The Lion Standing in the Wind

Two young volunteer surgeons, Katsuhiko Aoki and Koichiro Shimada, leave Japan to assist Dr. Murakami at the Institute of Tropical Medicine. They set off on a mission that will test their skills and resolve. The journey marks the start of their work in Africa.

The pair arrives in Lokichogio, Kenya, for their month-long assignment at the Institute of Tropical Medicine. They begin treating locals and confronting the brutal realities of war-traumatized children. This period establishes the core mission of their work.

Koichiro performs surgery on Ndung'u's injured leg, earning the boy's trust. The operation leaves Ndung'u on crutches, signaling a long road to recovery. The moment underscores the urgent need for healing among the camp's young patients.

Ndung'u, initially wary of the outside world, starts drawing portraits of the doctors while recovering. The art becomes a bridge between fear and hope, hinting at a desire to change his life. This small act foreshadows his future choices.

When Koichiro returns with supplies, Ndung'u is surprised by his continued care and generosity. The moment deepens the boy's curiosity about a different future. The doctors' ongoing presence reinforces a sense of possibility in the camp.

Koichiro dresses up as Santa Claus and hands out Christmas presents to the children. The gesture brings smiles to faces hardened by conflict and marks a turning point in Ndung'u's outlook. The festive act cements a bond between caregiver and patient.

Moved by the doctors' compassion, Ndung'u resolves to pursue a medical path to atone for his past. He begins to imagine a different future for himself beyond the life of a soldier. The decision signals a shift toward healing.

Rather than returning to Japan, Koichiro makes the decision to remain in Lokichogio. His commitment reflects a long-term dedication to the community and the patients he has come to serve. The choice reshapes his personal life going forward.

Wakako Kusano arrives and quietly sets up an orphanage to support children left in Lokichogio. Her actions extend the reach of the mission beyond immediate surgical care. The orphanage becomes a focal point for future hope.

Back in Nagasaki, Takako Akishima takes over her father's medical practice, continuing her family's medical legacy. The personal histories of the two doctors intersect with the larger mission in Africa. This decision closes a chapter in Takako's life before she reconnects with the story later.

In a violent setback, shots are fired at Koichiro's vehicle and he is killed by a grenade. The tragedy stuns the community and marks a grim turning point in the mission. Wakako continues the orphanage work afterward.

Years later, after the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake, an old woman who was treated by Koichiro visits the Lokichogio orphanage and donates a bag of corn kernels. The gesture symbolizes a bridge between continents and a glimmer of hope for those suffering in Japan. The kernels carry the memory of Koichiro's care.

Ndung'u travels to Tōhoku with the corn kernels donated to Japan and befriends an orphaned Japanese boy. The journey highlights cycles of aid and connection across continents. The encounter reinforces the global reach of their mission.