Asirpa's adventure in Karafuto changed her feelings about not only her father, but also the Ainu struggle for independence. Sugimoto has come to realize something about his own feelings about Asirpa as well. If they're really going to be equal partners, they'll need to come to a new understanding. Once again on the run from Lieutenant Tsurumi, they head for Hokkaido. But the rogue officer isn't about to give up. The pursuit once again leads into forbidding, frozen territory...