Natsumaru

Natsumaru (夏丸, Natsumaru) is a character in Yasuke. She is from Iga clan and is Hanzo Hattori's besshikime, a warrior in his personal guard and spies on Nobunaga Oda, while acting as Onna Bugeisha, a female warrior and one of Nobunaga's seven samurai.

Appearance
Natsumaru is a woman with a long black hair and wears red clothes.

Personality
Natsumaru is loyal to Hanzo Hattori and her Iga clan. For the sake of her clan, she infiltrated Nobunaga Oda's rank and works as one of Nobunaga's seven samurai. In time she starts to develop feelings for Yasuke, but as he is loyal to Nobunaga, they can't be together.

Plot
In 1579 at Shiga Prefecture, Yasuke practices his sword at his new home. Natsumaru approaches with the kid that Yasuke saved earlier and thanks him. She explains since honor was involved, she couldn't protect him.

Azuchi Castle, 1581. Nobunaga observes practice battle between Natsumaru and Mitsuhide. As Mitsuhide wins, Nobunaga tells him that Yasuke and Natsumaru will escort him when he goes to meet Iga Clan. As everyone leaves, Yasuke notices Natsumaru's necklace and she explains its her family crest and its given from mother to daughter.

During 1581, at Iga Province, Mitsuhide tells Iga to surrender before Nobunaga's mighty force descend on them. As a sign of respect, he send his seven samurai. Looking at them, Iga state they see only five, as they believe Nobunaga disrespects Japanese people by making a woman and a slave bear titles reserved for Japanese men, and wishes to fight Yasuke. Yasuke agrees and fights and kills them, Natsumaru wished to go and help him, but Mitsuhide stopped her. Yasuke then sees Natsumaru's family crest carried by one of the dead.

Practicing with Natsumaru, she tells him that he isn't serious and becoming serious, he beats her and sees her necklace. He tells her they will be fighting Iga in the morning and he will lead a force that will attack Hanzo Hattori from the rear. At night, Natsumaru sneaks out and meets Iga.

The Tensho Iga War, Nobunaga leads their army and Hanzo Hattori comes for them as Yasuke had stated. As they engage in a battle, Natsumaru wonders how Yasuke knew about Hanzo and he reveals that its because he heard her telling Hanzo. Yasuke explains that he saw her family crest on the Iga general he killed. Natsumaru reveals she isn't an Onna Bugeisha, but Hanzo Hattori's besshikime, a warrior in his personal guard and she acted only in loyalty of her clan. Yasuke turns his back, and Natsumaru attacks him. He throws her to the ground and stabs her, killing her.

Power & Abilities
Natsumaru is a skilled swordsman and a female warrior, Onna Bugeisha. She is a capable spy and skilled guard, serving as Hanzo Hattori's personal guard.