Yasuke

Yasuke (ヤスケ, Yasuke) is the main protagonist in Yasuke. Previously known as Eusebio Ibrahimo Baloi, is a man from African origin that became a samurai serving Nobunaga Oda.

Appearance
Yasuke is a tall, well built middle aged man of the Yao people with locs. Yasuke has light tinted markings on his upper body.

At the beginning of the series he appears unkempt, having long, messy hair with thick facial hair. He also wore a sleeveless robe with a greyish green color, with the arm openings being torn. Later on he cuts his hair and bands the hair into a ponytail, while also trimming his facial hair. He also changes his robe to that of a navy blue robe with the arm openings being untorn. This robe is also sleeveless like the first.

Personality
Yasuke is a kind and self reserved man who believes strongly in his own principles. He was ready to risk his life saving a child and believes in a "one village" ideology, that everyone in the village should help the children. He took a liking to Nobunaga and was loyal to Nobunaga until his death. He started to develop feelings for Natsumaru, however learning that she is a spy, he remained loyal to Nobunaga. He regrets killing her and often has memories of his past.

Yasuke has a self-described dislike for killing, but has been shown to be willing to do so without hesitation if necessary. Yasuke often shows desire to leave his past behind, but remains constantly haunted by his memories. At first, Yasuke was unwilling to take Saki to the doctor, but after being reminded of his principles, he has a change of heart and decides to help Saki. While originally self reserved and quiet, Yasuke eventually opens up more along his journey with Saki.

History
In 1579 at Nanban Tradeport, Yasuke caught the eye of Nobunaga Oda, when he defended a child by defeating a man without a weapon. Nobunaga got interested in his dark skin and decided to take him to serve him. As he couldn't repeat his name, Nobunaga game him a new name, "Yasuke".

At Shiga Prefecture at his new home, Yasuke met Natsumaru, who thanked him for saving her little brother and the two started to get closer as both weren't typical samurai serving Nobunaga: one a woman, the other outsider.

In 1581, Nobunaga tells Yasuke and Natsumaru to join Mitsuhide and head to Iga clan. Mitsuhide asks Iga to surrender, but they cannot accept a woman and outsider to be taking a title reserved for a Japanese man and wish to fight Yasuke. Yasuke agrees and faces the Iga general and defeats him, but other Iga members surround Yasuke. After defeating them, Yasuke sees a pendant with Iga crest and realizes Natsumaru wears the same crest and is from Iga.

When they went to face Hanzo Hattori from Iga with a small army, Yasuke sees Natsumaru sneaking outside and follows her and sees she is meeting with Iga. Knowing that Iga expects their surprise, Yasuke informs Nobunaga and they form a plan and take their whole army. During the fight, Yasuke tells Natsumaru that he knows of her betrayal and Natsumaru confirms, stating that she is part of the loyal guards of Hanzo. She attacks Yasuke, who ends up killing her.

In 1582 at Honno-ji Temple, Kyoto, the Dark Army approaches. Yasuke wants to leave with Nobunaga, but Nobunaga refuses and admitting his defeat after everyone betrayed him, except Yasuke, he commits seppuku and asks Yasuke to finish him and cut his head.

Present
Twenty years later, Yasuke lives in a village as boatsman, fishing and transporting people with his boat. He meets a boy Ichiro, who constantly attacks him and wishes to become a samurai and wants Yasuke to train him, but Yasuke refuses. Ichika asks Yasuke to help her take her ill child, Saki, to north to see a special doctor. Initially Yasuke refuses, but eventually agrees. While traveling upstream, he sees that Ichika has Iga family crest and moments later, the river freezes and they get attacked by mercenaries. In the battle, Ichika loses her arm, causing Saki to unleash her power and knock everyone out. Yasuke later awakens, but sees only Saki. He takes her back in the village, and goes to drink at the bar, explaining that without Ichika, they don't know where or who the doctor is. Abraham, the one who hired the mercenaries appears and explains that with Saki's power he will save his people, but Yasuke refuses to tell him where she is. He ends up fighting the mercenaries, but they defeat him and capture him.

Abraham starts to torture him, wanting to get information, while two of the mercenaries, Haruto and Nikita go looking for Saki. Eventually, Achoja, pulls Abraham away from Yasuke, as its clear he doesn't know where Saki is. Moments later, Saki arrives with neutralizes Ishikawa and Achoja with Haruto's powers. She starts fighting, but as she is about to lose, Yasuke manages to break free and attacks Abraham, breaking his back. However, Abraham turns into a monster, and Saki uses her power and kills him. Yasuke and Saki then leaves, as the mercenaries have no interest in them without payment.

In the morning, Yasuke wishes to take Saki somewhere safe, however Saki insist they go visit the doctor, Morisuke. Learning of his name, Yasuke realizes Saki's ilness is a side effect on her power manifesting and Morisuke can help her by training her. Yasuke reveals he knew Morisuke from the past and that he earned the title of "the Doctor" in battle, as he attacks with surgeon's precision. He agrees to take her to Morisuke, but will travel by land and not by river. After shaving his beard and cutting his hair, Yasuke takes his blade and leaves with Saki.

Yasuke and Saki reach a village, where the villagers are being beaten by Kurosaka's men, who are looking for them. Saki asks Yasuke to save them and Yasuke kills the men. Kurosaka appears fights Yasuke, who leads her into the forest, giving Saki chance to escape. Kurosaka manages to disarm Yasuke and while he attempts to get his blade back, she hits him with magic. As she is about to finish him, Yasuke stands up and pierces her chest and gets reminded of Natsumaru's death. Kurosaka summons a small blade, but as she tries to strike Yasuke, Saki appears and breaks the blade with her power. Seeing how powerful Saki is, Kurosaka pulls Yasuke's blade and runs away. Yasuke comments she saved him yet again. Saki states she doesn't need protection as she has superpowers, but didn't want to travel alone.

Yasuke and Saki reach another village, initially no one knows Morisuke, but Yasuke notices his men and wait for them to take him to Morisuke. Morisuke wonders what has Yasuke been doing as last he recalls he joined Nobunaga's son Nobutada and continued to fight. As they lost, he got captured by Mitsuhide, but later escaped and no one heard of him after that and Yasuke states he has been surviving. Yasuke reveals that Saki has powers, stronger than even Morisuke. Using his powers, Morisuke throws wood planks, but Saki blocks them. He then throws a bokken, but Saki breaks it into pieces and then combines it again. Morisuke is surprised of her power and everyone including him bow to Saki.

Yasuke decides to leave Saki to Morisuke, but as he leaves the village, he sees the Dark Army. Yasuke informs Morisuke about the approaching Dark Army led by the Dark General and they prepare they final stand. Saki feels pain in her head and Morisuke explains that the Daimyo is reaching out to her on the Astral Plane and that Saki's power can rejuvenate the Daimyo and she can live for another century. Morisuke believes that the Daimyo is using the Dark General as a conduit to connect to Saki's mind. Yasuke takes Morisuke's men and prepare to lead them to battle. Yasuke rides to the enemy army and states the village won't surrender and he wishes to settle things the old way. The Dark General steps up and reveals he is Mitsuhide and shares his regret for leaving Yasuke alive. Yasuke is surprised of what had become of Mitsuhide and states he turned his back on his people, but Mitsuhide disagrees, stating that Nobunaga had turned against his people, when he took Yasuke in. Yasuke attacks Mitsuhide, who fights back without even drawing his sword.

As they fight, Mitsuhide states that the old ways don't suit Yasuke and Yasuke agrees and then gives order to his men, who used the time he fought to surround the enemy and rain arrows upon them. Saki manages to control her power and removes the Daimyo's power from Mitsuhide.

Without the Daimyo's powers, Mitsuhide is heavily weakened. He orders the power armor mechs to break the mountain, from where a second army appears. The mercenaries Achoja, Haruto, Nikita and Ishikawa join the battle and help Yasuke's side. Yasuke defeats Mitsuhide, who while dying tells him that he will always be a servant, however Yasuke states he serves no one and cuts Mitsuhide's head.

As bigger army is approaching Morisuke leads Yasuke and the rest to a secret passage. Yasuke wants to go and kill the Daimyo, but doesn't want Saki to come with him. Morisuke states that Saki is their only hope and that she manages to drive the Daimyo away from the Astral Plane. Yasuke agrees and leaves with Saki.

Yasuke and Saki approach Azuchi Castle. Yasuke attacks a power armor mech and Saki uses her power to make him attack his comrades. Moments later the army starts fighting between themselves and Yasuke uses the moment to carry Saki across the battlefield, while cutting down opponents. They reach the only bridge leading to Azuchi Castle, but a giant mech stands in their way, while troops are behind them. Saki lifts the mech and throws it behind them, breaking the bridge and defeating their opponents.

Yasuke and Saki enter the Azuchi Castle, and Saki states the Daimyo is everywhere. Yasuke hides Saki and goes to look around. The Daimyo sneaks behind him and hits him with her magic. Yasuke awakens, hallucinating, he sees Iga monster soldiers and starts cutting them down. He then sees Nobunaga Oda ghost who tells him he is there to help him defeat the Daimyo and asks him to follow him, leaving Saki to wonder to who he is speaking. He follows the ghost up the stairs and finds Nobunaga still alive, but in pieces. Nobunaga, in reality the Daimyo, tells him that he needs to free him and kill Masako Hojo, the Daimyo. Saki also reaches the top and Nobunaga tells Yasuke that Saki is the Daimyo. Seeing her as the Daimyo, Yasuke rushes towards her, drawing his blade. Saki blocks Yasuke's attacks, she holds him and the Daimyo tells her she must kill him to stop him. Saki refuses to kill her friend and stops fighting, but before piercing her, Yasuke stops as he sees Natsumaru in Saki's place as she repeats words told by Natsumaru. He realizes this is some sort of trick and turns around and attacks Nobunaga, who then turns to the Daimyo and retreats.

The lights goes off and the Daimyo returns as a large monster. Yasuke suggests they fight it together and Saki surrounds Yasuke with her power. Yasuke fights the Daimyo, but she eventually outpowers them. Achoja also loses the battle against the monster and they prepare to be killed. The Daimyo decides to absorb Saki, however Yasuke protects her with his body. The Daimyo pierces his chest and engulfs Saki in a cocoon and starts absorbing her power. A light comes from Yasuke to Saki and she emerges from the cocoon with butterfly wings and instantly defeats the Daimyo.

Saki is happy that they won, but then sees the dead Yasuke. While crying over his body, she ends up activating her magic, which heals him and brings him back to life. Saki feels she is no longer sick. The weak Daimyo tells her that won't last for long as soon she will want more and more and will need the whole world to sustain her. But Saki states she isn't like her and she has friends. The Daimyo asks Yasuke to finish her off, but he states the people will decide her fate. Saki and Yasuke return to Morisuke and see Achoja happy as he has been paid tons of gold.

Yasuke and Saki return to their village, where the villagers welcome them as they are happy Saki took down the Daimyo. Ichiro's father offers Saki to stay at their place, which makes her happy. Yasuke states this isn't his home, but will stay a while until Ichiro's training is complete. Saki gives him Ichika's necklace, telling him to return it one day when she is older.

Sometime later, Yasuke visits Natsumaru's grave and sees her little brother there. He recognizes Yasuke, as he was the one that saved him Gyuichi Ota at the docs. He is sure that Yasuke was the one that send his family a chest of Nobunaga's gold as he was the only one talking to his sister. Yasuke reveals he should have returned something else too and hands him Natsumaru's sword and states Natsumaru died in honor, fighting for her clan. Yasuke then leaves and starts wandering.

Power & Abilities
Yasuke is an incredibly skilled fighter, as he is able to constantly hold his own against several skilled enemies at once. He often fights with opponents notably more powerful than him such as samurais amplified by the Daimyo's Dark Magic. Yasuke has also shown skill in hand-to-hand combat as he was able to successfully disarm an ordinary swordsman with ease, while being barehanded himself.

In addition to his combat prowess, Yasuke has also displayed high tactical intellect as noted by many of his allies and opponents. Yasuke has shown an ability to develop highly effective military tactics and execute them with high precision. Against the large army of the Daimyo, Yasuke was able to successfully stall the opposing army while buying time for his forces to implant several dozen archers hidden in the shadows to strike down the Daimyo's forces.

Yasuke has also shown inhumanly high willpower, as he was able to brutally endure being beaten by brass knuckles and even electrocuted in an attempt to get word on Saki's location out of him for an extended period of time.