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The story in "Shadow Warrior" is set during the Warring States period of Japan, revolving around the Takeda family. The Takeda clan rose to prominence under Takeda Shingen and ultimately declined following his death. The story begins when Takeda Shingen suddenly dies in the midst of a battle against the combined forces of Oda Nobunaga and Tokugawa Ieyasu. The sudden shift in the war situation leads to a crisis within the Takeda army, as it faces the threat of disintegration and loss of morale. At this critical moment, a few loyal retainers secretly find a thief who bears a striking resemblance to Takeda Shingen and use him as an impersonator to stabilize the army, ensure a safe retreat, and deter the looming threats from powerful daimyos like Oda Nobunaga, Tokugawa Ieyasu, Uesugi Kenshin, and Hojo Ujiyasu. In the customs of the Warring States period, such an impersonator is referred to as a "shadow warrior." This situation persists for three years.

Three years later, the truth about the shadow warrior is revealed within the family, leading to Takeda Katsuyori, Shingen's son, seizing full control over military and political affairs, becoming the head of the household while disregarding his father's final instructions. He leads the army into battle, only to be utterly defeated by Oda Nobunaga's tactics of three-line musket fire and horse barriers, resulting in the complete annihilation of the Takeda forces and the decline of the once mighty clan.

The film opens with a panoramic shot showing three men dressed similarly and sitting in their respective positions. The central figure is Takeda Shingen, one of the three great heroes of the Warring States period. To his left is his younger brother, and in the foreground is the shadow warrior, chosen from the execution grounds to serve as his brother's double. Akira Kurosawa uses a long take lasting several minutes to seamlessly reveal the background relationships among the three men and vividly portray their distinct personalities.

In the first year of Tensho, Takeda Shingen attacked the field fortress of the Tokugawa army. On a moonlit night, while listening to flute music from the besieged city, he was critically injured by a sniper. To maintain the morale of his troops, he left behind a will ordering that the truth of his death be kept secret for three years. Afterward, he passed away. The thief-turned-shadow warrior took on the daunting task of impersonating Lord Takeda. From outright refusal to volunteering for the mission, from laughing carelessly to embodying the spirit of the lord, he convinces both the Takeda family and their enemies that he is indeed Takeda Shingen, helping the Takeda army overcome numerous challenges. However, as the three years draw to a close, the news of Shingen's death is eventually exposed, and the shadow warrior is instantly reduced from a commanding lord to an exiled commoner.