Hattori Shingen

Hattori Shingen is the leader of an elite mercenary band known as The Black Swords. The Black Swords used to have their own kingdom on the Isle of Kyo but their Kingdom decided to peacefully merge into Argis I'sts empire. Before Argis's death, The Black Swords served as part of his official military but after his death they decided to expand their talents elsewhere and provide their services to other factions. (They still helped Kynegrove royal factions but they were no longer bound in service only to them.) The name of their mercenary band is named after the Leader's sword which is made out of a strange black substance. The design of the sword always changes depending on who wields it but the color of the blade and the blade itself always remain the same.

To wield a sword, one must become worthy of being named leader. This is a traditional process that has historic roots into their kingdom that once was. To become a leader, you first must join the faction and prove your worth by serving to their interests. Then as you rise through the ranks, a council will decide if you are worthy of joining their ranks. Once you become a member of the council, you can then proceed to challenge the head of council (Leader of the faction) to a duel to the death. Whoever wins this trial by combat becomes leader and the previous leader's skull will be carried into battle by the current leader.

Hattori Shingen, challenged her former master Takeda Nobunaga to a combative trial to the death. Hattori Shingen challenged Nobunaga's power after Takeda Nobunaga became enraged with her son upon hearing the news that he had defected from his council position in the clan to join the pirates. He saw Saato's defection as a betrayal of his clan value's. Saato had failed to assassinate Hrothgir (Doombeard) and later on openly defied his contract to assassinate him and betrayed the very people that contracted him. Nobunaga declared him a traitor and ordered his immediate execution, but Saato's Mother Hattori Shingen stepped up and openly defied Nobunaga's will.

Nobunaga and Hattori had a brutal fight with one another, Nobunaga blinded her with his Wakizashi and cleanly cut her left arm off in the midst of battle. Hattori miraculously managed to win this fight despite being outmatched and greviously wounded by tricking her opponent. By the end of the battle, Nobunaga became cocky and started toying with her, and pinned her to the ground where he proceeded to disarm her and then mock her to her face. As he leaned in to whisper into her ear that she had lost and that he was going to kill her son, she suddenly reached up and bit deep into his neck full force, and proceeded to rip out his jugular with her teeth. As Nobunaga stood there in shock holding his bleeding neck, she took his black sword and proceeded to cut him into little pieces with what little energy she had left in her right arm. She had won the battle and successfully killed one of the greatest swordsmen to ever live. Ever since witnessing this brutal battle, no one dared to challenge her claim to the clan, and Hattori proceeded to not only pardon her son but decided to (unwillingly) ally herself with the pirates and they now only provide their services to citizens as opposed to royal factions. Hattori isn't the biggest personal fan of the pirates herself, but she loves her son and her family and will go along with whatever path her son has carved out for himself.

Hattori was also able to miraculously get her left arm back after a miracle surgery had been performed by one of the greatest doctors in the lands. Saato was able to convince Mordred to spend resources to save her life and Mordred happily did so. Although Hattori has her left arm back, there's a pretty horrific scar that she is insecure about that still lingers across her left arm to this day.

Themes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFd8NwUfDPg&ab\_channel=MicroHomebrew Hattori Armored Theme

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ix6aZ6q8aBc&ab\_channel=AdrianvonZiegler Hattori Unarmored Theme

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMboypSkj3c&list=RDGMEMhCgTQvcskbGUxqI4Sn2QYw&start\_radio=1&rv=Ix6aZ6q8aBc&ab\_channel=TheStudioGhibliCollection Hattori Romance Theme

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJb\_y-zmXV0&list=PL4RusDNc0gqocrzkWUStvOh2DYzRocPhQ&index=9&ab\_channel=dudewhereismyspoon Hattori Boss Theme