Two mountaineers are tested when thrown together through an accident. A long recuperation finds both embroiled in academic problems. Ironically they're on parallel tracks managing wealth. Flashback: paperboy finds old, small-wizened man on his route. A unique companionship evolves. Eventually the boy is endowed with a fortune. While climbing he rescues a Japanese man resulting in opportunity to establish his theories in Japan. Both mountaineers are pioneers in the business world of Japan. A chance encounter rekindles their emotional relationship. Her injuries not healing he searches China, to find the doctor to heal her. Her rehab proceeding he travels to Sumatra seeking rare earths. Nature's monsoon convolutions almost kill him. Returning to Japan they settle theoretical difficulties. In the USA he resolves financial difficulties, thence returning to Japan for his wedding. He is drafted into the Viet Nam War as an Intelligence Advisor. The war maelstrom confounds his patriotic zeal.