Kenshiro was enraged by the Holy Emperor Souther's evil ambitions, and finally stood before him. Now, the time for their duel has come!

The Young Warrior Challenging Fate!
The Cry of his Soul moves the Heavens!!

Kenshiro says that he's hit the most destructive and lethal pressure point: jinchukyoku. He reveals that Souther now has three seconds to live. Souther's men can't believe the Holy Emperor could lose. Souther says this is interesting, and decides to count out the three seconds.

HITOTSU

(One)


FUTATSU

(Two)


MITTSU

(Three)



"..."



"!"

The time is up... and nothing happens. Souther just starts laughing, as suddenly Kenshiro is struck! A cross mark appears on his chest, causing him to heavily bleed. As he staggers back, he doesn't understand -he was sure he hit the pressure point! Souther says that the North Star divine fist won't work on his body. He says he was born with the body of an emperor, and no one can defeat him!

He asks Kenshiro if he's figured out why Raoh has avoided fighting him, and then says he's an emperor -he's completely different from the likes of them! He goes to finish Kenshiro off, but Kenshiro grabs his hands.

Kenshiro then starts punching Souther many times, but Souther tells him it won't work -is that all he's got?

Kenshiro attacks again, hitting pressure points all over Souther. Souther is sent flying back.

But nothing happens to Souther. Souther says that Kenshiro's attacks are perfectly timed, and he's worthy of being the real successor to the North Star divine fist. But he has still lost to the emperor's blood that flows within himself. He then does a few swipes, which cut Kenshiro up.

Souther starts laughing, and stomps on the fallen Kenshiro's head.

A resistance member soon brings the terrible news to Shu and the others: Kenshiro was defeated. Bat can't believe Ken could ever be beaten, and tells the scout that it can't be true. But the scout confirm that it really happened. Lin falls to her knees.

Shu asks if Kenshiro is dead, but the scout says he isn't. He is reluctant to say what has happened to Ken, and then says he's sure Ken will be fine. Lin tells him to tell the truth, as whatever may happen, they believe in Ken. She's sure he will come back, as he would never die.

If Ken died, their hope would die with him, and he'd never let that happen. Shiva thinks about how Lin believes in Kenshiro so much.The scout then says that Kenshiro was slashed up by Souther, and is bleeding profusely. In his current state, it's only a matter of time until he dies.

Bat tries to run off, as he wants to save Ken. Shu tells him to calm down, as what could he do my himself? He reminds Bat that Kenshiro left Lin in his care...

Bat realizes he can't go. Shu heads outside, and thinks that Kenshiro must, for the children's sake, stay alive. Shiva then appears, and says that Bat and Lin have finally calmed down, but are still under watch. Shu asks Shiva if he noticed Lin's inner strength: the depth of her determination and belief in Kenshiro.

Shiva says it's not just the inner strength, but the inner force which Kenshiro possesses. He then has a favor to ask of his father: he wants the task of rescuing Kenshiro. He says that he's snuck into the Holy Cross mausoleum before, so he knows the secret routes. It's also easier for a child like himself to sneak in and search. Shu warns him that he will be putting his life at risk, but Shiva says he knows this.

Shu sits down and says that despite being the successor to the South Star white heron fist, he's never taught it to Shiva. The reason for this is because he didn't want to burden him in carrying the fate of the star of benevolence he bears. He can laugh at his affection, but that's his sad fate as the star of benevolence. But it seems that the blood of his star flows in his son.

He touches his face, and says that whilst he may be blind, he knows his face well... it's just like his mother's. He tells his son to go, and master the path of his own star. As Shiva runs off, Shu thinks he may never meet his son again... it is the fate of his star, but for a child, it's too much to bear. He hopes Shiva will come back alive.

At the mausoleum, one guard wonders why the Holy Emperor didn't finish Kenshiro off. The other guard says Kenshiro would be a worthless human sacrifice if he was dead. Souther intends to bury Kenshiro alive, turning him into the spirit of the Holy Cross mausoleum. As they talk, Kenshiro is still bleeding, but he can only think of his battle with Souther -why doesn't the North Star divine fist work on him?

The next morning, children are still working on the mausoleum. The guards want the children to work harder, so they can finish the mausoleum. Souther is watching, and says that with the North Star divine fist successor as a human sacrifice, his South Star holy fist's Holy Cross mausoleum will finally shine brightly.

He then turns around, as his meal is ready. But after a few bites, he throws down his knife and says that he doesn't care for today's food. He orders for it to be taken away, and kicks over the table.

The food is sent everywhere, and one of the children servants tries to pick up a piece. But as soon as he does, a guard stomps on his hand, and says that touching the Holy Emperor's meal is forbidden. He kicks the child into the table, and warns the others that even if they starve, the Holy Emperor never will. And whilst they can die, the Holy Emperor never will -that's the power of a chosen ruler. He tells them to hammer this lesson into their heads, and then tells one of them to get rid of the fool he just kicked.

Shiva says he'll do it, and tells the kid that he'll be fine. Later on, inside the mausoleum, the two guards are still watching Kenshiro, but they then hear a noise.

They run off to investigate, but Shiva drops down. He takes one out, and then defeats the other one.

He goes into Kenshiro's cell, and releases him. Kenshiro wakes up and asks who he is. Shiva says he's here to save him -he's Shu's son. Kenshiro is surprised he came here by himself, but Shiva says they must get out of here.

They enter the sewers, but Kenshiro is unable to walk. Shiva has to carry him the whole way. The two eventually leave the sewers, and head away from the mausoleum. But Souther's forces soon realize that Kenshiro has escaped.

Shiva and Kenshiro start to walk through the desert, but Kenshiro collapses. He asks Shiva why he came here alone, and Shiva says that, just like how Lin, Bat, and his father believe in him, he believes in him. He says that Kenshiro is the only one who can defeat Souther. As Shiva drags Kenshiro along, he says that Kenshiro is the end of century savior.

Kenshiro asks if that's really true, as he's currently half-dead after losing to Souther. Shiva says that as long as Kenshiro is alive, the light of hope will not go out. He's destined to the star of benevolence, just as his father is -and for that, he'll risk his life. Kenshiro says he no longer has that power, as he lost to Souther. The two then take cover behind a large rock.

Kenshiro's wounds are still bleeding, so Shiva rips part of his shirt off and gives it to Kenshiro. They then hear the sounds of motorbikes in the distance, and realize it's Souther's forces. Kenshiro says they'll eventually be found, and tells Shiva to get out of here. But Shiva says he will act as a decoy. Kenshiro tells him not to be foolish, and again tells him to run. He says he can handle Souther's forces by himself.

However, he loses even more blood. Shiva tells him he can't fight with those wounds, but then reveals he has these: sticks of dynamite. He tells Kenshiro to live... live, and keep the light of hope lit. He then says farewell to Kenshiro, and runs off.

Kenshiro tries to stop him, and forces himself to stand. But he immediately falls down again.

Souther's forces come to a stop when they see Shiva stood out in the open. They get off their bikes and surround him, and believe he helped Kenshiro get away. They want to know where Kenshiro is, and tell him to talk. But Shiva pulls out two lit sticks of dynamite.

Shiva stands there, and thinks of his father... he tells him farewell. Seconds later, Kenshiro sees a massive explosion in the distance.

Kenshiro realizes what Shiva has done for him. Not only has Shu saved him, but now, so has his son. He tries to walk, but can't, and collapses. He starts to crawl through the desert, determined to see Shu again.

But as the hours pass, a sand storm sets in, and Kenshiro collapses. Two men on horses then find him...

NEXT EPISODE PREVIEW

Shu is captured by Souther's trap! Kenshiro, hear the soul of the star of benevolence scream! Next time, on Fist of the North Star: "A Bloody Battle, Shu Vs. Souther! Love is Drowned by the Tears of the Star of Benevolence!!"

Kenshiro: The rage of the tempest is calling me.