Tatsuhiko, a young man currently without a job, finds himself embroiled in a conflict with a gang which ultimately leads to his rescue by Mako, a scout for a girl recruitment agency named Burst, headed by the formidable Yamashiro in Kabukichō, a vibrant red-light district in Shinjuku, Tokyo. Realizing this could be a potential opportunity for him, Tatsuhiko learns the ropes of scouting and begins to work closely with Yosuke, his direct supervisor. However, the agency's boss, Yamashiro, is under immense pressure due to his obligations to pay substantial protection fees to Chairman Shuzen Amano of the Monbukai family, who is demanding a larger share, thanks to an enticing offer from the rival Harlem scouting agency.
Amidst this turmoil, Matsukata, leading the Harlem agency, becomes increasingly concerned about his agency's territory being encroached upon by Burst. In the midst of his machinations, Harlem scout Hideyoshi Minami begins plotting behind Matsukata's back in a bid to seize control of the drug trade in Shinjuku, demonstrating his ambition to elevate his own agency despite the potential risks involved.
In his newfound role, Tatsuhiko develops a kinship with a girl named Ryoko; however, a surprising twist ensues when he learns she is actually a madam. Their paths intertwine further when they intervene to protect a girl embroiled in a tense situation at a restaurant, leading to a night of intimacy. Mako later introduces Tatsuhiko to his wife Ryoko at a club named the Moulin Rouge, where they must conceal their prior encounters from one another.
Conflict escalates when a fellow Burst captain named Gensuke Seki draws Tatsuhiko into a confrontation with Harlem. During this encounter, Hideyoshi recognizes Tatsuhiko from the past, leading to a physical altercation that results in a serious injury for Tatsuhiko. Yamashiro intervenes, instructing Seki to manage the aftermath, despite Mako's protests. Seki, seeking revenge against Harlem, allows himself to be beaten so he can shift the blame away from Burst.
In attempts to rectify the precarious situation, Yamashiro engages in negotiations with Matsukata, offering him a substantial sum as an incentive for Harlem to disband and merge with Burst. However, Tatsuhiko, filled with rage, disrupts the negotiations, smashing equipment in Matsukata's office. This act leads Matsukata to abandon the merger, instead accepting the 30 million yen. The plot thickens further as Mako secretly records a conversation revealing Matsukata's insubordination, leading to his ousting and a subsequent rise in Harlem’s power dynamics.
As trials intensify, Mako instigates a competition within the newly unified agency, ordering all members, starting from scratch, to scout the most girls within a month to earn the title of captain. Mako cautions Tatsuhiko against seeking retribution against Hideyoshi. During this tumultuous period, Ageha, a distressed hostess in debt, is rescued by Hideyoshi while navigating the harsh realities of their world.
As Tatsuhiko grapples with the burden of guilt over a girl's tragic demise, he attempts to save Ageha from an abusive situation and provides her an escape. Yet, the alluring yet dangerous world of drugs and crime tightens its grip as relationships around him fracture. In a desperate bid to expose the drug operations, Mako aligns with Hayama, Harlem's No. 2, discovering the source of the drugs leading them deeper into the conflict.
The climax boils over with an intense meeting on opposing rooftops between Tatsuhiko and Hideyoshi. Amidst their chaotic exchange, Tatsuhiko discovers the truth about Hideyoshi's past as they confront their intertwined fates. Even as Tatsuhiko extends an olive branch, their confrontation ends in a harrowing revelation of loyalty, betrayal, and survival. Finally, after Hideyoshi's tragic demise at the hands of another gang, Tatsuhiko and Mako reflect on the events that transpired, suggesting that amidst the schemes and dangers, the quest to save one another persists, even as Tatsuhiko continues his scouting efforts, perhaps hopeful of seeing Ageha again.
