When a young American boy washes ashore near a village populated by skilled Japanese warriors, they raise the child as one of them and instruct him in the ways of ninjitsu. Unfortunately, he grows up to be the overweight and inept but very enthusiastic Haru (Chris Farley), who remains intent on becoming a real ninja. Haru's first assignment--protecting a beautiful woman from California--doesn't go smoothly, since he's both uncoordinated and completely unaccustomed to Western culture.