The events take place in 1932 in Japanese-occupied Manchuria, where the corrupt leaders of the Japanese army are trying to take over all the Karate dojos /training halls for their own benefit. In the midst of the chaos, the master Eiken Shibahara dies before passing on the Kuro-obi/ black belt to his successor. Three of his pupils--Taikan,Giryu, and Chouei--have the task of deciding amongst themselves who deserves it most.