Heihachi Gonda is an initial member of Team Tonegawa, the group of black-suited subordinates assembled by Yukio Tonegawa within the Teiai Group. At 49, he is the team's oldest member. His stalled career within the organization fuels anxieties about his professional future and lack of advancement. Historically, Gonda avoided responsibility and leadership roles, reflecting a lifelong pattern of evading accountability.

A pivotal shift occurs when Tonegawa falls ill, forcing Gonda to step up as acting leader. Initially overwhelmed, he receives crucial encouragement and motivation from teammate Kōji Dōshita. This support becomes a turning point, compelling Gonda to confront his insecurities and gradually embrace greater responsibility within the team.

Years after these events, Gonda remains employed as a blacksuits in the Teiai Group. During this later period, his photography hobby earns him an award. In a reflective conversation with colleague Kenji Yamazaki, he articulates a key personal realization: he has learned to value himself independently of professional advancement or hierarchical success, resolving his earlier career anxieties. This evolution marks a shift from avoiding responsibility to finding personal fulfillment beyond traditional career measures.