly in their way. Meanwhile, Nobuyuki is left in charge of the Sanada domain, where a major incident draws in Kiri and Ume. (C)NHK

The Honnoji Incident. As Nobushige heads for Kyoto, samurai take Matsu hostage. Meanwhile, Tokugawa Ieyasu and Honda Tadakatsu flee through the Iga Mountains to escape Akechi Mitsuhide's forces. Repeatedly attacked by marauders, they are saved by an unexpected figure. In Shinshu, Masayuki is shaken by the news and turns to Uesugi Kagekatsu in Echigo to protect the Sanada clan. (C)NHK

After the Honnoji Incident in Azuchi, Nobushige and Matsu flee to Shinano but are discovered by Akechi's forces. Cornered, Matsu makes an unexpected move. In the Sanada domain, Nobuyuki urges avenging Nobunaga, but Masayuki pursues a surprising strategy. Learning of Nobunaga's death, Hojo Ujimasa targets Shinano. As fear of Hojo spreads, Nobushige returns with tragic news. (C)NHK