Tokuko goes into a difficult and prolonged labor causing fears for the life of her and the child. Saiko and the other conspirators are exiled by Kiyomori to Kikaigashima against Shigemori's advice. Shigemori comes to believe that Tokuko's problems are related to the mistreatment of the Kikaigashima exiles and proposes a compensatory ceremony. Kiyomori releases some of the exiles, who show remorse by sending a thousand sotoba into the sea, but he refuses to forgive Shukan and leaves him on the island. Tokuko successfully gives birth to a baby boy; however, Moriko dies at the age of 24, and rumors spread that it is punishment for the Taira gaining control of Fujiwara lands...