Naoya Zenin

**Naoya Zenin** (禪院直哉 *Zen'in Naoya*) is one of the four main protagonists of Gold Heart, Iron Will. He is the husband of Toga Zenin and step-father of Hajiro Zenin.

## Profile

### Background

Naoya was born into the Zenin Family. In his early to mid teens, he first met Toga Ozuran, and quickly became irritated with her strong-willed and non-submissive nature. She didn't do what he wanted her to do, as both a man and member of a superior sorcerer family, but as time passed he grew fascinated with Toga and slowly fell for her. He only realized his own feelings after seeing how close Toji and Toga had become. Jealous and enraged, Naoya tried to come up with ways to chase after her as well and win her attention back. He was unsuccessful, however, until Toji left her behind unknowingly pregnant with their child.

Naoya was angered he had "defiled" the woman he loved and was very bitter until deciding this was the perfect opportunity to manipulate her. He was somewhat successful this time until realizing he didn't want her to come to him, rather, he wanted her to choose him of her own volition. Their marriage had been decided before Toji left and Naoya, not wanting to see any remaining traces of the man who took his wife from him, had her biological and his step son hidden away from the both of them.

Naoya and Toga eventually reached a point where they both cared for one another with respect and genuine affection but she didn't want the boy to be locked away when he didn't even know who his real father was, or why he was being kept so far from his parents. He caved when Hajiro turned 12, allowing all three of them to formally meet. Toga kept him in line and was very gentle with their son. Hajiro, who had loathed his father since he learned what loathing was, saw how much Naoya loved Toga and hated Toji more for hurting her, and forgave him slightly. After that point Naoya did speak with Hajiro. Tensions were high but with prompting from his wife, he finally became closer with their child.

Toga died 3 years later after being killed by an assassin whose client wanted her dead for killing off a family of curse users. Naoya entered a state of bitter despair, once again staying away from Hajiro, but locking himself away this time instead. His son had to go to his room and get into a fight for Naoya to finally confess he didn't want Hajiro to see him like this now that they had finally started talking. Hajiro called him an idiot, reminding Naoya both of them didn't want to seem weak to the other.

After Toga's will was read aloud, she expressed her sincere wishes for her son and husband to at least not be at each other's throats, and she wished Naoya luck in becoming the head of the Zenin Family, igniting his desire to become the heir. Hajiro was enrolled in Kyoto Jujutsu Tech upon his request accompanied by an essay on why he should attend the school alongside his younger cousin Mai.

### Appearance

Naoya is lean young Japanese man with pale hair ending in dark tips. He has pronounced and slanted eyelashes, and wears formal Taisho attire.

### Personality

Prideful, arrogant and self-absorbed, Naoya is a typical example of a "noble." Though, he is more mellow than his canon counterpart, as his time spent with Toga has changed him.