Episode 3 of Shogun opens with a tense encounter between Yabushige and Toranaga, the air heavy with unresolved tension stemming from the assassination attempt on John in the preceding episode. Toranaga's voice is icy as he interrogates Yabushige about the mysterious "Society of the Amida." The slain maid, it turns out, was a clandestine member of this shadowy organization, a fact that Yabushige is oblivious to, leaving the Lord of the Kanto eyeing him with suspicion.
It's a moment of desperation for Toranaga, surrounded by dwindling allies and desperately searching for any sign of loyalty. Yabushige reveals that Ishido has offered him a seat on the Council if he sides with him against Toranaga, a tempting prospect that hangs heavily in the air.
But the two men, wily politicians through and through, strike a bargain that will keep them allies for the moment. Yabushige secures a vast province to expand his fiefdom, while Toranaga gains Yabushige's fidelity and the assurance that he will escort John and Lady Kiri safely to Ajiro. The exchange is a tense dance of power and politics, with each man carefully calculating the cost and benefit of their alliance in this ever-shifting game of thrones.
Captain Ferreira's anxiety grew with each passing day, like a shadow lengthening over his heart. Martin stood firm, insisting that the ship could not set sail until Toranaga had a chance to review the exchange rate, but Ferreira was adamant, vowing to proceed regardless.
Buntaro, Marikoi's husband, stood as the guardian of the travelers' safety. Despite his shortcomings as a father and husband in modern eyes, his skills were invaluable in their current situation. His wife spoke of him with admiration, calling him a warrior worthy of respect.
As the group prepared to depart, Lady Kirino Kata's unexpected announcement threw them all for a loop. Her sudden inclusion in the journey was completely out of the blue, and John sensed a disguise beneath her calm demeanor.
At the gate, Lord Ishido arrived, enforcing the strict protocol of the high society. He demanded a day's notice whenever someone of their rank left the castle, and ordered one of his loyal samurai, Jozun, to inspect the carriages thoroughly. John's instincts were sharp, sensing a ruse amidst the chaos.
Shizu, Kiri's pregnant daughter, moaned in pain, drawing everyone's attention to her. It was a clever distraction, giving Toranaga and Kiri the perfect opportunity to swap places. Only John and Mariko were wise to the trick, their hearts racing as they watched the deception unfold.
Ishido was satisfied with the inspection and gave his permission for the travelers to proceed. He ordered Jozun and the other clan members to join the party, adding to their already formidable escort.
Mariko whispered to John the gravity of their situation. If Toranaga's ruse was discovered, all of them would face the ultimate punishment - death. The tension mounted as they approached the gates, where the keeper demanded another round of searches despite Ishido's clearance.
John recognized the urgency of the moment and, in a bid to further ingratiate himself with Toranaga, raised a ruckus about the privacy of the women. He shouted and protested, drawing the keepers' attention away from the carriages. Mariko joined in the charade, her voice adding to the commotion.
Gradually, the keepers' suspicions were diverted, and the danger passed. With a sigh of relief, the travelers continued on their journey, unaware of what other challenges
As anticipated, the party was ambushed deep within the woods by Kiyama's ruthless men late in the velvety night. The Regent himself stood at the helm, determined to see John's life extinguished. Arrows rained down upon them, forcing both carriages to be hurriedly lowered to the ground as the men scrambled for cover behind the towering trees. John, without hesitation, dashed to Toranaga's side to offer assistance.
Upon realizing John's presence among them, a renewed sense of loyalty and duty surged through the men, igniting a fierce determination to protect him. A brutal clash erupted between the two opposing forces, clashing swords and shouts echoing through the forest.
Yabushige, with swift and decisive actions, escorted Toranaga, John, and Mariko towards the shore, while Buntaro and the remaining samurai valiantly stood their ground to fend off the relentless attackers. As they neared the water's edge, John's sharp eyes spotted some of his former crew lurking along the shoreline. They quickly came to the aid of the beleaguered travelers, assisting them to board the galley.
All made their way to the safety of the water, save for Buntaro. Pursued by the enraged villagers, who discovered John's presence and turned hostile due to their Christian beliefs, Buntaro faced an impossible choice. Despite having the opportunity to turn back and John's insistence that they do so, Buntaro's fate was sealed. He accepted it with honor, and Toranaga, in turn, showed him the utmost respect by standing tall and acknowledging his brave sacrifice.
Mariko stood frozen in silence, helpless in the face of the unfolding tragedy. However, the party's troubles were far from over. Failure to overcome the next obstacle could be decisive. Kiyama's mercenaries had cunningly created a blockade using boats, intent on sinking the galley and murdering the heretic.
John, quick-thinking as always, proposed a solution. The Black Ship, which had defiantly set sail alongside them despite Toranaga's orders, would be able to withstand the mercenaries' attacks. It was their only hope of escaping the clutches of death and continuing their journey.
Toranaga boarded the ship confidently, offering a lucrative deal to its occupants. The offer included a substantial sum of money, permission to trade freely, and most importantly, the establishment of a church in Edo. Martin's ears pricked up eagerly upon hearing the mention of a church, and the Portuguese quickly accepted the terms. However, they refused to allow John to join them on the ship, instead leaving him stranded on the galley along with a few others.
But John was not one to sit idle and await his fate. His perseverance inspired the men, as he shouted loudly, urging them to row furiously to keep up with the Black Ship's pace. To everyone's amazement, the galley managed to almost keep pace with the ship.
Rodrigues, who was piloting the ship, engaged in friendly banter with John, but there was no mistaking the fact that they were adversaries in this war. Despite neutralizing the threat posed by Kuyama's men, the galley was now heading straight for a treacherous stretch of rocks. Ferriera ordered Rodrigues to crash the galley, but the Spaniard refused and slowed down, allowing the galley to narrowly escape with their lives.
Rodrigues' compassion was not without reason; John had saved his life on the rocks earlier. The debt was now "settled," and the ship parted ways with the galley as Toranaga and the others returned to it.
Back at Osaka Castle, the Regents were at odds. Ishido chastised Kiyama for his impulsiveness, arguing that since Toranaga was to be executed in a matter of days, John's fate would not have been much better. Now, however, they had managed to escape, and there was no way to bring them back.
The final blow to their flawed plan came from Hiromatsu, who announced to the Council that Toranaga had resigned. Without his presence, the Council could not take a vote, as all five members were required for any decision to be valid. This strategic move was a testament to Toranaga's cunning and deceit.
Toranaga's next actions further demonstrated his foresight and the power of his Minowara bloodline. He instructed his son to train a new regiment in Ajiro and demanded that John teach a new faction his war tactics and the use of Western weapons. John knew he had no experience in warfare, but in order to survive, he reluctantly agreed.
In recognition of John's bravery, Toranaga rewarded him with the honorary rank of hatamoto. In a private moment, John confessed to Mariko that he was running away from his responsibilities as a father and husband. He had not seen his newborn daughter since her birth and had no master to serve. He felt at home on the open seas, with no worries about the future.
In a lighter and more symbolic moment, John taught Toranaga how to dive, and the two men raced each other to the shores of Edo as they made their way home.
