Any% route w/NULL save slot glitch (updated 10/07/2023)

Keep at hand either my submitted run or the TAS video for the movement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKZY3xXXM_I
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3BDQoIsP-k

- On the save slot choice, position on the 3rd slot, press down and a frame later press A to select the "NULL"/"fourth" slot

The "NULL" save slot has already all flags enabled, including Kaioh (the final boss) being beaten. This lets you warp to the credits by talking with him.

- Name can be left empty, just move to finish (おわる), start your timer

- If the setup is successful, you'll end up in the brown room (continue the guide), otherwise you'll end up just outside the city walls (reset and repeat from scratch)

On failed setup, you can check if you were a frame early/late by checking if the first or third slots contain a save.

- (no need anymore) Move down by one step to avoid triggering the map transition after warping

- Open the menu, choose the last option to warp (いどう), choose the last option of the first page (glitched name, depends on emu/console)

- Enter the shop (it got a $ sign), talk with the guy behind the counter (menu, first option -> はなす), buy 2x Seven Star Perfume (second choice, しちせいこう)

Seven Star Perfumes act like repels on Pokémon avoiding yourself all random encounters on the overworld. Funnily enough, it bypasses also forced encounters!

Contrary to the TAS that buys only one (since AmaizumiUmi is doing extensive RNG manipulation to avoid random encounters), manipless requires two of them to cross the entirety of the overworld and skip the forced encounter at the final boss building entrance.

Getting an encounter is an instant reset: you're underleveled and you're going to be oneshot by the enemy/enemies.

- Use one of the Seven Star Perfumes (しちせいこう) by opening the menu, selecting the second option to open the items (どうぐ)

- Open the menu again, choose again the last option (いどう), move to the second page, choose the last choice (again, glitched name, depends on emu/console), go to the final boss building (follow the steps from either one of the videos)

(updated 10/07/2023)
- *Before or when* you hear the three beeps (the perfume stops working) make sure to use another one to finish the trip and avoid also the forced encounter when entering the building

- Go in front of and talk (はなす) to the final boss

- Mash A, cross your fingers that the game doesn't crash, split after the last textbox (the one that fades out), GG, enjoy the credits

Remember to wipe SRAM after every successful glitch setup to avoid unexpected behavior with the file on resources for people on EDN8/Pro (untested if it works on the PowerPak), removing the SRAM battery on original cartridges might replicate the behavior. Players on emulator should avoid FCEUX since the TASer reported that the game freezes on it after talking to the final boss (before the credits roll).

LucentW

Hokuto no Ken 3 : Shin-Seiki Sozo Seiken Retsuden

Nintendo Entertainment System