In the post-apocalyptic aftermath of World War III, what is left of the human race scrounges for survival. The world has become a place where the strong lord their power over the weak, and the strongest of all is a man named Shin. Years before, Shin was a student of a martial art school called the "Southern Cross". In pursuit of becoming the most powerful man alive, Shin murdered the master of the rival "North Star" art, breaking the ancient tradition that the masters of the North and South schools must never fight. Afterwards, Shin and his gang sought out the North Star's successor, his former friend Kenshiro. Finding Kenshiro with his fiancee - and their shared love interest - Julia, Shin defeated Kenshiro and left him for dead after puncturing Kenshiro's chest and stomach with his fingers. They then kidnapped Julia, with Shin planning to make her the "queen" of his new world order. The symbol of the Southern Cross soon became the symbol of a cruel and barbaric regime that ruled the land with an iron fist.