Kurosawa Ichiro

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Kurosawa Ichiro (黒沢一浪)
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Tokyo Underground Heroes; former Emperor Alliance member
Occupation/Role	Underground Hero; Emperor Alliance operative
First Appearance	Chapter 84
Rank	Tokyo Fifth Saint; later reaches Second Emperor level 84 444
Quirk	Black Ruler

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Tokyo Fifth Saint	84, 86	Introduced as Tokyo's Fifth Saint; listed eighth in Tokyo's Underground Heroes rankings, a position corresponding to the Fifth Saint.
Tournament top-ten team	167	Advances to the top ten alongside Legend of the Night; credits Chiffon for making the result possible.
Type-W Serum enhancement	172, 206	His team is eligible for Type-W Serum as a top-three tournament reward; after using it, he is markedly stronger but remains unable to defeat Shajias alone.
Comparable to the top three Saints	220	Reports that his strength has risen to roughly the level of the top three Saints.
Second Emperor level	444	Has reached the level of a Second Emperor by the time Japan emerges from the Dark Age.

Background / History

Kurosawa Ichiro first approaches Chiffon shortly after Chiffon becomes Shibuya's Seventh Saint. Introducing himself without superiority, he explains that he is Tokyo's Fifth Saint and asks to become friends. He then takes Chiffon to Tokyo, explains the local Underground Heroes hierarchy, and shares what he knows about figures such as the Three Emperors and Qiao Beiqiao. 84 85

He guides Chiffon during the Tokyo Underground Heroes ranking tournament. Although wary of powerful opponents such as Mishima Kaze and Kurokobe, he joins Chiffon's team and faces Mishima himself. Kurosawa initially blocks Mishima's wind attacks with the Black Ruler and believes he can compete, but Mishima's three-dagger thrust destroys his Black Ruler Slash and forces him to concede. Chiffon's subsequent victory helps carry their team into the top ten. 152 162 163 167

After entering the Emperor Alliance with Chiffon, Ryusa Monk, and Viktuok, Kurosawa becomes determined to improve enough to keep his place there. He receives enhancement resources, undertakes missions abroad with Chiffon, and grows from a supporting fighter into a combatant comparable to the top three Saints. 179 206 220

During their Russian assignment, Kurosawa assists Chiffon in assassinating Fukudaisuke, then accompanies him and Qiao Beiqiao in the rescue of Savage Mountain. He later leaves the Emperor Alliance alongside Chiffon, having become disillusioned with its restrictions. 207 210 213 379

By the Dark Age's end, Kurosawa has reached Second Emperor level and begun a relationship with Lan Qi. He later assists Chiffon again by accepting responsibility for notifying Professional Heroes worldwide about Chiffon's planned meeting. 444 456

Appearance

Kurosawa Ichiro is a man of average build with handsome, well-defined features. He is first seen wearing a suit and is described as having a kind-looking demeanor. 84

• Typically presents himself neatly and formally in public. 84
• Uses his real face rather than a mask or protective gear during the Russian mission. 205
• His Quirk manifests as a black ruler extending from his hand. 162

Personality

Kurosawa is sincere, straightforward, and unusually courteous for an Underground Hero. He seeks Chiffon's friendship openly, shares useful information without posturing, and takes care to help Chiffon avoid recognition by heroes and police. 84 85

Despite his rank, he is conscious of stronger opponents and often worries about dangerous missions or tournament matches. He does not abandon his allies, however; he prepares to support Chiffon against Mishima Kaze and repeatedly follows Chiffon into high-risk situations. 153 160 208

He values wealth, fine food, and peaceful comforts, openly enjoying expensive meals and expressing a wish for a life free from constant conflict. He can also be hot-tempered when provoked, as demonstrated when he cripples a soldier's hand during the Wei City infiltration. 202 205 211

Abilities & Skills

Black Ruler

Kurosawa's weapon-type Quirk produces a black ruler from his palm. It can extend in size and release black cutting attacks. 162 163

• Blocks and clashes with Mishima Kaze's wind-based dagger attacks. 162
• Can expand to approximately one and a half meters before attacking. 163
• Its slashes can split a wall and leave a large fissure. 206
• Black Ruler Slash — a large, pressurized black blade arc used as his principal direct attack. 163
• Black Ruler Rain — releases countless black droplets that pierce through Shajias's enlarged sand hand. 206
• His attacks can be overcome by superior force; Mishima Kaze shatters Black Ruler Slash with his three-dagger thrust. 163

Physical Strength

Kurosawa possesses considerable physical strength beyond his Quirk.

• Catches a much larger soldier's punch one-handed. 211
• Breaks the soldier's hand by applying force to his restrained fist. 211
• Is considered the weakest member of the infiltration group alongside Chiffon and Qiao Beiqiao, limiting his role in their most dangerous operations. 211

Type-W Serum Enhancement

Kurosawa uses Type-W Serum following the Emperor Alliance ranking tournament, substantially improving his combat ability. 172 206

• Gives him enough power for Shajias to evade his Black Ruler attacks rather than taking them directly. 206
• Contributes to his rise to the level of the top three Saints. 220

Relationships

• Chiffon / Legend of the Night — Close friend, teammate, and frequent mission partner. Kurosawa first invites Chiffon to Tokyo and later follows him into the Emperor Alliance, Russia, and other dangerous operations. 84 179 207 379
• Lan Qi — Romantic partner by the end of the Dark Age. 444
• Qiao Beiqiao — Ally during the rescue of Savage Mountain and the infiltration of a Russian arms depot; Kurosawa follows Qiao's infiltration plan despite his concerns. 210 211
• Ooki Shizuka — Emperor Alliance steward who brings Kurosawa into the organization and assigns missions to him and Chiffon. 179 208
• Mishima Kaze — Tournament opponent who defeats Kurosawa after countering Black Ruler Slash with his three-dagger technique. 162 163
• Savage Mountain — Fellow Emperor Alliance member whom Kurosawa helps rescue in Russia. 208 213

Story Role / Major Arcs

Tokyo Introduction and Ranking Tournament

• Meets Chiffon in Shibuya and brings him to Tokyo. 84
• Explains Tokyo's Underground Heroes, Three Emperors, Seven Saints, and Qiao Beiqiao. 84 85
• Guides Chiffon through the Tokyo ranking tournament. 152 153
• Battles Mishima Kaze, loses, and resolves to grow stronger. 162 163
• Reaches the top ten as Chiffon's teammate. 167

Emperor Alliance Service

• Joins the Emperor Alliance with Chiffon, Ryusa Monk, and Viktuok. 179
• Receives Type-W Serum and begins rapidly improving. 172 206 220
• Assists in the assassination of Fukudaisuke in Russia. 206 207
• Helps infiltrate a fortified arms depot and rescue Savage Mountain. 210 211 213

Later Developments

• Leaves the Emperor Alliance with Chiffon. 379
• Reaches Second Emperor level and begins dating Lan Qi. 444
• Is assigned to notify Professional Heroes worldwide of Chiffon's meeting. 456

Trivia

• Kurosawa notes that both his name and Chiffon's “Legend of the Night” persona begin with “Black,” which he considers a coincidence. 84
• He enjoys fine dining and considers wealth, alongside power, a source of happiness. 202
• He initially protests Chiffon's plan to spend their Russian mission downtime horseback riding, barbecuing, and visiting hot springs, but ultimately participates. 203 205