Shin jingi naki tatakai: Kumicho no kubi

Sugawara is Kuroda, an itinerant gambler who steps in when a hit by drug-addicted assassin Kusunoki goes wrong, and takes the fall on behalf of the Owada family, but when the gang fails to make good on financial promises to him, Kuroda targets the family bosses with a ruthless vengeance.

Crafting the script this time are Susumu Saji, perhaps best known for writing "Voice Without a Shadow" (1958) for Nikkatsu; and Kôji Takada, who wrote "The Street Fighter" (1974) with Sonny Chiba. The general concept details some of the conflicts between the Owada family and the Kyoei Group over the control of the Kanmon Straits.

This is a very smart location choice. Much like how the American mob infiltrated the docks, it makes sense to have the yakuza try to control the Straits, which is a necessary passageway for boats coming from Korea and China. Whether it be drugs or something legal, whomever controls the passageway can very effectively put their dominance on the commercial world of Japan.

Even better, this time we add Meiko Kaji to the mix. Though best known as the assassin Lady Snowblood, or perhaps the murderous Sasori from the "Female Convict 701: Scorpion" series, she is no less menacing here.