Atsu-hime decides not to side with neither Yoshinobu nor Yoshitomi until she is convinced who better suits as the next shogun despite Nariakira's order to push Yoshinobu. Meanwhile, Takiyama asks Atsu-hime for her support in recommending Ii as shogun's chief adviser. Although Ikushima urges Atsuhime to turn down the request, Atsuhime doesn't give an immediate answer which widens distrust between the two.