


He has the strongest magic attack as well. Bonus Feature Failure: Joe Musashi can be unlocked as a playable character, his bonus being that he has an unlimited supply of shurikens which damage targets instead of paralyzing them, and no life draining Tate gauge (since he doesn't wield the Akujiki blade).Bittersweet Ending: Hiruko is killed but Hotsuma stays on his palace as it collaspse to ensure Akujiki is destroyed.

Big Bad: Hiruko, the Evil Sorcerer who killed the Oboro Clan and summoned the Hellspawn.Badass Armfold: Hotsuma's idle stand has him crossing his arms.Yes, even Shirogane and Akagane if attacked at the right time. Outside the US-only Super difficulty, every boss could be killed by Hotsuma in a single sword swing save the two iterations of the Blackhawk. The massive Hellspawn Lord bosses had "taunt" phases to their attack patterns where they took hugely increased damage.The Tate system tended to require human foes to be hit in the back for one-hit kills.Hakuraku being an old man variant of a Bitch in Sheep's Clothing who was known for putting extreme mental and physical stress on the ninja who worked under him despite his jolly facade.(Hence why she is reaching out for him as she fades away in the cutscene following her boss battle.) Akagane having a Precocious Crush on Hotsuma prior to her death.All There in the Manual: Much of the backstory for the various ninja boss characters is only ever told in the Japanese version's manual.Abstract Eater: Hotsuma's sword is inhabited by the Akujiki, an ancient metaphysical parasite that feeds on blood, eats yin, and drinks souls.Hotsuma, now wielding Akujiki, sets off to search the cause, all while being attacked by resurrected clansmen. In the present day, a massive earthquake strikes Tokyo and erects a large golden palace. Hotsuma wins and is bestowed the sword, Akujiki. 2 years prior, a pair of brothers in the Oboro Clan, Hotsuma and Moritsune, duel to be the next leader.
