Kiyomori and Yoshitomo are respectively ordered to cut off Tadamasa and Tameyoshi's heads by Shinzei who has now come to power in the Imperial Court. Although the two are torn between sorrow and duty, they finally make up their heart-rending decisions. After following Shinzei's order, Kiyomori is invited by Emperor Go-Shirakawa to his banquet where Go-Shirakawa tests Kiyomori's loyalty to him. Shinzei tells Kiyomori to bear all the burdens and become the country's valuable asset.
「斬首せよ」と、信じ難い沙汰を信西（阿部サダヲ）から言い渡された清盛（松山ケンイチ）と義朝（玉木宏）は、叔父・忠正（豊原功補）と父・為義（小日向文世）を守ろうと奔走する。しかし、かい無くついに斬首の日を迎える。それぞれが下した決断とは？武士の世の到来までには、あまりに大きな代償が必要だった…。保元の乱編の完結回、ついにクライマックスを迎える。
