Fist of the North Star Episode 3: In a City Without Light, a Lone Fist Burns! - Furious Death of the Five Exploding Fingers!

A deep voice lays out the history of Hokuto Shinken, an ancient, secret martial art passed down through generations. Celestial images of the Big Dipper constellation highlight its legendary lineage. We see silhouettes of past masters, their strikes aimed at pressure points to destroy an opponent from within. Then, the current successor appears: Kenshiro, his chest marked by seven scars, ready to wield this deadly power.

Kenshiro and Bat journey through a desolate canyon under a sick sky, a stark landscape reflecting the world's harshness. They find a man hanged, a chilling message from 'KING' attached to his back, addressed to the 'man with seven scars'. It is a direct challenge, promising more death until Kenshiro is found. This immediate act of cruelty is mirrored in a nearby ruined city, where a flamboyant leader named Diamond taunts a father forced to rely on his young daughter to keep from strangling.

Kenshiro and Bat interrupt Diamond's cruel display, drawing the leader's attention. Diamond, recognizing the man with the scars, attempts to kill Kenshiro with a heavy metal staff, swinging with a surprising, desperate agility. But Kenshiro easily evades, then catches the staff, rendering Diamond's strength useless. He lands a series of precise strikes, explaining he has used 'Koshu Hazan Ken' on Diamond's facial nerves. Diamond's head then grotesquely distorts and splits apart, a brutal end that stuns his men.

As twilight falls, Kenshiro and Bat look out over the glittering, massive city of Southern Cross, a monument to Shin's vanity. Kenshiro's eyes hold the weight of memory and resolve. He then moves with silent, supernatural speed, scaling walls and neutralizing guards with surgical precision as he infiltrates the city. He incapacitates a guard by hitting the 'Zusetsu' pressure point, wiping the man's memory of the encounter, to Bat's amusement.

Inside a vast arena, another of Shin's generals, Club, plays a sadistic game, promising a prisoner freedom if he can simply touch Club. The prisoner's desperate lunge is met with cruel evasion, then swift, brutal slashes from Club's steel claws. Kenshiro drops into the arena, confronting Club, who boasts of training specifically to defeat him. Club unleashes a flurry of claw attacks, but Kenshiro effortlessly parries them. With a devastating series of finger strikes to pressure points, Kenshiro unleashes 'Five-Finger Explosion', leaving Club's body to betray him in agonizing, uncontrolled spasms.

From his high balcony, Shin senses Kenshiro's arrival, a flicker of cold anticipation in his eyes. Below, the city's guards discover Club's gruesome remains, plunging Southern Cross into a frantic lockdown. Meanwhile, a transport truck arrives with terrified villagers, treated as 'cattle' and branded with hot irons by the guards. Kenshiro and Bat watch this from a hidden vantage point, Kenshiro's grip tightening on his binoculars, his resolve hardening further against the absolute tyranny.

We are introduced to Heart, a massive, obese general with a heart tattoo, whose calm demeanor shatters the moment his skin is scratched. A single drop of his own blood sends him into a psychotic, murderous frenzy. Later, a minor accident in a tavern results in a new scratch, drawing blood, and Heart unleashes an uncontrollable rampage. He destroys the bar, smashing tables and crushing men, his immense layers of fat deflecting all attacks until his rage finally subsides amidst the carnage.

Shin visits Yuria in her lavish chamber, trying to win her affection with gifts. She remains sorrowful, her gaze fixed on the outside world, mourning her lost freedom and Kenshiro. Shin tells her Kenshiro is alive and has come for her, his words laced with mocking disdain for Kenshiro's chances. Yuria's eyes hold a brief, fragile spark of hope, but she refuses to speak to her captor. Shin leaves, confident in his power to keep her captive.

Kenshiro and Bat continue their relentless advance through the palace, dispatching guards with speed and precision. Kenshiro's focus is absolute, his steps carrying him closer to his singular goal. He finally bursts into the grand throne room, where Shin waits, entirely unfazed. Shin sits arrogantly, greeting his former friend with cold disdain. Kenshiro declares his return from hell to settle their score and free Yuria. Shin mocks his resolve, recalling their past defeat. The two rivals stare each other down, the air thick with their shared, violent history.