Hiroto Honda

Kawatani (Hitoshi Ozawa) leaves Kyowakai, naming Himuro (Yasukaze Motomiya) as the 4th Chairman. But with Himuro hospitalized and Tamura (Yoshiyuki Yamaguchi) stuck in Kobe, the leadership seat remains empty. Unease spreads among the executives, and tensions rise between Baba and Hirakawa. The Special Investigation Unit intensifies its crackdown on Kyowakai and Marugami-kai, arresting Kawakami for the hospital attack. Learning the police still can’t reach Shinjo and Komiya, Nakajima heads to the Fujishiro-gumi, but struggles with his failing physical condition. Meanwhile, a new scheme emerges, and drugs once again flood Yokohama. Amid growing chaos, Nakajima makes a critical decision—

Himuro (Yasukaze Motomiya) and Tamura (Yoshiyuki Yamaguchi) return to Kobe, where the Kyowakai executives—still without a clear successor—expect Himuro to become the fourth chairman. Himuro refuses, causing unrest. After meeting Ueki, Himuro decides to respect Kawatani’s wishes and announces only his retirement. At the same time, the Marugami-kai appoints Sakota as chairman following Mita’s death. Meanwhile, Sunaga of the Keihin Alliance approaches Shinjo and Komiya again. Although the information reaches Himuro through Kuroiwa, Himuro rejects it, saying he does not want the Marugami-kai to split. Himuro admits he wanted to make Kawatani the number-one boss in Japan and to unite the yakuza world, but Tamura encourages him to be honest with his own feelings. Elsewhere, the Yamazaki Ichimon learns of Shinjo and Komiya and tries to handle things themselves. During this, retired Kyowakai member Nakajima appears, and his new business becomes the spark for a new conflict.

The Yamazaki family arrives at Akikawa Station and heads into a cicada-filled forest to carry out a mission assigned by Headquarters Chief Tamura. With bug nets in hand, they excitedly begin their search, spotting a praying mantis and later a stag beetle—only to be startled by a sudden “black shadow.” After the scare, they finally find a rhinoceros beetle and celebrate like kids again. Having achieved their real goal of bonding, they spend the rest of the day playing in the river and enjoying a barbecue. Once fully relaxed, the general producer takes on the role of MC, and the group sets aside their characters to enjoy a “real summer vacation” as fellow actors. In the laid-back atmosphere, they share candid memories of joining Unification of Japan (Nihon Touitsu), their fellow Yamazaki members, and their feelings toward the director.

The first installment in the Yakuza/Like a Dragon franchise, which has shipped over 30 million copies worldwide, has been adapted into a live action work that remains almost faithful to the original. Produced by the cast and staff of the hugely popular franchise Unification of Japan, which depicts the Japanese underworld, the adaptation is fully supervised by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio. The story follows the events leading up to the video game Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties.

With Baba (Akihiko Kuwata) acting as Kyowakai chairman and Sakota (Hideo Nakano) leading the Marugami-kai, both groups begin a new chapter. Kyowakai finalizes long-delayed executive appointments: Hayashida (Ehara Shu) replaces the retired Nakajima as Shikoku block leader, while Hirakawa (Hitomi Matsuda) becomes Tohoku block leader by Baba’s nomination, easing concerns from Himuro (Yasukaze Motomiya), Tamura (Yoshiyuki Yamaguchi), and Ueki (Daisuke Nagakura). While drinking in Kobe, Baba drunkenly orders Himuro and others to “crush Marugami,” and the remark quickly spreads to Marugami and investigators. Baba then orders a manhunt, but Hirakawa objects and questions why the “Adachi-kai,” a group of delinquent gangs that fled Kyowakai’s control and formed in Tohoku, had been ignored. After being calmed by Himuro, Hirakawa heads to Tohoku to handle the group himself—setting the stage for new tensions involving Baba, Hirakawa, and the Adachi-kai.

Kyowakai acting chairman Baba (Akihiko Kuwata) is attacked, and despite Himuro (Yasukaze Motomiya) and Tamura (Yoshiyuki Yamaguchi) rushing to the scene, the assailant escapes. The Keihin Alliance and Marugami-kai suspect Hirakawa (Hitomi Matsuda), who had poor relations with Baba, but based on witness Reiko’s (Reira Arai) description of the attacker, Himuro identifies a likely suspect. Ordering Reiko to stay silent and refusing police involvement, Kyowakai launches its own manhunt. As Baba remains in critical condition and suspicion toward Hirakawa grows among investigators and Kyowakai executives, Himuro quietly burns with thoughts of revenge.

Following the death of acting chairman Baba (Akihiko Kuwata), Kyowakai continues its hunt for Adachi (Atsushi Arai), while the Marugami-kai and the Special Investigation Unit closely monitor their movements. As expected by Himuro (Yasukaze Motomiya), Adachi contacts the Keihin Alliance's Sakagami (Yoshiki Kanahashi), prompting the Yamazaki Ichimon to stake out the group's key locations. Adachi attempts to strike a deal with Sunaga (Masataka Naruse) but flees when it falls through, escaping Teru (Yutaka Kyan) and Ryuji (Tatsuya Kishida). Himuro and Tamura (Yoshiyuki Yamaguchi) then change tactics by kidnapping Sunaga. Meanwhile, reports pour in that Yamazaki faction members are attacking the Keihin Alliance's affiliated groups, leaving everyone to wonder what Himuro's true plan is.

With Kyowakai’s new leadership in place, Himuro (Yasukaze Motomiya) becomes its fourth chairman and Tamura (Yoshiyuki Yamaguchi) becomes Wakagashira. Former Keihin Rengokai leader Sunaga (Masataka Naruse) becomes shateigashira after the group is absorbed into Kyowakai. Soon after, Sunaga warns that Chinese delinquents are causing trouble in Yokohama, and former Keihin chairman Sakagami is kidnapped by a Chinese group. Himuro and Tamura rush to rescue Sakagami, now considered a brother, and defeat his captors. Meanwhile, a conflict between Chinese groups and an extremist nationalist resident over a condominium leads to the stabbing death of café employee Han. The café is also forced to vacate after its landlord changes. Determined to uphold their code of protecting the weak, Kyowakai uncovers the Chinese organization Makino Group behind these incidents.

Himuro (Yasukaze Motomiya) and Tamura (Yoshiyuki Yamaguchi) returned to Tokyo to confront Okada (Yuki Matsumura). However, waiting for them was a notice of succession from the Hasekai, which was supposed to be under the Kyowakai's control. Upon learning that Okada’s faction had ties to the Hasekai's new successor, Himuro immediately severed ties, bringing the direct showdown between the Kyowakai and Marugami-kai closer. Meanwhile, Reiko (Reira Arai), who had been hiding with Genji (Kuroishi Takahiro), continued living in hiding, harboring distrust towards Genji and others. Despite this, she remained focused on her vengeance against the Kyowakai. While Himuro and the others tried to clear up Reiko's misunderstanding for Minami (Rin Asuka), Reiko refused to listen. Gradually, she became more involved with Okada’s faction, who were willing to use anything for the war against the Kyowakai.

A sudden notice of succession from the Hasekai arrived from the Marugami-kai. Himuro (Yasukaze Motomiya) and Tamura (Yoshiyuki Yamaguchi) were furious and stormed into the ceremony. Mita (Shun Sugata) saw this as a declaration of war and vowed decisive action. The police, led by Matsumiya (Gento Hongo), ramped up surveillance on the rising tension between the Kyowakai and Marugami-kai, leading to the arrest of Teru (Yutaka Kyan) and Saito (Katsuya), escalating the crisis. Amid rising tension in the Kyowakai, Nakajima (Yoshimi Tachi) sought revenge for Shoji’s death. Concerned about Minami (Rin Asuka) due to Reiko’s (Reira Arai) involvement, Himuro and the others were encouraged by Kawata (Hitoshi Ozawa) to proceed. Himuro’s plan set up a clash between Kuramoto Kogyo and the Keihin Rengo-kai. Though it initially went smoothly, Jun (Goro Washida) and Chosaku (Keishi Kawaguchi) interfered, creating new complications.