Shuu explains to Ken a little bit about Souther. Whilst Yuda was the one who betrayed the Nanto Roku Seiken, Souther was the one who manipulated him into doing it. Souther has been waiting for the world to become as chaotic as it is so he could rule it, as his star is the "Sho-sei" -the command star. None of the other members of the Nanto Roku Seiken can defeat him, as he is so strong. All Shuu can do is lead his small resistance army and continue to defy him.



Shiba, Shuu's son, then appears. Shuu reveals that even though Shiba is still young (younger than Bat), he is a junior soldier in the resistance. As everyone moves back inside, a kid called Ryo heads over and offers food to them all.



Shuu asks Ryo if he has eaten and he says he has, but Shuu can tell he isn't telling the truth and tells him it is OK for him to eat instead. Shuu explains to Ken that their food supplies are low and he isn't sure what he can do about it at the moment, but then it seems the problem is solved when Ryo's father returns with huge boxes full of food. His squad attacked a supply convoy heading to Souther's pyramid, so now they have all this great stuff to eat. The food is given out, but Shuu takes one bite and tells everyone not to eat any -the food has been poisoned!



Everyone is alright though because nobody has actually eaten any of the good -everyone apart from Ryo! He coughs up blood and goes into a coma like state, but Kenshiro is at hand to save the day. He hits a pressure point that stops the poison from killing him. Everyone thanks Kenshiro, as Shuu tells them all that they must throw away all of that food now.



Shiba thinks Kenshiro is amazing, as not only is he strong, but he can also save people's lives. Shuu tells him that he should realise now that Kenshiro is the only one who can defeat the Holy Emperor. He takes Ken outside to show him the graves of all the children who have died in being forced to serve Souther. This makes Kenshiro want to confront the Holy Emperor even more.



Later on, one of Souther's soldiers is burning people with his flamethrower, as trash like them need to move out of the way -the Holy Emperor is going to pass through here. Not far away, Souther is out on his mobile throne, along with an escort of bikers.



Kenshiro then arrives and grabs the flamethrower off the soldier. He tells him he is right -trash needs to be moved, so he uses it against him just as Souther arrives. Souther immediately recognises Kenshiro and says that he has grown up, but also asks what he wants. Ken has come to challenge him, simply to end his reign. Souther smirks that it seems Kenshiro has also got a bigger mouth over the years, before sending out two of his best soldiers.



The blade-wielding duo are called Beji (blue one) and Giji (the other one) who are masters of Nanto Sozan Ken (South Star Twin Slashing Fist). Souther says they should be enough to take Kenshiro down. The pair go on the attack, throwing their blades at Kenshiro.



There are only four blades, but the two can throw them so quickly it seems like there are a lot more of them. They catch each other's weapons if they miss the target and continue to throw them, as Souther tells them to move in for the kill. The two get closer to Ken, and their blades start to slice into him. They get right up next to him and are ready to finish him off...



...when he ducks down and avoids their final strikes. He then quickly gets up and strikes pressure points in their chests. He warns them to stop using their blades, but they ignore his advice and start throwing them at him again.



This is not a good idea however as the two eventually throw their knives into each other's brains and chests. Ken explains that he hit pressure points on their bodies that made it impossible for them to clearly see at long range, making their style useless against any opponent -except themselves! With those two dead, Souther congratulates Kenshiro on his level of skill, but asks if he has the power to take him down.



Elsewhere, Raoh is hiding out in a small building and learns that Kenshiro is about to take on Souther. But his response is that of anger and surprise, as he claims that it is too early for this to happen -Kenshiro cannot defeat Souther yet!



Souther tells Kenshiro that he is the master of the most powerful style of the South Star: Nanto Ho'oh Ken (South Star Phoenix Fist). He leaps down and says that he is the Holy Emperor, and that royal blood has coursed through his veins since birth. He is ready to fight, so Ken goes into his stance. But he notices that Souther is just standing there.



Souther hasn't taken a stance, because his style does not have one. Nanto Ho'oh Ken is purely an offensive style, as taking a stance implies defense, which is something his style does not use. He then warns Kenshiro that if he doesn't do something, he'll start this fight. Since Ken doesn't move, Souther suddenly glides across the floor and is right up to Ken within a second, swiping at him with his arms. Ken moves out of the way...



...but doesn't completely avoid the attack and suffers a cut to his face. He realises how fast Souther is and tries to hit him back, but he moves out of the way by jumping back, only to immediately go on the offensive again.



Kenshiro tries to use the Ganzan Ryouzan Ha, but Souther avoids it and kicks him in the face. Ken hits the ground, and Souther tells him that he did a good job of avoiding his first technique, the Kyokusei Juji Ken (Command Star Cross Fist). But even still, when compared to his own style, it is like Kenshiro isn't even moving!



Ken begs to differ and says that he has now seen through Souther's style. Back with Raoh, two of his troops ask when Kenshiro cannot beat Souther. Raoh says Kenshiro may be able to see through his opponent's style, and may possibly be stronger than Souther, but he still cannot win -not until he figures out Souther's secret! This secret is why Raoh has not challenged Souther yet himself. Back at the battle, Souther laughs at what Kenshiro has just told him and decides to continue fighting.



Souther dashes forward, but just as he is about to use his uses his Kyokusei Juji Ken, Kenshiro moves even faster than he can, and avoids it. Suddenly Kenshiro leaps up and smashes his arms into Souther's neck, before using a series of rapid strikes on him.



After his attack ends, Kenshiro reveals that he has hit Souther's "Jinchukyoku" pressure point, one of the most destructive of the Hokuto Shinken style. Souther has just three seconds to live. Souther finds this interesting, so he decides to count the seconds down.


HITOTSU

(One)


FUTATSU

(Two)


MITTSU

(Three)



Souther hasn't died! He just laughs, and then suddenly Kenshiro 's chest gets sliced into -Souther was so fast he hit him earlier without him even noticing. Souther says that Hokuto Shinken has no effect on his body. He was born with the body of an Emperor -no-one can defeat him! What can Kenshiro do now?!


NEXT EPISODE PREVIEW

Hitting Souther's pressure points seems to have no effect! As Ken must try to win in this deadly battle, Shiba risks his life for him. Tune in next time for "The Young Warrior Challenging Fate! The Cry of his Soul moves the Heavens!!"

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