Nippon Sangoku - Season 1

Aoteru Misumi is a young man living in the countryside of Ehime, Yamato. Working as an agricultural officer, he lives a quiet life with his wife, Saki. One day, they are visited by a horseback procession fit for a king. The most extravagant horse-drawn carriage in this procession carries none other than Denki Taira, the lord of home affairs and true ruler of Yamato.

Having lost the love of his life, Aoteru is determined to fulfill the promise he made to her of creating a peaceful world. He travels to Osaka to take the exam given by Borderland General Mitsuhide Ryumon in the hopes of serving under him. Upon arriving, he finds a cheap hotel to stay in. But Aoteru will find no rest there, as he immediately encounters a certain individual.

Aoteru and Yoshitsune Asama take the Toryumon, an employment exam required to work under Ryumon. The conditions for passing are simple: the examinees must bring him to his knees. It seems that knowledge of the art of war alone will not be enough. They will also need their resourcefulness to get through this trial.

Three years after passing the Toryumon, Aoteru is working hard under Ryumon to perform his duties to their fullest. Meanwhile, Yamato sends a demand for unconditional surrender to the neighboring nation of Seii, which has been unstable due to the harsh winter conditions. In Seii, the embers of rebellion are quietly stoked.

A new dictatorship comes to power in Seii when Ohga Wajima suggests subduing Yamato by force. She establishes her administration overnight, declaring her resolve across the land. Ohga quickly captures the hearts of her people with her charm and political prowess, and within Seii, momentum grows to launch a campaign against Yamato.

Tonotsugu Taira, Denki Taira's heir, is ordered by Fuji III, the emperor of Yamato, to go to Kanazawa with the Borderland General Corps' Right Lieutenant General, Goh Sugoh. While Tonotsugu is optimistic about this opportunity, Sugoh harbors concerns that it is a trap set by Seii.

The invasion of Kuzuryu Castle by the Holy Barbarian army triggered the start of the war between the Holy Barbarians and the Yamato.

Sensing something was amiss, the main Yamato army led by Ryumon halted its advance.
Meanwhile, Tono Tsugu and his men, who had gone ahead, were unaware of the outbreak of war and were being warmly welcomed by Nagao Muuto in the heart of Holy Barbarian territory.

Buto Jun's night attack on Kanazawa ended in failure, but
all the while, the main force of the Holy Barbarian army continued its advance towards the main body of the frontier general's army.

Now, the time for the decisive battle between Sakura Tora and Ryumon was drawing near.

The decisive battle between Sakurako and Ryumon ended in a strategic victory for Ryumon using the "Empty City Stratagem," and
Sakurako's decline in prestige was evident to everyone.

Sakurako relies on the strategy of his trusted strategist, Hei Yayakichi, but...

Thanks to Yayakichi's strategy, Sakuratora regained his prestige and rose again.

The Yamato army was cornered, but
Ryumon and his strategist, Kaku, had already entrusted a plan to overcome this critical situation to a young man.

Aoki finally reunites with Tonoki, but his eyes are fixed on something entirely different.

"—I would like to receive an
imperial decree from His Majesty ordering a retreat." The true meaning of Aoki's "retreat" is revealed, yet Tonoki still opposes it.
The final decision rests with the Emperor.

Through his heartfelt persuasion, Aoki finally moved the Emperor. Yoshitsune also sent an imperial decree to Longmen and, as the rearguard, confronted the Shenyi.
Meanwhile, the Shenyi were plotting to wipe out Yamato with their "Winter General Operation."

The battle between the two nations was reaching its final stage, with the question of whose strategy would prevail.