#᛭ — [HEADCANON] twist the threads of reality [SEIROKU INUKAWA]

[deathfavor]

 Seiroku’s journey into medicine wasn't as traditional as people who encounter him now might expect. His mother was the first one who shared some medical knowledge with Seiroku; and rather than dismiss it as most people do, he retained that information. It was something that gave him an edge that most bushi lacked when it came to treating simple illnesses. He didn't have to go to doctors or medics when he could take care of it himself. But that was relatively all he knew in the beginning. SImple teas, a few plants to help disinfect wounds, and that was all. He didn't NEED more than that. Seiroku was first and foremost a FIGHTER. As the latest chapter just revealed, he was the strongest fighter in the time before the demon blades, when it was solely human on human fighting.He stood head and shoulders above other swordsman from a young age, taking to swordsmanship like a fish to water. He was strong, fast, and graceful in a dangerously captivating way. He quickly began mastering complex styles and beating those older and stronger through a mix of his own strength and his strategic skills. As he got older, his strength and experience continued to grow and he seemed destined to ensure the success of his band as they decimated competition and expanded their territory and resources. Seiroku thrived in the heart of battle. He was the one people looked to for victory. Their expectations rested on him. Each time he rose to the challenge, pleased to be able to make people in his band proud. He LIKED being able to help his band in this way.

   The arrival of the oni and demon metals changed all of that. Chaos ensued at the beginning. During this time, Seiroku helped keep some stability as he continued to spearhead human on human confrontation. But those quickly began to disappear and grow less and less common as attention turned towards fighting the oni.

   It would be a lie to say there wasn’t some initial bitterness with the arrival of the oni. At first, it didn't seem so bad. There were colors, but many were still piecing together what the differences meant. But it soon became apparent that yellow was not the color to be on the frontlines anymore. Seiroku was no longer to be on the frontlines. It was a bitter pill for Seiroku to swallow. He went from spending years on the frontline to being forcefully removed and banned from the position. This revelation was devastating for the first few days, and no one could blame him for that. It was like losing a part of himself. He hated the pitying looks, the murmurs about what would he do? What could he do as a support instead of a fighter? But in the end, he was still determined to help. He would simply need a different approach than what he was familiar with. He strategizing skills were still useful, and he quickly found that he had the ability to heal people with one of his techniques. Though he missed the frontlines, he refused to simply be washed up in this new era. He would adapt; he quickly began utilizing his ability to heal instead.

   It was a new perspective for Seiroku. In the era of humans fighting humans, Seiroku hadn’t thought much on the role of healers. He knew their value of course, anyone who has troops would. Seiroku always sought to minimize deaths and injuries, but it was impossible to avoid completely, and he was thankful to the healers despite not knowing the details. He didn’t think about the hard work that went into it or the expectations put upon them. On the battlefield its kill or be killed, in the hospital, someone ELSE's life is in your hands. Seiroku was quick to learn the art of healing with his strings almost as quick as he had learned the sword. It seemed like almost any injury he could heal so long as he could identify what was wrong. A fitting power for someone so strong. Soon it was a new kind of pressure that Seiroku faced. It wasn't just 'ensure success on the battlefield' but became 'ensure everyone survives, we're depending on YOU. ' Everyone thought he could fix everything as long as they weren’t dead when they got to him.

   Or so he thought.

   Battles were rarer for Seiroku to participate in, but they still happened on occasion. He loved those times even when old instincts still sang in his blood. But one particular battle led to one of his swords snapping, and taking with it not just a weapon, but the lives of dozens of those he’d healed. Seiroku’s created reality was shattered as his technique broke, and the original reality came forth; wounds reopened and limbs fell off, burns resurfaced and scars his healing had made reappeared. It was then that Seiroku discovered the real nature of his ability. It hadn’t been miraculous healing. He’d been bending reality to his will. If Seiroku said something would be, then those affected by his strings would have their reality warped to what he desired of their healing.

   It was a terrifyingly strong ability fit for the once strongest swordsman. In the battle, few people realized what was happening. Many died and were dismissed as causalities of the fight, or others thought they had gained wounds they didn’t notice from adrenaline. But Seiroku had witnessed it. People thought he was creating an invincible army with his healing without realizing the truth that Seiroku had discovered. It would be years before some people began to piece it together. And when they did, they forced him to maintain it perpetually to create a near-invincible army at the cost of Seiroku had been reduced to barely a conscious holding the strings together. They didn't CARE about him. People expected it of him. They pushed the burden onto him, to heal, to maintain this unbeatable army. He hated it. He hated the burden. He hated what the band became. He hated THEM.

   But before such hatred and tragedy befell him, after the incident on the battlefield, Seiroku took a very serious study towards medicine beyond the basic means he knew. He worked hard to learn different injuries, to learn healing plants and ointments, to learn more about the intricacy of the human body. It was essential in his eyes. The power he had was not endless, it had its weaknesses too because it depended on him. When it came to knowledge, he didn't rely solely on his own band either. Seiroku would take time to learn from the local people when they traveled, to learn what locals had discovered for medicine and local fauna, and he would read scrolls on medicine they had. He wanted to genuinely treat people with or without his strings. His strings could be a good temporary stabilizer, but they shouldn't last forever or their lives would be placed on his shoulders to maintain until they died naturally.

– But people didn’t like that. Who wanted to wait for stitches to heal when Seiroku's strings could fix it perfectly in a few seconds? It planted a seed of irritation in his chest because they didn’t understand. Irritation turned into resentment as he was ordered to use his strings when he tried to explain. They just wanted things now. And while he’d been respected as a fighter, such respect had begun to fade in the era of fighting oni.

   And then, tragedy. Hatred. And finally joining the Obsidian Eight.

   This is when Seiroku’s medical knowledge leapt far beyond other healers. Choking on hatred, he used bushi as case studies and test subjects for his theories and curiosities. How much could the human body endure? What could it do without? What could the mind take before it shattered? How did distorting senses effect the body? Seiroku didn’t care about the victims; bushi deserved to suffer and die. But he could make them USEFUL to him at least. He began understanding more about organs and the senses than anyone else, he got even better at predicting human behavior, especially in pain and fear. He was also a witness to those who failed as Obsidian Eight members and went made from the black hearts.

During this time Seiroku also began to learn the dark side of his reality manipulation; he could HARM just as easily as he could heal. And unlike with healing, the damage his harm caused remained (like the blood loss Naoe experienced during their battle). He has spent decades continuing to expand his medical knowledge; the more he knows, the greater trauma he could inflict on victims and the crueler he could be in toying with them before killing them. But he also learned genuinely good things through the horrors as well. He simply no longer had any reason to apply it in most instances.

   It is only with the Date that the healing side of Seiroku's skills has begun to be utilized again. At first, it was purely for twisted reasons. It was to be able to DESTROY the band in one easy move in the future. He’d heal the injured and then, when the confrontation with the Obsidian Eight happened, he could undo his strings influence and watch waves of them drop dead or severely injured again. It would be DEVESTATING, and it would be ruthlessly effective. Not to mention the psychological trauma it would effect upon the band at every level. It was a PERFECT plan, and an easy way to explain why he needed to be there so long. It was only when his feelings began to genuinely change that he began to undo this as best he could. When they would be injured or reinjured, he'd undo the binds of his string and slowly genuinely apply the medical knowledge he had to help save and properly address the wounds his reality manipulation concealed.

[deathfavor]

Seiroku is, ultimately, someone who is swayed by his emotions. Unlike a lot of my other muses, his emotional state will often override the logical side. He's brilliant when he's emotionally distant, and he's most dangerous then. His pride often ends up being his downfall like all those who fall to hubris. But! In general, his mindset can be drastically changed by his emotional state.

For example, I take the scene when Seiroku made a bloody rampage through his ideal town. He was ready to end everything then and there as he saw no future for him. If the plan was done, he had no motivation to keep going DESPITE it not actually having reached it's conclusion yet.

Intense emotions can make Seiroku waver and change it. Look at the Date for example. Seiroku HATES Bushi with a burning passion. He hated them too for the beginning of his time with them and managed to choke it down and hide it for the sake of his plan. But for all his intense hatred of Bushi, he's come to adore and care about them. Enough so that even hundreds of years of intense hatred could be dismissed and altered. He hates all Bushi EXCEPT for the Date now. Because he cares enough that despite logically knowing better, despite knowing making an exception is a betrayal of his own hatred, he's willing to do it. Because his emotions ultimately are what drive him no matter what.

[deathfavor]

Water has always been an important aspect of Seiroku's life, and one of the few things he never came to hate about his past or part of his former band in a way. It's also why there was always a water theme to his original name and to his 'new' name so to speak. To them, water was their life. Rivers, oceans, lakes, Seiroku's familiar with it all. It's both something that has occurred on a skill level, but also on a biological level with his former band.

Many of his former band possessed a mutation in the PDE10A gene and the BDKRB2 gene. The PDE10A gene allows for a larger than average spleen size ; which in turns gives an oxygen reservoir for diving, allowing for a vastly longer dive time compared to the average person when it is paired with the BDKRB2 gene mutation, which is responsible for vasodilation and vasoconstriction which allow oxygen to go to only the most essential parts of the body. ( People with these mutation have been studied holding their breath 10-13 minutes and Seiroku leans close to 12 ). They've also been known to be able to dive to deeper depths without aid and drop at a quicker rate. All traits that Seiroku himself has, and only came to realize through his case studies on victims and idle observation once he'd left his original band. While he's not aware of the genes specific for this of course, he has realized it is a genetic trait that's essentially died off when he slaughtered his band. ( He never did hunt down though who'd already left the band, so there are still some around who have these traits. )

In terms of skills, he is a skilled sailor in a variety of different ships/boats/rafts and it is something he's kept up with over time. It's not as frequent as it once was, but especially since the Oni won't disturb him, he does enjoy sailing out at sea or river rafting or other traits. Because of this, he also possesses a rather extensive knowledge of aquatic life and hunting skills, and enjoys various forms of seafood. Similarly, he is quite good at astronavigation and is often more inclined to use that over other means, although he will consult maps, especially of areas he doesn't know. He's able to also craft out of fish bones should it be needed, like a needle ( although with his skill it isn't particularly necessary ) and other tools, and could probably figure it out with other kinds if needed. He's also well aware of using fish skin for burns and skin grafts as well as helping with anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial aspects. It IS certainly a unique kind of knowledge, and I imagine it is quite new to others to see. He doesn't think anything of it - which probably made for some interesting conversations at the Date the first time he did this. It does also unconsciously hint towards some aspects of Seiroku's past without him actually intending to. He himself doesn't realize it because it IS so engrained as a basic fact to him.

While Seiroku long lost faith in anything and doesn't care for the idea of gods or goddesses, he does still recall ways he once did celebrate. And he doesn't hate it should somewhere happen to celebrate. He's inclined to participate, though he'll say it's simply to enjoy life and have fun or to bond with others if any of the other eight happen to be with him. If not though, he does still sometimes finds himself at the water during certain times when festivities would take place. He doesn't do anything special for it but sometimes is a bit more contemplative.

[deathfavor]

I love that Seiroku's ideal town is just. full of water. Water surrounding the back (front?) of it. Big rivers running through it and smaller waterways too. Seiroku LOVES the water and did love that about his old band, despite hating the band itself. And then there's Seiroku's name barely changing in meaning with its water themes. Part of his full name now means ‘ river, stream ‘ and part of the root for Takumi means ‘ sea, ocean ‘. Seiroku really said he's not changing anything when it comes to him or his name. Everyone else had fairly big name changes as I recall but not him.

And to be honest, I think it's because Seiroku was already set on revenge before he even became a black dog. He already hate the Bushi and their ways, he's already been choking on rage and venom towards them. So a lot of him was unchanged despite the black heart. It amplified his sadistic tendencies, but it did little to him mentally outside of that. ( Remember that he's been doing case studies on all the others who went mad due to the black heart. ) In a way, his anger ironically protected key parts of him. His love for the water, his desire to not really change his name that drastically compared to the others. His town just being that he wanted to feel CONNECTED with people who valued rather than used him, and the water that makes him happy.

[deathfavor]

@deiscension said: holding a mic out for the commentary you mentioned in the tags of your last reblog

You are opening a can of worms. A bucket in fact. But i shall take them and go fishing and chatter away to the wind. ( And break it down muse wise so ppl can skip muses they don't care about. )

POST IN QUESTION.

So by FAR, those who relate to that the strongest are Lamia, Ling Wen, and Seiroku

He Xuan and Earl are more middle

Izana is the least but not for the reasons you might think. And as a bonus I'll mention Sekhmet bc she's interesting for why she ISN'T despite being vengeful.

I'll put this under a read more because this is turning out very long, way longer than I anticipated.

LAMIA does NOT forgive. She is the epitome of resent and remember if you've done wrong to her. She WILL hate you and she WILL enjoy your suffering. In fact, she probably purposefully has made your suffering worse. Go to hell might be too nice of a way out. Why not suffer here and THEN go suffer in hell for all eternity? She'll make sure she makes you suffer more when she gets to hell too. ( She's under no illusion she'd end up anywhere else if there is an afterlife. )

LING WEN also is very vindictive. It's beating a point to a pulp but we SAW what she did with annihilating Jing Wen's existence. ( And with help from Pei Ming in the process of destroying + her terrorizing his followers. ) Ling Wen.....does not forgive. Granted, those around her never would apologize. Not really. Pei Ming and Shi Wudu are probably the only exceptions and SOLELY because she knows if they did something, it was not on purpose and their apology would be sincere. Anyone else though?? Absolutely not. They can go through the agonies of feeling their very souls destroyed and she will sit with a cold, uncaring expression even if she does greatly enjoy seeing those who've wronged her or made her suffer now suffering.

AT THE SAME TIME !! Ling Wen has a hard time with herself after book 5 (or 8 or whatever the official is listen i follow the pre-official release versions okay) but when she essentially keeps her job because......literally no one else can run the Heavenly Realm and all the paperwork and such. Truly success is a burden. But in all seriousness, especially with Pei Ming......his forgiveness to her is a bitter pill. She never wanted HIM to suffer, she even invited him to their side in the final battle just to ensure he'd be safe. He forgives her and moves past it, but I think Ling Wen has a hard time. She never hurt him, she never wanted to hurt him, but being on opposing sides was hard. Mercy & Forgiveness can be HARD to swallow. ( Tbh i can ramble forever about this but i think this makes my point. Her rejection of forgiveness also is a sword over her own head. )

SEIROKU is interesting because in general, this only applies to Bushi. He can never forgive the Bushi as a whole, as a group. A lot of this comes from his personal experience, and it cemented itself as a core part of his personality. Especially after he died and his heart was replaced with the Black Hearts that amplify desires ; his is revenge and death to all Bushi. As a whole, Seiroku will always hate Bushi. The Date clan is the EXCEPTION, not the rule. When it comes to someone who isn't a Bushi though, Seiroku can be forgiving. He's not often in a situation where he needs to, but anyone else - a farmer, a seamstress, whoever, he is more inclined to forgive. So Brittney, why is he on the strongest? Because Seiroku's held this hatred and unforgiving attitude to the Bushi for over 100 years now. He WON'T let it go, at this point, he CAN'T let that intense hatred go.

HE XUAN is in the middle because if you are important to him, he can forgive. He might remember, he might put distance, but he CAN forgive. Especially when he cares about you. It might take time, he needs to think about it and mull it over, and the person needs to put in effort to show they genuinely are apologetic and deserve his forgiveness. His forgiveness comes in incriments. The potential is there. But he DOES lean heavily towards strongly relating.

He Xuan cannot forgive the crimes against him, his family, his fiancée. All who suffered not because of their fortune, not because THEY did anything wrong, but because HE XUAN'S fate was stolen. And their fates were tied with his. In truth? This is one of the most painful and intense sources of pain from He Xuan. He could have endured prison, an agonizing death, being broke, he could have endured countless sufferings. He might have been angry, but he wouldn't have been as powerful of a ghost as he ended up becoming. But BECAUSE the fact is that all of the people he loved suffered EXCRUCIATING fates because of his fate being stolen, his anger grew into something extremely intense. It didn't JUST effect him. It affected the people he cared about most. He became entirely hellbent on revenge despite having no clues for a long time. He can never forgive Shi Wudu.

And I think a part of him will always resent Shi Qingxuan. Despite it not being SQX's fault, there's a bitterness because, theoretically, had SQX's family listened, SWD and SQX would have still lived good lives because of family wealth. He Xuan was born into extreme poverty even BEFORE the fate switching. And it's not SQX fault but how can he not suffer and subconsciously resent knowing this person having HIS fate is why those he's loved perished in horrible ways? That SQX gets to laugh and enjoy life while blissfully unaware none of it is deserved? He genuinely does intend to never cross paths again if he can help it by the end.

EARL also is heavily towards the strongly agreeing side. He is a very distrustful person as it is, everyone around him knows it. It's important; his wariness and distrust has helped keep Legion powerful and ahead of all the other gangs and groups. He's always steps ahead of everyone else for this very reason. He gives his trust to very few. And if he gives it and you break it? It's over. He will not give it again. Earl may trust in someone's SKILL or an ABILITY or TALENT, but he will not trust THEM as a person. Go to hell indeed, he's never letting them close.

There are very few exceptions to this. Horo and Zoya are primarily the only two that he could change this. Because ultimately, he cares for them more than most other things. Horo is, genuinely, what Earl cares about above all else. Above Legion, above Zoya, he might not seem like it and people might never guess it, but Earl would do anything for his little sister. He really is a good big brother like that. If she did something....Earl could forgive her. He might be upset, but he could and would forgive. And the same goes for Zoya. He is more likely to express his anger or displeasure, but there's very few things she could do that would make him not be able to forgive her. Anyone else would be very heavily dynamic dependent. Earl can trust and care a lot, but he can also turn cold and abandon it if the trust break truly is something severe. ( Something silly however he might be annoyed but not care about. He WILL remember it though if you try to prank him. Few have ever succeeded. )

IZANA KUROKAWA is the least in agreement with this, but not for the reasons you think. Simply put? Izana doesn't trust people to begin with. There are VERY, VERY, VERY few people he genuinely trusts, and even that can fluctuate with how stable his mental state it. I would say MAYBE two at most are who he trusts. So if you fuck up? It's over. Izana will ANNIHILATE you - there won't be anything left to grant forgiveness to. Izana genuinely has no comprehension for people's limits. At 12 he hurt people so bad they were permanently disabled - kids and adults - as revenge. Not to mention what Izana drove the ringleader of the group that attacked him to do. He'll send you to hell personally. He's the least in agreement solely because you wouldn't be around TO be forgiven. He doesn't want you around and no one is going to disobey him.

SEKHMET is the most interesting to me tbh. Because as a goddess, if you piss her off, she WILL curse your entire bloodline for the entire length of its existence. Changing names doesn't change your blood, it will follow you and she will make sure the curse is effective thousands of years later. She's a VERY vengeful goddess if you earn her wrath. You will pray for oblivion because everything truly will be suffering.

But Brittney, then why is she not included?

For the same reason: Because she's a goddess. If you give enough quality offerings to her, if you do great feats in her honor or attribute them to her, if you celebrate immensely, beg and plead and praise her above others - she will forgive you. Maybe not YOU, but she will remove the curse from the rest of your bloodline, so your children and grandchildren and so on will not suffer because of you. THAT is mercy from a god. If you TRULY dedicate everything to her, if you are skilled enough, she might remove a curse from you herself, turn you into a champion for her and ensure glory to you and her name. This is mercy from a god. Sekhmet's wrath is on a WHOLE different level from humans or even from someone like He Xuan's wrath, but she ultimately can be appeased and grant a god's definition of forgiveness. Remember; she is a goddess. A god and a mortal's definition of forgiveness may not be the same, but it is still forgiveness.

[deathfavor]

The Seiroku brainrot is real and I’m not crawling out of it any time soon sO let’s talk about Seiroku and the Dates huh? Because there’s a lot here and I can ramble. and @yeonban prompted me.

His initial mission was a full-on reconnaissance mission. First, to analyze and assess the band’s strength and threat, what they’re good and and where there’s flaws. It makes it easier to attack, much like Seiroku knew to completely destroy the linking with the Uesugi Bushi since that is what they’re well known for. This mission was also however a way to keep an eye on the Dates, discover how much they know or what they suspect about plans, groups, so on and so forth. But especially see how their connection is with other bands. Sure, the Obsidian Eight have no qualms in destroying and killing, but why put that effort in if there is already discord, or if they know that the group won’t likely involve themselves in a matter. Essentially, it was solely intended to informational. There wasn’t a plan to assassinate, although by no means would anyone have been upset if Seiroku did that. But Seiroku wasn’t expecting to be as involved as he ended up becoming, let alone be around Soma so often. So he had always planned for it to be information based. (Which also helps keep away any pressure as he stays around longer for why he isn’t acting - everyone knew it would be information based and not assassination.)

Within the Dates, other than Soma who he is often around, he has started to connect with more of them. He was initially wary (as I’m sure they were of him). But both with time and his efforts, he began to connect and chat with others. Especially within the medical team. He’s taken something of a mentoring role with some of them given his extensive knowledge, or showing them other ways to do something, and learns their ways as well because he’s naturally curious. If he isn’t with Soma, even outside of work he’ll most often be found with some of the medical staff because they are who he’s closest with next and who’ve gotten to know him. Sometimes they’re trading stories from the medical field of things they found fascinating but probably would horrify anyone not in the medial field, other times they’re just chatting or playing games. As such, he’s established a very good perception with them. He’ll go up and chat with them if he’s on his own. Others he’s a bit more reserved. Still polite, but less inclined to simply show up unless they’re hurt of course or if they approach him / someone introduces them to him.  Albeit at least one of the strategists definitely doesn’t like Seiroku purely because Seiroku’s suggested some better ideas to Soma at times (of which he’s smug about and finds the bitterness at him amusing). And Seiroku crushed the strategist at a strategy game. And he probably has a “You’re back here again? Didn’t I tell you not to do [thing]” dynamic with some of the frontline soldiers because there’s always some like that. But for most of the clan he’s probably got a fairly positive reputation with them since Seiroku has helped a lot, be it them or others, and he’s also able to keep calm & handle medical issues the others might not. The fact he is always polite and respectful on top of being helpful also does help a bit more. He doesn’t get close to many besides Soma and some of the medical staff, but he’ll still be involved around others.

[deathfavor]

Anonymous said: Seiroku, did your medbay friends know about your relationship with Soma or did they hear about it when you got engaged? What reaction did they have?

" Chima was the first to figure it out. I didn't explicitly tell her, but she caught on extremely quick. She's a smart girl, quick to learn. I can't say I'm all too surprised. " She'd long proven her abilities, a bright young woman. Plus, she had also been the first person that Seiroku had really started to get close to when he was first joining. She was young and determined, eager to help and learn. ( Perhaps it was the fact she reminded him of what he had once been like before hatred and suffering took hold. ) She'd been eager to learn and his expertise was undoubted - so he'd somewhat taken her under his wing. Soma knew him best, but she was a close second. It'd be more surprising if she hadn't noticed. Despite himself, a quiet laugh leaves his lips. " She was so excited once it became official. You'd think it was her wedding day. But if you mean before that, and just at the relationship, it was rather funny. Big doe eyes and trying to subtly ask little questions. Always tried to give a minute or two for just Soma and I if he came to visit. "

" As for the others... " Seiroku tilts his head. " They suspected it as well eventually. Some were sooner than others. I suppose it probably wasn't terribly hard. I think only one or two had no idea until the engagement actually happened. " Which had been hilarious and they'd certainly not lived it down when everyone saw how shocked they were. " Most were pretty happy over it. Some were a bit awkward after on how to interact since it was official. One or two weren't quite sure how to feel I think. But, they've been rather enthusiastic about it. " It was...strange to have so much support. It wasn't as though Seiroku had particularly cared except for Soma's sake and reputation on how people would receive it. He was used to the world against him. But to have that much support had suddenly made him feel warm and deeply moved in a way he hadn't expected.

[deathfavor]

   Seiroku is one of the original obsidian eight (unless canon one day says otherwise but i doubt it will.)  Although as his number implies, he was one of the later ones. He mentions, as I’ve pointed out before, that he’s been observing other obsidian eight members going mad for over two decades in his little observational case study on the black hearts. Quite frankly, it’s probably been much longer than that. Closer to four decades. But he also says “Weren’t you a part of the Takeda Band of Bushi until recently?” to Aijiro. Recently. Despite the fact it’s been fifteen years, that’s still ‘recent’ to Seiroku. What is fifteen years compares to a hundred? Not even a fifth of it.

   For him, Time doesn’t hold the same impact. Nor does it matter to him. Bands rise and fall, Seiroku doesn’t bother to keep up with names and details of people outside of clan behaviors and modern advancements and healing matters. Bushi are bushi, so he wants them dead regardless of names and bands. Simple as that. Fifteen years is still recent, only those who’ve been around as long as he has  or close to it are ‘not recent.’ Especially when it seems there’s likely a good number of numbers that are traded in and out for both Kazumasa to remark on the many brothers and sisters who’ve fallen, as well as Seiroku’s implications of his statements. Once you hit closer to three-fifths a century then maybe he’ll stop calling things recent.

[deathfavor]

Seiroku's scars aren't the worst out of everyone (that honor goes to Shiro) but they're noticeable all the same. No matter how many times his body fixes itself, those scars from the collar refuse to disappear. It's a permanent branding, a even without me I'm there that haunts him. He hated that collar but at least the scar was hidden under something. Now they're out in the open and without the collar to cover it, the top of it is always visible even WITH his preference for high collar outfits because it's juuust above where it might otherwise be hidden given that even from behind we can see the top of the scars. ( Not to mention taller muses definitely can see it. )

He tries to act like it doesn't bother him, but it does. Not in the first few moments, he was just glad it was gone, but after that it starts getting to him. Seiroku's always been proud of both his appearance and his knowledge. Sure, he was aware of the scars, but given they were hidden for over 100 years, it wasn't exactly a big deal. Now though? Now they're out there and it's a conflict because he doesn't want it seen but also loathes the idea of anything around his neck. ( Excluding the necklaces he chooses to wear, but anything like a choker or collar, even if its elaborate and decorative. ). He does his best concealing just how much it bothers him, but it's so strange to not feel it anymore that it isn't uncommon to find him absently rubbing at where the collar once was. His pride is great though, it is the very thing people create strategies around when it comes to defeating him after all, and he tries to play it down how much it bothers him. It does however lead to him looking less at his reflection. Not that he was ever big on it before, never was one to obsess over them, but it's even less now.

In regards to the scar itself, the scar is obviously tougher/stiffer to the touch compared to the rest of his skin. For Seiroku, his medical knowledge honestly worsens it in some way for him because he knows so much on scars and the boy. It's also more sensitive to the cold though he won't say so. But in the fall/winter, he is constantly aware of it and in some ways it feels like the collar is back. When it comes to touch, it isn't particularly sensitive physically. But there's a lot of mental sensitivity to it or the skin around the scar. He's very aware of anything near the scar; it makes him more reactive to or near the scar because of the psychological aspect. And unless he trusts you ( so honestly just Soma ) he will react with violence if you try to touch it. If he does, it's all about being gentle.

[deathfavor]

   Like many things with Seiroku, he has a complicated view towards human life in general.

   On one hand, he makes his hatred for bushi very apparent and blatantly says as much, even despite his proper mannerism when addressing them. His entire goal is to kill off the bushi and thats....that’s it. He doesn’t have any plans of residing in the ‘utopia’ that the doors create like many of the other obsidian eight planned to. He was never interested in that. For Seiroku, who was consciously aware of the fact that it was fake, it felt like nothing more than a tangible version of the empty words of encouragement. A corruption, not a paradise. He’s here to kill the bushi, and then that’s the end of the line for him. There’s no further ending, no happy version of this story. Once his goal is complete, so is he.

   He kills with ease because of that hatred and loathing. He’s a strategist, he won’t pull punches. He’s there to wipe out an enemy be it in direct bloodshed or taking out those that support them. I they can’t eat, can’t get care, then those will be crippling hindrances to the enemy. He’s not merciful either. He’s ruthless and direct about it. This does include those simply affiliated with the bushi. He’s also prone to experimenting with victims to gain further knowledge when it comes to the human body and abilities. Unfortunately, the Horrors™ is how a lot of medical knowledge comes to be understood in general when it comes to medical information. And in that way there is some gratefulness that they were of use.

   On the other hand, Seiroku expresses no clear issue with the average, typical person. LIke when the group of obsidian eight members went out to watch a play and visit a typical village not affiliated with bushi. Seiroku has no problems or hatred towards the average person. He was content to be around with them and chat and see what people do on the day-to-day. He enjoys going out to eat and drink (unfortunately the others besides Shiro really can’t.) Despite the oceans of blood he’s spilled without remorse, he has no desire like Shiro to find a strong opponent or to fight with people. So for him, people are just there.

   He has no issue, but he has no love either. He’s aware of what will happen when the plan succeeds, and he would have no problems in killing the average person either should he need to for some reason. Neutrality does not equal good. But he is more inclined to help in the case of someone who is not a bushi being hurt or needing aid. It won’t make a difference in the long term, but he doesn’t mind. He did and does truly enjoy getting to be a doctor, the last fragment he holds to of his abandoned childhood dream. So he will step in and help if need be or he sees the opportunity.

   And it isn’t that Seiroku thinks the value of human life changes per se. He does logically know that a human is a human. But one group has evoked his wrath and disgust and the other has not, so calm around one group and absolutely not with another.

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   Seiroku is someone who does care about his appearance and put conscious effort into it. He likes to be presentable and hold a certain decorum to him, both in mannerism and visuals. He’s very consistent in his routine and the products that he uses or have a few alternatives in case smething isn’t available. Not necessarily the time at which he does it since it depends on what is going on, but on the routine of it. He knows exactly how to space out care for his hair to ensure it stays soft and silky, has a schedule for different treatments for his skin. All in all, he’s very careful to keep himself presentable because it is something quite important to him. It has its uses as well, and he’s no stranger to using his charm.

   The same effort goes into his clothes. He’s very careful to keep them pressed and well-taken care of. In general, Seiroku tends to gravitate towards light colors. Whites, golds, lighter blues, but that isn’t to say he won’t wear dark colors if gifted something or offered it, or if someone points out something they think would be nice. But he does have a penchant for making the outfits his own in a unique way, be it an accessory or something as simple as shrugging off one shoulder of  his robe in a way that seems casual and effortless but is actually a very carefully decided act. 

   That said, Seiroku is far from bothered about getting dirty and won’t bat an eye at the vast majority of things. He isn’t someone that will be upset or throw a fit over it. He was/is a doctor after all, and he’s also used to being on the field and fighting. Mud, blood, guts, it doesn’t bother him. He might sigh at the effort it will take to clean an outfit, but it won’t shy away or be upset at it. He simply wants to get clean when its pragmatic and possible for him to as most would. The only thing he does is if someone purposefully tries to ruin his face veil, which will aggravate him

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Anonymous said: Seiroku, what's your opinion on red souls? Do you tend to like them or dislike them? Do you generally get along with them or not?

   He contemplates ignoring the question altogether - but ultimately decides to answer. After all, it’s not as if there’s anything to lose with it.

   “  My opinion? They’re monsters when it comes to pure power and it goes to their head.  “  Silky strands of hair fall over his back as he pushes his ponytail over his shoulder.  “  More brawn than brain a lot of the time who often put little regards to their own life. They’re the worst kind of patients to deal with as well. They rarely have things heal properly because they won’t listen or follow proper healing procedure, they’re usually too stubborn to come in, and it’s never simple wounds or illnesses if they DO decide to come in.  “  Just the mere thought has annoyance igniting in his chest. All his worst patients in the past had been red souls - certainly the top five worst at the very least were.

 “  Does that sound like the type of person I like or get along with?  “  He frowns, raising an eyebrow.  “  No. Also they’re annoying to kill. Like cockroaches, except armed. So worse, who knew?  “  A malicious grin pulls at his lips.  “  Maybe because there’s less brain activity going on for them. But they are INFINITELY more fun to shatter and break than the other colors, they never can wrap their heads around being beaten.  “  Truly, the expressions were something to be unrivaled. When they went from acting untouchable to realizing they were prisoners of their own flesh and blood and physical limitations while Seiroku shattered both mind and body.  “ They also tend to be extremely rude and have poor manners. And less out of lack of understanding like Shiro and more of a choice on their part. Or they claim mannerism clashes with their personality. I for one think it’s more of their EGO. So no. I don’t generally like them nor do I have interest in getting along with them. “  

  It seems that is ALL he intends to say, but he gives pause before adding.  “  Not ALL of them are like that. I’ve met one or two well-mannered ones who I could get along well with and whose company I could enjoy. But they are the exception to the usual situation when it comes to that particular soul color. So I don’t judge purely off soul color, I give them a chance. But most of them blow it very quickly.  “

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I know I mentioned this a little bit last night with the screenshots. But it really is fascinating seeing Seiroku’s inherent contradictory-seeming nature to certain aspects.

He mocks and says friends and comrades are useless trash to not be worth saving or fighting for. Based on the limited discussion that Seiroku mentions towards Naoe, his band prior to the Obsidian Eight was NOT a good experience for him. 

But as long as they are in a band, those with special powers always get the short end of the stick. Bands are organizations where the weak masses cling to the few strong ones. None of them hesitate to push the hardest jobs onto others while they kick back and offer hollow encouragement. They only force you to carry their hopes and dreams They expect more and more. I’m sure your friends are the same worthless trash not even worth saving.

And....he isn’t entirely wrong, not completely. People DO project their hopes and dreams onto others, we even see it in the series, the same way we see the masses or certain cast members rely on only a handful to be the real fire power. It’s not a particularly STRONG point to the Uesugi because their strength COMES from that connection with one another (although it really is still applicable as the majority looked to Naoe and/or Kuroko to help them/tell them what to do). But we see it with others. Even if it is more positive since its main characters, but it’s still there under the surface. So one can imagine how much Seiroku was put under pressure. It’s like trying to swim while being dragged down. The backlash if something goes wrong, things just become ‘expected’ and no longer praise worthy or the effort acknowledged. The higher and stronger they’re viewed, the deeper the fall. Seiroku clearly had and has no interest in being any sort of motivating figure for others. He just wanted to do his part. Not to mention the hollow words of encouragement and pushing the hardest jobs onto others means he himself likely both observed and experienced that. It leaves a bitter taste when someone offers you fake happiness when they want to see you fail, or make you do everything while they get benefits from it. Aka like every school group project.

But at the same time, Seiroku DOES try to connect with the other members of the Obsidian Eight. It’s not a BAND. It’s a GROUP. And for the most part, they’re all strong. Different levels obviously, but it’s not like in a band with hundreds or thousands of significantly weaker members clinging helplessly to you and projecting onto you. For the hate and disgust and disdain he has for the bushi bands, its not a reflection of Seiroku’s interest in connections. He clearly puts in the effort, especially with Shiro that we’ve seen so far (which is rather hilarious considering Shiro is.....well......Shiro), to be able to have the connection and chat with others. He isn’t a lone wolf type, but he does see a clear divide between the weak and the strong and only wants to be around those who he sees as equals or at least in the strong category.

Now this is less headcanon-y and more just discussion. And all of it is very subjective because summaries only offer so much and I’d rather read the actual translations whenever they eventually come out, especially for what Seiroku himself says. But in regards to chapter 139. It’s mentioned the doors for the eight basically create whatever the members imagine or what they might wish for. An eternal dream so to speak. Although it’s mentioned Seiroku’s is probably his previous life. But I doubt that. More likely, its what Seiroku would have wished for. Or maybe it’s the beginning of it when things were nice before Seiroku became bitter and hateful towards bushi bands. Again, translations will play a lot into this. But it is interesting it is in fighting oni within a band, but a band he’s welcomed in and treated equally. More like how he is in the Obsidian Eight than what he likely was treated like in reality (or in reality once his strength showed itself fully - again dependent). Which really does just show he does WANT connections and a close circle to him, especially if it is Seiroku’s ideal dream. And also his want to play doctor more since he doesn’t get to do that as often anymore.

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   Both from his past as well as someone who prioritizes strategy, Seiroku is well versed in customs of others clans when it comes to himself. Less so when it comes puppets and spies, as it isn’t him directly, which allows for more mistakes like stepping on the flags and symbols where as Seiroku himself would not unless he was intentionally doing so.  For everything he does, he is clearly well informed on mannerism and proper etiquette. Not everything of course, but the general rules and expectations or mannerism/reputation of the clans.

   It’s especially beneficial whenever he is out more. He himself remarks that there is no one to recognize him. So unlike many of the other members of the obsidian eight, he can be out and about either on his own whims or to learn more about other clans and movements without need to fret. (Obviously this changes later when its broadcasted in that gathering but up until that point). He does generally prefer to be out in the field. Kuroko was right when she said he wasn’t a man to stay in a castle - he likes to be involved in matters (though not recklessly / carelessly  ).

   Plus he always has a good ‘in’ for observing others. After all, doctors are valuable in warfare and combat. He can always help injured Bushi to get an in so to speak. ( And sometimes he’s the inflictor - though he has to be very careful with this to ensure those victims don’t realize it was him - generally he would prefer to find genuinely injured Bushi as it makes deception easier.  )

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   Seiroku prefers high collar outfits to hide the silver collar around him. Truth is, Seiroku loathes it with every fiber of his being. He hates it, but he can’t remove it. All the others seem to wear it indifferently or at least have it openly visible, but Seiroku puts conscious effort into concealing it or at least minimizing its visibility. Of course he doesn’t strictly abide by it, as for outfits he really wants to wear like the one he wears to the festival, he’ll have to show it, but most of the time it stays hidden even in other outfits. The only other one who has it hidden is Nanoa, which is interesting. Unlike Seiroku we know she IS invested in the end goal of their doors. But she is also the one who shows the most going out of her way to care or welcome others in versus the harsh cruelty of most of the others.

   So how does this play into when he’s with the Dates if its seen? If he’s asked about it, Seiroku just says that it was given to him and that it’s important from before he joined the Dates. Which isn’t a lie. It is important and it was given (despite him not WANTING it). It’s simply misleading, much in the way his initial fighting style leads people to not realize he’s a master swordsman. People assume its something sentimental of his past. Especially since it’s nothing special or fancy looking considering it’s just a plain silver collar, leading to most probably assuming a gift at a bad time, and his constant wearing it probably means whoever gave it isn’t around. Which is common given the state of the world, so no one gives it a second thought or presses much on it out of respect. Or sometimes they just assume it is part of his outfit depending on when they see it since he DOESN’T wear things that show it often and intentionally will stylize his outfit to make it look intentional if they do.

   But for other necklaces (when he wears them or if given them) he will typically wear them OVER the high collars to show them off. Except for when he is working, where he tucks them under to make sure they are safe and don’t get in his way.

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   Thinking on the name thing though, I don’t think Seiroku would ever be particularly inclined to share his original name. First of all, there’s no one besides a few of the obsidian eight members to know, although they’re all aware they all had different names. But like he said himself, there’s no one alive to recognize his face let alone his name,

   It isn’t that Seiroku cares either. Obviously some know of the eight know it. If he ever did mention it, it’d probably be a flippant remark / reveal and then moving right along with the conversation. He doesn’t hate his original name, it doesn’t bother him, but it’s dead. That version of him has long been dead, crushed with his hopes of what he thought a bushi band would be like, long before he encountered the black dogs.