A princess in disguise, Oshichi launches an investigation to reveal the truth about the disappearance of young women in Edo.

Orphaned Kiku was raised at a Buddhist temple and learned theatrical arts and martial arts as a child, which were used to put on stage productions to raise money for the temple, but also to display young lads who were essentially for sale to the highest bidder. When Kiku gets fed up with how the temple uses the orphans and wants to leave he gets accused of a double murder and has to flee for his life and liberty.

船长的养女はるみ（美空云雀 饰）在船员们经常聚集的酒馆工作。她为了给养父治病，向老板借钱而欠了债。船员浜田健次（高仓健 饰）为了帮她筹钱，冒险参与了走私…