Sun Wukong emerges from a mystical stone on Flower Fruit Mountain, an extraordinary monkey possessing innate intelligence and leadership. His courage shines when he plunges through a roaring waterfall to find a hidden cave, an act that crowns him king of the monkeys. Though initially benevolent, his kingship fosters arrogance and tyranny, sowing discontent. Fearing humanity's greater intellect, he seeks power, locating a reclusive hermit and compelling him to teach magic. This training grants him formidable abilities: shape-shifting, cloud travel, and combat mastery. Reborn as "Son Goku," he returns to flaunt his powers, fueling his hubris. His ambition soars as he ascends to heaven to steal sacred fruits, convinced of his invincibility. In heaven, he wreaks havoc, battling celestial forces. He overpowers General Kinsei and claims his staff, yet loses a shape-shifting duel to Jiroshinkun. Arrogantly accepting Buddha's challenge to escape his palm, he fails and is imprisoned beneath the Five Elements Mountain for five centuries. His companion Rin-Rin tends to him during this time, and his arrogance wanes as he faces the consequences of his actions. Freed by the monk Genjo Sanzo, he agrees to accompany him on a pilgrimage to Tianzhu to retrieve sacred scriptures after Sanzo secures his compliance with a control headband, capable of inflicting pain at will. On the journey, Sun Wukong battles numerous foes, including the pig-demon Cho Hakkai. He defeats Cho Hakkai but later spares and accepts him as a companion. He also recruits the ogre Sa Gojō after stopping him from devouring Sanzo and Cho Hakkai. His growth faces a trial when the imp Shoryu, serving King Gyū-Maō, deceives the group and captures Sanzo. Sun Wukong rescues Sanzo but confronts Gyū-Maō's volcanic fury at the Flaming Mountains. To prevail, he secures the Basho-Sen fan from Gyū-Maō's wife, Ratsunyō. Shoryu's trickery, however, leads to his temporary paralysis. A repentant Shoryu provides a healing potion, enabling Sun Wukong to defeat Gyū-Maō and freeze the lava with the fan. By journey's end, he exhibits humility and wisdom, safeguarding Sanzo and completing the pilgrimage. Buddha removes his headband as a mark of trust, and he attains enlightenment. He returns to Flower Fruit Mountain, reuniting with Rin-Rin and his subjects as a redeemed leader.