The story begins in 1949 and followsJapanese-Americancomic book artist Kevin Yamagata as he draws the popular detective series "Billy Bat". When he learns he may have unconsciously copied the character from an image he saw while serving in occupied Japan, he returns to Japan to get permission to use Billy Bat from its original creator. Upon arriving there, however, he becomes embroiled in a web of murder, cover-ups, and prophecy that all leads back to Billy Bat. It is soon evident that the truth of Billy Bat's nature is far larger than Kevin could ever guess, spanning across millennia and the world. Kevin finds that The Bat is related to an ancient scroll which is said to enable anyone who possesses it to rule the world.