Kuroda (Toshiro Mifune), a samurai warrior, is accompanying a Japanese diplomat to the US. They are carrying a golden, jewel-encrusted sword to present as a token of goodwill to the president, however they are ambushed by two outlaws - Gauche (Alain Delon) and Link (Charles Bronson). When Gauche double-crosses Link and keeps the sword for himself, Link joins forces with Kuroda to return the sword to its rightful owner.