Amidst the Boshin War's brutal conflicts, a motley squad of criminals and samurai undertakes a desperate defense of a fortress, their stand triggered by clashing interests of the Shibata clan, the shogunate, and the new government.

Released from prison after serving a 10-year sentence for murder, Yoshii visits Yoko, a self-sacrificing volunteer who has devoted her life to helping former convicts. Disfigured by a hideous scar on her face, Yoko encourages Yoshii to start his life anew. During Yoshii’s long absence, his lover Fujiko has been working at a brothel and taking care of “something” in a suitcase while awaiting his return from prison. Finally reunited, Yoshii and Fujiko seemingly make up for lost time as they make love and vow to get married. For the sake of his future with Fujiko, Yoshii tries to cut ties with his shady past, but the organization he was once part of comes knocking with a new murder request.