Aoki

* Anime
* Manga

**Aoki** (青木, *****Aoki*****?) is one of the shogun's retainers.

## Appearance

Aoki is a man whose hair is tied into a topknot and has a noticeable long scar on the left side of his face that runs down from his forehead to his cheek. He wears a dark robe, a kataginu, and a hakama held together with a waist cord, and sandals. He also carries two swords at his waist.

## Personality

Aoki presents himself to be a loyal samurai to the shogun. However, despite being of service to him, Aoki views the shogun as a foolish and not very bright individual. He thought that the shogun's idea of reducing the number of criminals who were candidates for the Shinsenkyō expedition was meaningless since the massacre would only end with badly injured participants. He also thought it was idiotic of the shogun to decide hiring a squad of Iwagakure for the second expedition team since the numbers would not guarantee success. Despite his low opinion of the shogun, Aoki knows he cannot step out of line and tries to keep his thoughts to himself. He is shown to be capable of fully grasping situations. While boarding the ship carrying the second landing party, Aoki found that it was obvious that, based on the number of Iwagakure shinobi, the Iwagakure chief had his own motives on the mission. He also could not tolerate misbehavior, as he announced to a few criminals that they were guarantee a place on the shogun's mission if they were to kill Gabimaru since the shinobi refused to participant in the massacre as instructed. After being baffled by Kumokiri following Kiyomaru's irrational order in committing suicide, Aoki angrily demanded to both Kiyomaru and the Iwagakure shinobi to return back to their positions to avoid anymore conflict.

## History

### Island Arc

*Main article: Island Arc*
In Edo, Aoki stands present with the other samurai by the shogun's side as they look to see the many convicted candidates for the mission to retrieve the Elixir of Life from a mysterious island in exchange for a pardon. Aoki allows the criminals to remove their face masks and presents the bloomed man that return from the last expedition team to the island. After being asked by Nurugai about the possibility of the elixir not existing, Aoki replies that they are free to quit and sees that one of the criminals is making this decision. Having done so, Aoki points to the criminal as an order to have one of the Asaemons behead him, which brings him to the topic of the Asaemons accompany the criminals on the mission and how they needed to return back with them as a requirement. After lending his ear to the shogun, Aoki announces to the criminals that they must participant in a massacre in order to only have a hand full of candidates. As the killing commences, Aoki listens as one of the samurai goes over the list of note worthy criminals. Aoki then raises his guard up after Gabimaru walks up close to him and the shogun and hears his refusal in joining in the massacre. Having become irritated by this, Aoki offers a place on the mission to a few nearby criminals if they kill Gabimaru, which causes the shinobi to have no choice but to kill them. After successfully reduces their numbers, Aoki orders the ten criminals left standing to cease their actions and have them journey off to the island with their assigned Yamada Asaemon.

### Lord Tensen Arc

*Main article: Lord Tensen Arc*
Two days after the first expedition team left, Aoki is called in by the shogun and hears his decision in forming another expedition team, comprised of four Yamada Asaemons and hired shinobi from Iwagakure, to retrieve the elixir. While boarding on the same ship with the group, Aoki thinks back as to how foolish the shogun's idea was and believes that the Iwagakure chief has a motive depending on the numbers sent. Yamada Asaemon Shugen then confronts Aoki after noticing how he was feeling uneasy and is told that he was ready to deal with the shinobi if they were the problem. Aoki wonders if he and the other three were capable of leading them and becomes concern with the two Asaemons that were unranked but is reassured by Shugen that Kiyomaru and Isuzu, as well as Yamada Asaemon Jikka to some extent, are more than capable enough. After Kiyomaru becomes displeased with Aoki doubting his ability, the young Asaemon tries to show off his skills by slashing off the mask of an Iwa shinobi, which leads to Isuzu warning Kiyomaru to behave himself by drawing out her sword. Aoki then wonder if he should instead worry about the Asaemons. After watching in shock as a Iwa shinobi follows Kiyomaru's orders in killing himself, to prove his loyalty, Aoki yells out to both Kiyomaru and the rest of the shinobi squad to return to their positions. He is then approached by Jikka who asks if bringing the people on this mission was a good idea. Aoki states that these were orders by the shogun in hopes that the group would cooperate with the other expedition team to hasten the conclusion of the mission. Having heard this, Aoki is warned by Jikka that the real purpose of the second expedition team is to end the lives of the first group and that no one would be returning home alive, much to his shock.

### Departure Arc

*Main article: Departure Arc*
After a day had passed, Aoki and the shogun are warned that a ship has returned from the island while only carrying two men and one woman — Yamada Asaemon Sagiri, Yamada Asaemon Jikka, and Tamiya Gantetsusai. Upon being notified by Jikka that the Iwagakure shinobi from the second expedition team truly had a secret assignment given to them by their leader, Aoki sought to have the village leader arrested, executed, and forced to test taste the acquired Elixir of Life for any ill side effects.

Ten days later, Aoki has the surviving Asaemons present their report to the shogun. After the report, Aoki tells Tamiya Gantetsusai to bow to the shogun as he is given the pardon. With all matters settled, Aoki prepares to close the meeting. However, Jikka asks if the situation with the Iwagakure chief was dealt with. Aoki replies yes but wonders if the elixir served its purpose after the village leader ended up turning into a tree. Though the effects were not ideal, Jikka tells Aoki that if the shogun were to drink the elixir, in exchange for his humanity, then he would become a divine tree that would symbolize peace and tranquility as he watches over his clan for centuries. Aoki becomes convinced by Jikka's words but believes that he would have to wait for further decisions until then.

## References

1. ↑ *Jigokuraku Kaitai Shinsho*, page 75