Suguru Susuzumi

**Suguru Susuzumi** (煤墨卓(すすずみすぐる),, *Susuzumi Suguru*) is an eighth sigil exorcist at the Tsuzura Temple. His partner is the sumitsubo tsugumomo Ryuugou. He is a participant in the Nine Masters Tournament, siding with Masuji Madarai's Servitude Faction.

## Appearance

Suguru is a tall man with a strong build with has long curly black hair. He is seen wearing the standard exorcist uniform.

## Personality

Suguru has expressed a fondness for battling, preferring fair victories, refusing to use tricks and preferring his opponents do not hold back. During his battle with Sunao Sumeragi, he grows increasingly excited as Sunao proves to be on par with his own capabilities, forcing both opponents to go all out. When defeated, Suguru shows respect to Sunao and praises her skills. Despite being part of Masuji Madarai's Servitude Faction, Suguru shows no interest in the matter and is the only member of the faction to have their tsugumomo manifest humanoid form during the Nine Masters Tournament, in which his tsugumomo Ryuugou was even smiling the battle.

## History

While Sunao Sumeragi was enrolled at Tsuzura Temple, Sunao would challenge others to battles, ignoring the rules against private battling. At some point in time she challenged Suguru as well, but Suguru was able to defeat her with a single hit.

## Plot

### Tsuzura Temple Arc

When Ouhi Oriobana and Kazuya Kagami escape from their confinement and free their allies, Masuji Madarai expresses his regret not having Suguru guard them. In the Nine Masters Tournament, Suguru is matched against Sunao Sumeragi who initially enters the tournament under the guise of "Fox Mask". At some point during Arumi Ashimine's captivity, Suguru has Arumi show the resurrected Kanaka Kagami's battle and uses it as reference to develop his own techniques. Suguru is present to watch Ouhi Oriobana's match against Shiori Shioiori. Prior to to his match with Sunao, Masuji attempts to convince Suguru to use puppet bindings but Suguru refuses, believing he will be stronger without them. Suguru battles and is defeated by Sunao, their fight resulting in heavy damage to the arena, interrupting the tournament in order to repair it. Suguru, Takumi, and Setsuna are present to watch Madarai's battle with Kazuya, final match of the tournament. Suguru looks surprised when Madarai fuses with his captured tsukumogami, and impressed or content when Kazuya defeats Madarai.

### Kazuya's Partners Arc

Suguru is present along with other exorcists to watch Kazuya demonstrate his new ability of External Spirit Sense to them.

## Abilities

**Expert Combatant**: Suguru posses great combat capabilities, rightfully earning him the rank of eighth sigil exorcist, the second highest ranking among them. Along with possessing great physical and spiritual strength, speed, and reflexes, Suguru also demonstrates excellent combat analysis capabilities.

### Sumitsubo Tsugumomo

Suguru's tsugumomo partner is the sumitsubo Ryuugou, using the sumitsubo's strings as wires and pins for various techniques. Despite being a part of the Servitude Faction, Suguru is one of the few contestants in the Nine Masters Tournament to allow their tsugumomo to manifest a humanoid form during battle.

* **Black Steelstring** (黒糸綱(こくしこう),, *Kokushikō*): By sending out pins with strings attached, Ryuugou can stop the pin at the desired location and pluck it, creating a copy of the string from the sumitsubo to the pin's location. These copies can float in mid-air but allow Suguru to pass through them. Suguru can concentrate his spiritual energy into the string to increase their strength. Though they can easily be cut, they are strong enough to endure attacks such as Sunao Sumeragi's air slashes if she does not use enough energy. Touching the wires can easily cause cuts.
	+ **Sewn Area** (綴化圏(てつかけん),, *Tetsukaken*): Suguru creates many copies of string around vicinity, hindering his opponent's mobility but allowing him to pass through easily.
* **Black String Gauntlet** (黒糸手甲(こくしてつこう),, *Kokushi Tetsukō*): Suguru weaves the string into three-bladed tekko which can be used hit opponents. He can weave them onto his hands or feet.
* **Armored String: Armored Wrapping** (黒糸糾纏鎧(こくしきゆうてんがい),, *Kokushi Kiyūtengai*): Suguru's variation of the Muscle Enhancing Weave using Ryuugou's string as the weave material, which he developed after watching Kanaka Kagami's battle. Like other variations of the technique, Suguru wraps himself with a weave replicating muscle patterns, increasing his physical capabilities.
* **Black String: Shadow Puppet** (黒糸影人形,, *Kokushi Kageningyō*): Using his string weaves, Suguru creates bodies resembling his armored wrapping. By concealing his face, Suguru can blend in with the copies to conceal his location.
* **Black String: Supreme Death Touch** (黒糸豪点穴(こくしこうてんけつ),, *Kokushi Kōtenketsu*): Suguru sends the pins of the sumitsubo into himself, piercing holes in his spirit arteries, instantly strengthening his flesh. This causes his muscles to grow larger and increases his physical capabilities.

#### Soul Shrine

Suguru has the ability to create a Soul Shrine though its name and abilities are currently unknown.

## Etymology

* The name **Suguru** means "eminent, table, desk, high" (卓).
* Suguru's surname **Susuzumi** means "soot" (煤) (**susu**) and "black ink, India ink, ink stick, Mexico" (墨) (**sumi**/**zumi**).

## References

1. ↑ Tsugumomo Manga: Chapter 93, Pages 7 - 8
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Tsugumomo Manga: Chapter 102
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Tsugumomo Manga: Chapter 104
4. ↑ Tsugumomo Manga: Chapter 88, Page 11
5. ↑ Tsugumomo Manga: Chapter 90
6. ↑ Tsugumomo Manga: Chapter 101
7. ↑ Tsugumomo Manga: Chapter 99
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Tsugumomo Manga: Chapter 103
9. ↑ Tsugumomo Manga: Chapter 105
10. ↑ Tsugumomo Manga: Chapter 106
11. ↑ Tsugumomo Manga: Chapter 109
12. ↑ Tsugumomo Manga: Chapter 110
13. ↑ Tsugumomo Manga: Chapter 129
14. ↑ Tsugumomo Manga: Chapter 163