Hoshiguma

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Hoshiguma (星熊)
Alias(es)	Oni; Onikiri; Chief Hoshiguma 417 441
Species/Race	Oni 416 419
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Lungmen Guard Department; formerly connected to Smithing Town and the Metalstone Society 415 417
Occupation/Role	Lungmen Guard Department Special Operations Squad leader; guardian candidate of her oni clan 292 415
Status	Active
First Appearance	Chapter 76

Background / History

Hoshiguma originated from Smithing Town in the Eastern Kingdom. As a child, she forged a willow-leaf blade independently and was recognized as a candidate to become her clan’s guardian, receiving an antique bronze mirror bearing the oni clan crest upon coming of age. Her childhood home and a warehouse of possessions remained in Smithing Town after her departure. 415 418

Her past was marked by violence. After drinking sake, she went to politician Matsumoto’s estate and killed Matsumoto and several bodyguards; she later admitted that she had not controlled her strength. The elders sent her away from the Eastern Kingdom, officially calling it exile but effectively protecting her from blame for the politician’s death. 416

Before this separation, Hoshiguma encountered Su Rui while he existed as a consciousness body. They spent a night sharing bay laurel wine before he dissipated, making a promise to drink sweet wine together in the future. 444

Years later, Su Rui became a consciousness within Hoshiguma’s body. He organized her memories, helped her manage cases, and shared combat experience through her movements. Their symbiotic partnership prompted Hoshiguma to return to Smithing Town when her clan summoned her for a festival concerning the next guardian. 415

Appearance

Hoshiguma is an oni woman with green hair, prominent oni horns, and a powerful, athletic build. Her eyes are usually described as green, though they can appear as amber vertical pupils in threatening moments. 292 419

• Green hair, often stirred or bristling when she is alert or angered. 418 439
• Metallic-looking oni horns that may glow blue or red when her power rises. 421 440
• Frequently carries the battle-scarred Hannya Shield and a sword at her waist. 417 432
• Wears Lungmen Guard Department tactical gear on duty; she also uses Eastern Kingdom swordswoman attire and formal disguises for operations. 432 434 441

Personality

Hoshiguma is blunt, bold, and highly self-possessed. She does not soften her refusals, as shown when she rejected the position of Metalstone Society’s second-in-command because she believed her present self was unsuited to lead it. She has learned that not every problem can be resolved by force, despite her formidable swordsmanship. 417

She is observant and tactically patient. Hoshiguma noticed the altered tea served by an impostor Tetsusai, used the detail to uncover Mifune’s deception, and continued gathering information even while surrounded by enemies. 417 418

Her harsh exterior conceals strong loyalty and protectiveness. She takes responsibility for Smithing Town, shields Moe Moe Xiang from danger, and consistently prioritizes Su Rui’s safety—even when doing so means confronting armed enemies or risking herself. 421 439 440

Hoshiguma is openly possessive toward Su Rui and uncomfortable with public attention to their relationship. At the same time, she shows tenderness through practical care: monitoring his rest, tending his wounds, preparing tea, and arranging quiet outings for him. 425 433 442

Abilities & Skills

Oni Physiology and Swordsmanship

Hoshiguma possesses oni strength, senses, and combat ability refined through clan training and years of field experience.

• Uses enhanced hearing and awareness to detect nearby movement and threats. 419
• Her swordsmanship was among the best in her clan before her exile. 416
• Defeated Mifune’s guards, outmaneuvered his ambush, and incapacitated him with precise cuts to his wrist and hamstring. 418 422
• Her Star Iron tachi can suppress Mifune’s regenerative ability after being awakened through an oni blacksmith ritual. 421 422
• Her oni power can be enhanced by a specialized Originium-conduction vambrace. 421

Shield Combat

Hoshiguma uses the Hannya Shield as both a defensive wall and an offensive weapon.

• The shield can emit an Originium Arts shockwave when supplied with Su Rui’s stored power. 418
• It withstood a falling boulder without moving, despite forcing Hoshiguma’s feet into the ground. 422
• Hoshiguma throws it as a returning weapon and uses its edge to disable opponents. 440
• It can be disguised as a briefcase, folding fan, pocket watch, or other inconspicuous object during covert operations. 441 443
• The shield was previously damaged by Chen Hui-chieh’s Chixiao and required reforging. 418

Tactical Leadership and Investigation

As a Special Operations Squad leader, Hoshiguma combines frontline strength with investigative judgment.

• Coordinates smoothly with Chen and Lin Yuhsia during operations against pirates and the Resistance. 286 287
• Identifies details that expose deception, such as the unfamiliar dried tangerine peel in “Tetsusai’s” tea. 417
• Plans infiltration identities, concealed weapons, escape routes, and operational cover stories. 440 441
• Uses her authority to pressure negligent officers and demand accountability from the Lungmen Guard Department. 441

Partnership with Su Rui

While Su Rui resides within or works alongside her, Hoshiguma benefits from his support without surrendering her own judgment.

• Su Rui organizes case memories and adds notes to her records. 415
• His combat experience improves the fluidity of her weapon techniques. 415
• He provides threat analysis, surveillance, communications, and Originium Arts support during combat. 417 418
• Su Rui can help regulate her emotions when enemies deliberately provoke her. 422

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Hannya Shield — Triangular greatshield covered in battle scars; can channel Originium Arts and assume disguised forms. 417 418 441
• Long-handled axe — Her principal Lungmen weapon, forged in her hometown’s distinctive style. 415
• Longsword / tachi — Carries swords forged in Smithing Town; Fujiwara repaired one neglected blade, while Tetsusai prepared a Star Iron tachi for her return. 417 421
• Originium-conduction vambrace — Improved device that enhances her oni clan power. 421
• Oni battle armor — A new set made and preserved for her by Tetsusai. 418
• Bronze guardian mirror — Clan token signifying her status as a guardian candidate. 415
• Metalstone Society plaque — Second-in-command token that can mobilize more than half of Smithing Town’s smiths and supplies; Hoshiguma accepts it only as a loan. 417

Relationships

• Su Rui — Consciousness-sharing partner and romantic partner. He first spent a final night with her before dissipating, later resided within her body, and eventually materialized physically; they protect and care for one another intensely. 415 422 444
• Chen Hui-chieh — Close friend, fellow Lungmen officer, and sparring rival. Their combat familiarity extends to past operations, though Hoshiguma demands discretion about her relationship with Su Rui. 286 287 432
• Tetsusai — Her teacher and a central paternal figure in Smithing Town. He maintained her belongings, forged weapons for her return, and reforged Hannya. 418 421
• Mifune — Former acquaintance from Smithing Town who becomes her enemy after imprisoning Tetsusai, pursuing control of the Originium Vein, and betraying the Metalstone Society. 417 421 422
• Moe Moe Xiang — Young idol whom Hoshiguma protects after Mifune targets her. Moe Moe Xiang recognizes Hoshiguma as the oni warrior who once saved trafficked children. 417 420 421
• Ling — Initially associated with Mifune’s scheme, but ultimately refuses his order and aids Hoshiguma’s side. 419 421
• Fujiwara — Smithing master who repaired Hoshiguma’s neglected sword and still kept a photograph of her first successful blade. 417
• Ji Xing — Ally loyal to Hoshiguma and Tetsusai who provides intelligence, a motorcycle key, and information about Mifune’s faction. 419

Story Role / Major Arcs

Lungmen Operations

Hoshiguma serves as a leading member of the Lungmen Guard Department’s Special Operations Squad. She works with Chen and Lin Yuhsia against the Blood Skulls pirates and helps stop a Resistance plan to assassinate Mayor Candela during the Azure Festival finals. 286 287

Return to Smithing Town

Summoned by her clan, Hoshiguma returns to the Eastern Kingdom with Su Rui. The journey forces her to confront her exile, the wanted poster from her past, and Smithing Town’s changed identity. 415 416

She discovers that Mifune has imprisoned Tetsusai and is attempting to annex Smithing Town through forged contracts and control of the Metalstone Society. Hoshiguma retrieves evidence, reunites with Tetsusai, and accepts the responsibility of reforging Hannya. 417 418

Oni’s Tear Conflict

After protecting Moe Moe Xiang and uncovering Mifune’s plot, Hoshiguma learns that he intends to activate Oni’s Tear and seize control of Smithing Town’s Originium Vein. She receives a Star Iron tachi and an enhanced vambrace, then confronts Mifune in the mine. 420 421

Hoshiguma and Su Rui stop the self-destruct sequence, destroy the barrier imprisoning Oni’s Tear, and defeat Mifune after his attempt to become an Originium-powered puppet collapses. 422

Rhodes Island and the Silver Dust Investigation

After reaching Rhodes Island, Hoshiguma becomes increasingly public about her claim on Su Rui while also guarding his health and limiting his dangerous overwork. 425 427 433

She later accompanies Su Rui, Moe Moe Xiang, and Mio to investigate illegal Originium processing in Hisakawa Town. Their investigation exposes smuggling routes, Rhine Lab involvement, and the Silver Dust Project’s connection to the Chernobog incident. 436 438 439

Rhine Lab Pursuit

Hoshiguma protects Su Rui during attacks by puppet Guard Department officers and the Lake Yaksha mercenary squad. She and Su Rui use staged dates, disguises, covert infiltrations, and direct combat to disrupt black-market Originium activity while evading pursuit. 439 440 441

Trivia

• Hoshiguma once used the cover identity of a “food blogger” to avoid recognition in Smithing Town. 417
• Moe Moe Xiang initially mistook her oni appearance for an exceptionally convincing cosplay costume. 416
• Her Hannya Shield was damaged by Chen Hui-chieh’s Chixiao three years before the Smithing Town arc. 418
• Hoshiguma’s birthday, 0721, was used by Mifune as the password for his self-destruct program. 422