In 1168, Kiyomori is struck down by a febrile illness, which shakes not only the Taira family but also the Imperial Court and samurais across the country. The retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa, who learns of Kiyomori's illness while heading for Kumano, immediately returns to Kyoto. While lying in his bed, Kiyomori dreams of his late mother, Maiko, and his late biological father, the cloistered Emperor Shirakawa. In his dream, Kiyomori comes face to face with Shirakawa, and the two have a conversation.
「清盛病に倒れる」の報は後白河上皇（松田翔太）始め、貴族・諸国の武士など多くの人々の心を揺るがす。そんななか清盛（松山ケンイチ）は夢の中で、実の両親・白河法皇（伊東四朗）と舞子（吹石一恵）と会い、高みにのぼった自分は、父・白河を越えてみせると語る。清盛に対して白河法皇が語りだしたこととは…？そして、満を持して北条政子（杏）が登場！頼朝（岡田将生）と政子の出会いが更なる歴史のうねりを生みだす。
