Sanzo-hoshi, born of divine lineage as the son of Buddha, embarks on a sacred pilgrimage to retrieve a sutra from Tianzhu. He initiates his journey by freeing the imprisoned monkey king Son Goku (Alakazam), binding him with a magical headband to ensure obedience and protection. As the group's leader, Sanzo-hoshi recruits reformed adversaries encountered along the way: the pig-man Cho Hakkai (Sir Quigley Broken Bottom) and the ogre Sa Gojō (Max Lulipopo), integrating them as bodyguards. He consistently exhibits patience and compassion, mediating conflicts among his companions, especially when manipulated by foes like the imp Shōryū (Filo Fester). His leadership emphasizes redemption, offering adversaries a path to moral improvement by joining the pilgrimage. Sanzo-hoshi confronts grave dangers, including capture by the demon Gyū-Maō (King Gruesome) who plans to consume him for immortality. Through such trials, he remains a moral anchor, steadfastly upholding humility and mercy as core virtues. His capacity for forgiveness extends even to Shōryū after the imp betrays Gyū-Maō to aid them, reinforcing Sanzo-hoshi's role in catalyzing others' redemption. The pilgrimage culminates successfully at Tianzhu, where Buddha acknowledges the mission's fulfillment, bestows the sacred sutra, and removes Goku's headband, symbolizing completed atonement.