Two months after the incident in Osaka, the Inukai clan waits out the last days of winter. With enemies perched quite literally on their doorstep, Lord Inukai's retainers busy themselves with festival preparations; despite the celebrations, they can't help but look forward to the coming battles that will arrive in Spring. When the samurai receive a coded message, they must work together to confront an evil spawned from the consequences of their actions.