When Kenichi Ota retires he is the same age as his karate teacher Chojun Miyagi was when he died. Ota decides to honor his teacher by writing his memoirs. As a young man Ota accompanied Miyagi to China searching for the meaning of karate. Upon their return to Okinawa they learn the Japanese have just destroyed Pearl Harbor. Ota is conscripted to Colonel Yahara in charge of the island's defenses, and finds himself in the epicenter of the Battle for Okinawa. Ota and Miyagi are forced to adapt to a new world order, to rebuild their island, and preserve Miyagi's brand of karate