A wandering samurai from Inazuma who is currently with Liyue’s Crux Fleet. A gentle and carefree soul whose heart hides a great many burdens from the past.
Kazuha is a polite and well-spoken person. Unlike other noble Inazuman clan members, he prefers going out and traveling rather than staying put indoors, something that he is able to do due to the seizure of his clan home. He once roamed Inazuma peacefully as a modest wanderer for a good portion of his life, teaching himself bladework and picking up other skills. Never seeking luxury, he is instead easily pleased just by sleeping on a sun-warmed rock. The time he has spent outdoors makes him attuned to nature and the wind, being able to “hear” and “smell” everything around him with absolute clarity. He can sense dangers, read people and track them down in an instant no matter how well they try to conceal it. Due to this sensitivity he prefers calm weather and never stays in one place for too long, having trouble sleeping for the former and having his skills stagnate for the latter.
Kazuha firmly believes that everyone is entitled to their hopes and dreams and that no one has the right to take them, not even a god. For this reason, he opposes the Raiden Shogun and those who support her. Despite his values, he isn’t prideful and can acknowledge the strong fighting prowess and honorable conduct of those he personally disagrees with. He sees his friend’s duel as honorable and noble, but also considers his subsequent execution by the Shogun to be both fair and justified. Kazuha is determined in his goals, pursuing them with thoroughness and cunning, but he also takes his time and is easygoing. He is very reflective and thoughtful about all matters, frequently pondering about various topics in his travels. He holds his relationships in high regard, immediately coming out of hiding for his friend and forever grateful to Beidou and Gorou for taking him in when he needed shelter. Kazuha frequently warns others of coming storms and possible trouble. He happily does simple errands, offers advice, and is willing to help others.
After the death of his friend and joining the Crux he was quiet and wouldn’t speak to any of his crewmates, but he eventually warmed up to them and according to Beidou is fairly chatty. Kazuha has a poetic side and enjoys penning haikus, though he claims to not be especially talented at it. As a result of both traveling many places and sailing for long periods of time, Kazuha has grown particularly fond of readily available grilled fish and takes the time to prepare and finish his food slowly. While he is not picky about what he eats, he does not appreciate rushed meals or lazy cooking methods. His most prized possession is his sword that he keeps with him at all times, a source of pride for Kazuha as both an Inazuman and a samurai. He is also incredibly fond of red maple leaves, finding them beautiful and enjoys seeing them rain during autumn. When unable to view such sights, he frequently collects and carries them as a memento to ease any homesickness.
Most people who meet Kaedehara Kazuha for the first time might be inclined to assume that he is just a trainee sailor with the Crux Fleet.
After all, he is a gentle soul who enjoys reciting poetry when idle, and who speaks to everyone in a leisurely manner. Who could tell that he is a wanted man throughout Inazuma?
Even Beidou, ever the good judge of character, could not tell that Kazuha could wield a sword with the skill of a seasoned warrior when she first decided to take him in.
Who knows if it was the storms of life that smoothed out his rough edges, or if his natural restraint has kept his edge sheathed.
The Crux, an armed fleet from Liyue, spends much of the year on the high seas, and its sailors are quite used to the vagaries of life in other nations. So they were more curious than surprised when an outlander began serving as a sailor on their flagship, the Alcor.
The sailor in question was picked up when the Alcor docked at the Inazuman port of Ritou.
Beidou had made friends with this young man, and when he came on board, she told her crew, “This guy’s gonna be staying with us for a while. Take care of him, now.”
The sailors trusted Beidou’s judgment and admired the newcomer for his martial prowess, not to mention his ability to predict the weather, so they were happy to overlook his reticence to discuss his past, and welcomed him aboard.
Still, their curiosity did not abate, and they would often find all sorts of excuses to try and ply him for information about his experiences.
“I’ve heard that they make some sweet blades there in Inazuma and that the bigger the fish you are, the swankier the sword. So, uh… how’s yours measure up?”
“…”
Kazuha would remain silent in the face of all such queries.
Over time, after countless attempts to garner a response proved futile, the sailors would simply give up asking.
Eventually, it was an off-the-cuff remark from Chief Mate, Juza, just a few days later that finally managed to elicit a reply.
“Hey, Inazuma boy. What are the lads supposed to call you if they don’t even know your name?”
The young sailor wiped the sweat from his brow with his callused hands.
“My name is Kaedehara Kazuha, a wandering samurai. I am in your debt for taking me in, so just call me ‘Kazuha.’”
Leave a Reply