A former boxer and current drunkard named Danpei Tange meets a drifter named Joe Yabuki and sees potential in him; Tange offers to teach Joe how to box, but Joe isn't easily convinced.

Danpei is severely hurt after trying to protect Joe from the yakuza; Joe goes to visit the head of the yakuza group to try to get reparations for Danpei.

Danpei works hard day and night to save up for Joe and his boxing gym; Joe uses the slum kids to con money out of people.

Joe holes up in an abandoned building after he gets caught lying to con people out of money.

Tange sends Joe a letter to teach him boxing while he's at the police hospital waiting for his fate.

Joe ends up in a juvenile classification home and is quickly put into his place after trying to be cocky against his fellow inmates and their boss Nishi.