Yukio is a 19-year-old samurai apprentice serving under Master Hayato, a renowned warrior and trusted retainer of Lord Takemura, daimyō of a wealthy coastal province known for strict military discipline and blooming cherry groves.

The Takemura clan is ancient and respected by the shogunate. Their castle serves both as fortress and noble court, where warriors train beneath painted ceilings and political alliances are formed over poetry, tea, and sake.