Gambler’s Farewell

Kuroki, Iwasaki Family Junior Division Chief, is released from prison after eight years. He returns to the city to find a police-state tightening around the Iwasaki family. The release sets the stage for a new power struggle as rival forces maneuver for control.

Maeda, the new prefecture police chief, declares war on the Iwasaki organized crime family and demands its disbanding. He signals a government crackdown and shifts the balance of power away from the Iwasaki leadership. The confrontation raises the stakes for everyone involved.

Masayoshi Iwasaki appoints Kuroki as head of Iwasaki Transport, a legitimate arm designed to employ longshoremen and keep order at the docks. He assures Maeda there will be no problems if the organization stays within bounds. The move tightens Kuroki's grip on the port and reshapes the family’s operations.

Eiji Karasawa, now a separate operator, pivots to business as a legitimate operator. He arranges for clients to cancel multiple contracts with Iwasaki Transport, forcing Kuroki to consider taking a lucrative job offered by Karasawa with a tight deadline. The maneuver creates a dangerous rift between Iwasaki Transport and the dock workers. Tension between Karasawa and the Iwasakis begins to spill into violence.

Koike, an upright on-site supervisor, clashes with Tamaru and other workers over theft during port transfers. After an argument with Yoshihara, Koike is killed by a suspended load and Yoshihara is accused of murder. Kuroki intervenes, declaring the incident an accident and ordering everyone back to work.

Gondo, secretly working for Karasawa, beats Yoshihara to death to pressure the labor force. The longshoremen blame their employers for the violence and riot, destroying the company office before Maeda steps in to restore order. The escalating violence demonstrates how Karasawa manipulates the port to weaken Iwasaki Transport.

With no labor support, Masayoshi Iwasaki is forced to give up the Iwasaki Transport operation. The family’s power base shrinks as the port operation teeters on collapse. Kuroki begins to plot alternatives, including challenging Karasawa through other means.

Kuroki asks permission to open a gambling joint to raise funds and counter Karasawa. The plan signals a shift toward new revenue streams outside traditional crime. It marks a turning point in Kuroki's strategy.

Two other supervisors, One Arm and Isao, discover that Gondo is working with Karasawa and attack him, but both end up dead. The incident eliminates another obstacle in Karasawa's bid for control and further destabilizes the port.

Karasawa and the other executives attempt to force Masayoshi Iwasaki to disband the family, but he refuses. Masayoshi dies during the confrontation, and Kuroki publicly proclaims that he is now head of the family and will not disband.

Akiko, a woman Kuroki saved years earlier, sells her bar to join him. Her loyalty strengthens Kuroki's position as he consolidates power. This alliance signals a renewed focus on personal loyalties to sustain the faction.

Karasawa pays Kasai, a heroin addict, to kill Kuroki. Kasai sneaks into Kuroki's place, confesses the plan, and dies in a knife fight. The failed assassination deepens the feud and leaves Karasawa more exposed.

Karasawa and the executives announce a newly incorporated organization that operates at the port and hold a press conference claiming no affiliation with the Iwasaki Family. The move is a strategic attempt to legitimize their control and shield themselves from direct association.

Kuroki confronts Karasawa with a bloody knife and they kill each other. Akiko sails away from the port alone, signaling the end of the Iwasaki era. The clash resolves the power struggle but leaves the future of the port uncertain.