Kokoro Bayushi

**Kokoro Bayushi** is the mysterious son of Rokugan's Scorpio Clan Daimyo.

## Story

### Behind the Mask

Kokoro, an enigmatic Daimyo's son, was first mentioned when he sent Megumi Yogo and Misaki Bayushi in Spider territory, voluntarily throwing them in Yasu Chuda's trap. Soon after, he participated to an emergency reunion organized by the Imperial Families, and managed to obtain the Bloodsword of Betrayal, seemingly wielding it without any effort, before leaving alongside his retainer Sasuke Shosuro.

He reappeared soon after as Iuchiban's third-in-command, leading Tatsuko and Fubuki Kakita - whom he flirted with during the Imperial dinner - to a trap; however, he then took advantage of the situation to free Megumi, Misaki, as well as Eiko Chuda and Oroshi Chuda, and allow them to fight Iuchiban. He himself betrayed Iuchiban at the last second by shattering his Bloodsword against Iuchiban's, weakening it and allowing him to be killed. In the aftermath, he led the six women he saved to a warehouse to protect them.

### Secrets in Twin Realm

In Rokugan's alternate Timeline, Kokoro reappears as the son of a Daimyo, and was disgraced as the result of a conspiracy framing him for his parents' murder. With the help of Idate Soshi and Megumi, he managed to uncover the real culprits, the Yogo family. This however resulted in him being almost killed by Daichi Ikoma, and resurrected by Ayumi Isawa using forbidden magic. With newfound powers, Kokoro proved instrumental to protecting Rokugan against Jigoku's invasion.

## Appearance

Kokoro is a green-eyed, red-haired man - his hair probably dyed - dressed in flamboyant red, with a black Oni's mask.

## Personality

Kokoro plays the part of an idiotic womanizer, and when it is true that he does enjoy female contact, Kokoro uses the guise of obfuscating stupidity in order to appear as the sheltered son of an influential ruler. In fact, Kokoro is a sharp-minded, manipulative, pragmatic and resourceful man able to outsmart even the greatest. The only thing that prevents him from being a true heir to his father is his lack of ambition and drive, as he is uninterested in glory or power, merely playing his part somewhat randomly among games of power. In the second timeline, however, his love in Megumi proves to be much more than pretend.

## Powers

* **Enhanced Physical Abilities:** Kokoro is an exceptional fighter, even more so when wielding a Bloodsword.
* **Keen Intellect:** Kokoro is easily one of Rokugan's best politicians and planners, manipulating events flawlessly and leading to Iuchiban's defeat in the first timeline, and deducing the secrets of the Yogo in the second.
* **Shamanism:** Kokoro was versed in the secrets of Soshi stealthy shamanism.
* **Necromancy Use:** Despite not being a talented Mahotsukai, Kokoro knew enough of Maho to be treated as a Bloodspeaker.
* **Immense Willpower:** Kokoro was able to successfully resist the pull of Betrayal, using it to his advantage.
* **False Akutenshi:** As the result of Ayumi's intervention, Kokoro has become something akin to a free-willed Akutenshi, gaining prodigious powers from the Taint while still remaining in control of his own body, gaining immense physical physical strength, monastic talents and magical abilities.

## Storylines

* Legend of the Five Rings : Fates and Fortunes features him.
* Legend of the Five Rings : Twin Realm of the if features him.

## Trivia

* Kokoro's name means Heart in Japanese, hinting to his womanizing facade.
* The Blade of Betrayal forces one to betray his convictions. It can be hypothesized from Kokoro's resistance that he possesses no true convictions or allegiances, hence his resistance.