Rampaging Dragon of the North

Jiro returns because he hears about the village being punished by Gen Ashida. When he arrives, he discovers that Ashida has destroyed boats and gear to force the Yamagata family and their allied fishermen into obedience. More importantly, he learns his father has been killed, which motivates him to stay and seek revenge while also trying to reconnect with his estranged family.

Jiro's mother holds a grudge because he abandoned the family to join the yakuza. She sees his return as selfish, particularly since the village is now suffering under Ashida's control. She also blames him for the loss of his father, reflecting the community's view that his departure weakened the family during a difficult time.

Before dying, Jiro's father forgave him for leaving, which becomes a crucial motivation for Jiro's entire revenge arc. This forgiveness represents unconditional family loyalty and gives Jiro the moral foundation to fight for the village. The memory of his father's forgiveness pushes him to seek vengeance against Ashida.

Gen Ashida forces the village into submission by refusing to let them sell fish to anyone except his operation. He dumps captured fish back into the sea to inflate prices and ensures the villagers cannot earn enough to cover fuel costs. When Aida (Reiko's father) tries to resist, Ashida's men beat him, demonstrating that economic oppression is backed by physical violence.

Shinkichi dies because he and Toshi attempt to steal fireworks during the festival to attack Ashida's men. Gen Ashida retaliates by shooting Shinkichi, who dies in Jiro's arms. His death is a tragic consequence of the rebels' plan going wrong, and Shinkichi's final message, that the struggle will not end peacefully, hardens Jiro's resolve against the Ashida clan.

Gen kills Kumai's dog Koro to prevent the planned duel between Kumai and Jiro. When Kumai offers to kill Jiro directly, Gen sees an opportunity but instead sabotages the arrangement by killing the dog and shooting Kumai in the arm. This act of cruelty demonstrates Gen's manipulation and ultimately drives Kumai to switch sides.

Kumai switches sides because Gen kills his dog Koro and shoots him in the arm, betraying their fragile agreement. Additionally, Kumai reveals that a member of his own family was killed by Ashida's men. This combination of personal loss and broken trust convinces him to join Jiro, and he later reveals his family's fishing clan tattoo as a symbol of his new allegiance.

Jiro stops himself from killing Gen when he sees a father weeping over his dead son. This moment of grief mirrors Jiro's own loss of his brother Shinkichi, and he realizes that continuing the cycle of vengeance only creates more suffering. The sight stops his hand, showing that revenge has exacted a profound emotional cost.

Jiro turns himself in to take sole responsibility for the murders and bloodshed that occurred during the conflict with Ashida. While the village prospers from their new independence, Jiro carries the personal weight of all the deaths, including his brother Shinkichi and Kumai. He chooses justice over freedom, understanding that his actions, though aimed at saving the village, required accounting for their consequences.

The fishermen must take Ashida's boats out to sea to sell their catch directly in expanded markets. Previously, Ashida controlled all sales and refused to let villagers sell to anyone else. By seizing the boats and operating independently, the fishermen break Ashida's economic stranglehold and create their own profitable trade routes, achieving true community independence.

After defeating Ashida's clan, the fishermen unite and prosper. They secure new boats, catch larger hauls, and sell fish for themselves rather than through outside profiteers. The village becomes self-reliant and economically stronger. However, this communal success comes at a personal cost for Jiro, who turns himself in, illustrating that victory brings both hope and sacrifice.

Kumai reveals a large tattoo on his back marking his family's fishing clan heritage. This tattoo signifies that despite his involvement with gambling and Ashida's operations, Kumai comes from the same fishing tradition as the village. The reveal strengthens the alliance by showing he shares their roots, and his subsequent switching of sides represents a return to his true identity.