After a battle with rival criminals, a small-time gangster is treated by an
alcoholic doctor in post-war Japan. The doctor diagnoses the young
gangster's tuberculosis, and convinces him to begin treatment for it. The two
enjoy an uneasy friendship until the gangster's former boss is released from
prison and seeks to take over his gang once again. The ailing young man
loses his status as gang boss and becomes ostracised, and eventually
confronts his former boss in a battle to the death.