Takeshi Tatsuo

* Human
* Mutant

**Takeshi Tatsuo** was the founder of the Foot Clan, and was the previous incarnation of the Dragon Warrior. After he died, his soul was reborn as Oroku Saki.

## History

### As Human

Takeshi was the samurai retainer of the daimyō Ashikaga Yuu, and was so fierce a warrior that Ashikaga himself even feared him. Ashikaga set a trap for Takeshi in the mountains where a legion of his armies awaited him. He slaughtered the lot of them, but at the expense of his right leg. He was saved by a mysterious mystic and had his leg restored to him; the bloodied footprint it left behind inspired the Foot Clan's name.

He formed the Foot Clan out of the remnants of the Yuu clan, and forged its power through an alliance with the witch Kitsune and the mysterious Tetsu Oni. He was aware that Kitsune intended to groom him as a vessel for the Dragon's resurrection, but had no qualms about losing himself in the process.

In the meantime, terrible atrocities were committed by the Foot clan and Oroku Maji and Masato eventually became suspicious of the clan leader's dealings with magic, especially since he never seemed to age.

After confirming that he took a strange elixir to restore his youth every month, the two men made their move. Maji attacked Tatsuo before he could take the elixir the next month, and slew him. Kitsune cursed Maji, causing Tatsuo to later be reincarnated as Maji's son Oroku Saki.

In the afterlife, Tatsuo communed with the Dragon. When Saki also appeared in the afterlife after being killed by Splinter, Tatsuo appeared before him to ensure that their common soul would become one with the Dragon. Saki continued to act independently and resist, forcing Tatsuo to capture him to finish the process. His efforts were seemingly thwarted as Saki was saved by Splinter's spirit empowered by the Dreamer. As Saki was set to be fully awakened by the Dreamer, the Dragon took Tatsuo to try and find a way to return to the world nonetheless.

## Personality

Given his predatory nature, Tiger Claw is fierce and cunning, finding enjoyment in hunting and outsmarting most of his enemies. As such he shares no qualms in attacking defenseless people, like when Karai refused to harm Murakami, seeing no honor in attacking a blind man, even attempting to kill his own sister Alopex. Tiger Claw holds no such code of honor, he cares only for power and revenge. Regardless, he follows Shredder's orders without question, given their mutual respects.

However, in comparison to the other hench-mutants, Tiger Claw shows concern over Shredder's destructive behavior. When the Kraang may overtake New York City, Tiger Claw questions why Shredder would allow them to continue with their propaganda. Also, when Shredder kills Splinter off instead of stopping the Heart of Darkness, Tiger Claw confronts Shredder about his lust for vengeance for endangering mankind for his selfish agenda. Despite serving the Foot Clan, Tiger Claw appears to value innocents about to suffer, whereas the other hench-mutants follow Shredder's malicious orders.

## Physical Appearance

Tiger Claw is a muscular humanoid tiger, but with his tail having been cut off by Alopex. His outfit has somewhat of a commando/bounty hunter look, consisting of a cyan shirt with sleeves rolled up and brown shirt vest over it, a double chain bullet bandolier with a jetpack, an azure scarf around his neck, a double chain bullet belt around his waist, and brown pants with pouches for his pistols on his thighs and belted bottoms that stop at his ankles. During the events of The Wrath of Tiger Claw, Tiger Claw wears an eye patch over his left eye and his right ear is slightly damaged. After losing his right arm to Alopex in Tale of Tiger Claw, he now sports a mechanical arm, allowing him to change his hand into a gun, a claw, or a rocket launcher.

## Gadgets

Tiger Claw carries a large machete for swordsmanship, but his two main weapons of choice are modified pistols which can blast both red lasers and freeze bullets - and he also has nets for capturing his adversaries. Tiger Claw also has a jet-pack on his back for both evasion and escape. After Alopex severed his right arm during his attempt to kill his sister, Tiger Claw sports a mechanical right arm. He can change the hand into a gun that shoots lasers or freeze bullets, a claw, or can be launched at his enemies.