Eight Devils of Kimon

The **Eight Devils of Kimon** are a ninja group that features in Ninja Scrolls.

## History

The Eight Devils of Kimon (鬼門八人衆, Kimon Hachinin-shū, literally meaning "Eight People of the Demon Gate") were a group of superhuman warriors that were formed by the immortal Himuro Genma following his death at the hands of Jubei and subsequent resurrection. Though the reasons for his rebirth were not known, it was shown that after his death five years ago he managed to become the head of the Devils of Kimon. They would come into the service of the lord of House of Toyotomi who was the Shogun of the Dark that sought to challenge the Tokugawa government for control of Japan. During his time in the Yamashiro clan, Genma had learnt of a secret gold mine that was within their control and offered this location to the Shogun of the Dark. As a result, the Eight Devils of Kimon were sent to protect the Yamashiro clan from government spies and intervention in return for the gold from the mine. The Yamashiro clan sent the large shipment of gold on a ship heading towards the territory of the Shogun of the Dark but it was wrecked by a storm near the coast where it was situated near the village of Shimoda that was Mochizuki clan territory. Due to this development, the Devils of Kimon were sent to recover the gold and wiped out the village of Shimoda by poisoning the well in order to eliminate any witnesses. To ensure none investigated the incident, they made it appear as if a plague had run rampant and killed the villagers.

## Overview

In appearance, the Eight Devils were actually eight warriors all of whom possessed some form of superhuman ability that aided them in battle. As skilled fighters, they were able to eliminate others with apparent ease and were incredibly dangerous fighters.

## Members

* **Genma Himuro**: The dark-haired male leader of the Eight Devils, formerly a member of the Yamashiro Clan and comrade to Jubei until he betrayed them. Gemna possessed a regenerative healing factor that repaired all injuries to his body, even if his head were severed, and his mastery of his own body allowed him to shapeshift his features to disguise himself as virtually anyone; this combined with his hand-to-hand combat skills made him a dangerous fighter where he intended to use his power to rule all of Japan as the Shogun of the Dark. He was opposed by Jubei, who defeated the other Eight Devils of Kimon though struggled against Genma himself until he was covered in liquid gold that solidified over his body causing him to sink to the bottom of the sea.
* **Zakuro**: A brunette female with a scar on her cheek and a red cape, she could manipulate gunpowder to the point of turning both corpses and living beings into bombs, in addition she was armed with a blade. Zakuro was originally attracted to Yurimaru, but he rejected her as he was gay and involved with Lord Genma. Angered over his rejection, she turned a rat into an explosive and send it into the fight between Yurimaru and Jubei, killing the former but claiming it to an accident and that she was trying to kill the latter. Afterwards, she was killed when Dakuan and Jubei setting her on fire, causing her gunpowder to ignite.
* **Yurimaru**: A handsome male ninja capable of throwing blades attached to incredibly long, wire he could use to communicate with someone on the other end or use his unique ability to electrocute his target. He was the second-in-command of the Devils who did not tolerate failure and was the gay lover of Genma, but was forced to share him with Benisato, whom he'd later assassinate. Yurimaru was killed during his fight with Jubei when Zakuro used an explosive rat to kill the both of them so as to earn Genma's praise as well as get back a Yurimaru for scorning her.
* **Utsutsu Mujuro**: A blind swordsmen of incredible skill and refined senses. Although lacking any inherent powers, Mujuro could use his blade to reflect light into his opponent's eyes to temporarily blind them. He would go on to battle Jubei and Kagero in a bamboo forest where he was killed when his blade accidently struck the kunoichi's embedded sword, leaving himself open for the wandering shinobi to land the killing blow.
* **Shijima**: A male ninja clad in all black with the ability to merge with shadows, create clones of himself, control the minds of others, and was armed with a large metallic claw that could fire blades out. He attempted to ambush Jubei by kidnapping Kagero, controlling her mind to send her to fight him only for the warrior to kill Shijima in the fight after seeing his shadow form within the wall.
* **Mushizo**: A hunchbacked warrior carrying a two pronged spear and hive of hornets inside his body, capable of shooting a needle from his mouth and controlling the flying insects to his whim. He was killed in the fight with Jubei when his foe caused him to fall into the river where his hornets fatally stung him from within in their attempt to escape from drowning.
* **Benisato**: A beautiful female with long, black hair and dozens of snake tattoos across her body which she can bring to life as her loyal servants and shed her skin to escape capture. She was also a lover of Genma making her a rival to Yurimaru where she was dispatched to kill Jubei but after failing for a second time was killed by an electric line Yurimaru secretly placed on her.
* **Tessai**: A giant, dark-skinned man of immense strength armed with a double bladed sword that he throws like a boomerang as well as the ability to change his skin into a hard, rock-like state to avoid harm. He attempted to rape Kagero only to be poisoned by her, weakening him enough that Jubei could kill him.

## Notes

* The Eight Devils of Kimon were created by Yoshiaki Kawajiri and featured in the setting of Ninja Scroll.
* In Ninja Scroll: The Series, a group known as the Kimon Clan appeared in the setting of the anime series.