
It is 1862, and the Expulsion of Foreigners movement is started by the Choushuu clan. Kusaka Touma is a member of this clan, but is at odds with his clan, and supports the Open the Country movement instead, which movement endorses peace and open borders. While trying to stop other Choushuu from setting fire to the British Embassy, Kusaka is confronted by a Bakufu (Shogunate) samurai who helps him and a comrade, Aizawa, escape from authorities. Years later, as he tries to find a school that will teach him English, Kusaka reunites with the samurai who saved his life, Akizuki Keiichirou, who recognises him and eventually offers to secretly teach Kusaka English. However, despite precautions, a Choushuu eventually sees them together and they must stop meeting.
It is 1862, and the Expulsion of Foreigners movement is started by the Choushuu clan. Kusaka Touma is a member of this clan, but is at odds with his clan, and supports the Open the Country movement instead, which movement endorses peace and open borders. While trying to stop other Choushuu from setting fire to the British Embassy, Kusaka is confronted by a Bakufu (Shogunate) samurai who helps him and a comrade, Aizawa, escape from authorities. Years later, as he tries to find a school that will teach him English, Kusaka reunites with the samurai who saved his life, Akizuki Keiichirou, who recognises him and eventually offers to secretly teach Kusaka English. However, despite precautions, a Choushuu eventually sees them together and they must stop meeting.
Kusaka considers abandoning his clan. The Head Administrator, Sufu Masanosuke, offers to send him to London to learn about the West. Before leaving, Kusaka meets with Akizuki one last time and they declare their love for each other. While Kusaka is in England, Akizuki gains the leadership of his clan. After four years, Kusaka returns to Japan and receives a high ranking post in the Imperial army. During this time, Japan is in the midst of the Boshin War, with Kusaka on the Satsuma-Choushuu (Imperial) side and Akizuki on the Bakufu (Shogunate) side. During one of the last battles, Kusaka finds Akizuki about to commit seppuku after having lost a leg to cannon fire. Kusaka is forced to kill a comrade who sees him aiding Aikizuki.