Red Sun 1971

Train robbery launches

Link, Gauche, and the gang plan to steal $400,000 from a passenger train. During the raid, Gauche seizes the ceremonial tachi sword intended for the president and kills one of the ambassador's samurai bodyguards. They double-cross Link by dropping dynamite into the train car and leave him for dead.

Ambassador's pursuit mandate

After Link is revived, the ambassador orders him to help Kuroda chase Gauche and recover the sword. There is a strict one-week deadline to kill Gauche; if the deadline is missed, both Kuroda and the ambassador must commit seppuku for allowing the theft.

Reluctant alliance forms

Link reluctantly agrees to partner with Kuroda. They set off in pursuit, and Link repeatedly attempts to elude the relentless samurai, only to be drawn back into the chase. The pursuit lands across rough terrain as the two grow into reluctant allies.

Loot buried and gang reduced

Gauche and the remaining gang bury the money and Gauche then kills the others to maintain control over the treasure. He pays off others who depart, ensuring only a few faithful remain with him. The hidden stash becomes the central motive for the rest of the chase.

Kuroda's code and duty

Kuroda explains that honoring his ancestors and the samurai code motivates him to recover the sword. He argues that his countrymen's culture is fraying and that returning the blade is essential to preserve his way of life. Link begins to understand the weight of Kuroda's vow.

Ranch raid and reluctant help

To close the distance, they raid a ranch occupied by Gauche's men, killing the guards and taking horses. Link briefly escapes Kuroda but then decides to return, shaken by Kuroda's strict honor. He warns that if Gauche dies before the sword is recovered, he will avenge the samurai's death.

Christina as route to Gauche

To reach Gauche, they track Christina to a San Lucas brothel and seal her inside a room to prevent interference. The plan uses Christina as leverage to force Gauche's hand. The duo's pursuit shifts to a tactic centered on breaking Gauche's emotional anchor.

Exchange plan set by Gauche

Gauche sends four men to fetch Cristina. Link and Kuroda kill three of them; the remaining man returns to Gauche bearing the message that Christina and the sword will be exchanged for Link's share of the loot at an abandoned mission a day's ride away.

Christina abducted by Comanches

Christina escapes from Link and Kuroda and runs into a band of Comanches. One man is killed as she resists his assault, and the Comanche leader binds her neck with wet rawhide that slowly tightens as the sun dries it. The cruel retrieval adds urgency to the rescue mission.

Mission ambush and forced alliance

At the abandoned mission, Gauche and his men ambush Link and Kuroda. The Comanches attack, forcing the rivals to join forces against a common enemy. They fight inside the burning mission and later in the cane fields as the two sides clash.

Final duel and hesitation

Gauche faces Link with limited bullets. Kuroda prepares to kill Gauche but hesitates, honoring Link's earlier plea. Gauche shoots Kuroda and taunts Link, but Link seizes a rifle and shoots Gauche, keeping the vow to return the sword.