A long time ago, there were guards that defended the six gates of the imperial palace. They stood atop the 108 styles of the South Star holy fist, and were known as the South Star six holy fists. But after the nuclear war, the South Star six holy fists collapsed. The seeds of tragedy were thus scattered throughout the world.
Shu of the South Star White Heron Fist!
The Heavens Only Bestows Cruel Destinies!!
Kenshiro remembers Shu, a man who lived with hope for the future. He was the hero of the resistance, who challenged the Holy Emperor, Souther.
Kenshiro first met Shu when some of Souther's men appeared. After Shu killed them, he then challenged Kenshiro. Shu was blind, but he said that the eyes of his soul were wide open. Kenshiro was able to block Shu's strike, and eventually knocked Shu down.
However, Kenshiro didn't finish Shu off, as he could tell that none of Shu's moves had any intent to kill. Bat and Lin then appeared, and explained that Shu had saved them earlier. Shu introduced himself and said that he wanted to see Kenshiro's power, something he couldn't do without risking his life. He said he was Rei's friend, and told Kenshiro that he is the only one who could defeat the Holy Emperor, Souther.
Souther forced innocent children into brutal slavery, so they would build his Holy Cross mausoleum. Later, after Kenshiro helped Shu, Shu said that he could not forgive anyone who aimed to take away the light from children who aim to shine brighter. Kenshiro remembered that he'd heard Shu's words before. Years ago, he fought in the South Star ten man tournament.
Shu was there, and sent out some energy that Kenshiro sensed. Kenshiro then defeated his current opponent.
Shu then challenged Kenshiro, and said he would be his final opponent. Kenshiro attacked, but Shu blocked his strike, and then defeated him. Souther ordered Shu to finish Kenshiro off, as those were the rules.
Kenshiro thanked Shu for teaching him the severity of martial arts. As Shu hesitated, Souther said he could get others to kill Kenshiro if Shu didn't want to do it. However, Shu said he wouldn't allow Kenshiro to be killed. He said he felt that Kenshiro had the potential to shine brighter than anyone else. He said that in exchange for Kenshiro's light, he would give up his own, and sliced his own eyes.
Souther was shocked at what Shu had done, and watched him leave with Kenshiro. He recalled that Shu was the star of benevolence, a star destined to spread his loive, and live in hope for the future. But he wonders how that boy awakened Shu's destiny.
Shu showed Kenshiro, Bat and Lin a graveyard, and explained that the children here had all died fighting the Holy Emperor. He said that Souther would kill anyone who opposed him, no matter who it is. Kenshiro then confronted Souther, and the two fought. However, Kenshiro was shocked when his techniques didn't work against him! Souther defeated Kenshiro.
Kenshiro was badly injured, but was saved by Shiva, Shu's son. Shiva had to sacrifice himself to protect Kenshiro.
Shu confronted Souther, but Souther said to go ahead and kill him. However, if he did, then his forces would kill all of the women and children that had been taken hostage. Souther sliced Shu's legs, cutting his leg muscles so he could never use the South Star white heron fist again. He then had Shu carry the final piece of the Holy Cross mausoleum, as he wanted him to place it at the top of the pyramid.
He warned Shu that if he fell, the children taken hostage would be killed. As Shu continued to walk up the steps, a revived Kenshiro then appeared.
Souther warned Kenshiro not to try and help Shu, so Kenshiro told him he'd have to end his life. Shu then yelled for Kenshiro not to come any closer, as he must place this holy stone. It represents the lives of a hundred hostages, and also represents his penance for not stopping the South Star six holy fists from drifting apart. He told Souther that this was for the men who bore their stars and died. He also believed that this mausoleum would be crushed by the successor to the North Star divine fist. As Shu said that the South Star would never shine, Souther had him shot with several arrows.
Souther then threw a spear into him, just as Kenshiro got up to where he was. Something surprising had happened -Shu had regained his sight!
Shu could see Kenshiro, and thought God had granted him one last wish. He said that he had no regrets, and the blood of the star of benevolence had led him down the right path. He told Kenshiro to go on, and open the path of this age - he would always be watching him. He then looked up to the sky, and said that his wife and Shiva were waiting for him. After saying farewell to Kenshiro, he allowed himself to be crushed under the stone he was carrying.
Back in the present, Kenshiro thinks that the tears of the star of benevolence were something he'd swore he'd avenge with his fists.
NEXT EPISODE PREVIEW
A man abandoned his live and compassion, and sought to fulfil only his ambitions! Next time, on Fist of the North Star: "Holy Emperor Souther! Your Deep Affection Consumes You In Love!!"
Kenshiro: Farewell, Souther of the South Star phoenix fist.