The Cloistered Emperor, Go-Shirakawa, begins to re-establish power. He commands the monks at Enryakuji (Mt. Hiei) to destroy the Taira. Go-Shirakawa returns to the capital accompanied by an escort appointed by Yoshinaka. Future Emperor Go-Toba, Go-Shirakawa's grandson, is designated as the new emperor.
This episode is primarily focused on a succession dispute that is seen as a precedent for Go-Toba's ascension. But first, many Minamoto are rewarded and Taira stripped of their posts. Kiso no Yoshinaka is given the title of Asahi Shogun from Go-Shirakawa. We then are told the story of Emperor Seiwa's winning of the throne. The story itself was quite well known and perhaps especially interesting, as Seiwa was also the progenitor of the Minamoto line now in ascendance.
In Kyushu, the Taira contemplate building a new capital. Tadanori, Tsunemori, and Tsunemasa write poems about their current circumstances. Koreyoshi is tasked with expelling the Taira from Kyushu. We then learn of his supernatural ancestry: he is the descendant of a hero born of the union between a human woman and a snake who was "the vehicle of the god of Tachio."
Sukemori tries to convince Koreyoshi, a former retainer of Shigemori, to honor his ties to the Taira, but Koreyoshi pledges his allegiance to the Cloistered Emperor. He attacks, easily wins the battle, and pushes the Taira out of Dazaifu. They flee to Shikoku and are taken in by hereditary retainer Shigeyoshi.
While in Kamakura, Yoritomo receives a decree from the Cloistered Emperor appointing him the supreme commander of the imperial forces. He formally receives the decree at the Hachiman Shrine he is constructing there. The reception for the envoy from the Cloistered Emperor is magnificent, and Yoritomo bestows many gifts. He asks for an edict allowing him to quash not on only the Taira but also his other enemies. The envoy is favorably impressed by Yoritomo's understanding of protocol, his refined manners, and his generosity.
Yasusada returns to the capital and informs the Cloistered Eminence of his journey. Meanwhile, the Nekoma counselor, Mitsutaka, meets with Kiso no Yoshinaka. Yoshinaka's uncouth behavior and rudeness contrasts strongly with Yoritomo's gracious reception in episode 5. Yoshinaka then also demonstrates his unfitness as an aristocratic powerholder when he demonstrates that he cannot properly ride in a carriage.
This episode is parodic and draws a strong contrast between Yoshinaka and Yoritomo. It also prepares the reader for Yoshinaka's precipitous fall.
The Taira seize provinces in the south and west. This worries Kiso no Yoshinaka, and in response he sends a force of seven thousand mounted Minamoto men to attack the Taira. The Taira meet the Minamoto forces with a thousand boats at Mizushima, on the inland sea coast, and defeat them; they are able to gain a foothold on Honshu.
The Taira retainer Seno-o no Taro Kaneyasu, is captured. Seno-o is a warrior known for his strength and prowess; therefore, Kiso no Yoshinaka does not consider his execution. During a five month period of captivity by the Minamoto, Seno-o treats his captors with respect and gains their trust. He states his loyalty has changed from the Taira to Lord Kiso no Yoshinaka. As a result, Seno-o is released, but this backfires as he engages in a battle with Kiso no Yoshinaka's men. Seno-o's son, being fat and out of shape for battle, fights, but cannot keep up well, and Seno-o flees without him. After developing shame, Seno-o returns to his son, and fights to the death. He takes his son's head, and fails to take his own life, resulting in him being killed by Kiso no Yoshinaka.
Kiso no Yoshinaka is gathering forces to prepare an attack on Yashima when a messenger informs him that his uncle Yukiie is slandering him to Go-Shirakawa in the capital. Yoshinaka returns to the capital immediately. In the meantime, the Taira have been gathering support in the west. In fear or Yoshinaka, Yukiie leaves the capital and hopes to redeem himself by attacking the Taira forces. The Taira army surrounds Yukiie's small force, but Yukiie manages to cut his way through the Taira and escape, but his forces were decimated. The Taira victories at Muroyama and Mizushima buoy their spirits.
The Minamoto are stealing food and clothes in the capital, so Go-Shirakawa sends Tomoyasu, the "Tsuzumi Lieutenant" (a nickname given based on his skill with the Tsuzumi hand drum), to tell Kiso no Yoshinaka to stop the lawlessness. Kiso no Yoshinaka scoffs at Tomoyasu's message from Go-Shirakawa. A battle begins between retainers of Go-Shirakawa and of Yoshinaka. Yoshinaka kills former Mt. Hiei abbot Meiun in this battle. The child emperor Go-Toba goes to his garden lake for safety. Yoshinaka takes heads from Go-Shirakawa's warriors.
Kiso no Yoshinaka puts on display more than six hundred and thirty heads, including those of Meiun and Enkei, two important Buddhist prelates. He gains power over the capital and offers to join forces with the Taira, but they reject his offer. When offices are awarded at the new year (1184), he puts his supporters in positions of power.