CONNECT 覇者への道

Seizo Munakata, taken in by Shigemasa Mukai, the boss of the Toyo-kai, runs a ramen shop while secretly handling the syndicate’s underground dealings. Former biker gang leader Ryuichi Sawamura and ex-finance bureaucrat Kunihito Soma decide to follow Munakata’s lead. But trouble strikes when Mukai’s wife, Harue, and granddaughter, Shizuka, are abducted by unknown assailants.

Munakata Seizo, who runs a ramen shop while secretly carrying out underworld work for Toyokai boss Mukai Shigemasa, gains a reputation for his efficiency—soon whispered about as the assassin group “Resshikai.” One day, Mukai’s wife Harue and granddaughter Shizuka are abducted.

Harue shields Shizuka but is gunned down by ex-Shindo-gumi member Yokoyama. Her death pushes Munakata to form his own group, and Mukai entrusts him with his dream of “conquering Japan from Yokohama.” Meanwhile, rumors of Munakata’s new organization reach the Hachio-kai. In Kyoto, Sawamura and allies move to settle a scandal tied to their associate Horita, but are ambushed by Gudokai, leaving Murata injured again. Elsewhere, Yamaoka visits Yokohama, seeking Toyokai’s help to eliminate Onda.

With Munakata Seizo as boss, Sawamura Ryuichi and Soma Kunihito establish the Munakata-gumi under the banner of Resshikai. Soon after, Shindo-gumi’s Shimaki, carrying the missing ransom money, shows up at Munakata’s ramen shop. Meanwhile in Kyushu, Shindo-gumi schemes with the infamous Moji family for profit.

Through Shindo-gumi’s maneuvering, Amano Shuji is abducted by the Moji family—along with his daughter Mari. Their ally Shimaki, revealed to be secretly tied to Shindo-gumi, claims he was working as a double agent. He then plants a hidden mic before meeting Shindo-gumi’s Onoue Tatsuhiko.

When Toyokai underboss Eda collapses, boss Mukai appoints Naoe Takehiko as acting underboss. At Mukai’s request, Sawamura joins him for business talks in Nagoya. Meanwhile, within Hachio-kai, tensions flare as newly freed boss Shirota’s faction clashes with acting leader Kurose Akito over the group’s new direction.

At the succession ceremony of the 4th Hachio-kai boss, leaders from across Japan gather to celebrate new chairman Kurose. Rumors spread of Shindo-gumi’s plans to expand into eastern Japan, putting local syndicates on edge. Amid the unrest, Murata Kunio is attacked and left in a coma.

Sawamura and his crew visit Kyoto’s Arashiyama family to clean up a scandal tied to Build-Up president Horita, who is deeply connected to Toyokai. Suddenly, Gudokai ambushes them, leaving Murata injured again. Meanwhile, Yamaoka arrives in Yokohama, asking Toyokai to take care of Onda.

During a meeting of the Toranishi-kai, led by Onda, news breaks that Shindo-gumi boss Yamaoka has been shot. Inside Shindo-gumi, the hunt for the culprit begins. Growing suspicious of Onda, Hayasaka pressures Onda’s ally, the Hanaoka-gumi, to leak information about Toranishi-kai.

The Toyokai leadership fends off attackers, but the assailants’ identity and motives remain unclear. Suspecting the rival Teito Union, Uesugi grows wary. Assigned to Uesugi’s crew, Soma digs into their networks—uncovering traces of former Teito members like Sudo Reiji, who has fled overseas.

With the release of Uesugi Yoshitake approaching, the Toyokai receives an assassination threat against him. The leadership raises security, while Munakata Seizo restructures his group—naming Sakai Atsushi as underboss and Murata Kunio as his aide. Meanwhile, Sawamura Ryuichi and Soma Kunihito try to settle a dispute involving old comrades, but…

After killing Toishi, Sudo schemes to join the Hachio-kai, now led by his old acquaintance Kurose Akito. Meanwhile, Nawa-kai’s Sakurai pressures Finance Minister Kanzaki—an ally of Hachio-kai—for profit. As rival factions begin moving, Toyokai reels when Uesugi suddenly declares the group’s dissolution.

Having barely survived, Soma returns to the fold. Munakata and Sawamura raid Sudo’s hideout, but a hail of gunfire wipes out their leads. Meanwhile, a scandal involving Minister Kanzaki—engineered by Nawa-kai—hits the tabloids, only to be silenced under pressure from both Hachio-kai and Toyokai.

Within the Aizu Federation in Fukushima, tensions escalate between the Wakamatsu-gumi and the Jojima-gumi. Gravely ill Wakamatsu boss Heigo Otake seeks help from the Toyo-kai. Aiming to gain a foothold in Tohoku, the Toyo-kai entrusts protection of Otake’s son Shuhei to the Munakata-gumi. Ryuichi Sawamura and Kunihito Soma find Shuhei after he escapes an attack by the Jojima-gumi.

The Wakamatsu-gumi and Munakata-gumi successfully rescue Shuhei and wipe out the Jojima-gumi. Shuhei is set to become wakagashira and lead both the Wakamatsu-gumi and the Aizu Federation. A strong bond forms between Sawamura and Shuhei after they promise to each lead their own families. Meanwhile, Soma meets his sister’s fiancé, detective Shigefumi Yanagita.