Jūzō Biwa

was a jōnin from Kirigakure and a member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. In the anime, Jūzō went on to become a member of Akatsuki, where he was partnered with Itachi Uchiha.

Background
When Jūzō joined the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, he came in possession of the Kubikiribōchō, which he used many times to dye the battlefields red with the blood of his enemies. This level of brutality made him famous in several parts of the shinobi world. At some point after the Third Shinobi World War, Jūzō and his team-mates cornered a Konoha team consiting of Might Guy, Genma Shiranui and Ebisu. Jūzō was suprized that the young ninja knew who they were, and acknowledged his team's growing fame. Before the swordsmen could proceed any further, they were confronted by Might Duy, who activated his Eight Gates technique so his son and his team-mates could escape.

In the anime, however, Jūzō survived the encounter with only Raiga Kurosuki and Fuguki Suikazan. Following the incident, Jūzō later joined Akatsuki. Shortly after the Uchiha Clan Downfall, Itachi joined Akatsuki were Pain instructed Jūzō to partner up with him. Over time, Jūzō and his new partner began completing various missions together. Eventually, they were given a mission in the Land of Water, much to Jūzō's annoyance. After completing the mission, Jūzō and Itachi were followed and engaged by a hunter-nin squad lead by Yagura, the Fourth Mizukage. Jūzō' and Itachi were able to strike down most of the hunter-nin before Yagura entered his Version 2 jinchūriki form, launching a Tailed Beast Ball toward Jūzō. With little time to react, Jūzō attempted to deflect the attack with the Kubikiribōchō but failed, leaving him mortally wounded. After Itachi managed to defeat the Mizukage, Jūzō lamented having to die in this country, reaching out for his sword, which he viewed as his only true ally. Upon dying, out of respect, Itachi placed the remains of Kubikiribōchō in Jūzō's hand. After his death, his sword fell back into the possession of Kirigakure.

Personality
Jūzō was internationally known for his inhumane brutality. In the anime, he was shown as a laid-back individual and was loyal to Akatsuki, obeying Pain's orders without question. He preferred to approach his missions as professionally as possible, creating formations in order to better synchronise with his partner, Itachi. He hated his former village to the point of not wanting to take any missions in the Land of Water. Jūzō was a lonely individual who had no one else in his life and thus he preferred not to impart any last words to Itachi before his death. The only thing he seemed to cared about in his final moments was his prized sword. He did, however, show some kind of concern for Itachi, as he told Itachi to run away and save himself instead of telling him to try and save him before reinforcements arrived.

Appearance
Jūzō was a slender and tall shinobi — about the same height as the sword he wielded. He had no eyebrows, creases under his eyes, and a cross shaped scar on his right cheek. He also had a red (black in the manga) grid-shaped marking covering his jaw. He wore a black tight-fitting sleeveless shirt with two light, thin stripes on his chest, a striped cloth belt and light pants along with black arm covers extending from his hands to his biceps. Jūzō also wore bandages around his neck and face which also covered his ears. As a member of Akatsuki, Jūzō wore the standard Akatsuki cloak and a slashed Kirigakure forehead protector to symbolise his broken ties with the village, and had his fingernails and toenails painted green. Like most of the members of the seven Swordsmen, he also had pointed teeth.

Abilities
As one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, Jūzō was one of the most powerful shinobi Kirigakure ever produced. Like all members of his team he had great battle prowess and was highly skilled in kenjutsu. Wielding the Kubikiribōchō, which can regenerate from the iron harvested from the victims' blood, Jūzō was strong enough to dye battlefields red with his foes blood and gained international infamy for it.

In the anime, he was capable of surviving Duy's Eight Gates Released Formation, and his abilities allowed for him to be accepted into Akatsuki, an organisation whose members were capable of capturing jinchūriki. He was also a skilled Water Release user, being able to create water clones and envelop his surrounding area in thick mist.

Trivia

 * means "loquat", like all other members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, his surname is derived from a type of produce.
 * "Jūzō" references Kakei Jūzō of the Sanada Ten Braves, a group of legendary ninja that served under daimyō Yukimura Sanada during Japan's Warring States period.