Shû is the successor of Nanto Hakuro Ken ("South Star White Heron Fist") and bearer of the Star of Benevolence, a destiny obligating him to protect future generations. He significantly encountered Kenshiro during the boy's childhood at the Nanto Junin Kumite trial. Sensing Kenshiro's potential as the final opponent, Shû disobeyed Souther's execution order and spared him. To secure Kenshiro's life, Shû clawed out his own eyes, awakening his Star of Benevolence and granting him spiritual sight instead of vision.

Following nuclear devastation, Shû led a resistance against Souther, the self-proclaimed Holy Emperor, focusing on rescuing children enslaved to build Souther's Holy Pyramid. During this conflict, Shû's son Shiva sacrificed himself to free Kenshiro after Souther captured him. Souther's forces attacked the resistance hideout in retaliation. With Kenshiro still injured, Shū secured his escape before confronting Souther directly.

Souther severed Shû's leg tendons during their fight, crippling his martial arts mobility. Souther then forced Shû to carry the capstone of the Holy Pyramid to its summit to protect hostages. Shû completed the ascent but perished upon placing the capstone. In his final moments, he miraculously regained his vision, witnessing Kenshiro as an adult for the only time before dying. His blood later permeated the pyramid’s summit after Souther's defeat, contributing to the structure's collapse.

Expanded details note Shû sported a goatee during earlier events chronicled in Rei Gaiden, contrasting his clean-shaven appearance during Kenshiro's later rescue. His character design draws inspiration from the visual aesthetic of Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome. A symbolic parallel likens his final ascent with the capstone to the Via Crucis (Stations of the Cross). Official character metrics rate his combat attributes as Power: 3, Speed: 4, Skills: 4, Looks: 3, and Charisma: 4.