Honda Kitakaze
|
Honda Kitakaze | |
| |
|
Honda Kitakaze, the White Wolf | |
|
Username |
Rhapsody |
|
Debut | |
|
Game |
|
|
Real World |
Summer 2016 |
|
Voice Actors | |
|
Japanese |
Romi Park |
|
English |
Tara Platt |
|
Personal | |
|
Aliases |
Hakurō; The White Wolf |
|
Birthdate |
|
|
Gender |
|
|
Age |
23 |
|
Height |
172 cm |
|
Weight |
70 kg |
|
Kekkei Genkai |
|
|
Blood type |
B+ |
|
Clan |
-- |
|
Affiliation |
|
|
Nationality |
|
|
Partner |
-- |
|
Rank | |
|
Ninja Rank |
Jounin |
|
Ninja Registration |
0228171 |
|
Academy Graduation Age |
12 |
|
Nature Type
| |
|
Jutsu Setton; Kaerizaki | Snow Release; Second Bloom Setton; Saihyōken| Snow Release; Ice-Breaking Fist Setton; Hakurō Nadare| Snow Release; White Wolf Avalanche | |
Honda Kitakaze is a Jounin from Yuki no Kuni who loyally serves Iwagakure no Sato and wields an axe. She is active in promoting equality within Tsuchi no Kuni's Military and visits civilian schools in order to drum up female applicants. The young woman dreams of serving on the Tsuchikage's personal guard, and hopes to one day hold political office.
Summary
- Clan: None
- Village: Iwagakure no Sato
- Nationality: Yuki no Kuni
- Age: 23
- Gender: Female
- Sexuality: Straight
Appearance
- Height: 5'8’’
- Weight: 140 lbs
- Hair: Long, bonde.
- Eyes: Sky Blue.
Kitakaze is a tall, slender woman with a muscular frame and long blonde hair. Hers is a body with many scars, though it does not seem to sully her self-image. She carries herself with a confident might, a smile always about her lips and a sassy swing to her steps. This is not a woman one would think to trifle with lightly.
The woman wears a simple outfit most days: a light blue bustier, a pair of grey gloves, and light colored pants tucked into white boots. Her Jounin vest is black in color, emblazoned on the back with an embroidered wolf head in silver. Most often, the woman also carries her weapon, the finely crafted Tōshō, on one shoulder. Though it is an incredibly heavy weapon, she does not seem to be bothered by it at all. Around her waist, in homage to her title, Kitakaze wears a white wolf pelt, with its tail hanging in the back as if it were her own.
Although it is impractical, Kitakaze can often be found with a layer of make up on her face – usually just foundation, mascara and light blue eyeshadow to accent her eyes. In addition, her hair is always well groomed and her ninja gear is never creased, unpolished or sullied. It seems the woman is attentive toward her appearance and is careful to always look presentable.
When attending to her civilian duties, Kitakaze most often wears a grey or black skirt suit with a structured blazer and a lightly colored blouse. Galas and events find her in luxurious kimonos and even Metropolis style evening gowns and dresses, usually in either navy or light blue. Off duty, it is common to find Kitakaze wearing athletic gear such as leggings, tees and sweatpants. These outfits are often a far cry from the structured and detailed attire she normally opts for, and points towards the fact that Kitakaze cares more about the practicality and function of an outfit than the style. She wears what is appropriate for her current situation and not much more.
Personality
- Likes: Flying in Airships, Gennin, PR Campaigns’’
- Dislikes: Cowardice, Sushi
Confidence radiates from Kitakaze in waves, namely from her somewhat lopsided and playful smile. She is not usually one to back down from a challenge or allow herself to be called a coward, though is mindful of her limits and finds greater honour in patience than foolhardiness. While it may cause her distress to show her back, the Jounin knows that a new day is far more important than a chance at glory.
Kitakaze, though loathe to be humble about her own accomplishments, is quick to lift others up and finds great joy in teaching at the Iwagakure Academy and training young Gennin. She is a popular mentor and idol among young Kunoichi, and has participated in many PR campaigns in Iwagakure in order to help recruit more women into the life of a Ninja, where they are majorly underrepresented.
While Kitakaze’s devotion to Iwagakure is strong and true, she is still quite arrogant and self-assured. In addition, she often takes on selfish tendencies. Though she may complete tasks without complaint, no matter how small, she is often preoccupied with how her missions and her actions will reflect back on herself. One of her greatest preoccupations in life is how “The Legend of the White Wolf” will be remembered. These selfish thoughts are something she trains hard to rid herself of, though it is hard to combat one’s own ego.
In her personal life, Kitakaze is a bookworm with a penchant for interior design. Those who know her in her line of work might be surprised to visit her in her apartment, where she mostly spends her time reading books, lounging around in her pyjamas and experimenting in the kitchen. Though she campaigns heavily for women in her field, her habits are quite… domestic and typical: baking, sewing and pressing flowers that her mother sends her from Metropolis. The woman is not one for clubbing, shopping or other activities of the sort, and mostly keeps to herself in her off time.
History
Kitakaze had what one could describe as a normal childhood. She was born in Yuki no Kuni and immigrated with her parents when she was only a few months old, settling in Metropolis for a short time. Her parents were not ninja themselves, but moved to Iwagakure when Kitakaze’s older sister came of age so that she could join the Academy. It was this move that set Kitakaze on the path toward her future career, and one she will remain thankful for.
The girl was an unremarkable student for the most part, aside from her affinity toward Snow Ninjutsu. She scored in the middle of the pack for testing, and seemed to have been destined for a very “average” career as a Shinobi. This career, though, was almost halted by the Akatsuki Invasion of 2104 and 2105. Although she was not injured in the invasion, its impact was not lost on her. In the early days of Akatsuki’s rule, they torched the Alchem Clan down to the last child and killed her best friend, Alchem Reiko. This was Kitakaze’s first encounter with death, and she still visits the Alchem Clan memorial often, leaving gifts of flowers and ensuring the area is kept clean.
When Alchem Syaoran and his team finally freed the village from Akatsuki, with the help of his Konohagakureno Sato team, Kitakaze’s career as a Shinobi began. Her civilian parents had encouraged her despite the lasting scars from Akatsuki, but urged the young woman to be grateful for what she had and not seek out more. They feared that a desire for recognition would drive their daughter to danger, and that was something they simply could not bear. The genocide of the Alchem Clan had taught them a lesson they would not soon forget- that the life of a Shinobi was fraught with danger and heartache, even when one’s actions were pure and just.
Fate, though, had many things in mind for Kitakaze that her parents would not like. When the NCIA took over, Kitakaze was quick to join the resistance and fight for her country. Though it would take many years for the war to be over, it was in the resistance that the woman, a Chuunin at the time, picked up an axe for the first time and discovered that she was, in short, a natural. The weight and heft of the weapon was something she had always longed for, finding that swords and lances were much too fragile and light. She trained in the use of large, heavy axes, clubs and hammers and became known for her use of them.
When, finally, the NCIA was wiped from the earth and the Hidden Stone crowned its new Kage, Kitakaze resumed active duty as a Chuunin. It was during this period that she earned her title as The White Wolf, her white-blonde hair and mastery over the art of snow serving to inspire it. She was a skilled fighter and a natural leader, with a keen eye for strategy and a penchant for bringing her teams home without a scratch. Though her average combat ability had thus far failed to grab the attention of her superiors, they became impressed when she began to lead teams of Gennin and help out at the Academy, finding that her skills as a leader to be remarkable.
Growing tensions between the Countries of Earth and Snow, having worsened since the invasion of the Hidden Village, cast doubt on Kitakaze and the rest of her family. As the two nations geared up for war following the Tsuchi Yuki Aggression Declaration, Kitakaze found her mission assignment drying up and was subjected to a great deal of bullying from other Chuunin. Her sister also dealt with a great deal of harassment and, when she gave birth to twin boys in the spring of 2114, she simply stepped down from her job as a Kunoichi instead of accepting maternity leave. Fubiki, her husband, and the two girl's parents eventually moved to Metropolis during this time in order to escape the critical eye of the Hidden Village.
At this point, Kitakaze was alone. She had refused to give up her job as a Shinobi no matter what the cost. She had seen the cruelty of war, and vowed that she would do her best to prevent what had happened to the Alchem Clan from happening again. She persisted in the face of her sorrow, never once breaking her loyal smile even as her assignments were slowly diminished to that of a Gennin. Though it was agony to be treated with such cruelty by the country she loved, and had come to think of as her own, the White Wolf continued without pause. She kept her head up and did not step out of line even for a moment.
The moment of Kitakaze’s retribution came in the first days of 2115, in the way of the Iwate-Ichinohe Tunnel Disaster. A train filled with holiday travellers was bound for the small city of Ichinohe when part of the Iwate-Ichinohe Tunnel collapsed. Because of the time of year, and the escalating tension on the Yuki border, few shinobi were able to assist immediately. This lead to Kitakaze being given command of a small team, with orders to defer to their superiors once Iwagakure was able to send a higher ranked Jounin team to assist them. Despite the relatively low level of her six-man team, and the fact that the first 24 hours brought only civilian search and rescue teams to support them, Kitakaze was able to take charge of the situation. Although 12 lives were lost in the collapse, the coordinated efforts of the six-man team lead by Kitakaze managed to rescue 164 survivors.
In the aftermath of the collapse, the city of Ichinohe honoured all of the rescuers with commendations for their bravery. What came next for Kitakaze, though, was far more precious than any award. After a local newspaper quoted her saying that her dedication toward the rescue effort and her continued Shinobi career came from her love of Tsuchi no Kuni and its people, her peers began to see passed her heritage and accept her for the woman that she really was. Following this incident, Kitakaze was reassigned to regular duties and eventually promoted to Jounin in the Fall of 2115 due to her participation in squashing the Yokai invasion of Metropolis during the after party.
Because Kitakaze did not join the I.A.F., she did not participate in the four-month War of Yuki Aggression. Instead she has been developing herself as a Shinobi, and working with a nonprofit organization that seeks to increase the number of women taking part in Shinobi life. Her number one goal, though, remains: becoming a member of the Tsuchikage’s personal guard. This goal recently suffered a blow when she was not chosen to travel to the Rai no Kuni Chuunin exams as a part of Tsuchi no Kuni’s envoy, but Kitakaze’s determination has not wavered.
Weapon: Tōshō | 凍傷 | Frostbite
Tōshō is an axe forged from metal mined in the Northern border region of Yuki no Kuni and Tsuchi no Kuni, in an ore-bearing mountain range known as Hakkōda-sankei. The mountains are both culturally and spiritually significant to the native population that calls them home, though the modern age has seen the image of the Hakkōda-sankei range shift from a place of worship to a source of profit.
The axe its self is of luxurious construction, with a polished wooden handle, a soft purple strap for storage and gold accents to add to its beauty. It it obvious from the well-appointed details that Tōshō was lovingly crafted, from the steel that forms its blade to the chakra that was imbued within its form, filling it with deadly promise. It is this chakra that lends the axe its name, for the blade is icy to the touch even on the most sweltering of days.
Despite its fine construction, and spiritually significant components, the Tōshō is not a weapon of great historical importance, or the subject of lore and fairy tales. It was previously a piece of fine art, deadly in its construction but useless in its destiny. Kitakaze recognized its strength, and the heritage of its materials, and purchased it for use as her main combat weapon. Axes are not normally the fare of Shinobi, who tend to lean toward Katanas and other lightweight weaponry. However, the brute strength of the axe coupled with its unique ability to drain the body attracted Kitakaze toward the unique weapon.
Combat Abilities
Honda Kitakaze is proficient in all three of the basic disciplines, as well as Weapon Type techniques that blend both Taijutsu and Ninjutsu. She is not as physically strong as other weapon or Taijutsu specialists, nor is she as cunning or opportunistic as Masters of Genjutsu. She is more of a "Jack of All Trades," and her true abilities lie in leadership and team work. She is able to use her talents strategically in mission and in battle in order to bring herself and her comrades home safely.
Trivia
- Kitakaze means "North Wind"
- Kitakaze LOVES "Desert Dramas," dramatic television shows originating from the Country of Wind that center mostly around vapid love stories.
- Kitakaze's hate for sushi comes from an incident in which her entire family came down with food poisoning after a grand sushi dinner to honor her promotion to Chuunin. None in the family have eaten it since.
- Kitakaze's weapon, Tōshō, is not one of historical significance. It is her hope that she can one day become its legend.
- Creator Rhapsody drives a Ford.
- When Kitakaze thinks about retiring from shinobi life, her sights turn toward a political career. She hopes that bringing women into military and political leadership will help diversify and strengthen the Country of Earth in a manner close to that of the Airships.
Quotes
- "My heritage is not what matters. What matters is my choice, and I have chosen Iwagakure." (Statement to the Ichinohe Gazette following the Ichinohe-Iwate Train disaster)
- "Men make up nearly 85% of the military force in the Country of Earth. Imagine the untapped potential. If we do not engage women, we lose!" (Excerpt from her address to the "Twenty Five" Summit, an initiate to increase the representation of women in Tsuchi no Kuni's military to 25%)