by Himuro and Inuzuka, began his journey to fulfill the team's mission of climbing to the top of Mt. Botnnuten. Back home in Japan, Shirasaki Suguru was busy preparing for the second Antarctica expedition to replace the 11 members from the first expedition that were left to do preliminary studies. Despite of the heavy blizzard and going off track from their plan route, Kuramochi and his companions were very glad and surprised that they managed to reach their destination. Kuramochi and Himuro climbed and reached the peak of Botnnuten where Kuramochi fixed a plaque with inscriptions of the achievement made in the name of the First Japanese Antarctica Expedition team, as well as his father's Antarctic expedition team photo. A heavy blizzard descended again on their return journey back to the base, and during the return journey, one of the sled dogs Tetsu broke loose and ran off. Making matters worse, the snow-covered ground over which the team was travelling collapsed beneath them, in which Himuro fell down and broke his leg. They managed to take shelter at the frozen whale carcass they found earlier near the foot of Mt. Botnnuten. Shortly after seeking shelter in the whale carcass during the blizzard, Kuramochi was reunited with Tetsu who had followed them to their camp. With their food rations running out and the icy conditions taking their toll on him and his companions, Kuramochi comes up with a plan. Turning loose the lead dog Riki, as well as the brothers Taro and Jiro, Kuramochi sent the three dogs with a message to get help from their comrades at the base. Shortly after the dogs left to get help, Kuramochi, Himuro, and Inuzuka succumb to the bitter cold and lose consciousness. 6. "What Really Happened 54 Years Ago" As the blizzard finally let up, Utsumi and Samejima took the snowcat to search for the missing explorers. While searching for Kuramochi and his party, the two team members were met by Riki, Taro, and Jiro carrying the message that Kuramochi wrote to the other team members. Utsumi and Samejima followed the three dogs back to the whale carcass, where they were reunited with the three missing explorers and the rest of the dogs. Kuramochi and Inuzuka praised Riki, Taro, and Jiro for saving their lives, and even Himuro embraced Riki in gratitude for the dogs' heroism. Some time after returning to Showa Base,