Akuemon starts his journey as a feared and violent fox hunter, universally despised and employed by Governor Hidari Taisho to kill a thousand foxes in the Governor's pursuit of power. His initial existence is marked by brutality and profound isolation, devoid of meaningful human bonds.

Threatened by his hunts, the foxes dispatch a young vixen, Rizu, to infiltrate his life disguised as his wife, Kuzunoha. Rizu acts initially as a spy to sabotage his hunting, but their enforced proximity slowly nurtures authentic affection between them. This bond sparks Akuemon's transformation, tempering his ferocity as he develops empathy and love for the vixen, despite knowing her true nature.

Torn between his duty to the Governor and his loyalty to Rizu, Akuemon renounces fox hunting. This change renders him vulnerable to political reprisal, but he finds protection from Abe no Yasuna, a samurai he once freed. After Rizu returns to her fox kin, Akuemon withdraws into solitude near a temple. His son with Rizu is adopted by Yasuna and later emerges as the legendary wizard Abe no Seimei, inheriting supernatural traits from his fox lineage.