Setsuna no Takemaru

Biodata

Power Progression

Background / History

Izayoi's Guardian

Setsuna no Takemaru served as the general of a prosperous human city in Musashi Province ruled by Izayoi's father. He guarded Izayoi and fell in love with her. When she chose to leave with Tōga, he desperately tried to stop them, but Tōga defeated him without suffering even a minor injury. Tōga spared him because Izayoi pleaded for his life and because of his service as her guardian 33 35.

Afterward, Takemaru repeatedly led armies against nearby yokai, treating them as substitutes for the dog demon he blamed for taking Izayoi away. He became the city's strongest warrior and lived in a large, lavish estate guarded by soldiers. Commoners avoided the estate, fearing his ruthless treatment of opponents 35.

Alliance with Ryūkotsusei

While training in a bamboo grove, Takemaru's hatred attracted lesser yokai. He slaughtered them until he exhausted himself, after which Ryūkotsusei approached him with an offer to kill Tōga. Despite his hatred of demons, Takemaru accepted an alliance that would help him take revenge 35 36.

Takemaru had already intended to attack Dog Castle while Tōga fought Michinaga and Flying Moth. Ryūkotsusei proposed supporting that assault and using Izayoi's danger to distract Tōga. Their discussion was interrupted by Red Evil Ogre and Qitian, whom Tōga had sent to capture Takemaru alive or dead following Mingye's warning 33 36.

Ryūkotsusei overwhelmed the two commanders, who detonated themselves in a final attack. Takemaru arrived at the aftermath and saw Ryūkotsusei emerge unharmed. Realizing that Tōga had recognized Takemaru as a threat, they abandoned secrecy: Ryūkotsusei would coordinate an attack by the Greater Yokai while Takemaru marched openly on Dog Castle 36 37.

Assault on Dog Castle and Death

Ryūkotsusei supplied a communication jewel and assembled a demon army to support the operation. Takemaru ordered every soldier in his city to march. Before departing, he had Izayoi's father killed; the military and nobles were already under his sole authority. His human force numbered more than ten thousand 38 41.

Takemaru deliberately slowed his advance so that the demons would fight first, allowing him to seize Dog Castle without sacrificing his own troops. Instead, Mingye and Chongli annihilated the attacking demon army before the humans arrived 43.

Outside the intact castle, Mingye questioned Takemaru about Red Evil Ogre and Qitian. Takemaru falsely claimed to have killed them, but Mingye dismissed the claim. When attacked, Takemaru used two deputies as human shields and ordered his soldiers to shoot Mingye 44.

Mingye struck Takemaru from above, breaking his spine, rupturing his organs, and shattering both layers of armor. He then crushed Takemaru's head beneath his foot. The surviving soldiers continued attacking before Mingye's slaughter drove their army into flight 44 45.

Original Course of Events

In the history remembered by Mingye, Takemaru breached Izayoi's residence and killed her while Tōga was occupied fighting Greater Yokai. The grievously wounded Tōga returned, revived Izayoi with Tenseiga, and perished together with Takemaru. Mingye's warning and intervention prevent that sequence from unfolding at Dog Castle 10 33 44.

Appearance

• Long red hair and savage eyes distinguish him during his training in the bamboo grove 35.
• Wears costly armor over inner armor intended to resist Demon Power 44.
• His eyes develop an increasingly intense red glow while he slaughters yokai; he does not notice the change himself 35.
• Rides a horse during the march on Dog Castle, with his Blood-Colored Long Sword at his waist 41 44.

Personality

Takemaru's attachment to Izayoi becomes possessive resentment after she leaves with Tōga. He blames Tōga, Izayoi, her father, and his own weakness, eventually expressing a desire to kill anyone who displeases him. His plans alternate between reclaiming Izayoi and making her suffer for choosing Tōga 35 38 41 44.

He is especially sensitive to contempt. Tōga's dismissive gaze haunts him nightly, and Mingye's similar indifference provokes him into boasting about his authority and army. Although he despises yokai, he cooperates with Ryūkotsusei for personal advantage and welcomes the prospect of demons killing one another. His use of loyal deputies as shields exposes how readily he sacrifices subordinates to preserve himself 37 38 44.

Abilities & Skills

Swordsmanship

Takemaru's swift, violent slashes compress the air into sword pressure and produce a white, sword-shaped shock wave 35.

• Shreds bamboo within several yards and scars the ground during training 35.
• Cuts through surrounding lesser yokai, none of whom can withstand his techniques 35.
• Prolonged slaughter exhausts his stamina 35.
• His skill is insufficient against Greater Yokai; he recognizes the gulf after witnessing Ryūkotsusei's power 37.

Yokai Detection

Years of fighting yokai enable him to recognize their auras 35.

• Detects the lesser yokai gathering around his training ground 35.
• Cannot gauge Ryūkotsusei's true power when they first meet 35.

Military Command

Takemaru controls his city's entire military force and commands more than ten thousand soldiers 41.

• Orders a full mobilization despite his soldiers' initial fear of attacking Dog Castle 38.
• Reassures his officers by explaining that the demon army will attack first 44.
• Delays his march to conserve human troops while the demons fight 43.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Blood-Colored Long Sword — A blood-red blade that has killed hundreds of yokai and carries dense murderous aura and resentment. Mingye's icy attack knocks it away during their confrontation 35 44.
• Outer and inner armor — Costly armor worn over a layer intended to resist Demon Power; both shatter under Mingye's strike 44.
• Communication jewel — Given to him by Ryūkotsusei to maintain contact during their operation 38.
• Horse — His mount during the assault; it collapses when Mingye strikes him 41 44.

Relationships

• Izayoi — Former charge and the woman he loves. She secures his life from Tōga, but he later treats her departure as abandonment 33 35.
• Tōga — Romantic rival and principal enemy. Takemaru's humiliating defeat fuels years of hatred and revenge planning 35 37.
• Ryūkotsusei — Tactical ally united by hatred of Tōga. Ryūkotsusei regards him as useful for diverting Tōga's attention rather than as an equal 36 37.
• Izayoi's father — Former city lord, killed on Takemaru's order as the first step of his revenge 41.
• Mingye — Exposes his threat to Tōga, defeats his assault, and kills him 33 44.
• Red Evil Ogre and Qitian — Commanders sent to capture him. They die fighting Ryūkotsusei, despite Takemaru later claiming responsibility 33 36 44.

Notable Quotes

“Not enough! Still not enough! Nowhere near enough!” 35

“Every last one of you acts like this! I rule a city and command an army of over ten thousand, yet you dare look down on me!” 44