Burning with the ambition to rule the century's end, Souther, the Holy Emperor of the South Stars, defeated Shu, the hero of the resistance.

Kenshiro: SHU!

Burning with rage, Kenshiro has decided to face Souther.

Kenshiro: Souther! Once I'm done with you, there will be nothing left!

Souther: Kenshiro... those will be your last words. Playtime is over!

Kenshiro tries to hit Souther's pressure points, but none of his techniques work. In desperation, Kenshiro strikes pressure points on Souther's chest, and stabs his fingers into him. But even this didn't work... but Kenshiro noticed something strange. Souther then hit him in the face, knocking him down the pyramid. However...

Souther: Ugh! My pressure point?!

Kenshiro: SOUTHER! I've now solved your secret!

Souther: What did you say?!

Souther, the Sorrowful Holy Emperor!
You Were Exhausted with Love!!

Souther stares at Kenshiro, and thinks about what Kenshiro just said. Kenshiro says that Souther's pulse, along with the flow of his blood, helped him in solving the secret.

Part of Souther's right arm bulges up, ripping through his shirt. Kenshiro says that Souther's heart is on the opposite side, meaning that his pressure points are reversed, front and back -that's the secret of his body! Souther is able to get his arm under control.

He asks Kenshiro if that's what he really thinks, and then jumps back onto the very top of the pyramid. He tells Kenshiro this is what he'd expect from the successor to the North Star divine fist, but that doesn't mean he's solved the mystery.

He says that as the successor to the polar star of the South Star, he must use his secret techniques as well. He goes into a stance, which causes his entire body to glow with a golden aura.

NANTO HO-OH KEN OUGI:
TENSHO JUUJI HO

(South Star Phoenix Fist Secret Technique:
Heaven Soaring Cross Phoenix)

Souther says that with the South Star phoenix fist, there are no stances for the Holy Emperor -all enemies bow before him! But when a worthy opponent appears, the emperor must leave his palace, and face the opponent. Which means that this heaven soaring cross phoenix is an unbeatable technique, one which risks the emperor's own pride. Kenshiro says he will return this honor.

He goes into his own stance, one that Raoh immediately recognizes as a North Star divine fist secret technique: the heaven breaking stance.

HOKUTO SHINKEN OUGI:
TENHA NO KAMAE

(North Star Divine Fist Secret Technique:
Heaven Breaking Stance)

Toki says that the seven stars of the Big Dipper protect the heavens. It's also said that when the heavens are in disarray, this ultimate secret technique can destroy heaven itself! In the skies above the pyramid, it suddenly starts to hail. Souther sees this as a sign that the heavens are thrilled to witness this destined battle.

Toki says that both Kenshiro and Souther are using their secret techniques, and now it's up to their abilities as to who will win. Souther leaps forward, and dives towards Kenshiro. He says that the heavens have no place for two polar stars.

Kenshiro leaps forward and goes to punch Souther, but as he does, his fist seemingly goes right through him. Souther passes through Kenshiro completely.

Kenshiro turns around, and sees that his shoulders have been cut. Souther says the phoenix soaring in the heavens will never fall, and leaps towards Kenshiro again. Kenshiro starts punching...

...but again, Souther just passes through him, and again, Kenshiro's shoulders are cut. Raoh is impressed with Souther's technique, as Souther has completely grasped the flow of Kenshiro's energy. But he and Toki know that Kenshiro still hasn't used his own secret technique.

Souther says his fists can cut through steel, and he's surprised that Kenshiro's wounds from his attacks are so shallow. Kenshiro says that the essence of the North Star divine fist is fighting spiritual energy, which can make flesh even harder than steel. He tells Souther to come at him. Souther says he'll strip Kenshiro's strength of will away, and leaps up.

Kenshiro leaps towards him, and the two clash in the air. Kenshiro blocks Souther's attacks, but when he tries to hit back, Souther blocks or avoids all of his moves.

Souther tells Kenshiro that his moves won't work, and then kicks him down. Kenshiro lands back on the pyramid.

Souther laughs, but then looks at Ogai. He tells his master that his Holy Cross mausoleum will soon be complete, and the 2,000 year history of the North Star divine fist will come to an end. He recalls the saying that as the South Star fades, the North Star appears... in fear and the shadows of the North Star, his South Star ancestors were never at the head of the line. But today, that will end as well.

Souther says that there is only one polar star, and the light in heaven is the polar star of the Southern Cross! It's the star of leadership -the Holy Emperor, Souther! He leaps forward towards Kenshiro once again, and says this is the end. But Kenshiro is ready for him:

HOKUTO SHINKEN OUGI! TENHA KASSATSU!

(North Star Divine Fist Secret Technique! Heaven Breaking Impalement!)

Kenshiro's beam attack strikes right through Souther, and causes some of the steps behind him to blow apart. As Souther is sent flying backwards, wounds in the formation of the Big Dipper appear on his back.

Kenshiro says that the secret technique he just performed uses the fighting spiritual energy to strike pressure points without physically touching them. He tells Souther that the star of leadership must fall! Souther lands back on the pyramid, but he has to kneel. He starts to stand up again, but he is losing a lot of blood. He says that it's not over yet -even if Kenshiro has discovered that his pressure points are reversed, he doubts he'll be able to find them accurately. For the sin of wounding the body of the South Star emperor, he'll make Kenshiro pay!

Kenshiro tells him that the armor that shrouded the secret has been stripped away. Souther suddenly feels pain all over his body, and looks down to see that his nerves are visible. Raoh says that Souther's pressure points are standing out.

Kenshiro says that secret pressure points are the pivots through which the blood and nerves flow. He tells Souther that without his armor, he's just a regular human being. Souther says he's the strongest man of the South Star holy fist, and turns around. He tells Kenshiro to observe this: even if he's found his pressure points, he won't be able to defeat him with spiritual energy alone. He then yells out, and is able to make the wounds on his body close up, stopping the bleeding.

He tells Kenshiro that he can't strike a pressure point that'll defeat him -he can't strike a fatal blow against the South Star phoenix fist! He attempts to leap forward again, but finds that he can't -he can't move his legs! Kenshiro says that the phoenix can no longer fly, as he's had his wings clipped.

Raoh says it's over. Souther realizes that he has been not only stripped of his armor, but now his wings have been clipped. But he's still the Holy Emperor, Souther... the emperor of the six South Stars... and...

SHIKANU! KOBINU! KAERIMINU!

(I won't retreat! I won't stop! I'll never surrender!)

Souther flips forwards and uses his hands to leap up straight into the air. He dives towards Kenshiro, and uses a rapid series of strikes...

...but Kenshiro starts punching. The two clash, but soon Kenshiro is hitting Souther.

He strikes pressure points all over Souther's chest, and Souther coughs up blood. He then does one final punch on him:

HOKUTO UJOU
MOSHO HA

(North Star Humane
Fierce Flying Smash)

Souther falls forward, unable to fight any longer. He curses Kenshiro for using a merciful technique that causes no pain. He wonders if Kenshiro is going to kill him with sympathy, and realizes that the dream of the phoenix, and the Holy Emperor, has crumbled.

He removes Kenshiro's fist, and falls down. He says he has one last thing to ask Kenshiro: love and compassion only lead to sadness. Why does Kenshiro seek to bear that sadness, and bear that suffering? Kenshiro says it's not just sadness and suffering. He tells Souther that he must remember the warmth as well.

Souther thinks about what Kenshiro just hold him, then looks over to Ogai. He remembers the times he spent with his master, but Kenshiro then turns around and tells him that his life is over now. He urges Souther to pick the place of his death. Souther laughs and says he's lost, he's been completely defeated.

He calls Kenshiro a worthy opponent. Kenshiro starts to walk down the steps, whilst Souther gets up and stumbles over to Ogai's shrine.

Lin says that Souther now looks like a child. Souther reaches Ogai, and asks him to give him the warmth again, as he did long ago.

Kenshiro watches, and calls Souther a man of sorrow -someone who had the deepest love than any other. Everyone then notices the very top of the pyramid, where the holy stone that Shu placed -blood has started to leak out of it. Toki says that Shu's star of benevolence is also shedding tears.

The pyramid then starts to partially collapse, starting from the top. Kenshiro takes one last look at Souther, who is still with Ogai. He then continues to walk down the crumbling pyramid.

Toki says that Kenshiro no longer needs his help. Raoh thinks that another enemy is now gone. He starts to leave, but Toki asks him where he's going. Raoh says to heaven.

He tells Toki that, sooner or later, he will fight with him. Until he defeats him and Kenshiro, heaven is beyond his grasp. He tells Toki that they'll meet again, and then leaves. As he does, the pyramid continues to crumble away.

Kenshiro gets to the bottom of the pyramid, where Lin, Bat and the other children run up to him. Lin tells Ken that she's glad he's safe.

NEXT EPISODE PREVIEW

The return of the Fist King is approaching! At this critical moment of the century's end, will Toki sacrifice his life and face him?! Next time, on Fist of the North Star: "The Strongest Era of the North Star! The Fate of the 3 Brothers is Finally Moving!!"

Kenshiro: The rage of the tempest is calling me.