Kikuo is fifteen years old when he loses his father in a feud. Yakuza boss Hanjiro then takes him in. There, Kikuo and Hanjiro's son Shunsuke are raised as brothers. Through their strong friendship and rivalry, they know how to improve each other and devote their youth to art. One day their fate is shaken up when Hanjiro, who ends up in the hospital after an accident, appoints Kikuo instead of Shunsuke as his replacement.