Sazanka

was a former student samurai of Mifune turned rogue mecenary.

Background
Sazanka was once the star pupil of Mifune. During this time, he grew close to Tsubaki Kurogane as a junior disciple. Valuing her friendship, they would train together regularly. Later, a sparring tournament was held under Mifune's watch. With the legendary general nearing retirement, rumors spread that he would award his prized Kurosawa blade to the winner. Between the constant praise of Sazanka's abilities and the wanting to achieve greatness, Sazanka desired to win Kurosawa as a proof of his growth. Sazanka made it to the final round againset Tsubaki. Despite Sazanka easily controlling the duel and exhausting Tsubaki, she found and opening to counter and defeat him. Horrified at losing such an important fight, Sazanka tried to take Kurosawa by force, killing all his other fellow disciples as they tried to stop him. Ultimately, his crimes made him persued by the entire Land of Irons, forcing him to leave. He went on to become a mercenary for hire, killing all those who opposed him.

Personality
Originally, Sazanka was a kind and cheerful man. He valued the friendships he had and cared about other's well-being. At the same time, he was a very driven man, eager to prove his worth. He would train diligently to hone his skills. Ultimately, apparently stemming from a superiority-complex, losing to a person weaker than him and a chance for greatness shattered his former morality. Becoming completely unhinged, he would strike down all who stood in his way. Over the years, this shamelessness turned to sadistic bloodlust, believing that independance was the key to strength and killing others was the way to prove his superiority.

Appearance
Sazanka was a tall man of fair-complexion with medium-length, purple hair and purple eyes. He kept his hair tied up in a high ponytail with bangs covering the left side of his face. Originally, he was a lean-built man with soft hair that framed both sides of his face and clean-shaven. By the time he became a mercanary, his hair had become very unruly with long sideburns and noticeable chin stubble. He also put on a considerable amount of well-defined muscle. He wore white bandages over his wrists and legs ankles with baggy black pants and a torned-sleeveless, purple gi. He also wore a brown fur pelt that covered his midsection and reached his knees and samurai sandals.

He carried on him a katana with a red hilt-wrapping and bronze, circular tsuba with a five-point pettle embossed on it with a black sheath.

Abilities
Sazanka was a prodigy of swordsmanship, constantly winning during sparing matches in his student days. His talents and growth-rate earned him the nickname "The Second Coming of Mifune". So precise was his slices that bamboo wood could seamlessly be put back together after being cut to pieces. In battle, his relentless attacks left little openings to counter. As a trained samurai, he could focus his chakra into his katana to perform powerful attacks, able to slash through other powerful techniques.

New Era
When Sazanka's mercanary actions brought him to the Fire Country, he eventually drew the attention of Konoha. A ninja team found him, which to his surprise, included Tsubaki. Sazanka proudly saw this as a chance to finish what he started with the other disciples. He bragged that his path solitude made him so much stronger. As he fought with Tsubaki, he quickly began overpowering her. The younger samurai however insisted that his shameless path of bloodshed has made his skills sloppy. In a final clash, Tsubaki managed to cut him down. As he died in Tsubaki's arms, Sazanka finally acknowledged her as a strong samurai.