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.