A samurai is bound by the code of bushido. A woman-hater prowls the streets in search of victims to torment. A young girl is sold to a brothel for a pittance. By a strange twist of fate, their lives are intertwined. Shuntaro was born a sociopath. His only pleasure is other people's suffering. When he manages to slide his way into power, it is only a matter of time before he clashes with honourable samurai. His appointment sends shockwaves throughout Japanese society, from his opulent castle to the bars and pleasure quarters of the cities and even up to the mountain villages where the ninja are training for the fight of their lives...