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SAISYU KUSANAGI
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Birthplace: Japan
Birthdate: November 27, 1947 (52 years old)
Height: 1.77 m (5'8")
Weight: 69 kg (150 lbs)
Blood type: B
Hobbies: Fishing
Favorite food: Curry/Udon noodles, strawberry charlotte
Favorite sport: Golf
Most valuable: Pride as head clansman, Shizuka (his wife)
Hates the most: High places
Fighting style: Kusanagi style Ancient Martial Arts
Saisyu is the father of the legendary Kyo Kusanagi, and current head of
the Kusanagi clan. He has carried on with the legend of the Kusanagi, and has
passed it down to his son, Kyo, so he can contiune his legacy.
When very young, Saisyu was inculcated with the legend of the Kusanagi,
it's eternal battle against the Orochi and the war that they are raging against
the Yagami. Iori Yagami's father and him faced many times, following the bloody
tradition of their ancestors. However, it was finally Yagami's own cursed Orochi
blood that killed him in the end, due to the short lifespan the Orochi blood
gives. Despite having to battle the Yagami, Saisyu wishes that some day the
madeness will end. When Saisyu was a young man, he fell in love with a woman
named Shizuka. She accepted Saisyu despite his fate, filled with combat and
pain. They both got married, and had their son, Kyo. But since then, Saisyu has
been out in constant training journeys, looking for the next good battle. Some
say he was aware that the Orochi would awaken soon, but did not know when.
Meanwhile, Shizuka had to teach Kyo the principles of the Kusanagi, during
Saisyu's trips.
Saisyu is, obviously, an expert in wielding the crimson flames that
distinguish the Kusanagi clan. He does not need special gloves like Kyo does,
since he is already skilled enough to wield it without much pain. Using the
crimson flames to burn all those who oppose him, Saisyu soon hears about a man
named Rugal Bernstein. He was a very powerful criminal merchant, and his power
extended to very high limits. Saisyu desired to prove himself against this new
test. So, he searched out for the Blacknoah. Upon arrival, Saisyu sensed a
terrible power. It was definetly an evil power, and it was incredibly strong. He
had a bad feeling that it must be the Orochi power. He now felt compelled to
destroy Rugal as soon as he could. Entering the Blacknoah, Saisyu challenges
Rugal to a fight to the very end. Rugal accepts happily. The battle begins, but
Saisyu is unable to fight back the inmense power of Rugal, and gets soundly
beaten. Before passing out, Saisyu notices a shadow behind Rugal. Saisyu had no
doubts...it was the Orochi power! After that, Saisyu's eyes went blank.
After his son, Kyo, took revenge, Rugal, who had survived his own suicide
bombing by using the Orochi power, decided to use him as a new ally. He ordered
Vice to use her power to brainwash Saisyu so he can serve Rugal. But Saisyu's
mindpower was strong, and did not submit so easily. Always thinking about his
son and wife, Saisyu held on to his own mental health. But he was too weak to
resist for too long. Soon enough, Saisyu became the loyal follower of Rugal,
looking behind his steps for revenge. After Rugal captures the strongest
fighters, Saisyu is comissioned by Rugal to kill his own son. Kyo was shocked,
as he could not attack his own father. His friends, Benimaru and Daimon, took
care of Saisyu instead. Daimon was an old friend of Saisyu, so it was also
painful for him to have to hurt Saisyu. Saisyu fought, but since he was not in
his right mind, he could not fight with his full power, and finally lost. Saisyu
then bids Kyo to fight Rugal and destroy him. He then passes out. After fighting
with Rugal, and after he gets destroyed by his own power, Kyo seeks for Saisyu,
but he is already gone. Saisyu had escaped, and now keeps searching the world
for worthy opponents, but he knows now that the Orochi will be loose again in
this world. Until then, he has nothing else to do but wait...
Saisyu is in some ways just like Kyo: proud and arrogant. He loves his
wife Shizuka very dearly, and hates to leave her to go out training, but he
feels his fate lies elsewhere. However, it seems that old age is finally coming
to Saisyu, as he seems to be too lazy in his fights (scratching his own belly,
picking his ear). However, Saisyu is a fearful fighter for his experience, and
his Kusanagi power. He is also very proud that his son has finally overcome him,
since he feels that the Kusanagi always get better by each generation.
*Fun fact = Saisyu's matters don't seem to be so polite! Always scratching his
beard, belly, and ear, he looks more like a lazy bum than the Kusanagi clan
leader!
Appearances: The King of Fighters '95, The King of Fighters '98
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