In 1851, nine years after the events of The Mask of Zorro, California is voting on whether to join the United States of America as a state. Alejandro Murrieta/Zorro, now known as Don Alejandro De La Vega, foils a plot to steal the ballots, but during the fight with a gunman named Jacob McGivens, he briefly loses his mask. A pair of Pinkertons sees his face and recognize him. The following day, the Pinkertons confront Alejandro's wife Elena and blackmails her into divorcing him.