Ikari Itsuda

> *"We provide only the best for our clients. Top of the line models, for any would be warmonger."*- Itsuda, to Rook
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**Ikari Itsuda** is an illustrious businessman in Shanghai, and serves as the current CEO of Shin Dynamics. While not the owner of the company, Itsuda acts as the face of it, and his identity has become synonymous with wealth and status in the Gilded Lands.

## Biography

### Origins

Little is known from Ikari's backgrounds, save for a few key points: he's a Shanghai native who lost a parent due to gang violence. He was eventually accepted as an intern at Shin Dynamics, where he continued to work tirelessly until this very day. It can be presumed that he learned everything he knows now from there, including business sense and self-defense courses. His charisma may have been something he was naturally born with, though had little reason to use it when he was living the streets in a low-income family.

### The Company

After accepting the job at Shin Dynamics, Ikari quickly proved himself to be a vital asset. He learned the ropes well and got along with mostly everyone, but his friendliness became a fatal flaw with a lesson he learned too late. As it had always been, the city was a hotbed of corporate espionage and plotting. After years of service with the company, Ikari managed to reach the standing position of chief financial officer, and handled the company's money. While it wasn't exactly what he was known for, he still took the job with pride and represented Shin Dynamics' best interests in all his endeavors. His sudden rise did not go unnoticed, and a chance meeting saw him come face to face with Kazemori, the mystery CEO of Shin Dynamics.

A long private meeting between them allowed Ikari to be let in on the plan, and the history of Shin Dynamics and their involved both before and after the Great War. Kazemori intended to remove Jasper from power and return Rubidia to the glory days before their god king became obsessed with war. Ikari was hesitant to question his place in all this, but Kazemori had seemed to note that it was his charisma that would be vital in keeping the company and their interests afloat, should something happen to the CEO. Shin Dynamics was a large business that had influence all across the Isles, and Kazemori expressed how they had many enemies. In the event of a mishap, Ikari was to take over the company. Ikari agreed, only interested in maintaining the company's image and reputation. Not even days later, what was supposed to be a routine meeting turned deadly as both Kazemori and Ikari were caught in a car bomb. The former was fatally injured, with the latter suffering irreparable damage to his left leg.

Kazemori's ultimate fate was left unknown, supposedly an intentional cover-up by the company; if the rest of Shanghai knew that the CEO of Shin Dynamics had passed, the resulting power vacuum would cause an all-out war in the streets. Therefore, Ikari stepped in as acting CEO, fulfilling the position until a more permanent fix could be discovered. However, as the fires of war were ignited once more, opportunity struck; finally, a solution would arise that could fulfill all of their ambitions.

### Post-War

Though it is something that is still spoken about behind closed doors, Shin Dynamics had been involved with funding Jasper's war effort, but also manipulated the war in their favor to oust the Mad God. Acting as interim CEO in Kazemori's absence, Ikari overtook the plan and monitored the situation closely, though much of the pawns were already in play and it took little intervention on his behalf. At the war's conclusion, it was revealed that Primrose of the Corpus Diaboli had been an agent under Shin Dynamics' payroll for the entire war. Rose had been able to procure an item of special value to Shin Dynamics; the distilled essence of a god. What Ikari had planned for it was left unknown, but his interests remained focused on bolstering their employee base to better handle what was to come. While Rose was on her way back to Shanghai, Ikari took special interest in a particular soldier who had made a name for himself in the aftermath of Jasper's forever war.

Ikari met in one of the most popular nightclubs in Shanghai's Vice District, known as Toxin. His meeting was with Julius Rook, a soldier who once served for Jasper's private army, the Crimsonheads. In the interest of time, Ikari had pitched Rook a job offer, offering full employee benefits and lodging if he completed a task for them. After a short bit of negotiations, Rook accepted, though not without noting his own stipulations. Ikari had heard much about the soldier and his penchant to violence, and knew that he would be a capable asset to the company's plans. He just had to be able to trust him, first. Ikari departed the club in short order, allowing Rose to handle the details of the mission at a later time.

### Black Day

Sometime after Rook and Rose's successful mission, news was flooding in about an attack on the Toxin nightclub. There were reports that armed strangers had slaughtered local gangsters, before destroying half the club and injuring dozens more. Many considered it an act of terror, and the media was whipped up into a frenzy about the implications of the matter. Some pointed blame at Shin Dynamics, given their track record with city security.

## Appearance

Itsuda is a middle-aged man of decent build and height, with dark hair and sharp, blue eyes. He has a small scar over his right hand, and walks with a limp due to his lame left leg. His typical attire consists of form-fitting tailored suits, in muted colors ranging from brown to grey to black. Due to the cold weather of Shanghai, Itsuda wears extra coats, including his favorite; a shoulder coat that functions almost like a cloak. Each layer is inlaid and insulated, providing warmth for dark nights. Due to his lame leg, Itsuda always carries around a cane with him, which has an engraved metal dragon head for a handle.

## Personality

Itsuda is a charismatic and charming individual who handles his job with a great deal of care. He treats every potential cilent as a friend, and keeps his concerns high when it comes to nurturing business relationships. He's often seen as a charitable sort, giving money to the poor and helping lessen the wage gap in Shanghai; he cares for his people, and despite the work he does, actively tries to keep conflict out of Shanghai. Since Itsuda's specific job entails meeting with potential clients of the company, he prides himself on his appearance and always carries a comb around for that exact reason.

## Abilities

On a surface level, Itsuda is an ordinary human being. Due to his lame leg, he suffers in certain criteria, mainly speed and endurance. Despite this, Itsuda is a well-trained fencer and many have underestimated him purely on the basis that they think he's just a guy with money. Itsuda uses his status and influence to make waves for the company, typically being the one who handles client deals and handles the company funds. As it is his business to deal with people, Itsuda speaks a wide range of different languages, including Chinese, Russian, Latin and English.

## Relationships

### Rose Miller

For as long as Itsuda could remember, Rose has been a loyal member of Shin Dynamics. It's hard to determine exactly when she began working with the company, only that it was before he became acting CEO. Much like Kazemori, Itsuda and Rose maintain a worthwhile working relationship, and Itsuda trusts her enough to handle the dirty laundry that Shin Dynamics has to deal with, being the massive tech giant that they are.