Yoshitsune is appointed as commander of the Genji troops to pursue the Heike clan which has fled to Yashima after losing in the battle of Ichinotani. On the day the Genji’s army leaves Kyoto, the hunter who helped Yoshitsune at Ichinotani comes to ask Yoshitsune to make him one of the retainers. Learning that Yoshitsune and his troops have left for Yashima, the members of the Heike family suspects that Yoshiko, Yoshitsune’s younger half-sister who was raised by the Heike family, is in secret touch with Yoshitsune. At Settsu, which is located on the shore across the Seto Inland Sea from Yashima, Yoshitsune’s army is joined by the Genji troops led by Kajiwarano Kagetoki. Since they lack enough boats to sail to Yashima, Yoshitsune have his retainers go scouting, trying to find a way to approach Yashima as soon as possible. Using the information brought back by the scouts, Yoshitsune works out tactics and sounds Kagetoki out on his plan. Kagetoki, who is in a supervisory position, tells Yoshitsune to wait for their fleet of boats to arrive. For Kagetoki, Yoshitsune’s strategy of going forward and forward regardless of the risk of losing forces seems reckless and incomprehensible. The two are sharply-divided on how to win the battle against the Heike family. Yoshitsune decides to set sail immediately for Yashima despite Kagetoki’s opposition.
