Chōjūrō

is one of the last generation of Kirigakure's Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. He serves as the retainer of the Fifth Mizukage, before later becoming the himself.

Background
In the anime, shortly after the Fourth Mizukage's passing and Mei Terumī was made the Fifth, Chōjūrō was present when the village received an invitation from Konohagakure and Sunagakure to join an impromptu Chūnin Exams they would be hosting together. Ao noted that the village was still recovering from the Fourth's passing, so it was decided the Kiri-nin would not take part in this event.

Personality
Despite his membership in the elite Seven Swordsmen group, Chōjūrō is a shy individual and seems to lack confidence in his abilities. He also greatly respects and admires the Fifth Mizukage, as he commented inwardly on wanting to protect her "beautiful smile". By the time of the Fourth Shinobi World War, Mei has noted that he has become a lot more confident in himself as seen when he cut down Black Zetsu without reservation and then declares to the Fifth that as a member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, he would guard the area with his life. Years later after becoming the Sixth Mizukage, Chōjūrō has seemed to grow well into his new role, appearing much calmer and confident in his abilities. As a leader, he is patient and methodical, carefully observing the situation and considering the best way to approach it. At the same time, in the anime, is shown to still be with some doubts. Wanting so strongly to bring about a peaceful and happy era for his village, he struggles on how to deal with citizens who openly prefer the war-torn era of the "Bloody Mist". Despite his continued doubts, he remains selfless, willing to take on any personal harm to seek success. Even when grieving over the loss of a dear ally, he remains composed enough to value the lives of his other allies and hoping to settle things peacefully, while also remaining pragmatic to prepare for a likely conflict.

Appearance
Chōjūrō has short, tufty blue hair, and dark eyes. He also has pointed, shark-like teeth; a common trait of the members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist as well as apprentices share. He wears square, black-rimmed glasses connected to ear protectors, a blue pin-striped shirt and camouflage pattern pants.

He wears his forehead protector on the front of his holster which he uses to carry Hiramekarei. The sword itself is wrapped in bandages leaving only the double hilt visible. He also has shuriken holsters strapped onto each of his legs. During the Fourth Shinobi World War, he still wears the same outfit but changed his forehead protector to that of the Alliance's.

Years after the Fourth Shinobi World War, Chōjūrō grew noticeably taller and developed a firmer jawline with some chin stubble. He started wearing glasses with thicker frames and the ear-protectors he wore changed design. He retained his overall attire, but the straps of his sword-holster now only covers his left shoulder. Chōjūrō now also wears his light-grey pants without the dual shuriken holsters.

Abilities
Despite his meek demeanour, Chōjūrō is a highly capable ninja, earning acceptance into the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, and being chosen as one of the Fifth Mizukage's bodyguards during the Kage Summit. Due to being part of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, Chōjūrō's skills were already considered some of the strongest in the entire village, showing he had great potential. During the Fourth Shinobi World War, he proved able to defeat Black Zetsu while fighting alongside his allies. Years later, Chōjūrō's abilities improved immensely as he was promoted to the rank of Sixth Mizukage. Even against multiple wielders of the Seven Mist Swords, Chōjūrō is able to systematically defeat his foes. While working alongside the Fifth Kazekage or Fourth Tsuchikage, he was able to hold his own even against enemies as strong as the Ōtsutsuki Clan.

Kenjutsu & Physical Prowess
Chōjūrō is referred as a master swordsman, even amongst the other Seven Mist Swordsmen. Amongst the Five Kage, he is rumoured to be the best swordsman and assassin. As a kenjutsu practitioner, Chōjūrō wields a dual-handled sword called Hiramekarei, that is linked together at the handles by a chain. When released from its bandages, it releases the chakra stored in it and shape weapons, such as an enormous hammer, capable of sending Sasuke flying through a wall despite being shielded by Susanoo, as well as a massive longsword, capable of taking out several targets simultaneously. As Mizukage, he could fire a detached long-ranged chakra blade with a swing of Hiramekarei, create a copy of it with chakra for dual wielding, as well as create several knives strong enough to immobilise opponents.

As Mizukage, his skills in kenjutsu allowed him to fight on par with Kinshiki Ōtsutsuki, and is regarded as having no equal while wielding Hiramekarei. In the anime, even without Hiramekarei, Chōjūrō remained a fierce battler, armed only with a standard katana. Against the self-proclaimed New Seven Ninja Swordsmen, wielding three of the signature weapons, Chōjūrō proved very resilient, easily taking multiple puncture wounds and breaking free from his wire-bindings. Once on the offence, he seamlessly overpowered the foes with mightier weapons using only a broken sword. He also showed considerable strength, able to easily hold up Kubikiribōchō with a single hand.

Nature Transformation
In the anime, Chōjūrō is highly skilled in Water Release, able to perform them with few-to-no hand signs and little need of already-existing water. If he's without an actual sword, he can create a blade of water to work as a replacement, as well as produce a massive water surge from underground to catch an opponent off guard and subdue them. He can also produce a barrage of water bullets to assault his enemies.

Five Kage Summit
Chōjūrō and Ao were chosen to escort the Fifth Mizukage to the Kage Summit. During their trip to the Land of Iron, Chōjūrō was frequently embarrassed by the Mizukage's concern over him, which earned him scolding from Ao. Once they finally arrived and the meeting began, Ao and Chōjūrō rushed to her defence during the Fourth Raikage's outburst and later White Zetsu's appearance at the Summit.

When Sasuke Uchiha infiltrated the conference hall, Chōjūrō activated Hiramekarei and formed it into a hammer which he used to knock Sasuke into a sealed off, adjacent hall where the Mizukage could fight him alone. Although Sasuke was able to escape, his actions convinced the Kage to begin working together. When Tobi appeared and told the attendees of his Eye of the Moon Plan, Chōjūrō silently listened on and later after the masked man had left, as a sign of good faith, Chōjūrō told those in attendance about Kisame Hoshigaki and his Samehada but was cut off by Ōnoki who stated that they were already aware of this information.

After leaving the Summit with Mei, they followed Ao, who was tracking Danzō and his delegation. When they finally caught up with Ao, the Mizukage was able to stop Ao from seemingly beheading himself. She realised that he was under enemy control, and requested to use Hiramekarei to force him out. Fū insulted her upon learning that she knew he wasn't really Ao, and she quickly punched Ao before realising that the opponent had already released the technique. Later, when they return to Kirigakure they are informed that the daimyō had approved the formation of the Shinobi Alliance.

Paradise Life on a Boat
In the anime, Chōjūrō was sent by the Mizukage in a diplomatic mission to better Kirigakure's relationship with Iwagakure, along with Kurotsuchi and Akatsuchi who were also sent by the Third Tsuchikage on the same mission to stop Ganryū in the process.

Fourth Shinobi World War: Confrontation
Chōjūrō attended the last meeting that was held by the Alliance in order to fully prepare for the upcoming war. The Mizukage told him to contact Ao in the Sensor Division and tell him that they needed to hurry. Chōjūrō later joined Mei in guarding the various daimyō during war. When Black Zetsu located the daimyō, he, Genma Shiranui, and Raidō Namiashi, as well as the other members, confronted the Akatsuki member.

As the battle between the two sides waged on throughout the night, one of Naruto Uzumaki's shadow clones arrived to help in the battle. During the fight one Black Zetsu's branches caught Naruto's foot, causing his Rasenshuriken attack to miss. Chōjūrō used that opportunity to attack from behind with his Hiramekarei. Forming it into a longsword, he cuts through Black Zetsu, and stated that the more confident he was, the stronger his strike. He then pinned Black Zetsu to the ground with the tip of his sword and told Mei — who was being called away — to deal with the reincarnated Madara Uchiha and that as one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist he would defend that point with his life.

Kaguya Ōtsutsuki Strikes
Naruto and Sasuke eventually release the Infinite Tsukuyomi, freeing Chōjūrō and the rest of the world and thus ending the Fourth Shinobi World War.

Shikamaru Hiden: A Cloud Drifting in Silent Darkness
With the Allied Shinobi Forces disbanding in the aftermath of the Fourth Shinobi World War, the Shinobi Union is formed, with Chōjurō representing his village. During one such meeting, Chōjurō gave a report about the missing shinobi after the war.

The Last: Naruto the Movie
Two years following the Fourth Shinobi World War, after meteors began frequently hitting the planet, a Kage Summit was convened. Chōjūrō accompanied the Fifth Mizukage to it.

Sasuke Shinden: Book of Sunrise
Chōjūrō helps the Fifth Mizukage protect Kiri from the exploding humans.

New Era
Chōjūrō eventually succeeds Mei and became the Sixth Mizukage. Upon recently becoming a Kage, he and Misuno attend a Five Kage Summit in Konohagakure. During the meeting Sasuke came forth to reveal evidence of a new White Zetsu Army being formed and a potential threat even greater than Kaguya. Ultimately, it was agreed to keep this information a secret from the public and allow Sasuke to continue his research and further investigate his sources. In the anime, 5 years prior to Isshiki Ōtsutsuki's defeat, Chōjūrō led a mission to capture Araumi Funato, leading to the pirate's clan falling into disarray and allowing trades on the sea to resume safely. During another summit held in Konoha, Chōjūrō comments on how the Hokage is late for a summit held in his own village.

School Trip Arc
In the anime, to improve relationships with other villages and symbolically show the warring era was over, Naruto set up an official class trip for the Academy to go to Kirigakure. He worked out the details with Chōjūrō, who assigned Kagura Karatachi as a tour guide for the class.

The next day, as Kagura continued to grow closer to the Konoha-nin, an improve in outlook made Kagura request the Sixth Mizukage to take the test to claim Hiramekarei. Later, Chōjūrō and Mei learned that Kagura had joined Shizuma Hoshigaki's team and helped them steal all the Seven Mist Swordsmen's blades. While the Sixth Mizukage was strongly considering killing them all for the treachery, Boruto insisted that Kagura was not truly a traitor, but being manipulated. Boruto also insisted to treat this as a children's fight so as to not make a public scene. Chōjūrō agreed to this on the condition that he join them in ending the revolt and if it was completed before curfew. They found the rebellious group at the Kiri Memorial where Shizuma's team was about to destroy it, seeing it as an insult to Kirigakure's pride. As the fight began, Chōjūrō was subdued by the Nuibari. The group voiced their disdain at Chōjūrō, feeling that his efforts for peace were a disgrace to their heritage as ninja and that Chōjūrō was trying to erase the very memory of the fiercest ninja in Kirigakure's history. Chōjūrō did concede to some of their words, voicing his true regret at now being able to make everyone pleased with this modernisation. The group rejected his apology and attacked him with three of the Mist Blades.

Chōjūrō anticipated their attack patterns and used it to broke free. While his foes scoffed at Chōjūrō facing them with only a standard katana, Chōjūrō retorted that a weapon is only as powerful as its wielders. Proving his point, he continue to exploit the revolutionaries' key weakness and defeated them. After restraining all them, he went to deal with Shizuma. He arrived to see rebellious ninja being absorbed by Samehada. He explained to the Konoha-nin that ravenous nature of Samehada makes it so only the most experienced of wielders should attempt usage of it. In his imperfect shark-form, Shizuma went on a feral rampage. While Chōjūrō asked Kagura for Hiramekarei, Kagura wished to fix this mistake personally. Together with Boruto, the two were able to separate Shizuma from Samehada and end the rebellion.

Afterwards, Shizuma and his team were sent to prison for rehabilitation. Chōjūrō expanding on Boruto's idea of lessening the severity of the situation, Chōjūrō decided to cover it up in fear of word spread would regress the village to its darker times. He later saw off the Konoha class as they returned home. Chōjūrō then began giving Kagura special training to help him overcome his insecurities at drawing a sword. Realising how full of shame Kagura was for his actions, he insisted to talk to Boruto and apologise with honesty, knowing that the boy would forgive Kagura.

Versus Momoshiki Arc
Chōjūrō attended the Chūnin Exams and sat with the other Kage during the third round. During which, the village was attacked by members of the Ōtsutsuki Clan, Momoshiki, Kinshiki, and, in the anime, Urashiki. During which, Chōjūrō aided Gaara in attempted to subdue Urashiki, only for the foe to escape. After the attack ended, Naruo was captured by the foes. Chōjūrō, the other Kage, Sasuke and Boruto decided to rescue him. After being transported to the dimension where Naruto was, Sasuke battled Momoshiki while he and the other Kage fight Kinshiki off. During the battle, he restrained Kinshiki from moving after Sasuke destroyed his weapon, allowing Kurotsuchi to capture him. However, he later manages to break free and let himself get absorbed by Momoshiki. Momoshiki then later proceeded to capture Chōjūrō and the other Kage in his shadow jutsu before Boruto threw his Vanishing Rasengan to free them. With Sasuke's help, Boruto managed to defeat Momoshiki with a giant Rasengan. After Momoshiki's defeat, Chōjūrō posed for a photograph with the other Kage, Sasuke and Boruto.

In the anime, after Konohagakure recovered from the Ōtsutsuki attack, a Kage Summit was held. Chōjūrō and the other retired Kage were in attendant to discuss the still looming threat of the Ōtsutsuki.

Mitsuki's Disappearance Arc
In the anime, Chōjūrō attended Ōnoki's funeral.

Shikamaru Shinden: A Cloud Dancing in Forlorn Falling Petals
Chōjūrō and Misuno attended a Kage Summit in Konoha at the Hokage building, during which the Kage bickered about topics concerning Konoha, leading to Kurotsuchi demanding Konoha to disclose all of its confidential information as the village's proof to peace by the next summit, and said Iwagakure would leave the Five Great Shinobi Country alliance if they didn't. After the demand, the summit ended.

Kara Actuation Arc
In the anime, Rock Lee was sent to Kiri as a messenger to inform Chōjūrō of the threat of Kara.

Kawaki Arc
When Team 7 found a mysterious boy with connections to Kara, Naruto called forth a Kage Summit. As talks about the boy's fate began, it was unanimously decided to treat the boy with sympathy as they were no strangers to children being made into weapons (i.e. jinchūriki). It was also agreed for the boy to live with Naruto, who would watch over him at all times, which Kurotsuchi was impressed at how much multi-tasking Naruto could do through his shadow clones.

Great Sea Battle of Kirigakure Arc
In the anime, sometime after Isshiki Ōtsutsuki's defeat, Kirigakure hosted a ceremony that invited various scientists and dignitaries from around the world to witness the unveiling of their new power plants that both generated great amounts of electricity, but also controlled the raging nature of the ocean. Security was tight due to rumours of an attack. Chōjūrō spoke on the ceremony, and organised the audience to be flown to visit the Shinonome 1 power station. However, one of the airships carrying industrialists crashed and exploded.

Chōjūrō put out the fires in coordination with other Kiri-nin. He ordered the area to be put in lock-down to prevent potential suspects from escaping before they could be investigated. He later learned the attack on the airship was a distraction by the Funato Clan, so they could break out their leader Araumi Funato from prison. Unable to spare the man-power, he allowed Kagura to aid Team 7, recruiting Buntan Kurosuki, Hebiichigo, and Kyohō Fuefuki from prison. He handed Kagura Hiramekarei, and allowed the released swordsmen access to the blades, though they were branded with cursed seals.

Later, with the Funato Clan's continued expansion, with many Land of Water citizens joining them, Chōjūrō was forced to leave the village and join the front-lines. Soon, Chōjūrō met the Funato main fleet, and demanded their surrender. He remained concerned even as Misuno reported that the Funato forces remained on the defensive. When he received Kagura's message about the Funato fleet being a diversion, he chose to feign ignorance not to alert them. By nightfall, Tenma Funato attempted to infiltrate their ship with a small team to assassinate him, but Chōjūrō anticipated it, and prepared an ambush of his own. The Kirigakure forces overpowered Tenma's group until only Tenma remained. He offered to spare Tenma if he revealed the Funato's goals, but Tenma attacked, forcing Chōjūrō to cut him down. He had their fleet attack the Funato fleet, prompting their retreat.

Later, Misuno notified him of Kagura's and Hebiichigo's death in action. Kagura's in particular hit him hard, having wished for Kagura to be Mizukage one day, and firm in his desire to wipe out the Funato. He was notified that Isari Funato had reached out, wishing to negotiate. Misuno questioned why he'd be willing to negotiate with the Funato, and Chōjūrō explained that while he has no personal problems eradicating them, prolonging the conflict would only result in more casualties. Isari and Jibiki were brought him, restrained, but Isari broke free of his, wishing to negotiate as an equal. Despite the tension, they agreed to talk, but were interrupted by Araumi's broadcast, announcing an all-out attack. Chōjūrō questioned Isari's presence, though Jibiki vouched for him. When Araumi declared that not even relatives would be spared if they stood against him, the Marlin Harpoon came alive and skewered Isari, before attempting to do the same to Chōjūrō. The harpoon was cut down by Misuno. Upon learning that the Funato intended to attack the Shinonome 1 power station, and were taking the shortest, but dangerous Sea of Death route to get to it, he ordered that all ships that could intercept them set sail.

As the Kirigakure forces prepared to defend the Shinonome 1, Team 7 arrived by boat to return Kagura's Hiramekarei to Chōjūrō. They voiced their desire to end the war with no more bloodshed. While sympathising with their desire for peace, Chōjūrō revealed that Araumi was so driven for war and conquest, he even killed Isari when he tried to broker peace. As Chōjūrō insisted that they must protect the Shinonome 1, Boruto noted that the Funato's goal of conquest seemed to originally be sparked from rejection of the Shinonome 1, a construct that many in the Land of Water were openly against. Boruto insisted that he could get through to Ikada Funato, who was their friend before joining the war. Reluctantly, Chōjūrō agreed to give Boruto some time to meet with the Funato. In the event of failure, Chōjūrō began galvanising his forces for war.

As Team 7 approached the Funato ships, Chōjūrō and Misuno listened in through their ship's instruments. Misuno wasn't surprised by their hostility and asked Chōjūrō what they should do, him telling her Team 7 still had more time. He was shocked when the Funato mobile fortress appeared, its Chakra Cannon charging a shot at the Shinonome 1. Chōjūrō was even more shocked when Boruto willingly offered his own life in order to stop the war. Though Chōjūrō became concerned for Boruto, he couldn't allow the Funato make their first move and told Misuno to prepare an attack on the Funato mobile fortress. He also commented Boruto's determination became merely naïve and that would not stop the war. However, after Team 7's genuine actions made Ikada save Boruto from drowning, and he and his men abandoned their hatred toward Kirigakure and withdrew, Chōjūrō was ashamed for dismissing Boruto's determination and twisting Kagura's wishes because of his own hatred, admitting he still had much to learn.

Code Arc
Following the defeat of Isshiki Ōtsutsuki, Naruto had a Kage Summit set up via video. The other Kage were caught up on the newest developments. Chōjūrō asked what the goals were of the last remaining Inner, Code. They speculated that Code, as a devout follower of Isshiki, would seek to kill all those responsible for killing Isshiki, and completing the growth of the Ten-Tails. As everyone was concerned to hear about a new Ten-Tails, they asked what Naruto would do with his son if Momoshiki took over Boruto completely through the Kāma. Naruto swore he would handle the matter as it was needed to be done.

Video Games
Chōjūrō is a support-only character in Naruto Shippūden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Generations, Naruto Shippūden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3, and Naruto Shippūden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Revolution.

Creation and Conception
Wanting to create a younger character, Masashi Kishimoto gave Chōjūrō short hair and attire that was not that of the standard shinobi. Then wanting to give him an air of unreliability, he immediately gave him glasses. The jagged teeth, Kishimoto admits, was simply an indulgence on his part.

Trivia

 * is a red-coloured cultivar of the "Asian pear"; like all members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, his name is derived from a type of produce.
 * In the anime, it is revealed that Chōjūrō dislikes oily foods.
 * Despite the time of Chōjūrō's inauguration being unknown, he had recently become a Kage at the time of the Five Great Shinobi Countries co-sponsorship Chūnin Exams.

Quotes

 * (About the Fifth Mizukage) "She's so kind. I will do everything to protect that smile on our gentle Mizukage. I hope I can."
 * (After cutting down Black Zetsu) "The more confident you are the stronger the strike. I had to cut him down anyway…"