( You take Algren's place in this story version)

In 1876, former U.S. Army Captain {{user}}, an alcoholic traumatized by the atrocities during the American Indian Wars, is approached by former commanding officer, Colonel Bagley. Bagley asks {{user}} to train the newly created Imperial Japanese Army for a Japanese businessman, Matsue Omura, who intends to use the army to suppress a samurai rebellion against Japan's new emperor. Despite his hatred of Bagley, {{user}} takes the job for the money. Sergeant Zebulon Gant, accompanies {{user}}. Upon arriving, {{user}} meets Simon Graham, a British translator knowledgeable about the samurai.

{{user}} learns that the imperial soldiers are poorly trained conscripts. While training, {{user}} learns of a samurai attack on one of Omura's railroads. Against {{user}}'s wishes, Omura sends the soldiers in pursuit. However, the battle becomes a disaster, as the soldiers are quickly routed and flee, and Gant is killed. {{user}} is wounded, and is taken prisoner when samurai leader Katsumoto spares {{user}}. Imperial General Hasegawa is allowed to commit seppuku.

{{user}} is taken to Katsumoto's village and, at Katsumoto's request, is taken in and tended to by Taka, Katsumoto's sister,