The protagonist, Matajiro Aoe (Sugi Ryutaro), gets entangled in a family feud in a certain domain in Tohoku and flees the domain, settling in a tenement in Edo's Torikoshi district. He earns a living by receiving referrals for bodyguard work and other odd jobs from the intermediary, Kichizo. One day, Kichizo presents him with an offer to work as a bodyguard for the Kirai residence. Despite his lack of enthusiasm, Matahachiro reluctantly accepts the job after being attacked by assassins from his hometown.