PROLOGUE

December, 1988.  While the people of Japan shivered in a cold snap that was in
full swing, a small area of 400 square meters in Tokyo was so full of hot
excitement that it was almost like another world.

The Kamuro District--the greatest Red Light District in the East.  Suits,
handbags, watches--hundreds of thousands of people dressed themselves up for
the sensation of wearing silly, luxury brands.  It was a cheerful, optimistic
time.  Each and every one believed they could get their hands on whatever their
heart desired.

However, in this town where cash was king, the men knew there was one thing
money could not buy.

Namely, it was a vacant lot of land called "the empty square meter," born by
chance in an instant in the town full of concrete buildings.

At that time, a fierce battle began to emerge behind the scenes in the
underground societies of the Kamuro District concerning the rights of a certain
project: "The 21st Century Kamuro District Renovation Plan."  This was the name
given to the plan--a plan whose land rights were of utmost importance.

This redevelopment plan erupted suddenly in this major district, crowded with
myriad restaurants, strip clubs, hostess bars, and other such night life
places.  To those who had ruled the district thus far, this was basically a
"tear down the old, and build up from the ground-up" movement.

Who could provide the "final piece" of land needed for the construction of the
Milennium Tower, a huge complex of commercial facilities?  Thus, the curtain
was raised on the struggle to determine the next ruler of the Kamuro District.

The people of the region on the surface took pleasure in the money-driven age
of desire.  The men behind the scenes were people who squeezed every last drop
out of this desire, and people who aimed to take things even further....

The Kamuro District was a miraculous place where those on the surface and those
behind the scenes--the "white" and the "black"--intermingled with each other in
perfect balance.

There was a young man in a certain corner of this district who was still
halfway--neither one of said "white," nor "black."

He was Kiryû Kazuma, 20-year-old junior member of the Dôjima Group of the Tôjô
Association.  He was able at fighting, but not very amiable.  He possessed no
skill at deceiving others.

In these days, the youngsters of the underground who could not skillfully use
the two "powers" of violence and money were forced to take the odd job of
collecting money in back alleys, hidden from prying eyes.

He didn't know what he wanted.
He had no dreams for the future.
Just a young yakuza, mindlessly floating adrift in the age of desire--this was
the man called Kiryû Kazuma.

But then, one night, when Kiryû was sent to collect a debt, something major
happened....

In the vacant space of about one meter between the buildings in the very center
of the Kamuro District--the "empty square meter"--a murder took place.

Becoming one of the suspects in the case, Kiryû is suddenly dragged into the
vortex of desire of the men seeking power.

Of course, he had no idea about the the vast conspiracy behind the scenes,
involving the Tôjô Association--and the Dôjima Group....

As the shadows of unrest befell the Kamuro District, there was a corner of the
Kansai region as hot as Kamuro:  the great Red Light District of Osaka,
Sôtenbori.  This town was also decorated in colorful neon lights and full of
people crazed with the passion of the age.

Just as the Kamuro District had the Tôjô Association behind the scenes, the
Sôtenbori had the largest group of yakuza in Western Japan, the powerful Ômi
Alliance. 

There was a man in this town called "The Emperor of the Night."  As a club
manager, he took a hostess club on the verge of closing and catapulted it
suddenly to the most popular club in all of Sôtenbori.

This man was the 24-year-old manager of "Cabaret Grand," Majima Gorô.

Mastering sophisticated poise, he showed almost abnormal dedication, always
saying "The customer is God."  Seen moving about gallantly in the dazzling
lights, he was like a "darling of the age," able to get all the money and fame
he desired.

But to him, all this was just a front.

The real reason Majima was forced to live in center stage here was punishment
for his crime of betrayal in the past....

He was a discarded man, exiled from the world of the yakuza after harsh torture
when he went against the orders of the group to which he had pledged his life
and limb.  The punishment given to this man, who was not allowed back into the
life of the yakuza, was to continue living while making money for them--under
their watchful eye--in the giant "cage" of the Sôtenbori.  Waiting for his
friend to return from prison, Majima accepted this punishment, focused single-
mindedly on the chance to return to the life of the yakuza....

Then, one day, the golden opportunity to leave his "cage" came to Majima.
However, if he made this choice, there would never be any going back....

Two men, marginalized in the age.。

These men will be wrapped up in various desires and intentions, and become
swallowed up by the struggle over the "empty square meter."

Now, the story of one era ends, and two new legends begin.