AKUCHI KAZUO



This month we recognize a long-standing shinobi from the village of Kirigakure, Akuchi Kazuo! Born into the blood-manipulating clan of the Akuchi, Kazuo's childhood was spent in the land of whirlpools, hidden away from the hunter-nin of Kirigakure with a man named Ryota. An early life spent in exile, Kazuo trained under Ryota, travelling through the world, meeting other missing-nin from the village, shinobi that were exiled and chased out for the nature of their abilities. When Mei allowed for shinobi chased away by the bloodline wars, Kazuo opted to return to reestablish the name of the Akuchi clan with the reappearance of one of his cousins, Tora, and with the aid of the village he has begun to re-establish his family name.

Rising as a jounin of the village, Kazuo has aided the village in deseperate times, such as the Samurai war, and worked to better it for himself and his family. Now taking up position as the jinchuuriki's body guard, he opts for a position to protect and maintain the level of power against the other Five Great Nations, ensuring Kirigakure holds its place in power.

I can't say Utakata appreciates it, though.

Kazuo is played by Kozeph, who also plays the young Iwa-nin Gairon Kotori, Kusa's missing nin Rikai Ubume, and Taki's Hidaeki Tatsuo.