Blackthorne is taken to Osaka to meet Lord Yoshii Toranaga, a shrewd and powerful daimyo working to outmaneuver his rivals on the Council of Regents. Toranaga sees the tactical advantage of keeping the foreigner alive and forces Blackthorne to teach his samurai western naval and military tactics. During his time in Osaka, Blackthorne meets the elegant Lady Toda Mariko, who is assigned to be his interpreter.