Awataguchigumi

"The Reapers"

**The Awataguchigumi** **(粟田口組)**, or commonly referred to as the *Awataguchi*, is a organization of magi and "Awakened Sleepers" commissioned by the Japanese government, in charge of eliminating external magical threats, safeguarding Border Realm assets, as well as regulating the Yakuza activities in the country, the latter attributed to the organization's involvement in organized crime. They are notorious in the Japanese criminal underground as the "Shinigamigumi" or the "Reapers", for their tendency for extreme and merciless treatment of dissenters or perceived threats by the Japanese government. They are one of the commissioned organizations that directly work with the Bureau of Mystics as well as the Inyōuroushi-Gumi.

## History

The Awataguchigumi trace their origins from the Awataguchi School of sword-smithing, hence their name, but instead of simply focusing on crafting blades, the Awataguchigumi became a group of hired warriors during the Heian Period, when government failed to effectively police Japan, leading to frequent robberies of travelers and the requirement of bodyguards. The Awataguchigumi and their home-made blades proved to be a reliable source of protection with quality armaments that by the Kamakura and Muromachi period, when the Minamoto and Ashikaga ruled Japan, the members of the Awataguchi became samurai as well as swordsmiths, particularly for the Oda Clan. The Sengoku Jidai proved to be a golden age for the Awataguchi, as their weapons were sought after, and their samurai had steady supply of wages. Their reliance on war, however, made the group's influence and wealth decline by the Edo period, a time of relative peace in Japan. This was also the time when Awataguchi members began practicing magic to augment their fighting capabilities, either with spells or enchanted weapons. Despite the Awataguchi's attempts, the Inyōuroushi-Gumi held the title of the Tokugawa Shogunate and later the Meiji's go-to group for magical affairs and security. This resulted in the Awataguchi's loss of influence and their wealth diminished, to the point were many of its members turned to crime, such as running gambling halls in abandoned shrines and buildings at the edges of settlements. This would later result in the Awataguchigumi becoming a yakuza group throughout the Edo and the Meiji periods, and establishing themselves as a part of the criminal underground in Japan. The group made the right decision in avoiding involvement during the Boshin War, as many of its members were eager to join the Shogunate for the continued rights of the samurai. Because they did not present themselves as threats to the new Imperial regime, the Awataguchigumi was soon approached by the newly formed Bureau of Mystics, a government-commissioned organization established for total regulation of magic in the country, and the Awataguchi was offered a position as enforcers for the new policies set for magic in Japan. The Awataguchigumi saw opportunity to finally rise from their long period of stagnation, and was incorporated into Japan's web of magic regulators and security while remaining unknown to the general public.

The post-war rise of the Yakuza resulted in the Awataguchigumi being the government's secret weapon against the other yakuza clans and groups. Their experience in combat as well as utilizing magic has earned them the reputation as the Shinigami-gumi, or the Reapers, in the Japanese criminal underground as they, under the secret orders of the Japanese government, ensured that the yakuza did not overstep their boundaries and regular bribes to ensure their continued operations in Japan, all while keeping the guise that the Awataguchigumi is simply just another yakuza group, albeit a powerful one. Even by the decline of the yakuza by the 21st century, they maintain a strict stranglehold on the Japanese criminal underground.

Throughout the 20th century, the Awataguchigumi's role in Japan varied, they initially served as artificers for magical weapons and equipment, and providing muscle for the Bureau. After World War 2, they soon became the regulators of the criminal underground as well as the organization made to deal with external magical threats, be it from foreign magi or supernatural phenomena, as well as protecting the recently established holdings of the Bureau in the Border Realm. Despite being a Yakuza group in the eyes of the Sleepers, the Awataguchigumi fills the role of undercover magical police, who specialize in black ops. They constantly collaborate with the Inyōuroushi-Gumi, who serve as Japan's internal security, from providing manpower or supplying them with weapons.

## Organization

The Awataguchigumi underwent several reforms in their organizational structure, from a samurai clan to a yakuza family, to the militant/police organizational structure that they use today.

Modern members are ranked in similar fashion to the Modern Japanese Police force. While their ceremonial uniform features a badge, shoulder patch, other ornaments, their are more commonly seen wear black suits. Despite the more modernized organizational structure, the strict fraternal code from their past remains engrained in the Awataghuchigumi's culture.

*"Each member carves their own path, but all their responsibilities stay the same within the fraternity."*

**Commissioner General (Chairman)**

The highest rank within the Awataguchi force, Commissioner General lead has the final say in most operations and affairs within the organization, and their word is considered the law. They also directly answer to the Japanese government.

**Commissioner**

A Commissioner works directly under the Commissioner General, with each commissioner is entrusted with overseeing a specific division in the force: These include the following:

**Special Forces** **Division** - Special Forces is the division tasked with performing highly coordinated combat operations within and outside the country, such as leading assaults on unauthorized bases in the country or raiding hideouts and workshops of wanted magi criminals in Japan hiding abroad. It is the most combat-centric division within the Awataguchi. A majority of the agents tasked with guarding Border Realm assets of the Japanese magi are from this division.

**Black Operations Division** - The Black Ops Division is tasked with the more clandestine operations as well as dealing with the criminal underground in Japan. The division is known for its Deep Undercover operations within and outside the country whenever a threat has been detected. They are also known to deal with the youkai settlements in the country, such as Chikabori accessible in Osaka, and other Yokai Border Realm territories.

**Armaments Division** - The Armaments Division is in charge of producing and providing equipment to its members, from weapons, outfits and armor, gadgets, and magical artifacts. They also continously research and develop new equipment and magic and tech to keep the Awataguchigumi updated with the latest equipment in the world of magi.

**Intelligence Division** - The Intelligence Division is tasked with maintaining a vast information network in the country and coordinating with other divisions as well as other organizations like the Bureau and the Inyōuroushi-Gumi in ensuring they have the most accurate information when it comes to operations and monitoring Japan's mage population. The Intelligence Division is the one with the most "Awakened Sleeper" members due to the nature of their work not necessarily requiring magical capabilities. Skilled Handlers, informants, and spies are welcomed into its ranks, regardless of magical potential. The Awakened Sleepers, formerly unaware of magic, are bound by oaths and magical contracts not to divulge the secret of magic to Sleepers and ensure the Decay does not spread in Japan.

Each Division possesses its own infrastructure, and several divisions can act independently from one another. It is common to see different departments collaborating during operations, and there are no restrictions for said collaborations, however, members from other divisions are expected to respect the command of each respective Commissioner. For centuries, the Awataguchi excel at swordsmanship, although it no longer is the main focus of modern members. To join one, it is a mandatory requirement for a prospective member to know how to use a swordsmanship, but once they are part of its ranks, it is not required to master the blade. Members can take their blade as an emblem of their path and use any other sort of technique or magic they so wish to. A majority of the members believe that everyone has the blade but what truly cuts an opponent is oneself.

The ranks for individual members across the Divisions are the following:

**Inspector**

Inspectors serve as leaders of a whole team of members or prolonged operations when necessary. Inspectors are chosen after serving a year's worth of service as a Senior Officers, with no records for Disciplinary Actions against them, and are respected fully by both superiors and subordinates. They hold complete lead over Senior Officers and Officers. They are subject to a commissioner's orders, but are given independence when needed by their respective commissioners.

**Senior Officer**

Higher ranked officers that have acquired tenure in the Awataguchi. In Awataguchi culture, a Senior Officer has already decided on which path to carve and has chosen their Division of choice. They are commonly seen as assistants and second-in-command to their respective Inspectors, and some Senior Officers are given command over small teams of Officers. They are promoted to the rank of inspector through service, or recommendation by a Commissioner.

**Officer**

The most common rank as many, though not every, member starts as an Officer. While senior Officers and Officers have the same liberties, and a Senior isn't seen as stronger or more experienced than a regular officer, the Officers are expected to adhere to the command of their Seniors and Inspectors. In Awataguchi belief, an Officer is yet to carve their own path in the Awataguchi.

## Known Members

* Goro "Queen of the Night" Makima - Inspector, Black Ops Division
* Hanako "Tanuki" Ikezawa - Officer, Black Ops Division