Young Tatsumi travels to the capital of the Empire in order to earn money for his starving people and encounters a world of unimaginable depravity, dominated by the ruthless Prime Minister who controls the child Emperor. Tatsumi is recruited by Night Raid, a group of assassins dedicated to eliminating corruption by mercilessly killing officials and privileged nobles.
The story begins with Tatsumi, a young swordsman from a remote countryside village, who travels to the Imperial Capital seeking funds to save his starving home. Once he arrives, he discovers that the capital is riddled with corruption and cruelty. He stumbles upon the secret group of assassins known as Night Raid, who are fighting to overthrow the tyrannical and corrupt regime that governs the empire. Tatsumi is recruited into Night Raid and begins his journey in a world of bullets, blades, and moral conflict.