In 1657, during the devastating Edo fire, former Kishu fencing instructor Seigan Marume attempts to kill Iemitsu Tokugawa's widow Lady Takako Honriin. As Lady Honriin's loyal samurai defend her life, she disapears amidst the burning castle. Upon learning that Lady Honriin is still alive, Seigan manages to discover that she's disguised herself as a nun at Senshuan temple. Hanzô Tarao and his band of "Shadow Warriors" confront Seigan and his army of ninja in front of Senshuan temple. Seigan and Hanzô duel to the death. Afterwards, Lady Honriin proposes an alliance between herself and Hanzô.

Together with his band of "Shadow Warriors" which includes Tezuma no Ochô ("Sleight of Hand" Ochô), Abaregoma no Sasuke ("Top-spinner" Sasuke), Toramaro Takebayashi, Biidoro no Inokichi ("Glass" Inokichi), Musasabi no Hayata ("Squirrel" Hayata), Tsumuji no Dairoku ("Whirlwind" Dairoku), Kasumi no Kijirô ("Mist" Kijirô), Izayoi no Osuzu ("Moon" Osuzu) and Giyaman no Ryûken ("Diamond" Etsuko ShihomiRyûken), Hanzô Tarao helps the "Nun of Senshuan" to right wrongs in the country. The "Shadow Warriors" also help to protect the the "Lady Nun" from the Lord of Kishu who continues to search for Iemitsu's widow and who is hell bent on removing the current Shôgun (Iemitsu's son and Lady Honriin's adopted son) and replace him with his own son. One day, through a medium, the spirit of the late Shogun Iemitsu is contacted. This leads the Lord of Kishu's supporters to discover the whereabouts of both Lady Takako Honriin and the "Shadow Warriors". The Lord of Kishu then influences the current Shogun to send his Samurai to hunt down the "Shadow Warriors". Pursued by the Shogunate forces, the "Shadow Warriors" are forced into hidding. Seeking vengeance against the evil Lord of Kishu, the "Shadow Warriors" enter the Lord's castle by disguising themselves and accompanying an imperial envoy, and although their quest is costly, their goal is finally achieved.


Cast
 

Main Characters
* Chiba Shinichi (Season 1-5)
* Takaoka Kenni (高岡健ニ) as Hisago Roku
* Hino Shohei as Daihachi
* Haruta Junichi as Kiheiji
* Hase Naomi (長谷直美) as Okiri
* Saigo Teruhiko
* Eto Jun (江藤潤) as Tsuruzo (Season 2)
* Hoshi Masato (星正人) as Utanosuke (Season 2)
* Kurosaki Hikaru (黒崎輝) as Shoroku (Season 2,3)
* Sakitsu Ryusuke (崎津隆介) Ryukichi (Season 2,3)
* Asaka Mayumi as Otoki (Season 2)
* Nagato Isamu (長門勇) as Aira (Season 2)
* Kanie Keizo (Season 3)

Government
* Yamamura So (山村聰) as Hoshina Masayuki (保科正之)

Tokugawa Kishuu Family
* Narita Mikio (成田三樹夫) as Tokugawa Yorinobu (徳川頼宣)
* Sugakan Taro (菅貫太郎)
* Ishibashi Renji
* Mitsubayashi Kyoko as Okabuto

Ooka Kata
* Shihomi Etsuko (志穂美悦子) as Shiina Misato (Season 2,3)
* Sato Kyoichi (佐藤京一) (Season 2)

Others
* Kiki Kirin as Orin
* Ihara Tsuyoshi (Season 1)
* Sanada Hiroyuki as Hayate Kozo (Season 2,3)
* Koike Asao (小池朝雄) as the narrator