Hattori Hanzo

Perhaps the most enigmatic and mysterious man in Kunian history, little fact is known about Hattori Hanzo. Without question, Hattori Hanzo has made the largest mark on the history of Kunio.

Born to an Iga Warlord and his concubine, Hanzo would be thrown from the castle that he was born in, forced to live on the streets with his mother. His mother, would die a few years after his birth, and he would hone his trade on the harsh streets of Kaeda. At an early age, he would learn hate, and far into his teenage years, he would plot revenge.

After he felt that he was fit to put in motion his plan of vengence, Hanzo signed up for the Iga forces. At first, he was rejected for his beggar like appearence. But the higher ups finally did pay attention when he slaughtered three of the Ninja for giving him the wrong look.

After quite some time spent in the military, ( during this time he would first meet Kibagami Genjuro ) Hanzo finally did manage to get himself stationed at the castle of the very Warlord that would be his father. Under the blanket of night, he slipped into his father's bedroom and murdered him and his wife. Hanzo then claimed the Warlord title of that particular region. Noone objected, after seeing a particularly brutal display of his power. Hanzo, who over the next years, continued to rise through the ranks of the Iga, would goad the then leader of the Iga, telling him that it was indeed time to strike against the Shi and the Orochi.

Despite Hanzo's best efforts, the leader of the Iga refused to strike against the Orochi and the Shi, stating that it was destiny for the three clans to live in harmony. Hanzo eventually grew tired of the leader, and murdered him as well. So, as it was, Hattori Hanzo finally did rise to the top of the chain, his path paved in blood.

It was around this time, the name 'Haomaru' was first whispered. Hanzo knew that he had to show the Iga his strength. He sent a challenge to Haomaru, who accepted.?The fight ended in a draw, but it also left a large scar on Hanzo's pride. Hanzo's anger grew, and he decided that he would indeed show the Iga his strength.

Under Hanzo's lead, the Iga finally did strike against the other clans. The Orochi came first. They could only watch as their numbers dwindled, and dwindled, and finally disappeared. After the destruction of the Orochi, Hanzo bided his time, letting the Shi quiver in fear before he struck. The war begun, pitting the Iga against the Shi. Hanzo always participated in battle, for he enjoyed the feel of flesh as it was carved under his blade. Many times during the war, he would clash with a Samurai that surpassed even Haomaru, that being Kibagami Genjuro.

It was more than evident that the strongest on each side was Hanzo and Genjuro. Hanzo knew that in order to win the loyalties of his people, he needed to destroy Genjruo. And he did, eventually.

But Hanzo had never expected what was to come. On the way to the top of the mountain, he had forgotten of all the others he had stepped on. He would be assassinated in his own home, by his own soldiers.

So the reign of the great Hattori Hanzo would come to an end, and with his defeat, the Iga also crumbled. But hundreds and hundreds of years ago, a wise man had told of a tale of a man, that would be reborn a demon. Hattori Hanzo would return.