Kuro Kusanagi

(Fan-character concept work in progress.)



Appearance
Kuro Kusanagi is a young man of reptilian faunus heritage. Incidentally, some of his most noticeable features are his long, scaly tail and his narrow, snake-like, orange-colored eyes. He has an average build and height. His hair is fairly long, reaching just below his collar in the back of his head. It is slightly spikey near the top of his head but gradually straightens out at the bottom. His hair completely covers his left side of his face and the left frame of his glasses in the front.

His standard battle attire consists of a shogun-esque aesthetic, donning shoulder plates and an arm bracer on his right arm and protective waist plates in addition to a black hakama. Under his large quiver of spears, he wears a multi-layered jacket with long collars almost completely covering his neck. His left arm lacks armor and instead, he wears a traditional decorative veil over his jacket sleeve that signifies his royal lineage as a member of his clan. He wears finger-less black gloves on both hands, and tabi sandals that are armor-plated in the front and back, giving them a greave-like appearance.


 * Concept art will be added later.

Personality
Prior to his enrollment at Beacon, Kuro was raised to become his clan's ninth-generation leader. As such, he acts in a very calm, composed, and elegant manner even during battles or dire situations. He rarely shows much emotion or empathy towards others, even his teammates at times. He prefers to maintain mostly formal relationships with others, usually addressing them by their last names.

As the leader of the designated Beacon Academy Disciplinary Committee team, he adamantly believes in protecting the law and removing whatever he feels is a threat to it. He is very analytical in judging others and situations, and will usually act towards others in accordance to what he deems as just. If he feels someone is a threat to the law he will act hostile towards them, but if not, he will usually act indifferent towards them.

Background
The Kusanagi Clan was founded and led by a snake faunus, commonly referred to by the clan's members as "the Orochi". Since snake faunii were a rarity in the world of Remnant, they considered themselves "pure" and superior to other faunii. They eventually secluded themselves in an isolated part of Remnant where they could grow and prosper. After the eventual passing of the Orochi, a new leader was elected from one of his children. Subsequent elections were determined a different way. When the Orochi was elected and had children, he would choose an heir which he believed had the most potential to lead it.

The eighth Orochi, Takeru Kusanagi chose the one of his two children: Kuro Kusanagi.

The principles of Orochi were passed down from generation to generation and generally reflected the skills that the first Orochi himself had. Kuro and his brother Kojiki underwent intensive training from age 9 to 15 in martial arts, and were educated in the clan's ideologies and the way the populace should be led. Despite being relatively inept in his martial arts training, Kuro showed a high intelligence for his age, able to pick up on the teachings quicker than most previous Orochi. Kojiki was extremely childish compared to Kuro and wanted to become Orochi to satisfy his personal desires with absolute power. He believed that he should get the title of Orochi unconditionally and that he was overall, better than his brother in every aspect. He despised Kuro and showed his disapproval of him by disparaging him at every opportunity. Kuro was initially timid due to his brother's treatment, but after several years eventually grew to ignore and feel nothing toward him. Their parents also spent very little time with them due to their duties. Despite the neglect he recieved from his family, the populace always showered him with kindness and admiration. Kuro was rarely given the opportunity to step outside the royal dwelling and so he was always taken aback by the change in atmosphere around him. Growing up, Kuro had not understood why the clan's villagers had recieved him in this way, but it made him feel content. His greatest desire eventually was to become Orochi in order to lead and protect the clan.

When both siblings came of age, a private royal ceremony was held, and Takeru Kusanagi made the decision: when he passed, Kuro would become the ninth Orochi. His queen, and the siblings' mother, Hibana Kusanagi bestowed upon Kuro the sacred relic belonging to the first Orochi that was passed on for eight generations: the Tsurugi blade. This symbol would properly signify him as a true leader of the Kusanagi.
 * More will be added later.

Abilites & Powers
Weapon: Akusatsugai-sha (Cross-Ranged Dust Halberd)

Akusatsugai-sha is Kuro Kusanagi's weapon of choice. It has two primary forms for battle: a "halberd" form and an "explosive crossbow" form.

Sheathed Form:

In its inactive form, Akusatsugai-sha's blades are compressed together and retracted towards the barrel. The handle extension is also completely withdrawn. It is able to take this form regardless of whether or not an "bolt" is loaded.

Halberd Form:

Akusatsugai-sha's main form for melee combat. When the weapon transforms from its sheathed form into this form, the blades on both sides of the barrel are separated and extended about a foot from it. The handle of the weapon extends fully allowing Kuro to wield it with both hands. It is able to take this form regardless of whether or not an "bolt" is loaded.

Explosive Crossbow Form:

Akusatasugai-sha's main form for ranged combat. When the weapon takes this transformation, the blades on both sides are rotated outwards and the metal strings are stretched out from the primer in the center. If transforming from its halberd form, the handle extension is retracted. It can only take this form if a "bolt" is loaded.


 * Weapon concept art and further detail will be added later.

Trivia

 * The name, "Kuro Kusanagi", is completely derived from Japanese origin. His first name, "Kuro" is derived from the Japanese characters meaning "nine"(ku-)and "son"(-ro). This name was given to him because he was supposed to be the ninth heir of the clan's leadership. His last name, "Kusanagi" is inspired by the Japanese folktale of Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi in which an eight-headed serpent called the Yamata-no-Orochi is slain by the god, Susano'o.
 * His weapon's name, "Akusatsugai-sha", roughly translates to "evil slayer".