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“A sword fight is a conversation. Both parties have to make things exciting.” ― Kuguri's mindset regarding sword fights[source]
Kuguri (
He is one of the main antagonists in the Sword Bearer Assassination Arc alongside the rest of the Hishaku as a whole.
Appearance[]
Kuguri is a tall man with a sharp face structure. He has short dark hair with a longer lock of on the right side of his face. Kuguri's outfit consists in a black haori under a long white robe, as well a pair of black pants. He wears earrings and a ring on his nose. Kuguri bears the insignia of the Hishaku on the back of his right hand.
Personality[]
Kuguri is a bloodthirsty individual that actively relishes killing and cutting with his blade. He has shown signs of irritability, discontent with the lack of information given to him during his task to locate Iori Samura. However, he generally keeps his temper in check, adopting a mood of stoic rationality and focus during missions.
Kuguri views the act of clashing swords to be akin to a conversation between opposing ideologies. He was visibly disheartened when Chihiro displayed a slight hesitation to fight during their first encounter, and a slight smile was visible on his typically stoic expression when Chihiro fought properly in the streets. Kuguri's desire to battle worthy opposing sword-fighters is so great that it can overwhelm his need to finish jobs assigned to him.
In regards to swordsmanship, Kuguri holds the art in high regard, and was aggravated when Hiruhiko ignored his instructions when Kuguri was attempting to teach him. Upon first seeing Chihiro's raw sword skill was imperfect and untechnical, Kuguri was disgusted and refused to fight him; though later on, when Chihiro managed to use a powerful iai technique, Kuguri was impressed and resumed fighting against him.
Relationships[]
Hishaku[]
Hiruhiko[]
Kuguri disapproves of his colleague Hiruhiko, openly criticising his tactics and killing methods and believing Yura to be spoiling him by letting him get away with his antics. When Kuguri was instructed by Yura to teach Hiruhiko swordsmanship, Hiruhiko mostly ignored Kuguri's instructions, which Kuguri viewed as disrespecting the art of swordsmanship.
Yura[]
While Yura is his leader, Kuguri is discontent with his methods, considering Yura to enjoy taking risks far too much; a trait shared with Hiruhiko. Kuguri also disapproves with how much Yura allows Hiruhiko to get away with. For his part, Yura trusts Kuguri's sword skills enough to have him train Hiruhiko.
Toto[]
Kuguri and Toto were tasked to kidnap Samura's daughter. The two converse naturally, being on good terms and working efficiently as a pair during their mission to capture Iori. When Toto was stuck under a car after the car exploded, Kuguri displayed a degree of concern for her wellbeing.
Genichi Sojo[]
Kuguri believed in Sojo enough to follow his advice to deepen his understanding with his Enchanted Blade.
Enemies[]
Chihiro Rokuhira[]
Kuguri continuously viewed Chihiro as a way to engage in what he viewed as a proper sword fight. While initially disappointed that Chihiro lacked enthusiasm in fighting, then later angered by Chihiro's apparent rejection of proper sword techniques, Kuguri was moved when he saw Chihiro begin to emulate a proper sword style, to the point of prioritising fighting Chihiro over his mission of capturing Iori.
Plot[]
Past[]
Sometime after Sojo fought Chihiro for the first time on October 7th, Sojo informed Kuguri of the importance of deepening his understanding of an Enchanted Blade, which Kuguri took into account thereafter.[1]
Sometime in the past, Yura instructed Kuguri to teach Hiruhiko swordsmanship. Hiruhiko mostly ignored Kuguri's teachings, preferring to learn his own way, which Yura was willing to approve, though Kuguri was annoyed.[2]
Sword Bearer Assassination Arc[]
On the 13th of November, Kuguri and Toto were present in Kyoto. As the two were in a sushi shop, Toto was nervous that Kuguri was carrying an (as of yet unusable) Enchanted Blade with him (though it was wrapped up and covered). Kuguri replied it was to deepen his understanding with the blade, having been attempting to follow Sojo's advice. She then stated Yura had told the Hishaku that 'it's almost time', before noting their mission to locate Samura's daughter. Kuguri was annoyed about the lack of detail regarding her identity and location, remarking the riskiness of the mission was typical for Yura, and also commented the situation was more of a hassle than it should have been thanks to Hiruhiko, who he disparaged.[3]

Kuguri bursts into Iori's classroom.
Later that day, the two arrived at Iori Samura's school, Kuguri jumping through the window into a classroom as Toto began testing the female students' blood for a match with Samura's, telling Kuguri to round up the female students and not kill any of them. Abruptly, Ikura then stood and shouted at the two attackers, but as Kuguri moved to kill him Iori jumped in between them to save Ikura, Kuguri holding back his katana. Kuguri noted her bravery before asking Toto to check Iori so he could kill her if she wasn't a match. Ro entered the room and while Kuguri was distracted, Chihiro attacked him with his wakizashi, forcing Kuguri to block with his katana handle.[4]
Noticing Chihiro's hesitation (sourced from hearing the nearby classmates refer to him as a serial killer), Kuguri was momentarily disappointed, but was interrupted by Toto's gesture outside, where Sumi was driving away with Iori. Kuguri hastily swung forth to force Chihiro back before jumping out of the window, regrouping with Toto in a car.
As their driver sped towards Sumi's motorbike, Toto attempted to engage him in conversation regarding the Masumi's actions, though Kuguri responded monosyllabically and barely paid attention to her, causing her to wonder if he was in a bad mood. Ro then struck the car with shurikens, a bomb attached to them sending the car flying.
Nonchalantly, Kuguri told Toto he viewed bladed confrontation as conversation, and voiced that both parties needed to make things interesting, which Chihiro (in his view) had not done. The two then dashed out of the car, Kuguri charging down the street and cleanly bisecting a bus in the way. Kuguri's blade shot forward towards Iori and Sumi as he internally chided the Masumi for highlighting Iori's presence, but Sumi then swerved the bike downwards while pressing a button labelled 'katana', Chihiro on the street behind her jumping over the bike to grab the katana and parry Kuguri's assault. Seeing a renewed vigour in Chihiro's eyes, Kuguri smiled slightly.[5]
Announcing his desire to have a proper sword fight with Chihiro, Kuguri expressed his ire that his desire came into conflict with his job to capture Iori. Struggling with this conflict even as he clashed with Chihiro, Kuguri suddenly realised Chihiro's swordsmanship was lacking, before Chihiro voiced that he planned on advancing his sword skills in the heat of battle. Disgusted by Chihiro's apparent refusal to learn the art of swordplay properly, Kuguri lost his desire to fight and charged after Iori.
From afar, Chihiro then emulated the Iai White Purity Style and consolidated his spirit energy in the sheathe, the resulting draw creating a blast of spirit energy amplifying Chihiro's speed and allowing him to once again clash with Kuguri. Kuguri was impressed that Chihiro had managed to expertly use a sword style, and once again focused on Chihiro, setting thoughts of Iori aside as he sought a meaningful battle.[6]
Recognising Chihiro's use of the White Purity Style, Kuguri assumed Uruha and Samura had taught it to him, though was shocked to hear Chihiro had picked it up to intuition given the style's difficulty to even learn. Still in a state of bewilderment, he was too slow to notice the mandala Ro had drawn, allowing him and Chihiro to make a clean getaway. Kuguri was frustrated that he had both failed in his mission and been denied a fight with a worthy opponent. Moving back to Toto (still under the destroyed car), he told her Iori had escaped, and Toto added the detection sorcery they were using to find her was reading nothing; there was no trace of her.[7]
Kuguri and Toto split up to search the various locations in Kyoto impervious to the detection sorcery.[8]
Abilities[]
Overall Abilities: As a member of the Hishaku, a group of elite sorcerers, Kuguri is a powerful combatant.
As a sorcerer, Kuguri has accomplished the first stage of spirit energy usage, being able to use his spirit energy to strengthen his body to superhuman levels.

Kuguri blocks Chihiro's attack.
Enhanced Speed and Reflexes: Kuguri is incredibly fast, able to draw his katana and slash down a civilian at high speed. Kuguri's reflexes were sufficent to block Chihiro's wakizashi attack at near point-blank range.[9] He is also able to keep pace with and gain ground on a motorcycle while on foot.[10]
Enhanced Durability: Kuguri is resilient enough to jump through a window and not be injured by the glass shards.
Combat Prowess[]
Expert Swordsman: Kuguri is a highly skilled combatant, able to react to and parry a surprise attack from Chihiro when the younger swordsman's wakizashi was centimetres away from his face. His slashes were powerful and precise enough to cleanly bisect through a bus while running at top speed on a busy street.[11]
Equipment[]
Katana[]
Kuguri uses a standard katana in general offense, and demonstrates a high level of skill with his blade.[12]
Enchanted Blade[]
Kuguri at one point carried Subaru's Enchanted Blade on his back, and has displayed an open desire to wield it.
Etymology[]
Possible meanings for the kanji in Kuguri's name include:
久 : A long duration of time.々 : Iteration mark. Usually indicates that the previous kanji, along with its reading, is repeated.李 : Plum.
Trivia[]
References[]
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 61 (Page 17).
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 64 (Pages 10, 18).
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 61.
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 62.
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 63.
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 64.
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 65.
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 66.
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 62 (Page 16).
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 63 (Pages 12-13).
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 63 (Page 13).
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 62 (Page 14).
[]
List of Characters | |||
---|---|---|---|
Chihiro's Allies | Rokuhira Swordsmith | Chihiro Rokuhira • Kunishige Rokuhira† | |
Sorcerers | Togo Shiba • Azami • Hakuri Sazanami • Hiyuki Kagari • Tafuku Mihara | ||
Other | Hinao • Char Kyonagi | ||
Kamunabi | Leaders | Azami | |
Anti-Cloud Gouger Special Forces | Ikuto Hagiwara • Kazane Machi • Shiyumi Harima† • Hajime Kugara† • Kiyohiko Uzuki† • Makoto Kasahara† | ||
Other Members | Hiyuki Kagari • Tafuku Mihara | ||
Masumi | Ro • Sumi • Moku | ||
Enchanted Blade Wielders | Misaka† • Yoji Uruha† • Seiichi Samura • Subaru • "Master Swordsman" | ||
Hishaku | Yura • Hishaku Sorcerer • Hiruhiko • Kuguri • Toto | ||
Sazanami Clan | Kyora Sazanami† • Soya Sazanami‽ • Tenri Sazanami† • Tamaki Sazanami • Enji Sazanami | ||
Other Characters | Sojo's Group | Genichi Sojo† • Norisaku Madoka† • Mohawk Henchmen† | |
Independent Sorcerers | Puppet Sorcerer† • Trauma Sorcerer† • Oni Mask Sorcerer | ||
Non-Sorcerers | Yuu • Iori Samura |