Early Background[]
A carving by Saiga given to Akisame as a gift.
Saiga was raised by Hayato Fūrinji, who trained him rigorously through the principles of the Katsujinken, which he would uphold until later in his adult life. Akisame said that he was his best friend. At some point in time, he defeated James Shiba, who supposedly let his guard down, and damaged his right eye and left leg. However, due to more recent revelations, it would appear that the one who maimed Shiba was probably in fact Senzui disguised as Saiga while acting as the One-Shadow, as it has now been established that Saiga is a compassionate man who would most likely not go so far as to permanently maim someone to the extent of destroying their eye and leg.
At some point before marrying Shizuha and becoming the father of Miu Furinji, he had become the founding member of the OSNF, acting as the One Shadow. However, Saiga described it as mere non-aggression pact as he wanted to use martial arts to bring peace to the world. To whether or not this means that he was an actual member of Yami at this point or whether the OSNF became integrated into Yami by either him or Senzui remains currently unknown.
15 years before the current story line, Saiga met Shizuha while observing birds in the mountains. Shizuha noted it was the first time an outsider made it this far and the two became acquainted with each other. However, due to Saiga being an outsider he was considered an enemy of the Kuremisago due to his skills as a fighter, to which he met Senzui during the brief scuffle with the ninja's. Afterwards, the trio became friends. Later Saiga hears from Shizuha that Senzui is her fiance, their coupling decided for the sake of creating better fighters for the village. Shizuha adds that the village hates outsiders such as Saiga which causes him to worry. However, Shizuha smiles at him mentioning that despite him being an outsider she had fallen for him and the two embrace as the two are unaware that Senzui is seen watching the two from afar.
Saiga, Shizuha, and Senzui going against the Kuremisago
However, he had trouble in obtaining her hand in marriage, as the Kuremisago regarded her as a religious symbol, fearing to place her in the hands of someone too strong. Though she was meant to marry Senzui, he actually approved of the two becoming anointed despite Saiga's protests that Senzui can also give her happiness but Senzui declines: as the leader of those who want to change the Kuremisago he cannot follow the tradition that bound him to Shizuha. The Kuremisago split over this, some siding with Saiga and against their tradition and others continuing to uphold it, fighting with each other around the globe. Saiga was able to hold his own in many of these matches without having to kill anyone. However, as the battle dragged on, he began to take up the Satsujinken belief. This however was all a ploy by Senzui, who intended to frame Saiga for his own actions. After having buried many of the Kuremisago from their constant fights, Senzui planned to do something to Saiga after asking for his forgiveness. This would result in Senzui killing numerous Kuremisago members while disguised as Saiga.
Leaders of the Rebellion
During the ordeal with Saiga's identity being brought into question would be around the time he and Shizuha conceived Miu.
Saiga together with his wife and child
Saiga, Senzui, and Shizuha (carrying an infant Miu) receive a report that there is a traitor in their ranks, killing nine of their skilled fighters. Shizuha asks for information on the traitor and, although sensing hesitation from the messenger, urges him to continue his report. Eyewitnesses say that the traitor acted and looked like Saiga, and Shizuha dismisses it as a trap from the traditionalists. Saiga wonders if he is being doubted because of his ties to One Shadow Nine Fists, but he affirms that they have no reason to attack other organizations and that he wants to use martial arts for the sake of peace. The messenger expresses his thanks and trust to Saiga for helping them break away from their past but adds that there are those who believe Saiga was sent to conquer the Kuremisago. Saiga relents and asks them not to trust him and he will act on his own to catch the traitor.
Unfortunately, Senzui would be ordered by the elders to assassinate Shizuha and Miu to end the carnage on both sides. Senzui would be successful in killing Shizuha but was unable to find the infant Miu, but Senzui's actions traumatized the infant of suffering fevers in blizzards due to the belief her father murdered her mother. Upon hearing of his wifes death, Saiga was devastated, unaware that Senzui was the culprit until years later. Out of grief, Saiga leaves his old life behind, leaving his father and the rest of Ryozanpaku and deciding to test his beliefs by temporally joining the side of the Satsujinken. Despite joining the Satsujinken, Saiga still opted not to kill as part of his test to see if his beliefs were really right and began to travel. During this time, he reunites with Senzui, leaving him in charge of the OSNF, and the two of them also eventually met Mikumo Kushinada.
Saiga's actions after this point are currently unknown, but it can be assumed that it was during this moment in Saiga's life that everything fell out of place. Senzui became enticed by Mikumo's views on human nature and began planning the rebirth of the Eternal Sunset alongside her, while continuing to frame Saiga as part of the plan. The OSNF became a part of Yami, with everyone believing that Saiga was still in charge. Because of all of these events and the revelation of Senzui's participation in Mikumo's plan, Saiga had no choice but to play along, remaining on the side of Satsujinken to get closer to the ones planning to revive the Eternal Sunset. Knowing that he would have to give up his life as a Katsujinken, Saiga made it his mission to stop his friend, find his wife's killer, and clear his name as all those who were close to him believed he murdered Shizuha and permanently walked down the path of the Satsujinken. Also, as part of his mission, he created aliases in order to make it easier for him get information, these aliases included a mercenary for hire and a government agent.
At some point during this time, in order to know more about the revival of the Eternal Sunset, he began sharing the title of "Ichiei" with Senzui, with none of the other OSNF members other than Mikumo knowing about it. He also became the master of Kajima Satomi alongside Senzui and the two trained him in the Kuremisago and Furinji styles. It is also believed that he participated in the training of Sho Kano as Sho stated that he was trained in all the fighting styles of the One Shadow Nine Fists, including Furinji Style. The actual details of this event however are currently unknown as it is unknown which of the Ichiei's actually trained him.
After some time had passed Saiga finally discovered of Senzui's past betrayal and swore revenge on him to avenge his late wife. Also because of the actions of Senzui, who is now the current head of the Kuremisago Clan, and the resulting death of his wife, Saiga was widely viewed as a murderer, and eventually becomes viewed as the leader of both the One Shadow Nine Fists and Yami. Recently, his innocence has been proven, and has return to the battlefield as a key player in stopping the Eternal Sunset.
YOMI Saga[]
D of D Tournament Arc[]
Saiga makes his first appearance after Shō's death, however, his face is not shown, he chooses his disciple to lead YOMI. He has also taught his disciple that the key to winning lies in the "heart", which is also one of the Elder's lines.
The Tidat Kingdom Arc[]
Saiga disguised as John.
When his daughter was kidnapped by Jenazad, he pretended to be John the mercenary to get close to Jenazed, having also learned how much Kenichi cares for his daughter. He then finally revealed himself after saving Kenichi and Miu from Jenazed's men saying that those gauntlets were his before they came to Kenichi. He introduces himself to Kenichi and just as he's about to put a coat over Miu for cover, he attacks the five Tidat warriors and takes them down before his coat falls. He then thanks Kenichi for taking care of his daughter. He gives Kenichi Miu's hair clips back while stating John was a lie and says to Kenichi what John would say by saying "A man like you... is worth trusting". Menang tries to attack Saiga only for him to have his left arm twisted and given treatment for it by Hartini. He states he didn't intend to fight unless Miu was truly in danger and just as Sakaki bursts into the room, Saiga has already left. Saiga was watching over Miu from the wall after the army settled down and before leaving, he flashed his gauntlets to Kenichi and Kenichi did the same thing to him not before Hayato and Miu felt his presence.
The Eternal Sunset[]
Saiga disguised as Okamoto.
During the ordeal with the Hachio Executioner Blade, Saiga (while disguised as Okamoto) was first shown having listened on Akisame and Sakaki's fight with the weapons division. He formally introduces himself and helps them stating the best way to find Shigure Kosaka would be to find a woman named Kiyoi Kidou, who may be in the martial arts world somehow.
After finding her, Okamoto greets them again and Akisame says that Okamoto should have heard what happened, knowing that he has put wiretaps in Kiyoi Kidou's room, while Sakaki comments that Okamoto is skilled at hiding his ki and tells him to identify himself. Okamoto dismisses Sakaki's question and states that he is there because he knew Ryozanpaku would get information from Kiyoi Kidou, but he is surprised that they were able to get the location of Yami's base. Additionally, he has a question for them, and he specifies that he has something he wants to ask Kenichi.
While sneaking into the enemy territory he spends that time in training Kenichi and his friends. Later as they rest, Freya questions Niijima about whether they can trust Okamoto, but he mentions there is something suspicious about him, but for now they trust him. After arriving he informs the alliance as they prepare for battle. Okamoto warns them to stay hidden and to travel fast; while the masters are engaging Yami in combat they need to infiltrate the base and render their missiles.
Okamoto stops the rafts and heads for the island first, to minimize the number of casualties. He swims underwater using a straw to draw breath and knocks out two soldiers using the straw as a blowpipe. Okamoto walks into the forest and comes out after a while, beckoning the rafts to go to the shore. Upon walking into the forest, everyone sees a large group of unconscious soldiers who have been knocked out by Okamoto. Okamoto beckons the soldiers to follow him quickly as they keep walking through the forest.
As they travel through the forest, they eventually are found by Yami soldiers and engage in battle, to which Okamoto's soldiers are amazed at how powerful the disciples are. Okamoto volunteers that he stays behind to defeat the rest of the soldiers as the commotion can distract Yami and allow the disciples to sneak inside the missile base. Niijima asks if he's sure about his suggestion since the outcome of the war hinges on the success of their mission; Okamoto repeats the same words that the Katsujinken masters said to the disciples ("I know you guys will come through.") and states that he'll place his faith in the disciples as well. Okamoto orders one of the soldiers to lead the way for the Shinpaku Alliance and tells Kenichi to keep his eyes on Miu.
Saiga saving Miu from Senzui.
Later, as Miu is about to be killed by Saiga, Okamoto shows up and saves her at the last second. However, it is soon revealed that all of this was a deception on the part of Senzui, who had been masquerading as Saiga and was the true One-Shadow. Moreover, Saiga was not the true killer of Shizuha; the one who killed her was Senzui, in his disguise as Saiga. It would appear that Senzui had masterminded everything up to this point in order to try to plunge Saiga into the darkness, himself, as he states that his killing Shizuha was supposedly for Saiga's weakness. Saiga, for his part, was the true identity of Okamoto, as he himself is as much a master of disguise as Senzui (as we saw earlier in the series when Saiga masqueraded as the overweight soldier in Tidat). Miu eventually manages to make it past Kajima Satomi and continues to attack the man who she thinks is her father Saiga, at which point Senzui in his disguise as Saiga attacks and is about to kill her. But at the last moment, the real Saiga, still disguised as Okamoto, shows up and rescues Miu.
Saiga facing off with Senzui.
He and Senzui attack one another, ripping off each other's disguises in the process. Miu asks Saiga what is going on, at which point he tells Miu that they can talk later, but for now he must fight Senzui in order to avenge Miu's mother (thus revealing that Shizuha's true murderer was Senzui, not Saiga). He and Senzui then proceed to engage in a battle of truly epic proportions, both of them proving themselves to be Legendary Masters as they annihilate not only the fortified wall separating Shigure and Niijima from the action, but a huge portion of the building as well, with their first exchange of special techniques.
Saiga's clashing with Senzui after the two masters initial exchange of special techniques.
While fighting with Saiga, Senzui comments that Kenichi is quite skilled to fight on par with their disciple while Saiga questions why he killed Shizuha. Senzui ignores the question and states that despite Kajima taking on Saiga's naivete, he has tenacity and slight madness rooted in his heart that will push him to victory. Saiga asks about Shizuha's death once more as the two masters clash with their kicks as Miu watches her father's battle.
Saiga charges towards Senzui with a barrage of punches, saying that he had trusted Senzui's judgment, but he turned out to be Shizuha's killer. Senzui acknowledges that he lied to Saiga about his wife's death as Saiga's attack tears through an entire wall of the Yami base, but Senzui is unharmed and has caught Saiga's fist in his hand.
Saiga and Senzui unleashing their ultimate techniques.
Senzui reminds Saiga that "a small sacrifice is needed for the greater good" and that it fell on Senzui to make that sacrifice as Saiga could not do it. Tears well up on Saiga's eyes as he reminds Senzui of his betrayal: to him, Shizuha, and the Kuremisago, but Senzui dismisses him saying that his actions saved the Kuremisago and ended the killing. Senzui proclaims that Yami will now let them experience true freedom, one you can only find within a fight. Saiga refuses to accept Senzui's solution and declares that he will not allow someone like Senzui to control the world. Saiga seeks to end their fight with his next attack and Senzui agrees to the challenge and the two masters unleash their ultimate techniques on a head-on attack.
After Kenichi's battle with Kajima results in his victory, Senzui and Saiga fall from above both covered in blood. Senzui notes there was a miscalculation in his results though Saiga notes he thought he'd die first but notes Senzui could fall over any minute. Saiga tells him to give up noting they both never wanted the Eternal Sunset to happen as he questions of Mikumo tempted him into this. When Senzui tries to take matters into his own hands, Saiga reveals he stole his remote launcher noting he has Senzui's moves in the back of his head.
However, Michael Shtilvay arrives and, taking advantage of the situation, Senzui kicks Saiga causing him to drop the device as Senzui is able to recover the detonator. They land under the missile as Senzui notes if he detonates it now it will throw off the missile course. Saiga questions why he didn't kill Miu when he had the chance all those years ago to which Senzui replies he was careless. Saiga goes to attack him but Senzui activates the launch. Saiga just manages to get out of the launch as he calls out to Senzui as the latter dies in the launch.
As the missile launches and everyone despairs over the situation, the elder shows up and seemingly destroys the missile by sacrificing himself in the explosion. However, it is soon seen that the elder survived the blast to which he comments he still is no match for his father.
Saiga congratulates Kenichi and his allies, as they stuck to their principles and saved the world from the darkness of battle with their Katsujinken.
Struck by Saiga's words, Kenichi asks him about his beliefs, knowing Saiga followed the path of Satsujinken in order to save his friends. Saiga asks Kenichi what the Katsujinken means to him and while Kenichi humbly states that he cannot answer such a profound question because he only wishes to fight not to kill even at the cost of his own life, Saiga laughs and responds that Kenichi reminds Saiga of his father.
Epilogue[]
In the Epilogue, Saiga has made peace with his family and was more than willingly accepted as a member of Ryozanpaku again. He later becomes the Father-in-law to Kenichi when he marries Miu and a grandfather to their daughter.