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Ro (
He is a major ally of Chihiro Rokuhira during the Sword Bearer Assassination Arc.
Appearance[]
Ro physically appears similar to a child, despite being over 23. He has black eyes and black hair styled in a vaguely similar fashion to Samura's, and dons a pair of sunglasses. During his tenure at Senkutsuji Temple, he wore black-and-white robes. During his assignment to take action against the Hishaku's new ally, he wears a black suit, tie and pants and a white shirt.
Three years ago, Ro did not wear sunglasses.
Personality[]
Relationships[]
Masumi[]
Sumi[]
As fellow members of the Masumi, Ro and Sumi are colleagues that place their trust in each other during operations. While Ro is her commander, Sumi is not above talking sense into him at times, such as when he refused to wake up initially during the Hishaku's attack on Senkutsuji.
Moku[]
As fellow members of the Masumi, Ro and Moku are colleagues that place their trust in each other during operations.
Chihiro Rokuhira[]
Following Samura's betrayal, the Masumi chose Chihiro as their new master. Ro emphasised with Chihiro given their shared lack of information regarding the situation and the true nature of the Seitei War, and both shared an interest in getting to the bottom of things and demanding answers from Samura.
Seiichi Samura[]
Seiichi Samura was the Masumi's former chosen Master, given that he was the Enchanted Blade wielder they had been assigned to protect. Samura was vehemently against the idea of the Masumi constantly performing menial tasks for him and refused to view them as tools, a decision that moved Ro. Given his decision to wear sunglasses after meeting Samura and imitating his speech at one point, it is implied Ro developed a great respect for Samura. Ro did not hesitate to risk his life fending off the Hishaku's forces during their attack on Senkutsuji in order to ensure Samura could get away safely.
For his part, Samura reluctantly agreed for the Masumi to fight near him given their abilities wouldn't risk Samura accidentally attacking them. He heavily disapproved of them risking their lives for him given his belief in his own guilt for his actions during the Seitei War, and was furious when he was transported away from the battle at Senkutsuji by Sumi, wanting to rush back in immediately.[2]
Following Samura's betrayal, Ro was shocked alongside the other members of the Masumi, wanting to find Samura and demand answers from him. He was ultimately unopposed to the idea of fighting his former ally.
Plot[]
Past[]
Three years prior to the present, Ro was assigned to Senkutsuji Temple alongside his subordinates Sumi and Moku in order to guard Seiichi Samura. While originally they treated Samura as they would any other master, including attending to his supposed needs, Samura was heavily opposed to the idea of the Masumi doing everything for him and viewing themselves as tools, preferring them to work alongside him rather than for him. Samura additionally noted his total disapproval for the idea of the Masumi sacrificing their lives for him.[3]
Two years ago, Samura made his sole explicit request as master for the Masumi, to fake his daughter Iori's death and wipe her memory of any ties with himself, as well as his own memories of her, in order to move her away from the Kamunabi's surveillance and ensure she lived a life of safety.[4][5]
Sword Bearer Assassination Arc[]
Ro was initially asleep during Hakuri and Uruha's arrival at Senkutsuji, but was woken up to aid in fighting during the Hishaku sorcerer's attack. Alongside Sumi and Moku, he entered the main temple building to assist Samura, the three utilising their ninja arts to hide their senses from Samura and thereby avoid detection; though Samura quickly noticed the foes they were cutting down, begrudgingly permitting their assistance so long as they didn't risk their lives. When Uruha and Hakuri were forced into the building, Ro and Moku continued to assist Samura and Uruha in fighting the enemy sorcerers while Sumi prepared a mandala to transport the blade wielders and Hakuri out.[6]
Through Uruha's assistance, Sumi managed to transport Hakuri, Uruha and Samura away to the entrance of the temple, and Ro prepared to hold off the enemies with his comrades in order to buy the escaping trio time. As they were gradually overwhelmed, Samura then re-entered the temple, now with Tobimune in hand, and he used Crow to decimate the enemy sorcerers, the Hishaku sorcerer quickly teleporting out, before yelling that the Masumi were fired.[7]
Moku was shocked by the devastation, wondering what had happened, and Ro responded it was Tobimune's sheer power. As the group reconvened, Ro apologised for Samura needing to save them, but Samura brushed him off, telling him to thank Hakuri instead. With Ro noting Samura's possession of Tobimune gave them a large advantage, the group planned to head to another Sanso and resume Hakuri's treatment there. On the way out, the group spotted the condition of Ryo Fuura, who had given his life in order to protect the wielders. While Sumi noted his death had contributed to a great turning point in the conflict, Samura grudgingly noted it was just the beginning.[8]
Alongside all the monks in the area and his fellow Masumi members, Ro was then knocked unconscious by Samura as Samura discussed his motives with Uruha before killing him and leaving.[9] Later in the night, past midnight on the early hours of November 10th, Ro greeted a recovering Chihiro within his hospital room, introducing himself and reporting his perspective on the prior day's events, concluding by noting the Masumi's desire to do what they can to resolve the situation. He sympathised with Chihiro in their shared lack of understanding on the situation, and told him that the Masumi plan to work with Chihiro to confront Samura in several days' time.[10]
Three days later, at 11:20 am on the 13th of November, the Masumi and Chihiro sat around a cafe table, where Ro noted Chihiro was the Masumi's new master for the time being. Ro told Chihiro that the Kamunabi leadership intend for them to take pre-emptive action against Samura and the Hishaku. While the Hishaku left no choice, Samura's trail could be easily tracked via Owl's massive spirit energy signature. Given Owl's nature as a detector of spirit energy, Chihiro drawing Enten could draw Samura to their location whenever they wanted.
However, Ro acknowledged that Samura was the only person that could pressure the Hishaku, and focusing on the Samura could allow for the Hishaku to take action; hence confronting Samura was out of the picture. Instead, Ro brought up their leverage; their knowledge of Samura's daughter Iori. The Masumi told Chihiro of how they had hidden Iori's identity, and discussed how the Hishaku would likely try to reach her to gain an edge on Samura. Through locating and protecting Iori, the four of them could gain an advantage over Samura and the Hishaku, thus the group decided to head to Kyoto in order to locate her.[11]
During their conversing, Chihiro noted while his knowledge and usage of Enten's abilities was honed well, his swordsmanship was lacking, especially in comparison to veteran swordsmen like Samura. Ro and Chihiro concluded that Chihiro would be focusing on improving his blade skills in the near future.[12]
Later that day, the four approached Iori's school, where two Hishaku sorcerers were holding the class hostage. Ro created a distraction for Chihiro to lock blades with Kuguri, taking the opportunity to escort Iori away. Ro briefly realised in surprise that Iori was unconsciously trying to break the seal on her memories herself before announcing she would be under the Masumi's protection, and that her life would be changing for some time.[13] Escorting her outside, Sumi summoned a motorcycle from a scroll and drove Iori away. The two Hishaku sorcerers boarded a car and followed, with Ro in hot pursuit.
Using two shuriken, one with an explosive attached to it, Ro killed the driver and detonated the car. Kuguri then sped out of the car, sprinting down a street and bisecting a bus in his way. As Kuguri was about to reach Iori, Chihiro confronted him on the streets, while Ro and Moku rescued the civilians who were inside the bus.[14]
As Sumi drove away with Iori, Ro and Moku remained on-scene as Chihiro clashed with Kuguri. Ro was confused when Kuguri began voicing his internal conflict between focusing on his mission and wanting a proper sword fight. When Kuguri began charging at Sumi once more, Ro and Moku moved to intercept him but were interrupted when Chihiro successfully emulated the Iai White Purity Style, speeding to Kuguri and clashing with him once more, successfully diverting his attention from the escaping Sumi and Iori.[15]
Chihiro held off Kuguri long enough for Ro to draw a mandala on the ground. Ro called to Chihiro and used a smoke bomb to obscure the mandala long enough for Ro, Moku and Chihiro to make their getaway. The trio then met with Sumi and Iori at the Kyoto Bloodshed Hotel, booking the Pine Room. Before talking to Iori, Ro noted Iori's subconscious bond with Samura was strong enough to begin breaking the seal itself with the right prompting, so they should avoid mentioning Samura at all costs. He added they were preparing a stronger seal to fully amnesticise Iori, set to be completed within 24 hours.
Upon meeting with Iori, Ro introduced the Masumi and attempted to paint a more positive picture of Chihiro, but the latter resolutely accepted he was a murderer, but he would protect Iori nonetheless. Iori was adamant that they explain the truth and who Samura was, and Ro revealed the Masumi had manipulated her memories for her own safety, advising her that hostile forces would pursue her and her sealed memories may not be pleasant.
Hearing Iori's dissatisfaction and discomfort at being denied the truth and pondering how he would feel without having lived with his father, Chihiro proposed they tell Iori the truth as she would be amnesticised in 24 hours anyway, leaving the choice up to Iori herself, an argument Ro could not counter.[16] As Ro and Chihiro began telling her the truth behind her lineage, Ro offered snacks to her. When Iori later collapsed from the shock of the onrush of information, Ro and Chihiro placed her in a bed.[17]
Throughout the night, the Masumi taught Chihiro battle techniques. By the time morning rose on the 14th of November, Ro was on the roof with Sumi and Moku on the final stages of preparing the seal.[18]
Abilities[]
Overall Abilities: As a member of the Masumi Clan, a group of elite sorcerers trained in the ninja arts, Ro is a powerful combatant.
Enhanced Stealth: As part of the ninja arts, Ro neutralizes his scent, sound and hostile energy, allowing him to fight on the same battlefield as Samura without endangering his own life.
Enhanced Agility & Speed: Ro is able to leap around buildings while keeping pace with cars. [19]
Equipment[]
Dual Katana[]
Ro carries two katana which he uses as his primary weapon in combat, having used them at Senkutsuji to fend off the onslaught of Datenseki-wielding sorcerers.
Shuriken[]
Ro is proficient with shuriken, able to throw them accurately from a long distance and with sufficient force to impale a person's neck from afar. On one occasion, he has attached an explosive to one of his shurikens in order to throw said shuriken onto a car and detonate it.[20]
Mandala Markers[]
Ro uses markers to create mandalas that are capable of transporting people from one location to another.[21]
Etymology[]
朗 : Ro can be translated as son, boy or servant.
Trivia[]
References[]
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 56 (Page 8).
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 55.
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 56 (Pages 6-8).
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 61 (Pages 10-11).
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 66 (Page 8).
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 55.
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 56.
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 57.
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 58.
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 60 (Pages 10-15).
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 61.
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 64 (Pages 3-6).
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 62.
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 63.
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 64.
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 65.
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 66.
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 67.
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 63 (Page 9).
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 63 (Pages 9-10).
- ↑ Kagurabachi Manga: Chapter 65.
[]
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 |