Professor Nagashima Toshiaki is a researcher specializing in DNA. In particular his work involves the mitochondria, its origin and its possible contemporary uses. His theory is that mitochondria was originally a parasite organism which so thoroughly embedded itself in its host that it now has become an integral part of the structure of human cells. Whereas mitochondria has its own DNA, a primordial, original strain of the parasite, referred to as “Eve”, may be someday discovered and unlocked.

Along with his research assistant Asakura, Nagashima has discovered a method whereby infusion of mitochondria into human cells can regenerate and heal damaged or deformed cells. The possible ramifications of this for those with degenerative diseases is astounding.

But immediately following this discovery Nagashima’s research is interrupted by the tragic death of his newlywed wife Kiyomi in a terrible auto accident. Nagashima’s mentality is shattered and his work grinds to a halt as he mourns this tremendous loss. However, when the hospital informs him that Kiyomi had requested to be an organ donor, he suddenly realizes what he must do — he will apply his new discovery to the DNA of his beloved in an attempt to recreate her.

But Nagashima’s experiments work too well and the replication of Kiyomi’s mitochondria accelerates at impossible rates, until it is clear that only the mitochondria, not the human cells, are growing. By the time he realizes what is happening, the new entity can move at will and possesses self-consciousness. In addition to retaining all its memory since primordial past, it has also formulated a devastating plan for humanity’s future, one which quickly proves to be simply the rawest and most heartless form of “survival of the fittest”.