[7][8][9] Abe Shigetsugu, Iemitsu's prime minister, is responsible for sending the assassins in his lord's name to have Takechiyo replaced in favor of his younger brother Tokugawa Tokumatsu.
Seven rōnin are hired by the Sakura clan lord, Hotta Masamori, to protect young Takechiyo.
Their leader is Igō Gyōbu, who was married to Abe's sister Oman until Iemitsu developed a crush on her.
As their pursuers ambush them, one by one the rōnin heroically lay down their lives to ensure Takechiyo's safe delivery to Edo; Igō, the last one standing, dies after killing Iba in the final confrontation.
After publicly announcing that Iemitsu has succumbed to his illness, Abe, who has grown disillusioned with his master's viciousness towards his own son, commits seppuku.