A story of great adventure and survival!

In the early twentieth century, Saichi Sugimoto, a veteran of the Russo-Japanese War, searches the wilderness of Hokkaido for a treasure of hidden gold. With only a cryptic map and a native Ainu girl to help him, Saichi must also contend with every murderous villain, bandit, and outlaw who knows about the treasure.

Sugimoto and his friends set out for Kushiro to escape the pursuit of Lieutenant Tsurumi. Meanwhile, Lieutenant Tsurumi himself leads members of the 7th Division to Otaru, chased by rumors of the tattooed skins. Awaiting them are two of the most desperate and dangerous outlaws of the North – the Lightning Thief and his wife, the wicked Viper O-gin – both heading straight for Lieutenant Tsurumi!.