| Seishino Kanami | |
 |
|
| Personal | |
|---|---|
| Birthplace | Land of Rivers |
| Birthdate | Feb 19, -19 B.F. |
| Gender | Female |
| Age | 28 |
| Height | 5'8" |
| Weight | 132 lbs |
| Blood Type | ??? |
| Kekkei Genkai | N/A |
| Classification | N/A |
| Areas of Expertise | Ninjutsu, Genjutsu, performance arts |
| Clan | Nogakujin |
| Affiliation |  Tao Shih |
| Team | None |
| Rank | |
| Ninja Rank | Wanderer |
| Genin-Equivalent Age | 14 |
| Chuunin-Equivalent Age | 22 |
| Jounin-Equivalent Age | 26 |
| Nature Type | |
| Element | Unknown |
| Family | |
| Mother | Seishino Merodi (Deceased) |
| Father | Seishino Raguna (Deceased) |
| Signature Technique | |
|---|---|
| Hidden Shadow Snakes | |
| Favorite Techniques | |
| Body Shedding | |
| Curse Grudge Spirit Kill |
Formerly completely unknown, Seishino Kanami is now known relatively widely as one of the Nogakujin. Further, she is seen as more than just a skilled actress but also a powerful kunoichi with snake-related jutsu, terrifying illusions, and a penchant for the dramatic. For such a powerful ninja to come from the Land of Rivers, and a Clan of stage performers no-less, with NO ONE having heard of her previously is very surprising to a number of people. Even more surprising is how far she made it in the First World Ninja Competition in Kusagakure without a single loss. As one of the finalists for Bracket 3, she is being viewed with caution by the Hidden Villages and pride by the Nogakujin as a whole. More recently she was one of the finalists in the Bloody Mist Cup Tournament in Kirigakure. She made it through to the last round, a "battle royale" between herself and two other finalists, and then gave up without a scratch because she had merely been using the tournament as a way to advertise for a stage performance she would be starring in. She remains confusing and worrying to many people.
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Table of Contents
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Background
Seishino Kanami is a member of the Nogakujin Clan, based out of Higuregakure. The Clan's origins lie not in nina warfare, but in theater. Noh plays was the specialty of the Nogakujin, ever since the concept of theatrical productions was formed in the minds of human beings, but the Nogakujin as a Clan did not come about until hundreds of years afterwards. Over time stage-craft became more refined, and select individuals became renowned for their skill and their ability to seamlessly merge into the roles of their characters (called "myoh"), while at the same time retaining the ability to synchronize with the performances of other the other actors — or characters, if the other actors likewise are capable of myoh. These individuals who displayed the ability to enter a state of "no-mind" (called "mushin") were recruited by an organization that sought to catalogue all the myriad Noh plays and cultivate a school for Noh actors, so that the beauty of the plays could be brought to the height of human capability, and thus enlighten and brighten the lives of the audience and actors both. This organization became known as the Nogakujin, or "People of Nogaku" (with Nogaku being another name for Noh).
However, the Nogakujin's purpose became clouded when the Clan Wars began, disrupting the period of enlightenment and forcing the Nogakujin to temporarily abandon their lives' goals. Many were forced to turn into beggars or street performers, trying to earn wages from the ailing economies of the villages they lived in, due to the war leaving countless people impoverished. But a core of Nogakujin retained their convictions, and determined that they must learn how to acclimate to new situations as well as retain the traditions of Noh. Thus, they began training in secret as ninja. Developing unique Hidenjutsu based off of their existing skills, as well as learning entirely new areas of skill, the Nogakujin began using their abilities to act as spies, saboteurs, and assassins. Few would suspect a performer of the vaunted Nogakujin to be a ninja. And with the newly developed tool of the Nogakujin, a Noh mask known as the "Mystic Noh-men", fewer still would be able to stop them.
Eventually the Clan Wars ended with the formation of the Hidden Leaf Village, and then the other Hidden Villages. The skill of the Nogakujin at conducting secret missions was no longer of practical use as an entity independent of the Villages. They had to join with these Villages, and serve under a Kage if they wished to continue their career as ninja — or so it would seem. But the Nogakujin had learned adaptability during the Clan Wars, and though their view of the world may have been forever changed by their experiences in war, the Clan was able to return to pursuing perfect beauty and enlightenment through the stage arts, while at the same time continuining to refine their ninja arts… Just incase.
Kanami was born during the Clan Wars, to a family of performers who were part of the "core" Nogakujin. Considering the fact it was war-time, she was raised under rather wholesome and loving conditions. When she lost friends and family members to the war, however, it became clear that she was a bit different from others. She didn't show any sign of sadness for the death of loved ones, or being disturbed when she was exposed to extreme violence for the first time. She took everything mildly. She was somehow "detached" emotionally from those around her and did not associate murder or violence with unpleasantness. This is not to say she was emotionless. She quite clearly possessed emotions. She just didn't value human life one iota. If someone died, the furthest she would think or feel on the matter was whether it inconvenienced her or not. She was more focused on the Noh plays that she studied, able to take on the role of any given character without difficulty, and then perform as that character to such an extent that she could fool even people who knew her well. When this was combined with her ninja skills, she became the ultimate stealth operative.
Kanami carried out many missions for the Nogakujin, but it was all for her amusement. When the Clan Wars ended, she had nothing to do other than resume "normal" performances. But Kanami did not distinguish between the two. To her, there was no difference between acting on stage and acting on a mission. A character was a character, regardless of the setting, or the purpose in performing as that character. She was the embodiment of the philosophies of Noh taken to an extreme. She could kill without any qualms and do whatever was necessary to fool her enemies. This was the sort of person desired by the man called "Amuro" for his own purposes. He needed secret agents who could remain hidden in plain sight. So, having heard of the exemplary skill of Kanami, and of her various exploits during the Clan Wars, he approached her in the Land of Rivers prior to the Takokujin's arrival there. He recruited Kanami from Higuregakure and explained to her his needs and some of his plans. Intrigued by the idea of returning to the exciting world of ninja missions, Kanami accepted the offer. She has been with Amuro ever since.
Personality
Kanami, for the longest time, believed that she was the only real person in the world. She was so distraught over the death of her mother that she attempted to perform the ritual to seek the blessing of the dead to empower her mystic noh-men before her Chakra was trained properly and without a full understanding of what she was doing. She thought she was bringing her mother back. Instead, she trapped herself in full sensory deprivation until people thought to come check on her. It left lasting psychological damage, and emotional imbalance. She was willing to sacrifice or kill other people if it suited her needs at the time because she did not believe there was any possibility of her dying.
Kanami has since changed that outlook on life. She still has a great love for the dramatic and no particular attachment to most people in the world. She still feels no guilt for killing her enemies or even those who get in her way. But those who she treasures most, the other members of the Tao Shih — and Yamanaka Ryoko in particular — are ones she will never betray. She realizes now that — real or not — the world she lives in has more than just her in it, that there are people worth protecting, and things that she cares for more than even her own life.
She's still cruel, sometimes even a bit sadistic, in how she deals with her enemies. But the basic idea she set out with so long ago, that the world is full of experiences to be had, and that she should have as many of them as she can — good, bad, or inbetween — is one she embraces even more than before. The major difference is that she wants to experience the world with her lover and her friends at her side.
Kanami still dislikes being dirty though. That's one experience she has had quite enough of, and is perfectly content to stay clean whenever she can.
Appearance
Kanami is the very image of a traditional Japanese woman. Though a bit taller than average, at around 5'8", the rest of her speaks of culture and lineage. Her skin is smooth, pale, and unblemished. Her ebony hair falls straight from her head, past her shoulders. Two 'tails' of hair trail down on either side of her face, ending just above her chest. Her eyes have yellow irises, with thin rings of black around the edges. Slender, arcing black eyebrows are set at an angle, giving her a slightly arch expression. She has rosepetal-red lips that betray little of her feelings, often remaining neutral.
Kanami has a slender throat leading down to a similarly slender body. There are curves enough to make it clear she is a woman, but she is definitely a Japanese woman, rather than some top-heavy and wide-hipped western babe.
Kanami is presently garbed in a red kimono with the imprints of golden maple leaves scattered about the crimson expanse of fabric. A white collar is visible underneath the kimono, about her neck and just below her collarbone, indicating she is wearing other clothing beneath. A darker red obi keeps her kimono cinched closed at the waist, and a pair of geta sandals adorn her feet, along with white socks. Kanami often carries a Noh mask of a woman's face with her, either hanging from a decorative chain attached to her obi, or held in hand.
Relationships
Kanami knows little of Amuro's history, but she has learned more of it recently. And it has lead to some surprising conclusions regarding her prior assumptions. He is still old, still smart, and still powerful, but he has plans that she had never even guessed at, and has more of a connection to each member of the Tao Shih than she could have imagined. She will have to pay more attention to what he says and does from now on.
Amuro
Datura was once just a toy to amuse herself with. An interesting diversion in regard to her irreverence, her disrespect for authority, and her outgoing nature. Over time, however, Kanami has realized that Datura means more to her than just another pretty face would. Infact, Datura has drawn Kanami out of her life of fiction and falsehoods, and the actress no longer considers everyone around her to be "fake people" that she has imagined into existence. This massive divergence from the past two decades of life has left her off-balance and uncertain. But there is one thing she IS certain of. And that is that she loves Datura.
Datura
Mune is an indispensable part of the Tao Shih, both in terms of her healing skills and her general scientific knowledge. She also has more to her than meets the eye. She is loyal to the group, but there is friction between her and certain individuals. Datura and Kanami are two that she seems to now harbor resentment towards, if not hate. Still, she is not going anywhere. There may be time to patch things up with her still.
Kishi Mune
Kanami has encountered Goh twice now. Once was just in passing, and she avoided sticking around, but the first time she was witness to the youth leaping into their camp and making accusations and demands. He clearly hadn't thought this through very well — or possibly at all. After trying and failing to capture the Tao Shih's leader (though the failure was not recognized by anyone at the time), Goh fled rather than engage in combat. Kanami has determined from this that though Goh speaks a lot of "good" and "evil" and how he isn't seeking the Stone of Body for his own purposes, he is either delusional, a liar, or both. She does not trust him, and would find it quite difficult to work with him even under temporary circumstances.
Goh
Ryoji has had limited interaction with Kanami, and vice versa. She considers his flesh-manipulating Jutsu to be somewhat interesting and potentially useful, but one's techniques do not determine one's value in Kanami's eyes. Ryoji at least follows instructions, which is good. But his youth may be a detriment on future missions. All in all, she doesn't know enough about him to make a solid judgement. She'll just have to wait and see what else she can find out.
Ryoji
From what Kanami has gathered, Tomoyo is Amuro's "daughter". Whether this means "biological daughter" or "adopted daughter", she does not know. Tomoyo is quite a contrast from her "papa". Though she is similar in her reserved behavior, this seems to be more out of shyness than self-control or being withdrawn. Tomoyo is also a lot friendlier than Amuro, seems to look for the positive in life over the negative, and is highly dependent on Amuro's emotional support. If he's not around to back her up, she seems to be a bit more capable, if for no other reason than she can't use her "papa" as a crutch. If Amuro is around, however, she becomes slavishly loyal, looking for both his orders and his approval in all things. Not very independent. Kanami will have to study her longer to find out more.
Tomoyo
Kanami barely knows Shinji, even after the missions they have done together. But she has a better idea of who he is and what his role is in the Tao Shih than she did in the past. He has lived a life of witnessing the suffering of others and turning a blind eye in exchange for pament. But now he wants to make a difference, not for money or for any other tangible reward… Just for himself.
Shinji
Themesongs
(She's not evil! Just misunderstood!) Unwell - Matchbox 20
Kanami is not entirely "all there". But she's better than she used to be. For much of her life, she didn't believe anyone other than her was really "real". In her mind, everything she saw, heard, felt, etc. was all just a sort of "artificial reality" being generated by her in response to stimulation of her mind. As far as she was concerned, even her physical self was an illusion, and she was actually an independent free-willed incorporeal consciousness in a void of nothingness. The "universe" was just a virtual environment she had imagined into existence. By that logic, she was the ultimate being: the Goddess.
She does not believe this anymore. Her psychological fractures have been pieced back together, bit by bit, by those close to her. But the potential to break like glass upon mountain face still exists.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_TL9YFemic
(The breaking, the healing, and the transformation.) Breakaway - Kelly Clarkson
Child, adult. One woman, one woman in two bodies. A woman who is more snake than human and her other self, a dream made physical. The transition of Seishino Kanami's existence from the darkness into the light — and the division of self into both Seishino Kanami and Hino Rei.
(Something something something THE DARK SIDE) The Imperial March - Star Wars
I can't think of anyone else badass enough on NMR to deserve this theme. Also, I can just imagine Amuro sweeping down a hall in his Akatsuki-robes and scaring the shit out of grown men as he passes while this theme plays.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bzWSJG93P8
(Datura is complicated (no really)) Complicated - Avril Lavigne
Datura is important to Kanami in a lot of ways. However, Datura is also Yamanaka Ryoko, and at least partially Yamanaka Riku thanks to Ryoko's dead sister's spirit residing within her. If that isn't strange enough, Datura has to act differently around different people and go by different names at different times and it feels like some kind of delicate balancing act of lies to Kanami. Kanami is no stranger to lies herself, and deception is more or less required for survival in not only her line of work but the life she has made for herself through her own actions and decisions.
But she still doesn't like when Datura hides things from her, she doesn't like having to watch her "Dat-chan" acting like a different person, and she really just wants to find a time and place when she and her love can abandon this shinobi world and be who they REALLY are… Together.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQXfexNVPSs
(Relationship - Kanami) That's All - Genesis
The relationship between Kanami and Datura, from Kanami's point of view.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BR-ixnPtxU8
(Relationship - Datura) I Touch Myself - Divinyls
The relationship between Kanami and Datura, from Datura's point of view. Might not be completely accurate, since Datura probably is interested in other people.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFEfmbAeEDY
None yet
(Tomoyo must make her own way) Just A Girl - No Doubt
Tomoyo has been raised in captivity. Now she's been set loose. But what will she do with this freedom? And is she actually free?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHzOOQfhPFg
(Tomoyo will persevere) What If - Plain White Ts
Tomoyo has doubts about herself. So does everyone. But Tomoyo is going to keep on pushing through until she succeeds… Or dies trying.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2k52IwoJ3c
(He travels a lot) Life Is A Highway - Tom Cochrane
Shinji has spent years roaming through various countries, both during and after the Clan Wars. He has been fighting the battles and wars of others as a mercenary for a very long time. Now he's settling into his role in the Tao Shih, as a protector instead of a rentable weapon, and he finds himself seeing all the same places he has been before in a whole new light. No longer does he arrive looking for jobs doing the dirty work of those with enough wealth. This time, he is looking for what he has been shown exists just beneath the surface… The potential to become more than what the world has tried to shape us into. By finding that potential and awakening it, he intends to help others do as he has done and become not just able but WILLING to change the future.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qg9mDGReM0U
(Your Insurance Doesn't Cover "Acts of Tao Shih") Red Alert - Basement Jaxx
This is the song I imagine playing when the Tao Shih finally make their "big move" (whatever that winds up being) and everything is going to hell for the good guys. Maybe the good guys will pull out a win like usual, but the Tao Shih isn't going to give up or go down easily. The fight will continue on both sides until one side no longer exists.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRiZr_VnvA0
Abilities
Kanami specializes in both Ninjutsu and Genjutsu, using Mystic Noh Style and Shadow Play Genjutsu. She has a second Nogakujin Mask, the Doujouji Mask, that allows her to use snake-based Ninjutsu. Her third Nogakujin Mask, the Lady Aoi Mask, grants her enhanced Genjutsu capabilities via the Ju-On Mask transformation. Kanami has also manifested yet another Nogakujin Mask, the Twill Drum mask ("Aya no Tsuzumi"). This newest Mask grants her access to various Genjutsu related to water, including the illusion of drowning, or of there being water where there is not actually any such thing. She also has begun using the rare Nogakujin art of Kouken Stage Jutsu, which allows her to create invisible, intangible "helpers" who can make life more dramatic around her by doing things like throwing smoke bombs, playing music, carrying her through the air to simulate "wire-fu", and so on.
Kanami is capable of using the Summoning Technique, via the Snake Contract. She has enlisted two serpentines allies to aid her so far, not counting a useless and old garden snake named "Bannin" who insists on following her around and drooling over any female he encounters.
Jatai is commonly wrapped about Kanami's waist and disguised as an obi. Cham is summoned as-needed and typically provides transportation via her extreme speed.
S-Rank
???
A-Rank
Attack Prevention Stealth
Auspice of the Pit Mother
Body Shedding
Constrictor Crush
World of Illusion
B-Rank
Attack Prevention Defense
Curse Grudge Spirit Kill
Myriad Snake Net Formation (Attack)
Myriad Snake Net Formation (Defense)
Pillar of Scales
Pyro Asps
C-Rank
False Surroundings Technique
Genjutsu Kai
Hidden Shadow Snakes
Serpent Clone
Serpent Clone Replacement
Slithering Snake Mode
Snake Eyes II
Strangulation
D-Rank
Aqua Drum Technique
Asphyxiation
Body Flicker Technique
Dramatic Exit
Fade
Mask Hypnosis
Noh-Men Chakra Sense
Skeletal Hand
Snake Eyes I
Snake Henge Limb
Submission Technique (Kuppuku)
E-Rank
???
S-Rank Transformations
???
A-Rank Transformations
B-Rank Transformations
C-Rank Transformations
D-Rank Transformations
Mission Log
"Why yes, this IS a severed head. Thank you for noticing."
Campaign
Infection - Nevermore
First World Ninja Competition - Toxic Love Bites: Mune vs. Kanami
Infection - My Last Breath
Tao Shih Training Arc - Magic Lantern Meeting
First World Ninja Competition - Egyptians versus Pyramids: Kara vs. Kanami
Tao Shih Training Arc - Contamination On Level 5
Tao Shih Training Arc - Blight Of The Soul
Tao Shih Training Arc - Whispers And Blades
Tao Shih Training Arc - The Chains Of Thought
First World Ninja Competition - Grudge Match: Kanami vs. Mune
Serpent's Servant - Turnabout
Serpent's Servant - The Trial And The Trials
Serpent's Servant - Enter The Snake Goddess
Serpent's Servant - Judgement Delivered
Serpent's Servant - An Alliance In Namegata
Bloody Mist Cup - Nightmare Land: Amaya vs. Kanami
Bloody Mist Cup - Deep Dead Sea: Tsun vs. Nori vs. Kanami
Power Of The White Snake - Two Reptile Girls
Upon A Pale Horse - The Armor Of A God
Dreams - Once More Into The Void
S Rank
A Rank
B Rank
C Rank
D Rank
Social
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