Hironobu Akechi
From Unofficial Handbook of the Virtue Universe
| |
| Hironobu invoking the power of the Onimusha | |
| Hironobu Akechi | |
| Player: @Fallout Gunner1 | |
| Origin: | Magic |
|---|---|
| Archetype: | Tanker |
| Security Level: | 50 |
| Personal Data | |
| Real Name: | Hironobu Akechi |
| Known Aliases: | Hiro, Akechi-san |
| Species: | Human |
| Age: | Actual: 38, Appears: 24, Technically: 462 |
| Height: | 5'2" |
| Weight: | 94lb |
| Eye Color: | Brown |
| Hair Color: | Black |
| Biographical Data | |
| Nationality: | Japanese |
| Occupation: | Demon Hunter |
| Place of Birth: | Mino Province, Sengoku Era Japan |
| Base of Operations: | Ouroboros |
| Marital Status: | unmarried |
| Known Relatives: | none living, 400+ years deceased |
| Known Powers | |
| Oni Magic, 10-Style Elemental Oni Weaponry | |
| Known Abilities | |
| Master of all Samurai Weapons, Calligraphy, Tactics and Leadership, Japanese Daemonology, Shinto Mythology, Shinto Prayer and Rites, Horsemanship, Tea Ceremony, Meditation, and Teaching/ Instruction | |
| Equipment | |
| Kote No Oni( The Oni Gauntlets), Akechi Ancestral Daisho, Daikyu (Japanese Bow), Full Grand Armor, Kimono, Obi, Hakama, Tabi, Sohei scarf | |
| History Section is some of the key events which involved Hironobu from the 22 Month GURPS: Japan campaign of 2004-2006. | |
Akechi Hironobu is a ficticious representation of a Historic Figure from the Sengoku Period of Japanese History. He is based loosely on the actual figure: Akechi Mitsuharu , cousin to the famous Akechi Mitsuhide , as well as Akechi Samanosuke from the Onimusha (series). In real world Japanese History, Mitsuharu and Mitsuhide are accredited with planning the Attack on Honnoji which resulted in the death of the Warlord, Oda Nobunaga.
Hironobu is the product of a 22 month long tabletop campain of The G.U.R.P.S. tabletop Roleplaying system which spanned from October 2004 until July 2006. Hironobu, like his real world counterpart, Mitsuharu, was present at the Incident at Honnoji, but was not present at the Battle of Yamazaki, nor was he seen or heard from again or since.
With the addition of the Dual Blades and Willpower Power Pools, as well as the introduction of the Ouroboros to City of Heroes in Issue 11, Hironobu's High Fantasy Japan mixed with an open ended epilogue to the character meshed almost flawlessly into a character and story perfect for City of Heroes.
Contents |
History
Act 1
The Road to Genpuku
1554-1559
Akechi Hironobu was born of Noble birth in October of 1546 in Mino Province. Growing up, he was guided by Mitsuhide in many ways, being 18 years Hironobu's Elder at the time. Mitsuhide taught Hironobu everything about the Way of the Samurai, even from a young age. Respect, Discipline, Loyalty, Honor, Sincerity, Hard Work, and an appreciation for all things beautiful and unique. In spite of all of this though, Hironobu was shy as a child, yet incredibly insightful. The type who focussed on what needed to be done and did it with very little talk.
Being called the "Beloved Child of Mino," Hironobu was held in high esteem from a young age, and at the age of ten, was sent to the Shinjosho Ryu Dojo to learn the ways of the Samurai. While there, Hironobu did learn the ways of all the weapons of the warrior, but also learned to steady his mind and spirit as well. He also took interest in some of the more social aspects that many of his peers did not. Things like calligraphy, the Tea Ceremony, meditation and painting. In combat, Hironobu excelled at the use of the Katana, the Yari (spear) and horsemanship. At age fifteen, he underwent the rite of Genpuku, graduating as top of his class along with four other notable samurai: Junkai, a Ronin from Echizen; Shinzui Kouzan, often called the Crab of Kai; Munenori Kuja, a Buddhist monk learning the ways of the Sohei; and Tekeshi, an orphaned boy with stark-white hair and savant with a sword.
The five of them were then recruited into the Oda Army straight out of genpuku, each chosen for their own reason:
- Tekeshi for his skill with a blade.
- Kouzan for his strength and grit as a warrior.
- Kuja for his wisdom and strength of will.
- Junkei for the fire that burned in his heart.
- And Hironobu for his cunning, intelligence and drive for perfection.
The Battle of Okehazama
1560
Main Article: Battle of Okehazama
Hironobu, as well as the other prized students first real battle came against Imagawa Yoshimoto. The battle was brought to Imagawa in the middle of a stormy night in June 1560 by Oda Nobunaga. Imagawa's force of 25,000 stood little chance against the ambush. This was also the first time Oda had excerised his demonic powers, summoning Osuriku to slay Imagawa within his own command tent. With Yoshimoto slain, the demon turned on the five prize students as Oda took his leave. The newly graduated samurai were little match for the brute of a demon.
Though, in their unconcious state, they found themselves face to face with the apparition of Shinjkuno, the Beneveolent Oni which fought along side of Bishamonten in ancient times. He empowered each of them with an elemental spirit, a Gauntlet and a Weapon with which to fight against the Genma Demons.
- Kouzan gained the Hammer of Earth
- Kuja gained the Naginata of Ice
- Junkei gained the Tiger Claws of Fire
- And Hironobu gained the Yari of Thunder.
Tekeshi would not be given a power, though Shinjikuno would only tell he was already gifted with a power beyond what he could grant.
The Five awoke with their new powers in tact, and the demon no where to be found. Though, it had burrowed itself a tunnel, into which our Heroes traveled. Once discovered, Osuriku was easily dispatched of by the Oni Champions and their newfound powers. In it's tunnel, they found a conduit to the Shadow Realms, in which they found an ancient citadel which lay in ruins. Within the Citadel, they found clues to a long war which raged between Humans, Oni and Genma, all throughout the world, and in different eras of human history. However, Hironobu and the Oni Champions would never come to fully understand the meaning of it, in it's entirety.
Imasho Town
1562
In April of 1562, while stationed in Imasho Town, a small gold mining village Southeast of Mino, Hironobu first met his love interest of the period. Though she disguised herself as a flower peddler named Kyune, she was in fact, Oichi, the runaway sister of Oda Nobunaga. The two grew close as friends, though, Hironobu, being shy and proper, was never able to make any forward advances of courtship toward her. Behind all that, Kyune was a very adept swordswoman, extremely rare for the time. The Champions accepted her with open arms as one of their own into their motley crew.
Additionally, during this month they ran into a Samurai on his Mugen no Kenshin, from the Takeda Clan known as Yoshokai Onimoto. Yoshokai was an adept leader, tactician, bowman, and of course being from Kai, he was also an extrmeley skilled Horseman and Horse Handler. Onimoto, himself had been given an Oni Gauntlet, as well, during the Fourth Battle of Kawanakajima. However, Onimoto's gauntlet was not limited to a single element, rather, it allowed him to manifest an Oni Bow and lace his arrows with elemental power. He soon informs he was sent on his Mugen no Kenshin by Takeda Shingento seek out others who possess the Gauntlet. As was the case with Kiyune, he became close friend and teammate to the Five Oni Champions.
Hanzo was not heard from after the day in the mine, though, over the next several years as Hironobu and the Oni Champions patrolled the Mountains around Imasho Town in search of Genma, Hanzo would teach Kyune the ways of the Ninja.
Fall of Saito
1566-1567
In early 1566, Hironobu received a letter from home. Yuki Hime had written him about troubles occurring back in Mino. Saito Yoshitatsu was losing control over the Saito clan, suzerain clan to the Akechi at that time. In her letter she expressed that she wished Hiro to come home to deal with the issues of the family with her and Mitsuhide. That night Hiro conferred with the Unit Commander about his situation, as was allowed to go on leave. Little did he know the other Oni Champions, as well as Kyune would want to go with him.
Meeting back up with the family after 10 years away was interesting for Hironobu. He and Mitsuhide had time to catch up and exchange stories about the past decade. The other Oni Champions were honored guests of Hironobu, and had a rather enjoyable stay at the Akechi family compound. However, they stay and enjoyment was short lived. With Oda threatening to invade their lands, and internal conflicts boiling within Saito's ranks, the populace Mino was in absolute chaos and upheaval. Mitsuhide would need Hiro and the Champions help to quel a peasant uprising about 3 days away. Mitsuhide, additionally sent a small contingent with the warriors, placing them in command of one unit each.
With the uprising successfully quelled, Hiro and the others were instructed to head directly to Inabayama Castle to rendezvous with Mitsuhide and the rest of Saito. Upon meeting up, it seemed Oda had sent his demons in before his army to weaken Saito before the seige of the castle had even begun. During the "Demon Seige," it was realized that only the Weapons of the Oni Champions could harm the attacking Genma. The Six continued to make a clean sweep of the castle grounds, however, in the caverns deep under the cellars of the castle, they found another conduit to the Shadow Realm.
Within this shard of the Shadow Realm, the group happened upon a meeting between Oda Nobunaga and Yamata No Orochi, the Great White Serpent, King of Demons. It was a battle of truely epic proportions, and when all was said and done, many of Hironobu and the Oni Champions lay unconcious, wounded or dying. The King of Demons was dead, but none of them could surmount the strength to battle Nobunaga for the soul of Orochi. In the end, as the flesh-stone Genma temple crumbled around them, Nobunaga simply walked away in a spout of evil laughter, having absorbed the soul of the Demon King into himself. Nobunaga now had all the power of the Demon King. Upon escaping the Shadow realm, Hironobu and the Oni Champions fled Inabayama with Princess Yuki to other family in Bizen before Oda's advancing Army could reach the castle.
Act 2
The Search for Allies
1567-1571
During that week, The Oni Champions, along with Ryoko and Kyune, convened at a local teahouse to discuss the next course of action. The group decided that spreading out all over the Island of Honshu in search of allies, as well as other pockets of Demons. Before spreading out though, they felt the need to get Tekeshi a new sword from the nearby mountain village of Osafune, home of the Legendary Masamune swords. The meeting at Osafune went well, until Tekeshi fetched a cursed Muramasa sword from a nearby river. Opening it's talisman-bound case caused a massive earthquake, as well as the group's expulsion from the village. After being exiled, the party then displaced abroad to each find an ally willing to combat the demon army of Oda Nobunaga.
- Tekeshi went his own way, deciding to hone his skills with the sword. He ended up facing one of Nobunaga's Demon Generals, Garaganto, in the middle of a Typhoon. He also learned of his Destiny as the Reincarnation of Inutaishou, the Hound of Bishamonten, from a Clan of Hakken.
- Onimoto returned home to Kai to seek Takeda's aid, where Shingen unveiled to him his undefeatable "Heavy Cavalry."
- Kouzan, Kyune and Ryoko went to Kyoto to keep an eye on Nobunaga's political movements, where they met up with Mitsuhide Akechi, who was still alive and serving Oda. Ryoko took on the role of impersonating Oichi and was married off to Azai Nagamasa as part of a peace-agreement between Azai and Oda.
- Junkei also went his own way and ended up being a Sumo Champion, granted his own Castle and granted the title of "Tsutsui."
Hironobu and Munenore Kuja went East to Ise Province to attempt to ally with Ikko-Ikki Monks at Nagashima. There they ran into influential figures such as Kennyo Honojanji, The head of the Ikko-Ikki Monks, and Saika Magoichi, Captain of the Saiga Gun Team, otherwise known as the Saiga Ikki. Along with Magoichi, Hiro and Kuja fought off pockets of Demons and eventually convinced the Ikko-Ikki that a war with Oda was the right thing to do. The monks, being able to fight demons far better than samurai, tied up much of Oda's forces over the next four years.
Battle of Nagashima
1571
After years of suffering from tremendous losses at the hands of the Ikko-Ikki Monks and the Oni Champions, Nobunaga finally grew tired of them, and decided to launch a full scale attack on the delta fortress of Nagashima. Oda Surrounded the fortress and set fire to it, killing tens of thousands of non-combatants in the process. During the seige, Hironobu was shown hidden tunnels underneath the main temple, through which he helped many more escape the burning city, though it was not enough. Among the escapees were Magoichi and his Teppu unit. Kuja, however, decided to end his career as a Sohei and become a Buddhist monk, and so gave his Gauntlet and the Power of Ice to Hironobu the day before the Seige. Kuja died valiantly in the seige, attempting to fight the fires, as Hironobu watched the inferno from a nearby hilltop behind Oda lines. His sense of vengeance against Nobunaga was heightened, and allowed him to unlock the Power of his Oni transformation for the first time.
Reunion in Owari
1572
As if by fate, Hironobu meets up with Tekeshi, Onimoto and Kyune in a bustling teathouse in Owari Province. In exhanging stories of the past couple of years, they find Oda has been rather busy eradicating whole Clans at a time. Through Tekeshi, who now wore armor, they find out that the Taira Clan of Hakken were wiped out in the Battle of Anegawa along with The Azai and Asakura Clans. Kyune informs that Ryoko was killed somewhere in the Siege of Odani Castle, as well, Kouzan collapsed the castle around himself with Daikotsui in an attempt to crush the Oda Soldiers and Demons besieging it. Kyune also let Hironobu that much of the Akechi family was still alive, and that Mitsuhide was one of Oda's top Generals. Hiro was both confused and disheartened by both the news of his cousin's defection, as well as the death of his comrades. After a small mount of deliberation, they decide that their best course of action is to return to Inabayama Castle, now called Gifu Castle, to strike Oda Nobunaga at his base of Operations.
Return to Gifu Castle
1572
Hironobu and the remaining Oni Champions returned to the familiar village of Imasho Town in the Province of Mino. There, they reconvene at the tea house where they first met as 7, but now only 4 returned. Having newfound strength, in Hiro's Oni transformation, as well as Tekeshi's "werewolf" form, They decide their first course of action will be to assault the nearby fortress of the Yokai which Funaki had warned them about elven years earlier. There, they encounterred a Fortress overwhelmed with hair, and met it's owner; Yura. In a hair-raising skirmish, the Yokai found she could not beat the Oni Champions, nor could they combat her. After meeting up with her humanoid manifestation, deep within the citadel, they talked, learned of her origin, it was Onimoto who convinced Yura to join them in their battle against Nobunaga and his demon army.
Upon returning to Imasho town, the group had discovered that Junkei's crucified corpse had been placed outside the Village walls. It was possibly a warning from Nobunaga to the Oni Champions about what awaited those who opposed him. There, Hironobu gained the Power of Fire from Junkei. This death fueled Onimoto to unlock his own Oni transformation. With that, the proceeded straight to Gifu Castle.
Yura, not familiar with the Way of the Samurai, or human social interaction, had her own idea about how to do things, and was not easy to work with as the Oni Champions made there way through Gifu castle.
Once Within the castle walls, they once again ran into Hattori Hanzo, who aided the warriors as they fought through the demons within the castle once more. It was also here where Hironobu was able to procure the Akechi Ancentral Daisho, which contained the Power of "Kusanagi, Sword of Wind", as well as a set of Full Grand Armor. Additionally, they encounter Tokichiro Hideoshi, who spills to the Hiro and the others about Oda and his plans, leaving them to face a Tsuno in his wake. However, this time, within the catacombs beneath the castle, the found a demonic laboratory in the vicinity of where they encountered the conduit to the Shadow Realm. Searching the Laboratory, the party was able to recover Kouzan's Gauntlet, Allowing Hironobu to gain the Power of Earth, as well as the Earthquake Nodachi, Yamatoken.
The Oni Champions, along with Hanzo set the lab ablaze, and proceeded into to the conduit back to the Shadow Realms which they had used ten years ago, to fight The White Serpent over a decade prior. Within the Shard, this time, Orochi's Temple had seem to have been converted into a colliseum. Here, they met up with a Genma Mastermind known as Godentsu. The found that Godentsu had been supplying Oda with Demons as well as the creator of numerous portals to the Shadow Realms all over Japan. A short monologue, Onimoto was able to shoot Godentsu with a very well placed shot before making his escape. This however, enraged the Mastermind's retainer, a Genma Sohei known as Tenkaichi, sending the group into a fight where they were clearly outmatched, even with their transformations. Though heavily wounded, Tekeshi gave into his beast, giving opportunity for the others to escape.
Act 3
Kagemusha
1572-1575
One day in Spring, Kyune returned from a mission to Kyoto along with a very much alive Tekeshi. She carried with her a letter from the Emperor, himself. In it was detailed that he desperately needed to have Shingen march on the Capitol and remove Oda Nobunaga as Shogun. Shingen began the march to the capitol later that year. Takeda seemed nearly unstoppable as he won at both Futamata and the Battle of Mikatagahara. In the Battle of Mikatagahara, Hironobu and The Oni Champions came face to face with Tadakatsu Honda of the Tokugawa Army. He was able to single-handedly fend off the three of them long enough to allow Tokugawa Ieyasu to retreat.
Though, shortly after the battle, Takeda Shingen died of a mysterious illness. His Top General's went to great lengths to keep his death a secret from Oda, quickly moving his son, Takeda Katsuyori into his place. Katsuyori was not the tactician that his father was, and so had Hironobu and Tekeshi stand down at the Legendary Battle of Nagashino. Onimoto was outraged by Katsuyori's decision , which led to Onimoto's abandoning of him before the battle started. Through continuous fire of arquebusses, developed by Nobunaga, The Takeda cavalry suffered devastating losses and never recovered.
Snakes in the Rough
1576-1582
The last threat to Oda died with the Takeda Clan, and so Hironobu returned to the capitol to meet with his cousin, seeking advice. Mitsuhide pointed out to Hironobu that they had completely thwarted Nobunaga's demonic contacts and generals nearly every step of their way in the past sixteen years. -that it was only a matter of time before Oda would begin to crack and show weakness. It was at that point, They decided to lay low in Kyoto and wait for that perfect moment to strike.
Incident at Honnoji
June 21st, 1582
Main Article: Incident at Honnoji
That moment came 6 years later when Oda Nobunaga had returned to the capitol from his adventures abroad. Upon receiving word from Hiro and the group back at Kyoto, Mitsuhide undermined Nobunaga's orders and moved his army to Tamba province.
The attack was brought to Nobunaga at Honnoji before dawn on that day, with Hironobu and Onimoto utilizing their Oni transformations leading the charge. Tekeshi, Yura and Kyune were placed elsewhere in Kyoto, to prevent Nobunaga's son, Oda Nobutada and his wife, Lady Noh from interfering in the coup. Neither of which went out without a fight, utilizing their own Genma transformations onto death.
At the gates of Honoji, Mitsuhide tangled with Mori Ranmaru while Onimoto and Hironobu battled a Genma transformation of their lost friend, Shenzumi Kouzan. When Kouzan was slain, Hironobu gained the last of his Oni Arsenal: Chigo, The Molten Battleaxe.
With Ranmaru and Kouzan finally defeated, Mitsuhide and Onimoto turned to Hironobu, knowing that their only hope of destroying Oda Nobunaga lay with him. Onimoto took off his Gauntlet, handing it to Hironobu, granting him the Power of the Oni Bow. This allowed Hironobu to invoke the Power of the Legendary "Black Oni," making him nigh-invulnerable, super strong and extremely quick, and able to Manifest his Oni Weapons and Magic upon whim. The newly transformed Hironobu charged into the Temple as it burned around him to face Oda in their Final Confrontation.
The battle with Oda Nobunaga would show that Nobunaga's raw power and Demonic Magic were outclassed by the more experienced fighter with heart, purpose and Oni Magic on his side, which was found in Hironobu. In the end, Hironobu defeated the Genma King transformation of Nobunaga with his own sword, The Genma Sammonji, as well as absorbed the Genma flamberge into his arsenal.
As the two shifted back from their transformed states, Hironobu took Orochi's soul from the defeated Nobunaga as the once warlord committed Seppuku. Hironobu assisted Nobunaga in his last cry for honor. The Soul of the Demon King now in the hands of the Oni, Hironobu sauntered out of the burning temple with Oda's sword dragging behind him.
It was in that distracting moment, Ranmaru took Kyune's life with his dying breath, leaving her as a Yokai that would forever follow Tekeshi, haunting his dreams. After that, Hironobu was never seen again.
The Ouroboros
Paragon City was having it's own problem with Demons. The Circle of Thorns were gathering their own power from their Thorn Tree in the Nerva Archipelago, as well as the Demon Overlords. Though Paragon had it's Demon Hunters, none had the experience of Hironobu Akechi. None had ever defeated a Demonic Deity twice.
Lazarus took Hironobu with him to Ouroboros and showed him how the future of Japan, as well as Paragon hinged on a single esoteric group. The Shinsengumi were a Japanese Foreign Security Force dedicated to training the Heroes of Paragon, as well as aiding the Heroes wherever possible, militarily speaking. For all their Technology and Training, what they lacked was any real experience in The Arcane, with the Circle of Thorns, or even the demons the cult was in league with. Their only magic user, a fellow agent of the Ouroboros, Twilight Thorn as about to embark a mission against the Circle with some of their newer Security Forces. The Mission was more than meets the eye. With no Demon Hunters, the group and their only conduit to the Arcane would perish. The Domino effect would be that the Cultists could then eventually turn Paragon into their own personal Hell.
Hironobu agreed to help the Ouroboros and secure the future of Japan and Paragon. Over the next few years, while in the Time Between Times, the Ouroboros would catch Hironobu up on his history, was well as teach him the English language and about the latest technology. With open mind, Hironobu was able to pick up on everything they taught him. He was once again ready to fight the demons.
Personality
Hironobu's personality is difficult to describe, at best. At age 15, when he graduated gennpuku, he was a shy boy, unconfident in his own abilities. While in training, he was always overshadowed by Tekeshi, who was a far more skilled fighter, increasing his feelings of inferiority. However, as time passed, Hironobu would grow not only on a physical level, but on a mental and emotional level as well.
Through meeting Kyune, she would help him in better understanding his own emotions. Through countless battles he began to doubt his combat capailities less, eventually not even thinking about them at all, obtaining the Zen his master always tried to teach him. As he watched more and more innocents die, and watched his fellow Oni Warriors fall, something began to grow inside him: Vengeance. This would give the young, inexperienced, semi-confident boy the drive he needed not only to pass his childhood rival, Tekeshi, in skill, but the King of All Demons as well.
By the time Hironobu came to face the Demon Lord, Nobunaga, he was a different man. Still calm and quiet, still reserved; but now there was a deliberateness behind him. When Hiro acts, he does so intentionally, with no signs of hesitation. Where in combat, he used to second guess his own abilities, his own level of skill never enters his conscious mind. Only on some unconscious level is he aware of the power he holds and the skill he wields. This makes him very difficult to read and, paired with his shy and quiet demeanor, often leads to him being underestimated. Those who do underestimate him, however, are usually quickly shown the extent of his power, and oftentimes don't get the chance to live to repeat the mistake.
Hironobu was chosen by natual selection to wield the power of both the Oni and Genma gods. He is a well-practiced, experienced and quietly confident demon hunter. The other gauntlets would not have chosen him if he wasn't physicall, mentally, emotionally and spiritually capable of containing that much power. However, this level of stoicism can lead to harsh social interactions. He is the perfect warrior and tactician, however in his 23 years of hunting the most powerful demons on the planet has left him a little rough around those who are not warriors at heart.
Hironobu is a true Shintaoist, believing life is a journey and there are many things to learn before you pass on into the Spirit Realms. That there is beauty and purpose in all things. Hironobu, though incredibly quiet, is also extremely intellegent and open-minded about new ideas, concepts and technology. He also has a fascination with the Western World, interested in it's technological expertise, customs, as well as mythology. While through Ouroboros, he learned how to use a computer and drive a vehical, as well as use firearms, he usually prefers to let those more proficient in such things handle them whenever possible, having far more confidence in his martial skill, magic and faith. It is this personality trait that allows Hironobu to navigate Paragon City with all the fluency of a native, and not suffer the akwardnesses of other time-travelling beings.
The Gauntlet
No one knows how old the Oni Gauntlets are. Of what is known, Shinjikuno No Oni, the First Oni, created nine guntlets. One for each of the eight aspects of Oni Magic, and one to become a conduit for a portion of each element. These powers would become: Lightning, Fire, Ice, Stone, Wind, Light, Water and Molten; each with their own corrispodong weapon. the last would be the Oni Bow, a bow that can fire arrows of each element.
However, Shinjikuno No Oni could only give so much power to the gauntlets, and so devised a way to make each be able to grow in power with the wielder. He tore out nine of his eleven eyes and placed an eye in each of the gauntlets. These eyes are what make the jewel in the center of the gauntlet and give it it's most devastating power: the ability to absorb the essences of the Genma; making it the most powerful weapon the Oni had against them. This Genma Essence is often refereed to as Genma Souls, however, this terminology is incorrect. It was long ago that the Genma known as Godentsu learned to draw quintessential essences and create Genma Soldiers from them. These are the same quintessenial essences that make up the Original Genma, including Orochi and Godentsu. The more essence it absorbs, the more powerful the gauntlet becomes. This improves the properties of the weapons it can wield, the absorbing power of the gauntlet itself, the protective barrier it surround the wielder with, and can eventually unlock the power of Oni Transformation.
Throughout time, Shinjikuno No Oni has given a Gauntlet or perhaps two to humans in an attempt to thwart the Genma, however during the Sengoku Period of Japan,. it was apparent that all nine would be needed.
Weapons of the Oni
Each Oni Gauntlet contains the power of a single Oni Element. If a human finds more than one gauntlet, Gauntlets can combine and allow the wielder access to multiple different elements. The weapons wielded by each elemental vary depending on the user, however they do keep properties to their elemant. Raigekkijin is always some sort of polearm while Kusanagi is always some type of sword. However, no two elements may share the same weapon, so the moer gauntlets a person posses, the more weapons they must learn how to wield. Hironobu, never allowing himself to master only a single weapon, posses all nine Oni Gauntlets each with their own unique weapon. Below are a list of his weapons and their powers:
- Kusanagi - Grass cutting Sword: Posses the power of wind. This katana can slice the wind, allowing it's cuts to travel as far as 100 yards. It also improves the wielders speed and makes them incredibly light-footed.
- Raigekkijin - Spear of Lighting: The head of this spear is actually a hidden kusari gama. The spear strikes with the power of lighting, and can even send bolts of electricity through the chain of it's kusari gama, electrocuting anything caught by the weapons. It also increases the wielders speed, even more greatly than Kusanagi.
- Hyoujin - Naginata of Ice: Not only does this naginata freeze water it touches instantly, but can freeze enemies whole as well.
- Rekka-Ken - Gaunlets of Fire: Rekka-Ken does not manifest an Oni weapon like it's brethren, instead, it ignites the wielders hands, encasing them in flames. The wielder is unaffected by not only the gauntlet's fire, but can walk through flames unscathed as well.
- Daikutsui - Earthquake No Dachi: Not only does this heavy sword give the wielder incredible balance and stance, but can also create earthquakes.
- Tensou - Twin Swords of Light: This pair of kodachis give the wielder almost in-perceivable speed when wielded. Also, may demons have a weakness and aversion to light.
- Kurama - Yamabush Staff of Water: This ordinary-looking Yamabushi staff can actually split into a three-section staff at a thought from the wielder. In addition to being able to create acid clouds, it allows the wielder to breath water as if it were air.
- Chugo - Molten Battle Axe: the largest and heaviest of the Oni weapons, the enormous axe can split the Earth, causing waves of molten rock to spew forth. It also makes the wielder virtually unmovable.
- Oni Bow - When manifested, this bow can fire arrows of different elements, each with it's own unique properties.
- Oni Hikari - Oni Sword of Light: The weapon of the Onimusha. This long-slender sword is only usable by one who has wields all nine Gauntlets. It's powers exact powers are still unknown. Hironobu is almost unstoppable when he wields both this and he Genma Sammounji.
- Genma Sammounji - Gemna Sword of Darkness: The Great Black and Red sword wielded by both Orochi and Nobunaga. To the astonishment of the Demon Lord, Hironobu was able to absorb this weapon into the gauntlet and can wield it's massive power as well. This was he weapon used to deal the killing blow to Nobunaga.
Onimusha
Eventually, the Gauntlet will get to a point where it has absorbed so much power that it can not effectively utilize the power it contains. Shinjikuno No Oni saw this as a potential problem, due to how much more powerful Genma were than humans. Eventually, the human could not gain more power from the Gauntlet, and so would be unable to tackle the biggest threats among the Genma. This is why Shinjkuno No Oni adeed anohter power to the Gauntlets. When the Gauntlet reaches a point where it's human wielder can no longer utilize all the power the gauntlet has to offer, and when the human wielder is ready, the Gauntlet unlocks it's final power: The Onimusha, or Oni Transformation. This ability temporarily transforms the wielder into a full-blooded Oni, capable of utilizing all the power the Gauntlet can hold. Becoming an Oni also has a few other perks as well. Things like superhuman strength and speed, skin as hard as metal, glowing white eyes; reaching this level is truely the most powerful ability the gauntlet has to offer.
The Black Oni
However, there is one ability even more powerful than the Onimusha: The Black Oni. The Black Oni is only a Legend among the Oni, and humans aren't even aware of it's existence. Contrary to the belief of most Oni, Shinjikuno was not the first, or the most powerful. The truly terrifying thing is what is: The Black Oni; a being of pure power and chaos. It is so old and powerful none among the Oni can even remember it's name. When the world was still young, Shinjikuno was able to lock away the Black Oni, storing it's essence within him. When Shinjikuno made the gauntlets, the Black Oni escaped, hiding in the nine, newly made Oni Gauntlets. There it's power would rest until all nine would be united with a single wielder.
The power of the Black Oni is for more powerful and devastating than even the Onimusha. It is power incarnate. Only if one person posses all nine Gauntlets can they even begin to unlock this power, and must be careful when they invoke it. The sheer power behind this force may be able to overcome it's wielder, and it that were to happen, the full power of the Black Oni would be set upon the world again. Hironobu seems to have mastered even this powerful force, and has used it on more than a few occasions; including the defeat of Nobunaga. As of yet, he has not succumbed to it's power.
Incarnations
Hironobu, Game Mechanically speaking, is an incredibly diverse character. Nothing he can do can be easily summed up in 1 Archetype and 1 Specialization. So thus, there are several different alt-Archetypes to his same character. Each one is a representation of Hiro using his various Oni weapons and magic.
Tankers
- Willpower / Dual Blades - Hironobu Akechi - This is the first and main incarnation of Hironobu. Ordinarily, he uses classic katana / wakizashi style. In serious situations, He'll summon Tensou, twin kodachi of light. When the rubber meets the road in Oni form, He Dual Wields the mighty Oni Hikari and Genma Sammounji.
- Willpower / Fire Melee -( to come after issue 12)- In this Incarnation, Hironobu uses the versatility of Rekka-ken. In His Oni form, he is able to use the fire to add more Damage to the Genma Sammounji.
- Stone Armor / Battle Axe - ( to come after issue 12) - With this form, Hironobu unleashes the power of Chugo, the Molten Battle axe, giving him incredible stability and the ability to make rock armor from the axe itself. In this form, he rarely needs to use his Oni form, as the rock armor provides more than enough invulnerability.
Scrappers
- Katana / Willpower - Akechi Hironobu ( to come after issue 12)- Hironobu's most common incarnation. In this scenario, he uses the Saito Ancentral Diasho, or Kusanagi if he needs. In his Oni form, he wields the legendary Oni Hikari.
- Broadsword / Willpower - ( to come after issue 12) - Daikutsui is a fiercely powerful weapon when summoned. Though it is slow and unwieldly, but extremely powerful hit-for-hit. In his Oni Form, he is able to Summon forth the dreadful Genma Sammounji
- Spines / Willpower - ( to come after issue 12 ) - Not so much spines, as a show of the venomous power of the three-section-staff known as Kurama. Overall, Hironobu is likely to use this Oni Weapon the least.
Blaster
- Ice Blast / Electricity Melee - ( to come after issue 12)- Hironobu puts an odd combination to work here. He uses both Pole Arms in the Oni arsenal to keep oppponents at a range and locked down.
Defender
- Trick Arrow/ Archery - ( to come after issue 12 )- The Oni Bow is incredibly versatile. In this incarnation, Hironobu uses the Oni bow to it's full capacity. Being at a Range, he is also able to put some of his Tactical Skills to use.
Epic Archetype
- Peacebringer - Sohei Hironobu - Being a Warrior of Bishamonten, Hironobu is able to use his Faith as a weapon, just like a Sohei. His faith attacks cut clean through Genma defenses, and hit with tremendous force. In this incarnation, Hironobu brings out his tactician, able to work around the weaknesses of a party and turn such weaknesses into strengths.
- Warshade - Onimusha Hironobu ( to come after issue 12 ) - This is the raw power of the Black Oni. In this form, Hironobu is able to utilize his mastery of the gauntlet, striking fear into his opponents, causing them to hesitate and second-guess themselves. Here he also brings out his tactician, making the most use of his party's strengths to overpower the enemy.
