sakamoto itsuki

Nearly seventy years before Itsuki's birth, the Sakamoto were well reputed shinobi. With the utilization of a unique Hiden, the clan produced some of the strongest warriors of their time. One user in particular became as evil as he did powerful, becoming one of the trademark villains of his time. As years passed, the man acquired a following, wreaking havoc on the land. After a long inter-clan war, the villainous group was wiped out. With the clan now being infamous to due some of its members' actions, the young clan leader announced that the technique and all deviations of it were forbidden. The clan no longer considered its members to be shinobi, and instead took on a chakra-less form of combat. The users of the Hiden slowly died off, and the scrolls containing details about the techniques were hidden in an abandoned village in Hi no Kuni. With their resignation, the Sakamoto became bitter towards the thought of shinobi practices. Over the years this faded into passive disapproval for all but the clan leader, the last surviving user of the Hiden.

Itsuki came into being before the birth of the great shinobi villages. With the ancient history of betrayal surrounding the Sakamoto having almost faded entirely, the group had proved to be a very powerful clan in a village in Hi no Kuni. When Konohagakure was looking to be formed, the Sakamoto joined, becoming one of the founding families. Despite their tendency to dislike shinobi, the group found it necessary to assist in providing a formidable power to protect Hi no Kuni from its neighbors. Initially they helped the village on with their use of martial arts, however after six years of pleading they gave in to Konohgakure's wishes and enlisted some of their youngest to become shinobi. Among this first wave of shinobi was Itsuki.

The Sakamoto clan was notorious for their physical attributes, with their fully grown males towering over their peers. Itsuki was no exception. Upon entering the Academy at age ten, he was already threatening to physically match some of his tutors. While no more advanced in the use of chakra than his classmates, Itsuki had been training in hand to hand combat since he could walk, and as such was recognized as one of the greatest users of Taijutsu in the class. He became a hot topic amongst the coordinators of the Academy, for despite his proficiency in the physical, he had shown nothing below average in the many methods of shinobi. While other Sakamoto that were enrolled struggled with chakra, Itsuki proved to be rather proficient at all aspects. Three years after beginning his shinobi training, Itsuki was promoted to the rank of Genin, becoming the highest ranking Sakamoto shinobi.

With the eyes of the Konohagakure shinobi looking at Itsuki as the shinobi representative of the Sakamoto, the boy was forced into a state of maturity quickly. Despite being of a branch family, the clan leader took to the boy, helping him to develop the correct mannerisms and attitude. The leader requested a two month leave of duty for the newly promoted Genin, offering to train him before he was placed on a Genin team. The boy's early tendencies of troublemaking and bullying were forcefully removed, instead being replaced with wondrous respect and tact. While developing proper behavior, the boy was also taught by the clan leader in hand to hand combat. Finally, after rigorous and brutal training, Itsuki was freed from the training of Sakamoto and placed on a Genin team.

With Konohagakure only being nine years old at this point, the distribution of rankings was highly skewed away from Jōnin and towards Genin. As such, it was not an uncommon occurrence for Genin team placement to be less than ideal. While many were assigned Chūnin sensei, Itsuki was placed under a Tokubetsu Jōnin who had specialized in Doton-based Ninjutsu. The Sakamoto clan had been known for its members unrelenting training habits, and Itsuki was no stranger to the practice. The clan was still weary with the thought of evolving their clan's style to that of a shinobi's. Under strict orders from the clan elders, those that had become shinobi had to match their time spent practicing each style of fighting. While many were skeptical about the magic ways that shinobi did combat, Itsuki was fascinated by Ninjutsu. On missions, the boy would eagerly ask for demonstrations from his sensei, never daring to blink should he miss a moment.

After nearly a year of successful missions and forming friendships, Itsuki had surpassed his sensei's ability to fight in close quarters. The fourteen year old boy was already much larger than the young man, with many times his physical strength. Much to Itsuki's delight, the Tokubetsu Jōnin proposed that he would help the boy achieve elemental transformation. Fortunately for them both, Itsuki's natural chakra nature was also that of Doton. For the next few months Itsuki began to achieve the first steps in nature transformation. Once he actually became capable of performing minor feats, he was approached by the Sakamoto once more. With the clan no longer offering its members to Konohagakure, the relationship between the elders of the village and clan was strained. The clan had even begun to entertain the prospect of returning to their former village. As tensions rose, the Sakamoto demanded that all Sakamoto shinobi be exempt from service for an indeterminate amount of time. On the most extreme end of the spectrum, some of the clan members that had been truly terrified of ninja arts left altogether, defecting from both the clan and village. Itsuki was explicitly forbidden to train with the Tokubetsu Jōnin, instead forced to double his training within the clan that was getting an increasingly bad reputation.

Unlike the rest of his clan, Itsuki desired nothing more than to learn more of Ninjutsu, and began to meet in secret with his sensei. After a few months and many debates, the resolution was made that the Sakamoto clan would allow their members to work for Konohagakure if they were given a grand clan district. Much to the still new village's avail, a large sum of money was put into construction and Itsuki,along with many other young Sakamoto, rejoined the ninja ranks. Promptly after reintegrating, Itsuki and his clan mates were entered in the Chūnin Exams. Like flies the Sakamoto dropped, unable to keep up with their peers with Taijutsu alone. Again, Itsuki proved to be an exception. With both Doton Ninjutsu and Taijutsu on his side, Itsuki grabbed a large amount of attention as he progressed. While most of the attention was positive, the attention from his clan was less than pleasurable. Forced to admit the superiority of shinobi practices over their own, the Sakamoto felt an odd combination of pride and shame as one of their own proved to be so powerful. With a great deal of curiosity about how Itsuki had attained his new skills despite being not allowed to continue practicing, it was determined that he had been trained against the will of the clan. Just after peace had been made, the clan's relationship with the village was once again threatened.

Through it all, Itsuki, being the highest ranking shinobi from the Sakamoto, attempted to mediate. He owned up to his actions that had disobeyed the clan, placing the blame entirely on himself. With his training from the clan leader himself, the fifteen year old boy managed to negotiate with the clan elders, making the advantages of staying allied to the village clear. It was at this point that Itsuki found himself prideful of something other than his clan. He was proud to be a Konoha shinobi. Despite the dilemma coming to an anti-climatic end, both parties still second guessed one another, the dynamic forever changed.

In the midst of the political debates, the leader of the clan, a ninety year old man, felt something he had not felt in many decades. With Itsuki's success as a shinobi, the man felt regret. As the last remaining user of the clan's Hiden, he had been prepared to take the clan's secrets to his grave. Itsuki's inspiring performance and skill had made the old man realize that he had not saved the world from evil, but rather had stripped many young and aspiring fighters of the ability that had made the clan so great nearly a century ago. In secret, the man approached Itsuki, offering to teach him the ways of the clan that had been strictly forbidden so long ago Several discussions and history lessons later, Itsuki began to learn the trademark technique of the Sakamoto.

For the next several years, Itsuki trained under the man while performing his duties as a Chūnin. Due to being so wrapped up in learning the Hiden of the Sakamoto in secret, Itsuki failed to impress the village, remaining a Chūnin. The back and forth of the relationship between the Sakamoto and Konohagakure began to settle, largely due to the clan leader's rediscovered respect for the shinobi ways. The relationships grew more and more amicable up until Itsuki turned twenty four and the First Shinobi War started. Much to the avail of the clan elders, Itsuki openly used Hiden to fight in the war. Throughout the first eight years of the war, Itsuki performed marvelously, returning to learn Hiden from the clan leader during the quiet parts of war. The destruction of war hit the Sakamoto's clan district hard. Nearly all of the buildings were destroyed along with all but a few of the Sakamoto. Amongst the casualties were the clan's elders, including the man who had taught Itsuki the Hiden. The remaining Sakamoto continued to fight in the war, with only a few surviving through it.

Partially out of his achievements in the First Shinobi War and partially a nod of respect due to the loss of his clan, Itsuki was promoted to Jōnin promptly after the end of the war. The thirty four year old man was traumatized by the events, taking two weeks off to travel to the remains of the village that the Sakamoto had formerly lived in before Konohagakure. In his exploration of the old clan buildings, Itsuki found a secret passage in the clan leader's former room. At the end of the passage was an ancient room covered in symbols and pictures. The room was full of trinkets from the clan's history, with the items of the room being the value of a large fortune. Itsuki did not take the riches, but rather the knowledge. In a large golden chest he found several scrolls. These scrolls explained not only the history of the Sakamoto but also the secrets to many Hiden techniques.

Upon returning to Konohagakure, Itsuki began to write a book about the Sakamoto. With the widespread attention of the village towards the remaining Sakamoto, the book quickly became a popular topic. As one of history's oldest clans, the task of writing the Sakamoto's life became a daunting thing. Deciding that he would publish the books in volumes, Itsuki released the first publication after a few months. As he began to write the second volume, he began to take on a heavier workload for the village. With missions on top of learning the newly found outlined Hiden, the second publication took a full year to write. Having written the volumes in reverse chronological order, the first book described the Sakamoto in Konohagakure, and had generated quite a bit of buzz. The second volume, which covered the years between outlawing shinobi practice and joining Konohagakure, became slightly more purchased.

The collection was thought to be finished, as no one knew anything of the Sakamoto before the point of the last volume. Itsuki allowed this to be the common thought as he continued to read the lengthy scrolls he had collected, even bothering to transcribe the words that had been written on the walls of the ancient clan storehouse. Itsuki took his time writing the final volume of his story, taking a full four years to finish it. Much to the shock of readers, Itsuki subtly released the book, never announcing neither its creation nor completion. This method created wide spread conversation about the series. Whereas the first two books had seemed more of history recollections for scholars, the third book opened up a never before heard story. As such, the previously generic series was announced as a critically acclaimed success. The number of readers multiplied as even those who did not frequently read find themselves giving in to the fever that had rushed over the intellectuals of the village. Between his achievements, his Hiden, and the annihilation of his clan, Itsuki had begun a rather known individual over the years. With the release of his third book, however, his popularity skyrocketed into that of a celebrity's. With the first book containing too much information about Konohagakure for a widespread release, the second two volumes were sold across Hi no Kuni.

Itsuki had many die hard fans, the most notable being the Fire Daimyō. The Daimyō honored Itsuki by requesting an audience with him to discuss the series. For nearly an entire week the two extensively discussed the novels, getting along quite well. Upon leaving, the Daimyō gave Itsuki a sealed letter to give to the Hokage. The man returned, delivered the letter, and left the Hokage's Office. Just outside the building, he stopped to give a passing fan an autograph, something he enjoyed doing. As he happily discussed his work with the fan, he was interrupted by the sound of an opening window. Above him, the Hokage requested that he return to his office. Itsuki was presented the same letter he had delivered. On it was the Daimyō's formal request for Itsuki to be given the option to become one of the Shugonin Jūnishi. With the Hokage's insistence, Itsuki accepted the position.

For the next year Itsuki served as one of the twelve personal guardians to the Daimyō. Between his fascination with the Sakamoto and their Hiden, the Daimyō became fond of the man. As such, when a year had passed and Itsuki's contracted duty had ended, the Daimyō requested that he remain another year. As the position had offered Itsuki more free time than his standard duties, he accepted. Itsuki continued to learn the various Hiden, capable of performing some of the most intricate of the techniques. Much to the Daimyō's delight, he also began to write a fourth book outlining the life of the last clan leader of the Sakamoto. Itsuki continued to stay with the Daimyō for a third year before returning to his duty as a Jōnin in Konohagakure.

At forty three, Itsuki was still an acclaimed and popular author. He agreed to frequent interviews, showing a stunning charisma developed over the years spent with both the Sakamoto clan leader and the Fire Daimyō. Having naturally taken after the two men, Itsuki was suggested by one interviewer to become part of the Konohagakure Council. The suggestion was discarded by Itsuki, but the man's fans devoured the idea. It became a frequent theme for interviews to begin with the introduction of the “perfect model of a shinobi citizen.” As Itsuki announced that he was finishing a fourth book, his fame rose even further. His fame peaked further even still after he lived up to the acclaim he was receiving as being a dedicated citizen of Konohagakure. As the village suffered a brief financial set back, Itsuki offered nearly three quarters of his fortune to the village coffers. Between his fame and generosity, Itsuki's actions earned him an audience with the Hokage. Much to the original interviewer's joy, Itsuki was offered a council position. He promptly accepted, becoming one of the Go-Ikenban.

Itsuki found himself to be rather suited to the lifestyle of a council member. Having developed a wonderful sense of tactfulness and respect along with the ability to debate flawlessly, he had been trained his entire life to be diplomatic. Combined with his experience as a successful shinobi, Itsuki proved to be a perfect fit. A year into his life as a member of the council, he published his fourth book. Unlike the first three books, the fourth had an enormous deal of emotion put into it. As a personal friend of the clan leader in his final years, Itsuki had grown fond of the man. Straying from the informational tone of the original series, the reboot proved to be a tearjerker. Having become a household name, the man found himself with a fortune larger than that he had obtained over the course of his first three works. Initially Itsuki intended for the fourth book to be his last. Days after publishing the novel, however, he found himself receiving mail requesting a fifth book. Most of the requests centered around the most heinous of the Sakamoto, a man that had been mentioned only in the climax of the fourth book as the clan leader killed him. Over the course of writing the first four books, Itsuki had grown only more prideful of his clan's rich history. As such, he agreed to publish a fifth book, using the majority of his earnings from his fourth and fifth books to rebuild the Sakamoto clan district.

Three years passed by without a hitch. The forty seven year old Itsuki was becoming a masterful councilor, and had published not only a book of the most evil of the Sakamoto's treacheries, but also a piece about the different upbringings the criminal and the esteemed clan leader had undergone. The appeal of the book as a cautionary tale to parents earned Itsuki even more readers. Having become one of the richest men in Hi no Kuni, Itsuki had dedicated a large deal of his money to rebuilding the Sakamoto district. Still not one to be shy of showing his love for his village, the outer buildings of the districts were sold cheaply to aspiring shop owners and residence coordinators. All but the main manor of the district became integrated with Konohagakure, becoming something of a subdivision bearing the clan's name. Most notably, the establishment of the Sakamoto Dojo made the region's quality of living rather high. The dojo quickly became one of the most popular in Konohagakure, with the district as a whole being a very desirable place to live.

The main manor was rebuilt and occupied by Itsuki himself. Rededicating the majority of the establishment as a museum, he retrieved the ancient trinkets from the first place of residence for the Sakamoto, putting them on display. Improving the manor became a major hobby of Itsuki's, as he rewrote some of the crucial portions of ancient text onto the walls, hired artists to render paintings and sculptures of Sakamoto's history, and employed many decorators to maintain the building's inside and outside. The museum quickly became a hit and a hot spot for Konohagakure. As it had no entry fee and was intended for all audiences, Itsuki found himself offering tours to many citizens. At the suggestion of others, he began a donation service titled “The Sakamoto Charity Fund.” The charity rode Itsuki's popularity to the bank, allowing the man to spend a great deal more on rebuilding and expanding the district.

Despite becoming one of Konohagakure's greatest philanthropists, Itsuki did not compromise on the other ways he could contribute to Konohagakure. Between his reconstruction and being a part of the council, Itsuki continued his quest to master the abilities of the Sakamoto of old. He became stronger with age, taking on the title of “Sōgōsha,” or “The Man That Can Do It All.” His status as a superhero amongst men became truly tested when the man was forty nine years old. With the hostile actions of Iwagakure and Amegakure, the council portion of Itsuki's life became the most prominent. Being naturally opposed to war after the last had destroyed his clan, Itsuki argued against setting up camps in the respective countries. His voice did not win out, however, and the chain reaction that led up to war began. A natural diplomat, Itsuki took on the role of ambassador to many of the smaller villages. He successfully made many alliances. While in Konohagakure, Itsuki fought hard to find a quick end to the war. As such, he proposed that their resources be focused to destroy Iwagakure, which he believed was the root cause of the war.

With Kirigakure and Kumogakure entering the war, Itsuki was occasionally sent out to the battlefields in Hi no Kuni to fight. With decades of experience with the Sakamoto Hiden, the man proved to be more formidable than ever. The largest battle that Itsuki participated in was that which destroyed Uzushigakure. He narrowly escaped with his life, escorting many evacuees back to Konohagakure. As Konohagakure absorbed most of Uzushigakure, Itsuki found himself pouring out his funds to the construction of compact living. Itsuki catered to hundreds of citizens and shinobi from Uzushigakure, his reconstructed clan district becoming vastly populated by the foreigners. With his actions inspiring others, The Sakamoto Charity Fund grew even larger as Konohagakure citizens pitched in to help the relief effort for the homeless men and women.

After the disappearance of the Raikage, Itsuki proved to be one of the most influential in terminating the war. In a matter of a couple of months he had written one last book titled “The Second Coming of the Sakamoto.” Publishing it at the end of the Second Shinobi War, the book detailed the newly built Sakamoto district. Declared one of the most patriotic works of all time, the book told the unifying tale of how years of the Sakamoto's mistrust had eventually come to the district being repurposed to serve the village. Itsuki found his funds quickly replaced by the book's record-breaking sales.

With the end of the Second Shinobi War, Itsuki took back to his regular duties as the owner of the Sakamoto district, council member of Konohagakure, and pursuer of the great powers of the ancient Sakamoto.