A struggling veteran, Tsugumo Hanshirō, seeks to end his life in a noble way by committing seppuku. He enters the courtyard of a wealthy household, the House of Iyi, in search of a worthy second to assist him in the ritual. However, the senior counselor of the clan is skeptical of Hanshirō's intentions, suspecting him of seeking pity rather than honor. The story delves into the complexities of the Samurai code and the distinction between honor and respect.