Steel Shogun
Kaneda Takazumi
Takazumi Kaneda, the boy who would one day become the Steel Shogun, was the son of Takazumi Tetsuo, the Oyuban of The Takazumi-gumi(organization:b326403e-3252-49c5-8236-23250e8b2dae)—a Yakuza clan based out of Little Osaka in @[Emerald City. To have his son raised traditionally, Tetsuo sent him to Japan to be fostered by his uncle, the Oyabun of his own Yakuza clan. He was to be given the best education Japan could provide, including the ancient art of wielding the sacred katana.
He became an active member of his uncles’ clan when he turned 16, but with the strict understanding that he would return to Emerald City at his father’s command to take control of the ‘family business’ in America.
Kaneda rose through the Yakuza ranks buoyed, not by his birthright, but by his intelligence and skill. He proved to be an insightful member of the organization who commanded not only the loyalty but the love of the men below him due to his willingness to lead them directly and not from behind the safety of a desk. It was this very trait that very nearly led to Kaneda’s undoing.
What seemed like a simple trade of smuggled weapons for drugs in an abandoned warehouse on an isolated dock proved to be a police set-up. Kaneda and his footsoldiers became embroiled in a gun fight. He knew the only way out was to ensure every one of the police officers was killed with no witnesses left standing. What neither the police nor Kaneda realized was that the warehouse had not been completely emptied of the barrels stored there. The hail of bullets ruptured the barrels and caused the chemicals to spill and ignite, resulting in a huge explosion, destroying the warehouse completely and setting fire to the surrounding area in a blaze that burned for a week. While most of the police and footsoldiers were killed instantly, Kaneda was flung free of the warehouse and landed on a rusting ocean freighter moored on the dock. Covered in burning chemicals, Kaneda’s skin melted and bubbled until he succumbed to the pain and passed out.
When he regained consciousness, Kaneda at first thought that the chemical fire had fused his body to the freighter. Panicked, he tried to pull himself free but realized his body had not fused with the metal plates of the deck, but had instead become some sort of organic steel. He found his new body did not detrimentally affect the way he moved, and in fact he was far stronger and more resistant to injury than before. A small amount of experimentation revealed he could revert back to his normal flesh and blood form with just a thought, enabling him to hide his new-found ability until he wished to reveal it.
Returning to his uncle, Kaneda continued to serve the clan and rose through the ranks. He used his new powers to act as an enforcer and special operative of the clan. The day finally came when was called back to America by his family; his father was gravely ill, and it was time to return to Emerald City to begin the process of assuming leadership of Takazumi-gumi. Kaneda stepped into the position of Oyuban with no opposition from his father’s men, and quickly earned their respect and admiration as a powerful and resourceful leader.
Takazumi Kenada is an attractive 45-year-old Japanese man. He is 5’7” with a strong build, black hair and brown eyes. He wears well-crafted Japanese business suits, Italian shoes, and expensive silk ties. As the Steel Shogun, Kaneda is 6’7” tall and appears to be made from a silvery-grey metal. He wears a suit of light metal armor designed to resemble that of a traditional samurai, and he wields a katana and a wakazashi. His voice in this form is deeper, with a hollow quality, almost as if it were coming from a deep well.
Physical Description
Special abilities
Kaneda is able to transform himself into “organic” steel, which vastly increases his strength and toughness, but also makes him denser and slower. He is a skilled martial artist, but prefers to fight with a katana.
Mental characteristics
Morality & Philosophy
Kaneda is ruthless and focused. His upbringing was steeped in the customs and rituals of his homeland and he grew up understanding the demands of honor, face, and respect. He is confident with a clear and commanding voice and gives the impression he isn’t used to being ignored or disobeyed.
Social
Family Ties
The members of the Takazumi-gumi answer to the Steel Shogun and generally regard him as a fair and responsible leader of the family. Among his closest allies are his son, Takazumi Ryu, who acts as one of his top advisors, and Takazumi Tomiko, his daughter and unofficial advisor.
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