In Hiraizumi, Yoshitsune hears from Hidehira that Kiyomori has confined the ex-emperor Goshirakawa. In Kyoto, Tairano Munemori forces Minamotono Yorimasa's son to hand over his fine horse. However Munemori does not like a horse and insults the horse and Yorimasa's son in public. Yorimasa, who has sided with the Heike despite of his origin, decides to part with the arrogant Heike family and to raise an army against them. He persuades Mochihito-ou, the ex-emperor's third son who has been belittled, to issue an order to subdue the Heike. Yorimasa asks Minamotono Yukiie to disperse Mochihito-ou's order to the Genji families and their followers around Japan. Hearing the rumor, Hidehira asks Yoshitsune what he would do if the two families start a battle. Yoshitsune hesitates to give an immediate answer. Yukiie approaches Hiraizumi, after conveying the order to Yoritomo in Izu and Kisono Yoshinaka. However the Heike has already grasped his movements and intention. Seeing Yoshitsune receive the order, Hidehira persuades to observe the outcome for a while.
