The story of Gen's life after the dropping of the atomic bomb continues. Volume 5 follows Gen's struggles in postwar Japan, with massive food shortages and horrendous health problems. Gen is forced to choose between making money to support his family or staying in school to be a part of society. His choice is complicated when his old friends reappear as part of a street gang. There is no help for his mother, save for the costly medicine procured on the black market. Gen becomes entangled with black market gangs and faces an internal struggle of honor, ethics, and duty to resolve his problems.